what kind of targets to use?

[divil]

I was just wondering what kind of targets you guys prefer when shooting with open sights.

I'm a beginner and my biggest problem so far is I can't tell where or even if I'm hitting the target. I've been using those paper fluorescent targets that highlight where they're hit - but I can only see that out to about 20-30 yards. Beyond that I can't tell.

I've tried using clay pigeons, which I can use at a much longer range coz they explode & disappear when you hit them...but then I end up having to go down range to replace them a lot.

I see some people at the range using just ordinary paper and a spotting scope but I'm guessing they're expensive.

I've seen a lot of videos on youtube where people use steel plates - it seems they can be heard from quite a long range? Where would I get something suitable?

What do you guys recommend? Any other ideas I haven't thought of?

[scorpion_tyr]

Spotting scopes can be expensive, or relatively inexpensive. I picked up one for $80, and I've seen them in pawn shops for a lot cheaper.

Got a decent video camera and a small tripod? If it has a pretty good optical zoom you can set up your tripod and use the video camera as a spotting scope. You can also get a cheap scope with a good focal length and use it to see a little farther. Personally I use a spotting scope. Saves a lot of time walking back and forth and waiting for the line to clear if it's busy.

As far as targets go, I guess that depends on what you're using the weapon for. If it's just for accuracy on paper with no hunting, SD/HD, or LE use then the smaller targets of contrasing colors would probably work pretty good.

As far as rifles go the only reason I'm shooting them is to just get better at them. Every other firearm I shoot is either a duty weapon or SD/HD so I usually use the people shaped targets with a fairly large bullseye (compared to other targets) for whatever I shoot.

[curmudgeon1]

Gander Mountain has the small steel revolving targets you might take a look at. I've never used them though.

[Old Grump]

With my old eyes for iron sight shooting I have started using big round orange colored bullseye targets. I don't need scoring rings, I'm shooting for group and I can adjust if I'm to far off the center of the target. For scoped rifles it doesn't make as much difference but even then the orange is easier to see when the light is less than optimum.

You might want to take a look and see what they have here and see if something tickles your giggle. I use several of them but the 1" and 2" orange dots get the most use.

http://www.mytargets.com/

[Palmetto-Pride]

Got a decent video camera and a small tripod? If it has a pretty good optical zoom you can set up your tripod and use the video camera as a spotting scope.

That's a great idea, and probaly cheaper than some spotting scopes. I was looking at some camcorders today with 60-78x optical zoom I was able to read the fine print on a box from the other side of the store.

[Tucker 1371]

I'm a beginner and my biggest problem so far is I can't tell where or even if I'm hitting the target. I've been using those paper fluorescent targets that highlight where they're hit - but I can only see that out to about 20-30 yards. Beyond that I can't tell.

Sounds like the Shoot-N-C targets I like to use. They're about as good as it gets for target visibility.

My suggestion would be a cheap pair of binoculars, from Tasco or someone similar. They'll magnify enough to get the job done and should be fairly inexpensive.

I've seen a lot of videos on youtube where people use steel plates - it seems they can be heard from quite a long range? Where would I get something suitable?

Reactive targets (targets that produce a noise, move, or are destroyed when you shoot them) are loads of fun. Steel targets and clay pigeons are probably the most common. I like to shoot clays a lot because they are cheap, quick to set up, and seeing something disintegrate when you shoot it is quite satisfying .

Something I've been wanting to pick up for a while is a "sniper cube", a (obviously) cube shaped target that is made out of some kind of material which allows it to withstand hundreds if not thousands of rounds. It tumbles a few feet when hit which can simulate engaging multiple targets at various unknown ranges.

Google shopping is my tool of choice for finding things like this.

[Ignition Override]

With decent binoculars, lean them against any structure for a fairly stable view.

Here is one of my "gun gurus" several suggestions.
When we taped or stapled a strip of white paper to the bottom edge of the sticky black plastic target, keeping a very thin strip/sliver just above the sight post (from 100 yards etc) helps outline the post pretty well.

Having only very modest skills, with the Garand ('LC' 60s ammo), some groups are then almost all inside the orange or red bull's eye at 100 yards. Have you tried a white strip?

For plastic Coke jugs at 50-100 yards, wrapping on some tough, bright pink tape from Walgreen's makes the bottle much easier to see.
Spraying bright paint on a skillet or metal pot helps, but spray both sides and full circumference in case it gets rotated.

[NWCP]

Get some Shoot N See stick on targets and a pair of reasonably priced binoculars. That works for me out to 100 yards with a 17HMR. Ought to work for anything else you throw at it.

[zippy13]

My club allows only paper targets during casual shooting. My buddy is happy with his new Harbor Freight 20-60 x 60mm Spotting Scope with tripod, it's now on sale for $50! It's not the quality of scopes costing many times more, but you can see bullet holes with it.

[CPTMurdoc30]

BIG ONES...

A quality spotting scope is a must. Or if you don't have the funds for a spotting scope and a quality set of binos then get a quality set of 10 ro 12x binos that will help you a lot.

[GroovyMike]

I've used my binoc in place of spotting scopes. My favorite back yard target is milk jugs filled with water

But sounds like you could REALLY use a steel gong target. It resets forever and makes a visible swing and audible ring when you get a hit

[Average Joe]

shoot n c targets by Birchwood Casey should do nicely.

[THORN74]

get ur self a spotting scope ...i just picked up a Simmons 20-60x60 45angle scope for $89 at dicks (one just opened in town)

also if ur shooting distance at a range have a buddy working the target cover ur holes with contrasting dots (we use 24x36 black siloettes so we use white dots)

[308nato]

For theese old eyes I use the shoot n see or dirty bird targets.

[taylorce1]

I shoot paper targets at 100 yards, and with a good quality rifle scope I can usually pick up my bullet holes in the paper. However I bought a Burris 20-60X80 spotting scope for the range as well. Once I get my rifle on paper and and zeroed the way I want it, I go to steel targets for longer ranges.

I don't care so much for groups once I get past 100 yards. If I'm putting my rounds on a 8" steel plate at 300-400 rounds from field positions I'm pretty happy. Widener's has steel plates and that is where I got my 8" plate.

[emcon5]

When I was competing in service rifle matches, I made some practice targets with a gray pattern on them that was not visible from distance, the just looked like standard black bullseye type targets when using the iron sights, but with even minimal magnification you could see the bullet holes because they broke the pattern.

Attached is the 100 yard reduced version of the 600 yard prone slow fire National Match target. Just print it on a normal 8.5X11 sheet of paper.

[4runnerman]

Seen alot of people using just regular ballons,You can buy like 100 for a buck. You can also blow them up to any size you want. Two stakes spread apart as far as you want string between and a bunch of cloths pins.

[rickyrick]

To date:.....a can of batter blaster....

its pancake batter in a whipped cream can, wierd, I know, right.

I guess whipped cream cans would be about the same......but the batter blaster wasn't going to get ate :barf:

[demigod]