I live in the country and am fortunate to have pasture land where I can shoot. There is a nice swath of acreage about 350 yards or so in length that ends at the bottom of about a 15 foot vertical ridge line- a great backstop. The rifle range is marked with concrete markers laid in the field at 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 yards. They’ve held up pretty well, but the cattle sometimes break them. I generally shoot steel, mostly round targets from ShootSteel.com hung on shepherd’s crooks. These work really well- simple to move around and maintain. Also have a torso target that swings on bungee cords suspended from a 2 x 4. The 2 x 4 is placed on top of a couple of 4 x4s I have sunk in the ground. This has worked pretty well, too. Now, after several years of use and weather, it’s time to think about repair and maybe upgrading the setup. Also, I’d like to have some sort of paper/cardboard target system to train for close range shooting (when it’s too close for steel). Would also like to have some more friends over this year to shoot for fun. Dueling tree maybe?
So, here are my questions:
(1) Any recommendations on specific designs for cardboard target holders? (I’m handy with woodworking, don’t have metal working skills though.)
(2) Ideas for improvements to the range that will withstand the elements and cattle?
(3) Shooting activities that are fun for small groups, including some new to shooting? What’s worked for you?
I would consider not having steel targets where the cows graze as the jacket pieces and shards along with the usually lead disc from pistol rounds are likely to be eaten.
For paper/cardboard, simple metal bases with 1x2" strips that insert at the base, light and easy to move.
Small groups, maybe the dueling tree and a plate rack. Bowling pins on a table. .22 swingers are fun and challenging, especially for the younger ones.
range markers flush with the ground at 3, 7, 10, 25,50,75,100 yards… When I do this at our public range, I will make Alaskan tacks out of 1/4" rebar with flat discs welded on top, and the markings plowed out with a plasma cutter, because morons will shoot at the markers at a public range.
cardboard holders:
[ul]
[li]make jigs to make the parts, because wood versus .223 always ends up bad for the wood.
[/li][li]a dado down the middle of the uprights and bottom, 1/4 X 1/4, to retain the cardboard.
[/li][li]I would make the opening for a pistol target 12 X 18, because that is the target size for CCW qualification in NM.
[/li][li]I would make a Masonite sheet at 12.5 X 18.25 as a template for the inserts, so you can more inserts quick and easy with any sharp knife.
[/li][li]shelf brackets and drywall screws and a fresh battery in the DeWalt, because fancy pants joinery is incompatible with field expedient repairs
[/li][li]more frames, sized for coyote and antelope and what you got where you live
[/li][li]if you just dado every 2 X 4 1/4 X 1/4 or 1/4 X 1/2 deep, you can use plywood or Masonite inserts on windy days, or double up cardboard
[/li][/ul]
Walmart has fluorescent balls and cubes that react to .22s. don’t put them at measured distances, just throw them. herd them downrange, for experience with random targets at ground level, small game sized
I pick up abandoned political, real estate and other corrugated plastic signed along roads to use as target backer. The plastic hold up to the weather better than cardboard.
I have bought reactive steel targets, bases, and a dueling tree from Bobcat Steel and RSR Steel Targets. I like the bases for cardboard targets that use 1x2’s and also for hanging bigger steel with 2x4’s. I also use the shepherd’s crooks for hanging smaller steel.
Dueling trees, plate racks, and the spinning propeller-type targets are fun for groups.
Range update: spent Saturday morning cleaning up downed trees. There’s a reason sane people do chainsaw work in the winter- Texas summer heat can be oppressive! Good news is that my boy and I spent a great afternoon assembling a clay pigeon stand, and put it to use today. For those of you with kids, man I heartily recommend the clay targets. They are crazy cheap ($6/ case of 90 at Walmart), and my son lit up every time he shattered one. Good times at the range. Dueling tree may be next!
Excellent advice. It also seems to me that the corrugated plastic will take a LOT more rounds, at least rifle/pistol rounds (I don’t shoot much shotgun), before it’s shot up too bad to be a good backer.
Anyone have recommendations for a dueling tree that will work with .22LR and 9mm pistol rounds? ActionTarget had one that was reviewed and recommend by Nutnfancy several years ago, but the company specifically advises against using rounds other than .22. Don’t want to spend $500 or more on a tree that is too heavy for .22LR, but optimally would get one that could handle both. Suggestions? Thanks!
The problem is that all 22 rimfire tree plates are made from 1/4" A36 hot rolled steel plate which will not deform when using .22 rimfire but will not withstand centerfire handgun rounds very long. You might be able to special order a tree with AR plates.
The rimfire dueling tree from Action Targets is made from AR500, according to the product description. I was hoping that it would be light enough to work with .22LR but tough enough to handle some 9mm. Thoughts?
Action Target knows what they are about in terms of plates and turners. From their website and FAQ:
*The Rimfire Dueling Tree is designed for use with .22 rimfire ammunition only. Using ammunition other than .22 rimfire may result in the malfunction of the target’s reactive features or even damage to the target. Please refer to the Steel Target Safety Rules before shooting on any steel target, and learn more about steel hardness and target design by reading The Science Behind Steel Targets.
FAQs
Can I shoot my rimfire .17 HMR on this target?: While the .17 HMR is a rimfire round, its velocity is too great for the reactive mechanisms of the target. This target is designed for .22 rimfire ammunition only.
Can I shoot centerfire handgun rounds on this target?: While this target is made of 1/4" AR500 armor steel which can withstand the force of a centerfire handgun round, shooting it with more powerful rounds will cause it to wear out quickly and cause the reactive features of the target to malfunction.
Dueling Tree Update: So ActionTargets sent us the rimfire dueling tree. Took about a month to actually get the product, and then the hardware package was incomplete. Couldn’t get ahold of the company for awhile (no email response, voice mail on multiple calls). However, eventually contact was made and they sent out some bolts and nuts to complete assembly. Overall quality is superb. Super heavy duty. Should last a life time. I think the steel would likely handle centerfire pistol rounds, but the fine print suggests that that kind of energy may cause the paddles to swing around and then bounce back. I’m scared to try it for fear it might pock mark the steel. For .22LR, it’s a dream, though some sub-sonic rounds don’t have enough energy to reliably swing the paddles all the way around. Lots and lots of fun when shooting this with my boy. I suspect there are lighter (and cheaper) versions out there, but for high quality, I’d recommend it for adding some action to your range.