Spinner/Auto-Reset Targets

[sammybaddy]

Hi all. First post on this board. I'm kind of new to firearms, but have a small collection of .22, .38s and 9mm. I do plan on getting a .40 and .45 one of these days.

Anyway, I have some questions regarding spinner and auto-reset targets (thinking about buying some for xmas gifts). Any help/tips will be appreciated.

1- Sports authority has these .22lr spinner targets. I like how they have varying sizes. I was wondering after you hit a spinner, how long does it take to get back into position before you can shoot again?

2- They also have Do-All auto-reset targets. The 9mm-30.06 target is $69.99 and the .38-.44 target is $23.97.

Can i safely shoot the .38-.44 target with a smaller caliber pistol, like a 9mm or even .22lr? There is over a $45 price difference between the two targets. I would think that the larger caliber target would cost more, but it doesnt.

3. What do they mean by "soft nose"? Is that some special type of ammo I need to shoot at these targets? Right now I just goto Wal-Mart and tell em the caliber I want and whatever they give me is what I shoot.

4- Can these targets take a good beating? Basically, I want something that will last.

5- And finally, is distance important for spinners and/or auto-reset targets? I have heard bad things about steel targets being dangerous at short distances.

TIA!

 

[SDC]

1). Most .22s will simply rock a metal spinner back an inch or two, and then it'll fall back to its previous position; if you want to wait until it's completely still, it shouldn't take more tha 5 or 6 seconds, but part of the fun is dinging it as fast as you can

2). From the description, it sounds like the ".38-.44" target was built for centre-fire handguns, but the "9mm-.30-06" target could take up to .30-06 soft-point rifle loads; that being the case you could certainly shoot the .38-.44 target with a 9mm, but using FMJ ammo might end up "dimpling"it.

3). "Soft-nose" ammo is just a bullet with an exposed lead point on the nose; this means it'll penetrate less on a hard target, and do less damage (what you want if you're shooting at a reusable target). The other option is to make your target of a harder grade of steel, which is what they apparently use in the "9mm-.30-06" target.
HTH.

 

[cool45auto]

Welcome to THR!

 

[BamBam-31]

What cool9mm said!

As long as you shoot the recommended calibers/bullets at them, they should last pretty long. I just spray paint mine after I scuff it up at the range.

The local ranges that do offer/allow steel targets have them at minimum distances of 35 yards/50 yards. I think this is to minimize danger from riccochets.

Hope that helps! Stick around, THR's full of friendly and knowledgable people (I'm just one of the friendlies).

 

[sammybaddy]

Thanks for the help guys . I went and bought a spinner today from a local shop.