What Do You Use For Targets?

[Highplains]

I use a receiver sight on a Marlin 38-55. While doing some load development at 50 yards, I've found that I shoot much tighter groups if I center the front bead on the target rather than shooting at the 6 0'clock position. This is fine using a traditional 8 inch target. At 50 yards, the bead fits the target with just enough of the target showing to center it in. At 100 yards this will be another story and I'd need a much bigger target. I'm looking for the easiest way to go about this without spending a fortune at Midway on NRA 300 yard and beyond targets. Are you folks just making them out of black paper and poster board or what? Is there a source of cheap targets that are big enough for what I need?

Thanks

[AJMD429]

I use my word processor's "table" function to create an 8"x8" table with 1" squares, shade the background of the center four with grey, and use that. The three little 'dots' on the left edge are where a paper punch will fit a 3-ring binder.

[Blaine]

I shoot at little rocks, big rocks, weed clumps, empty shotshells left behind, cans, NOT bottles , hang something small on a string off a branch....almost anything safe that isn't a paper target

[Ben_Rumson]

Get a can of your favorite color paint for a bull...Make a stencil the appropriate diameter and spray away..

[J Miller]

I shoot at mostly bulls eyes at the range but I do use the 6:00 hold with my front sights. Can't see the target by covering it up, so I can't get any groups.
In recent rears I've tried targets with gridded crosses on them similar to the one AJMD posted but with thicker cross bars.

Joe

[Highplains]

AJMD429:

The bead on my front sight would cover that 8" at 100 yards but I can sure see where centering on crossed lines would work.

[Highplains]

J. Miller:

If the target is big enough, I'm guessing 10-12 inches, then the bead will center on it. But I'm like you. Until a better idea comes along, I'm going to try the crossed bars.

[BwanaDave]

Plywood Zulus

[Griff]

Mostly "Dixie" plates. Sometimes Ranch Dog's target when I enter his postal matches. I like AJMD's idea.

A six o'clock hold is best for hunting, or simulation of same at the range, IMO. It's best with post type front sights, where you just pick an easily distinguished point on the target. I then simply sight in for a POI 3" above my POA. On the paper plates I will sometimes make a short upside down "T" near the bottom third.

[Lefty Dude]

12 ga. hulls make the best targets.

[2X22]

12 ga. hulls make the best targets.

You're not kidding! I use 12 and 20 gauge hulls that other shooters leave behind. 25 yards they are easy with the large bead on a Marlin, but 50+ yards and you better buckle down

But I also do lots of bullseye work. When my son gets time off work long enough to come shootin' with me, he brings a couple cases of clay pigeons along. 100-200 yard work on those little fellers with open sights is great fun

2x22

[Malamute]

Uh,...I use a small spray point spot, or a small circle drawn with a sharpie marker on a piece of cardboard for sighting in or shooting groups. Otherwise, it's all those other things mentioned, or the steel plates @ 300 and 600 yards. There's lots of good rocks and brush clumps at various ranges out to 1200 or so yards. It gets hard to see the dust after that far.

Shooting spot,

[El Chivo]

I agree spray paint is your best bet. I cut both ends off of a tin can and put it against the board, and spray. Makes a nice round bullseye. Walmart has spray paint for .99c a can.

You might need a bigger can - get some Planter's Peanuts and save the can.

I also like playing cards out to 50 yards or so.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Upside down T... I make them thicker, taller depebding on range. I used to use a triangle but the inverted T is much more precise.
Black marker, crayon and any white paper.

[bdhold]

I print paper targets off the internet for my daughter and her pellet gun.
we had a lot of fun shooting the teeth out of those grinning mouths.

[Old Ironsights]

>100 yds = 10" armorplate gong from www.metaltargets.com

<100 yds = dirt cheap bulk paper plates.

Both use the cheap spraypaint of the week...

[mikld]

I took a piece of plane paper and colored a 4" dot (or any other size/shape) in the center with a marker. I then xeroxed a bunch, (can't remember what it cost .02 - .03 per, and I did some at work). I've got about 1,000 of various shapes sizes around somewhere.

[Gun Smith]

I use that cheap construction paper the kids use. I make inverted "T's" 2" wide with 4-6" legs from my 1" black target masking tape. I hold in line with the vertical leg, and at six o'clock on the horizontal leg. Easy to read hits with my spotting scope too.
I get many spots like that off an 18"x24" piece.

[salvo]

I let the politicians running for office supply me with all the target stands and backing plates I ever need. After an election those so called politicians take there time taking down their signs, I collect the re-bar and if the sign itself is sturdy I throw it in the truck too. Cut the sign up as wide and tall as you want your target backing or even trace a store bought humanoid shaped target I think they are B-59's? anyways hammer the re-bar in the ground as wide as your target backing and use bailing wire to attach them. I like white backing targets so bring some spray paint to cover up the old sign. Attach your target to the backing using tape. From 25 -50 yards I like black squares printed off the computer, or dayglo stickers.





at 75-200 yds a red paper plate is the easiest to see with open sights.



Then I just leave the rebar in the ground at my desert range to use again another day! Also you can stick single re-bar in the ground at undetermined ranges and with a clay bird and a rubber band you have a clay bird stand, much better than shooting them off the ground.
I also have a full set of IHMSA steel targets if I'm shooting with a bunch of people or just want to practice field shooting for the day.

[adirondakjack]

Out to 50 yards, (half of that with revolvers), a plain ole paper plate with a 1.5" center dot colored in with marker, or a square of 1" blue masking tape works dandy. Cheap, and momma's always got a "value pack" of em in the kitchen. For a stand, a 3' long stick or piece of re-bar or 1/4" steel rod with a clothespin taped to the top, and clip the plate on "lollipop" style.

[David]

I like charcoal briquettes they are cheap, biodegradable, and you know when you hit them.

[Joel]

I shoot all the veg from the garden that gets too big and pithy to eat. Squash, zukes, tomaters, cukes, peppers, pumpkins etc

Anything that gets too big, or too funky goes out to the target berm. Then I get volunteers at the berm next year, and I plant them in the garden instead of buying new plants from the nursery.

[Gun Smith]

Pretty nice shooting from some of you guys on this website.

[Sixgun]

With a black magic marker, I made a 4" x 4" square with a 1" inner circle. I then sneak in the shipping office before the boss comes in and run out several hundred of them

I made a rubber stamp out of a piece of soft rubber (1 and 1/2" with a half inch inner circle) I use this for 25-50 yard shooting.

I also make my own "shoot 'n see" targets by tightly stretching Saran Wrap over white cardboard and spray paint it flat black. These can be made in any size.

I had several gongs made from armor plate that I use at 100 to 300 meters. .223 black tip does not even hurt it. I hang them from 3/4" rebar.

I use a 6 o'clock hold on everything. Its the only sight picture that makes sense

[Old Ironsights]

I've got to be careful with my Gong.. apparantly (according to the magnet) all of my 7.62 surplus (in 54R or .308) is steel core...

[SFRanger7GP]

I mostly use the cheapest paper plates I can find. The dinner and desert size both make great targets.

[RIHMFIRE]

i print out targets from mytarget.com

[Buck Elliott]

"ALMOST NOTHING IN THIS WORLD IS SO USELESS THAT IT CAN'T BE A FINE TARGET."

[new pig hunter]

make your own Shoot-N-C targets ......
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=14745

a target stand idea:
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... 6&p=328075

Cheers,

Carl

[win38-55]

I use a steel plate spin target that I made out of .500 inch of steel armor plate.
Works really good out to 250 yards. You know you hit it every time because it
responds with a loud ring. Works real good shooting the 38-55 with hard cast lead.