Targets Home made or production

[Rutnut]

We would like to set up a range at our place with maybe more than just some "4 sale signs" stuck in ground with "bullseye" targets on them. They are okay but we were thinking some spinner style set ups, knock overs, and ??? Need some ideas as to what others have in their range set up for pistol shooting practice. 5-25 yards mainly.
We have a simple "bullseye" target set up w stick em in the ground for sale signs now, but would like some more interesting stuff to shoot at. All ideas appreciated and any pics much appreciated.

 

[Artofgolf]

Go watch hickok45 at his website. That might give you a few ideas to ponder, I reckon

 

[djont57]

hickok45 could sell tickets to his range. I would go

 

[Chuck R.]

For handguns shot at close distance I go with commercial AR 500 exclusively, I've got about 30 pieces total on my range. Once your targets get dented/dimpled you will start getting splash-back. Pics of some of mine.

8" Plates on individual home made stands:


Close up of mount:


Arntzen targets 2/3rsd IDPA Silhouettes mounted on Arntzen portable stands:


More targets and some AR500 Bowling pins I ordered:


Course of fire setup steel mixed with cardboard with barricades:


I use steel to reinforce speed, and cardboard (IDPA TGTs) to reinforce accuracy. Really your imagination is the limit on your own range, for instance here's my homemade mover:


A pretty cool knockdown made "Challenge Targets". It has an 8" plate at the center that requires a hit, or the TGT remains standing. I modded it by making face plate behind the head that requires a hit to the ocular cavity to take down.




Then added replaceable faces:

Chuck

 

[jmorris]

How about reactive steel that auto resets?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIOcNNcLxnU


Moving targets

http://vid121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/autotargets.mp4

Running target (on slow speed)

http://vid121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/runner1.mp4

Star target with counter rotating "no shoot" targets behind the plates.

http://vid121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/funstar.mp4

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would include a gong, if possible falling plates and a few action targets. A 3D body target for SD proactive would be nice too but now I'm getting pricey.

What's fun are targets that hold clay targets to break. Of course there is nothing wrong with bulk paper plates either lol.

 

[joem1945]

I love the sound of bullets hitting steel.

 

[Furncliff]

I have purchased and hand made all kinds of reactive targets, but I keep coming back to tin cans. If I had to make a suggestion it would be the self sealing reactive targets like these...

http://www.amazon.com/Champion-Duraseal-Crazy-Bounce-Target/dp/B00AU6DVUA/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1454028003&sr=8-7&keywords=shooting+reactive++targets

 

[roval]

I love shooting steel.

I hang my gongs with the original stand that came with my Caldwell magnum rifle gong. That stand has been shot up but is still quite functional. I have a 10 inch bullseye gong from shootingtargets 7 with a 3 inch cutout. A 6 inch and a 4 inch and my Caldwell gong which is roughly 9 inches. I use the 4 inch for 22 lr pistol at 25 yrds or 50 yrds offhand with my cz ultralux with iron sights. The other gongs at 25 sometimes 50 yrds. If with rifle 100 or 200 rested.

I have a big dog steel target with a flipping head it's fun to shoot the head at 25 yrds. Yesterday first time I, I took it out to a 100 yrds to check how I'd do with my srh 44 mag and my new 1911. The 44 mag was consistent the 45 acp was literally more hit and miss. This of course was with torso plate.

I have a dueling tree with 6 inch plates. I shoot it at 25 yrds.

I stencil crosshairs on my targets and I made a stencil of the head I cut out myself from a print of the target available online from big dog steel. Sometimes I stencil the head on my 9 inch gong if I'm too lazy to setup the big dog target itself.

I have to use a hand cart when setting up the dueling tree or my big dog target in the city range.

 

[chris in va]

Nobody asked if he has a large berm and no neighbors around?

 

[Chuck R.]

Nobody asked if he has a large berm and no neighbors around?

I guess most of us just focused on trying to answer the question he asked.....

I mean we probably could start asking if he's a convicted felon, over age 21, not shooting under the influence, wearing ear and eye protection, not a terrorist, yada, yada, yada.

But sometimes it's a lot easier just to answer the question.

Chuck

 

[Shootshellz]

Go to www.letargets.com. Type in 'maine target' and find 'target B' (suspect with a shotgun) on sale for as little as 19 cents a target (cheaper for volume sales). I purchased a bunch and IMHO it is a great deal for paper targets.

 

[Snowdog]

You've been a member for 6 years and this is your 2nd post?

Seriously though, never mind me. I'm simply jealous you have the land for a range. I live in a subdivision with a rather restricted HOA and have to get in my car and drive to my range.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I have access to large sheets of extra-thick cardboard, so I use a sharpie pen to draw large 10" circles, with smaller 3" circles inside them (this is for pistol shooting), and I support them with the wire stands from election or real estate signs, both of which which I accumulate sporadically and save.
My best shooting bud gets these super-thick carboard tubes from his work (large textile plant), and we've used those as targets for years. But, my problem with those is that if I'm barely missing just off to one side, I never know how to correct, and I end up wasting ammo and getting all irritated. Shooting large sheets cardboard lets me know immediately where my rounds are actually going. Plus, they're free.

 

[Delford]

Political candidate signs are free for the taking after the election so I load my truck with a dozen or so. My shooting buddy and I space them for width and depth and set up defensive scenarios. The signs have stars, circles, lines and all kinds of geometrics that make it challenging and fun. They come down quickly so a casual trespasser won't see where we shoot. We shoot at the farm in a safe stand of trees. It's not Hogan's Alley but we have to move and adapt so it keeps us aware of what needs to further improve.

We also hang string from tree to tree to tree so they aren't connected and recover quickly from being hit. We put screws into golf balls, hang those and use our .22lr Pistols to hit them. I'm especially proud when I can hit one still swinging. I'm happy to get 50%.

 

[rondog]

I made this out of 2x4's, very simple. 4ft. tall, 2ft. wide. From three standard studs, I can make two of the upright frames with about 6" of scrap. 48" sides, 24" top piece, 21" bottom piece. The base is separate, just as easy to make, just make the feet long enough to withstand the wind. Cover with a 24"x24" piece of cardboard, staple targets to it, start tearin' it up. The vertical frame legs fit into the base, so it comes apart to toss in the back of the truck.







Also made this to hang an 8" AR500 plate from. Also very simple to make, just used 24" 3/4" pipe nipples and fittings from Home Depot. The crossbar has 1" pipe slipped over to act as spacers, one piece 12" and two 5". Works very well, but .30-06 rounds will flat demolish those chain links!

 

[V-fib]

I have the metal spinners and gongs which are fun to shoot. another cool target to make is to simply take a larger piece of cardboard and cut small flaps in it at intervals to hold clay skeet targets you can have about a dozen of them cut into the cardboard and go down the line breaking them or add them to your silhouette target There's a great video on utube on how to make them if you search homemade targets. another fun exercise I was doing just yesterday is to shoot large plastic containers that you throw a distance then they bounce and move as you shoot them also the bright orange balls they sell for that purpose are fun.

v-fib

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Do your community a favor!

Go out and scarf up those campaign signs after the polls close upon your next local elections... I do!


Todd.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I like those plastic election campaign signs. Great target holders or just use them as is.

 

[Rembrandt]

 

[Artofgolf]

Nice range setup, Rembrandt I really like the hanging steel fixtures you've made. Looks like lotsa fun!

 

[Rutnut]

Snowdog, yeah, member for awhile for research and knowledge and wisdom of folks on this site. Mainly a "hunting" shooter but my interests and hobbies are changing some and would like to shoot our pistols more as well as some trap shooting w our shotguns. I am very grateful to have some land and room for small range walk set up. Also, it will give me time with my son as he loves shooting and after loosing one of my two sons 2 years ago I value and treasure every moment w him. Going rabbit hunting Saturday, gonna be a hoot.

THANKS to everyone for ideas and pics. MUCH appreciated.

 

[pcgunner]

I made this out of 2x4's, very simple. 4ft. tall, 2ft. wide. From three standard studs, I can make two of the upright frames with about 6" of scrap. 48" sides, 24" top piece, 21" bottom piece. The base is separate, just as easy to make, just make the feet long enough to withstand the wind. Cover with a 24"x24" piece of cardboard, staple targets to it, start tearin' it up. The vertical frame legs fit into the base, so it comes apart to toss in the back of the truck.







Also made this to hang an 8" AR500 plate from. Also very simple to make, just used 24" 3/4" pipe nipples and fittings from Home Depot. The crossbar has 1" pipe slipped over to act as spacers, one piece 12" and two 5". Works very well, but .30-06 rounds will flat demolish those chain links!

Those are great stands - thanks for the ideas!

 

[FL-NC]

Lots of things can be done for free or cheap. Amazing what you can do with old cardboard boxes and a box cutter. Clay pigeons are cheap too. Also any old plastic containers (water/soda bottles, shampoo bottles, salad dressing bottles, etc.) filled with water are free reactive targets, and easier to clean than glass. Sporting goods stores sell inexpensive rubber spinning targets too. Tennis balls can take a lot of rounds before they are done. Cheap paper plates, 3x5 and 5 x 8 index cards. Make simple stencils out of cardboard and use spray paint to apply design to whatever paper you have available- even newspaper. When I was a kid I would shoot ritz crackers or plastic army men (buy in bulk at a dollar store)with a 22. About the only targets I buy are the shoot & see ones for zeroing hunting rifles. Use your imagination!

 

[Shimitup]

Here's a couple of my swingers, I hang these on rebar frames. Even though they're cratered I have yet to feel any spit, always eye protection of course. The mild steel is easy to weld and cheap. The left one is obviously .22 only.