Moving targets, DIY?

Eisande · July 29, 2005, 12:56 PM

Well, my department range budget isn't huge and I am trying to come up with a somewhat economical moving target system.

Here are a few of my brainstorming ideas (lots of storm, maybe not as much brain)....

remote control car; maybe attach a long plastic pole, similar to the orange bicycle flags kids have on their bikes. I would attach a stiff paper target to the top of it.

pulley system; have two heavily weighted poles with pulleys downrange, run rope between them and to the back of the range (maybe two more pulleys there) and by pulling the rope left or right targets attached could move laterally. Possibly set up a window frame downrange as well to simulate a suspect walking past a window.

weld a heavy target onto a garage door spring, then weld that to a heavy steel tire rim filled with cement. Shoot the target and get the target swaying. not sure if the spring would hold up to misses though.

Any thoughts?

Mike

zeisloft · July 29, 2005, 01:14 PM

The garage door spring is a great way to go. It doesnt give a whole lotta movement but its good fun. With the RC car, we tie a helium baloon to a 20ft string tied to the car. Run it out to about 200+yds. Its difficult to predict the movement with a slight wind and a crafty driver. Try it but dont shoot the car.
~z

Capt. Charlie · July 29, 2005, 01:16 PM

Do you have power at your range? If so, I know several ranges that have successfully used garage door openers /w remote. Reverse direction is done using counterweights.

XavierBreath · July 29, 2005, 01:30 PM

Milk jug. Tent stake. String. Friend.

Set out the stake about 30 feet. Tie string to milk jug handle. Set milk jug about 20 feet to right of stake. Run string around stake and back to shooting position. Have friend pull in jug while you shoot at it. Erratic lateral movement is the hardest to hit, so go for that.

Eisande · July 29, 2005, 03:07 PM

Excellent ideas. Our range (when it is done being built in Dec) will have power.

Now it's time to head to a hobby store to check out remote control cars.

garrettwc · July 31, 2005, 12:59 PM

The August 2005 issue of SWAT had an article on this very subject IIRC. Had some turning targets and some movers in it.

chris in va · August 5, 2005, 10:29 PM

I found you can drill holes at the top of bowling pins, suspend them under a stand with string and they'll swing nicely.

Won't cost you a thing if you have something to string them to.

July 29, 2005, 12:56 PM	#1
Eisande Member Join Date: June 15, 2005 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 24	Moving targets, DIY? Well, my department range budget isn't huge and I am trying to come up with a somewhat economical moving target system. Here are a few of my brainstorming ideas (lots of storm, maybe not as much brain).... remote control car; maybe attach a long plastic pole, similar to the orange bicycle flags kids have on their bikes. I would attach a stiff paper target to the top of it. pulley system; have two heavily weighted poles with pulleys downrange, run rope between them and to the back of the range (maybe two more pulleys there) and by pulling the rope left or right targets attached could move laterally. Possibly set up a window frame downrange as well to simulate a suspect walking past a window. weld a heavy target onto a garage door spring, then weld that to a heavy steel tire rim filled with cement. Shoot the target and get the target swaying. not sure if the spring would hold up to misses though. Any thoughts? Mike

July 29, 2005, 01:16 PM	#3
Capt. Charlie Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: Steubenville, OH Posts: 4,446	Do you have power at your range? If so, I know several ranges that have successfully used garage door openers /w remote. Reverse direction is done using counterweights. __________________ TFL Members are ambassadors to the world for firearm owners. What kind of ambassador does *your* post make *you?* I train in earnest, to do the things that I pray in earnest, I'll never have to do. --Capt. Charlie

July 29, 2005, 01:30 PM	#4
XavierBreath Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2002 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 2,800	Milk jug. Tent stake. String. Friend. Set out the stake about 30 feet. Tie string to milk jug handle. Set milk jug about 20 feet to right of stake. Run string around stake and back to shooting position. Have friend pull in jug while you shoot at it. Erratic lateral movement is the hardest to hit, so go for that. __________________ Xavier's Blog

July 29, 2005, 01:14 PM	#2
zeisloft Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2005 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 419	The garage door spring is a great way to go. It doesnt give a whole lotta movement but its good fun. With the RC car, we tie a helium baloon to a 20ft string tied to the car. Run it out to about 200+yds. Its difficult to predict the movement with a slight wind and a crafty driver. Try it but dont shoot the car. ~z

July 29, 2005, 03:07 PM	#5
Eisande Member Join Date: June 15, 2005 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 24	Excellent ideas. Our range (when it is done being built in Dec) will have power. Now it's time to head to a hobby store to check out remote control cars.

July 31, 2005, 12:59 PM	#6
garrettwc Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2001 Posts: 641	The August 2005 issue of SWAT had an article on this very subject IIRC. Had some turning targets and some movers in it.

August 5, 2005, 10:29 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I found you can drill holes at the top of bowling pins, suspend them under a stand with string and they'll swing nicely. Won't cost you a thing if you have something to string them to.