Thoughts on Target Frames and Targets

[JohnnieB]

I’m a senior citizen with bad legs and feet so at the range I try to limit my trips to and from my car and downrange as well as keeping my targets/target frames simple, lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to clean up afterwards.

Here are some of the things I do and use:

I make target frames out of wooded dowels and PVC Tees. The type that flexible tubing attaches to is best.
I carry the frames in bits and pieces and assemble at the range.
Two legs and a crossbar or a single leg with the crossbar centered on it depending on what I’m hanging on the crossbar.
I carry a small hammer and a large aluminum spike to make a pilot hole for the dowels.

I punch a hole in the tops of Glucerna bottles with an awl, feed a string through it and then hang the bottle from a crossbar.
The label comes off easy and the white bottle is visible against most backgrounds. Nice thing is the cap and string are reusable as long as you don’t hit them.
I also drill holes through tennis and golf balls and tie them to the crossbar with strings. Of course the golf balls last me forever at 10 yards and beyond.

For paper targets, I attach scrap cardboard to the crossbar with paper clamps and staple, tape or stick the bullseyes to the cardboard.
Clean up is a cinch since the bottles and balls stay intact pretty well unless I use .357 Mag HPs instead of the .38 Spl LRN, LSWC, LWC and .22 rimfire I usually practice with.
The string I use is actually nylon twine, so it doesn’t get blown away all that often.

I have other target holders and targets, but this is the stuff that rides around in the trunk of my car most of the time.

Anybody else have similar type target frame and target ideas they are willing to share?

John

 

[walnutred]

I took two pieces of scrap 2x4 from the misc. pile and trimmed them to 2' long. I nailed a 2x2 cleat on each end so they are not laying directly on the ground. Drilled a 1/4" hole in the center of each and a 3/8" hole near the end of each piece. next I tied them together with a piece of scrap nylon webbing through the 3/8" hole.

After the elections I collect those wire framed political signs. When I go to the range I carry the wooden 2x4s on one shoulder via the nylon strap and the political sign under my arm. Lay the 2x4's flat on the ground, put the legs of the political sign through the two holes and use spring type cloths pins to hold my paper targets onto the political sign.

It's cheap, light weight, lays flat in transit, I don't have to hammer holes in the ground to hold the target stand and with the nylon strap connecting the two feet easy to carry.

 

[Engineer1911]

At 8 PM Tuesday night, 11-02-10, start harvesting the latest targets and target holders. Your taxes paid for them.

Miller '98 is my best target backer.

 

[jkc]

I use a portable target stand comprised of a base made of light wall 1" x 2" steel tube, with a crossbar at about 18" wide, with 6" upright "sockets" at each end, and at each end, 4'' lengths of tube perpendicular to the cross bar. I insert wooden 1"x2" into the "sockets" and staple a sheet of cardboard to the uprights to hold targets. Through the end pieces I insert 2' lengths of 1x2 as "feet" to make a base. The wooden uprights eventually get shot up, and are easily and economically replaced. The whole apparatus breaks down without any hardware involved, and is lightweight and easy to transport. I've learned the hard way to paint the base bright orange, so it's not easy to overlook when packing up...

 

[Marksman]

Great ideas one and all, how about some pics so they're easier to visualize?

 

[novalty]

Here is mine.

Made it with:
1: 10' Section of 1.5" PVC
2: 4' length of handrail cut in half (has a flat side to it)
3: 4 PVC 1.5" tees
4: 4 90 degree elbows
5: 3/4" Screws (instead of PVC cement, to make it easier to replace broken pieces)
6: Sheet of cardboard cut to fit, and screwed to handrails.
7: Thumb tacks to hold on paper targets.
**With the use of a chop saw I can put one together in about 15 minutes.
***I pre-drill holes in PVC for 3/4" screws to avoid cracking.

It ain't pretty, but here it is together. (You can see where my buddy ISM shot the railing with his M&P 45 at the very top. Which demonstates the durability of the rail, PVC on the other hand no so well, but rather cheap and easy to put together--especially if you have a chop saw.)

This is it broken down for storage and transporting.

 

[novalty]

At 8 PM Tuesday night, 11-02-10, start harvesting the latest targets and target holders. Your taxes paid for them.

Miller '98 is my best target backer.

Had this same idea while driving past the endless supply of them on the side of the road.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

At 8 PM Tuesday night, 11-02-10, start harvesting the latest targets and target holders. Your taxes paid for them.

Miller '98 is my best target backer.

You might get arrested for doing that. They reuse them in the next election. Don

 

[Marksman]

Thanks for the picture, your stand looks like a great way to mount targets. Best part is the knockdown capability and low cost.

 

[Hamden]

Here is mine.

How come you shots is skattered all over dat backer?

 

[novalty]

How come you shots is skattered all over dat backer?

Two Reasons:
1. Placing multiple targets on cardboard.
2. I shoot like Harry in "Dumb and Dumber"

 

[Chef]

I constructed my target frame out of ripped 2x4 and some scrap plywood. I made the bottom so I could remove the top bolt and fold the legs flat. I slotted the frame to accept foam lined poster board available at any office supply store which comes in many different colors. The fluorescent colors are much easier to see when shooting very long range. I can also remove the base and use a pvc stand I made from 2 inch pipe but its a lot bulkier. Regards, Chef