Exploding Targets?

[Officers'Wife]

Hi Paw Daddy,

Growing up, one of my crazier neighbors welded a plate to a 55 gallon drum that had been drilled to accept a 12 gauge shotshell. He then put another plate with a bolt that rested on the primer. The rifle ball hitting the top plate would set off the shot shell with predictable results. There were no arguments that the target was hit @ 500 yards.

If this sounds like a good idea to you, seek help immediately.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Farmers have used ANFO for years to blow stumps and the coal companies use the stuff by the truckload when they shoot a slab shot. ANFO is extremely stable and there are formulas on the Internet.

This is true, but getting ANFO to detonate reliably requires either a #8 blasting cap or prima-cord. Most of the blasting people I've run across recommend a booster as well. The problem you are going to run into- any compound sensitive enough to react to small arms fire is too sensitive for general use. I could mention a number of compounds from nitrostarch to nitroglycerin, none of which should be handled by any hobbyist. Even the rather innocuous nitrogen iodide is highly dangerous in large enough quantities for your stated use.

File this under - would be nice but responsibility denies it.

 

[Nate1778]

Propane tank and AP/incendiary rounds make a pretty big POP............

 

[zoom6zoom]

Tannerite is a blast... literally. Always fun at the range, we had a group buy on another board not too long ago.

They will ship to all states. From their web page:
TANNERITE is STILL 100% legal in all states, provided you do not exceed your state's black powder storage amount. Do not mix more than you intend to use at one time to ensure compliance. We are not responsible for "Acts of stupidity", so please use common sense.

 

[chris in va]

I know this thread got started in 2003, but...

Interesting about the SureShot targets. Until my range banned the use of 'tannerite', I had been making my own out of AN, AP and aluminum powder. Finding pure prilled AN is very difficult, so it's nice to know he sells it by itself. 20# for $60 isn't too bad when you simply can't find it at all.

BTW Knob Creek is the range that banned it for general range use. Crazy huh?

 

[mds213]

Hey ,

I thought about on of the posts on here about anfo and the reply to it was 75% correct.
ANFO has to be set off with a cast booster, a #8 cap or det cord would not likely do it. In the industry we sell cast boosters made from RDX or PETN (the stuff in detcord ) and the customer fills the hole with ANFO then places the cast booster in the hole with a #8 cap in it and it's all hooked up with NONEL tube. It takes a blast around 23000 fps. to set it off. I have shot it and no go! Could not set it off with a 30-06 or a 22-250. It's just too stable. I sell E1 grade Ammonium Nitrate! If you look on my home page you will see in the lower right corner a brown sack with a 5.1 Oxidizer sticker on it. If you look close there is an orange outline around the yellow sticker. If you peeled off the sticker it says 1.4D Explosive. They don't normally sell straight AN so I get it in ANFO bags with the label blacked out by marker where it says Fuel Oil And an oxidizer sticker put on it and they are filled with the Ammonium Nitrate that would normally be made into ANFO. So I allways have my license with me if they were to pull the truck over with oxidizer plackerds on it and think I put Stickers on ANFO!! Little scary !! Again if any one has questions on where to get exploding targets or on explosive chemistry I know a little more than some. but I'm not a rocket scientist by far!! You can check out http://www.sureshotexplodingtargets.com I put the legal stuff right on there.

Have a good day,
MDS213

 

[mds213]

The targets I sell are exactly what you saw on wreckreation nation! And they are completely legal!! 1 and 2 Lb and the raw chemicals also if you want to mix your own, save a little money and supply your own containers!

MDS213

 

[mds213]

"Sure Shot Exploding Targets" On Sale Now Check It Out

 

[mds213]

PawDaddy,

Try my 2Lbers. All my customers say good things about them!

 

[tactikel]

I shot some 2x2" stick on exploding targets a buddy had a few year ago. When hit they would make a LOUD bang (and blow a 1" hole in a 2/6!!) don't remember the brand, but they were FUN

 

[rcromwell29]

exploding targets

Does anyone know where in california to buy the Ammonium nitrate fertilizer to make these targets? I am in the military and traveled last year through Texas on my way to Florida and bought (2) 50 lbs of 33-0-0 and was told it was ammonium nitrate fertilizer and that it would work. However, after I got home and added the AL to it and tried shooting with my AR nothing happened. So I did the research on what I purchased and found that it is American Plant Food Company brand Ammonium sulfate with UREA but is labled 33-0-0. Obviously I bought the wrong stuff but still want to make these targets can someone point me in the right direction on where to buy.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Don't know if anybody has linked it, but I know that there is a thread here somewhere about how to make home made tannerite,

I believe that it's basically fertilizer and aluminum powder
you can add stuff like carbon/charcoal powder for a yellow flash
diesel for a fireball and other stuff, but I would suggest starting VERY small and working up, cause it is an explosive even if it's a legal Binary.

 

[rcromwell29]

homemade exploding targets

here is the recipet.

http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/iB_html/uploads/post-54-41765-HomeMade_Tannerite.pdf

Have fun be careful and good luck finding the fertilizer to make this. it seems almost impossible to find. If anyone knows any place close to california that sells it please send me a private message and let me know

 

[06]

Legal or not, if you buy any quantity the dealers are under orders to report the sale. Do not be surprised to get a visit from the "men in black". For some completely legal target material go to DownSouthAmmo.com here is a link:
http://downsouthammo.com/ Nice folks to deal with.

 

[mds213]

Reporting to the ATF

I am a licensed manufacturer of explosives and also sell exploding targets and kits so you can use your own containers and save money. We actually have a new 1/2 LB "Rimfire Magnum" that you can set off with a .22LR and is as loud as 4LBS of tannerite!! I started a group buy for the targets with free shipping! But as far as reporting to the ATF or any agency, that is completely false! I have had face to face meetings with the ATF and I am not required to report anyone who buys the targets! I get I.D. for personal comfort not because I have to! So don't worry about big brother knocking on your door!
www.SureShotExplodingTargets.com

Matthew

 

[BigRugerLover]

Cabelas

This just arrived in the Cabela's flyer:

"Star Exploding Targets...consist of two inert components that when mixed blow up if impacted by a high-velocity projectile...takes at least a 40gr bullet at 2200fps to detonate."
RHA-23-0102 et. al.
0.5 lb "safe distance 50 yds" $6.99 each $19.99 for 3
2.b lbs "safe distance 100 yds" $17.99 each $49.99 for 3

 

[Jeff F]

I don't think so Jim ...... IIRC ANFO requires to be ''kicked'' by something with a VOD (velocity of detonation) in excess of 5km/sec .... usually Cortex (det-cord) or even a 1/2 stick of 80%. It burns with some difficulty and to succeed with genuine detonation ..... must have a very brissant primary.

You are correct, however, if you mix AN and the right amount of German brown powered aluminum it will make it shock sensitive ala Tannerite. I worked for a blaster for a period of time and we used to mix up some of our own stuff for certain jobs.

 

[Blackrock]

Here ya go - not cheap but fun.
http://www.theexplodingtargets.com/

 

[Rail Driver]

I know it's not exactly an "exploding target" but I use charcoal bricks. You can get them in bulk at walmart and get your bulk pack of .22 at the same place. Makes for a great afternoon of fun shooting even though you get a little dirty setting up the targets

They explode nicely when struck with any bullet.

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Star Targets is a company based in Utah. I've used these and they are nicer than Tannerite because the catalyst is already in a packet inside the container. You just empty it and shake whereas you have to measure both components with Tannerite. The prices are better, too. I've never bought them at Cabela's since the local gun stores in Vegas stock them.

 

[coppermouse]

If you use 1 lb or more of Tannerite or similar be prepared for a visit from the police. I can tell you from experience. Unless you don't have any neighbors closer than like a mile someone will probably call. I had th ATF come out. Also the guy at Tannerite is very knowlegable and helpful

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Sure Shot Targets also come with a pre-measured bag of catalyst for each target!

Star Targets have this same feature. I have never compared the decibel level between other brands and Star Targets, but I certainly wasn't disappointed when the Star Targets ignited. I had nice results with the 1/4 lb and 1/2 pound targets and I've seen folks blast the larger ones. Try it inside a pumpkin

I've had one not ignite once, but the bullet (7.62x39) clipped the bottom corner and dispersed the fertilizer or whatever is inside it. Maybe I got a dud, or maybe I didn't shake it up long enough. The container says to do so for 45-60 seconds.

 

[mds213]

7.62 and exploding targets

Pocket Rocket , That happens with all targets except the Rimfire Magnum targets from Sure Shot! Even Sure Shot Targets, when grazed, will either not detonate or will put off sparks, this includes Tannerite! I also have had issues with all targets and 7.62 rounds. The issue I have found is if your using the X 39mm and not the X 54mm you will have a hard time setting the target off! Also, even with a 7.62X54mm round you still have trouble setting them off at any distance. It comes down to the amount of kinetic energy applied to a small area and the 7.62 rounds sometimes do not create the energy needed!! I know without question the 1/2LB Sure Shot Rimfire Magnum Target will detonate reliably with any supersonic round from a .22LR at 1200-1400FPS and up! These targets allow you to shoot them with your long range, big bore rifle or you have the option to shoot them with a .22LR or the like! Just trying to get factual information out there for people to read!

MDS213
www.SureShotExplodingTargets.com:D

 

[carlsca]

Cabelas sells that stuff too. It is in their catalog and on line.

 

[Gord]

FWIW I bought four of the Star targets (advertised as rimfire targets) from a shop here in Utah. Couldn't get a single one to detonate or even spark, even with 7.62x54R. Lesson learned: don't bother cheaping out - buy reactive targets with good reputations. They are not all created equal.