What is the best target to shoot at

silentstorm16 · January 8, 2009, 01:31 AM

Hey I'm curious what is the best targets to shoot at I will be shooting at ranges from 3yds interview stance out to 25 yards. But most shooting will be done at the 3yds to 7yd lines. Thanks.

Sixer · January 8, 2009, 02:58 AM

Paper silhouettes are a good choice IMO. They're life size, cheap, and big enough to see where your missed shots are hitting.

CWiley · January 8, 2009, 04:15 AM

Zombie targets!

Nanuk · January 8, 2009, 07:10 AM

Osama Bin Laden is my first choice, especially when he is stealing my bacon.

blume357 · January 8, 2009, 07:52 AM

"What's the best firewood to burn?"

the answer is.... "Free"

best you can do with targets is make your own....

100 page book of newprint paper (24x22) from Office depot about $10

yard stick and magic marker...
get fancy and also by the little 3/4" round inventory stick on labels in blue or black.... I think they cost about $10 for a thousand.

divide a page with lines into four section... 12x10.... place a round label in each box and in the middle and you just made 5 targets out of one page...

do the math and you'll see that this cost almost nothing.... about 1.5 cents for 5 targets I think.

K.W. · January 8, 2009, 08:16 AM

3 - 7 yards? You don´t need the gun. Use dagger or dart.

TacticalDefense1911 · January 8, 2009, 08:28 AM

I use black circles printed off from free target websites (www.targetz.com). I start "warming up" with 4" circles, then I move to 8" circles. By the end of the range session I usually shoot a few magazines at an IDPA style target. Shooting at small targets to start out will help you with your accuracy and target aquisition.

10 Spot Terminator · January 8, 2009, 10:35 AM

Use "free printable targets" for your web search topic and enjoy the ride ( if you have a printer ) . If not bookmark the ones you like, find a friend who has a printer and get busy making a master copy for the ones you like. Go to an Office Max etc. outlet and duplicate for appx. $0.12 each

Freeman1952 · January 8, 2009, 10:38 AM

I use paper plates from Wallymart. They are cheap and available in different colors and diameters. If there is no hole in the plate, I missed. I don't care how far I missed. If I can keep all the shots in the middle of the plate I feel I have done well. Smaller plates help me dial in. Crude, but effective.

Ranger325 · January 8, 2009, 10:47 AM

+1 on paperplates. I go to the 'Dollar Store'.....................

Regards,

kwhi43 · January 8, 2009, 11:06 AM

Asprin Tablets

Starcheck55 · January 8, 2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Asprin Tablets

well played

Smallgame2100 · January 8, 2009, 12:10 PM

Paper plate pinned to an old stump or tree.

racin_randy · January 8, 2009, 12:16 PM

the moving ones with there laundry wrapped around there head... LOL

Sneezer · January 8, 2009, 12:32 PM

I bought my own stands and some steel, plus I have a great range with no one around.

csmsss · January 8, 2009, 12:33 PM

Tax collectors.

oldkim · January 8, 2009, 12:33 PM

+2+ on cheap, on sale, paper plates.

Forget the fancy black bullseye targets. Don't waste your money and time. Even at 7 yards (21 ft) with a 9mm depending on your backstop you won't be able to clearly make out where you just shot.

Remember shooting is about many things but hitting the target is the main principle, right? - well if you shoot and don't really know where you just shot? You'll never be consistent and be able to hone your precision shooting skills. Might as well turn off the lights or close your eyes and blast away(please don't do this).

Yes, later when you are very proficient and know what the heck you are doing then move to targets with a "big black circle."

For the money and especially for people new or wanting to improve their shooting ability - shoot at a blank target - be it a piece of paper, a paper plate anything but....

Remember shooting is about practice and practice and practice. Make sure you're having fun and when your scoring dead center - now that's a lot more enjoyable.

Hammerhead · January 8, 2009, 12:38 PM

Paper plates.

The plain white background forces me to concentrate on the front sight. I shoot better groups at 25 yards with plates than I do with traditional paper targets.

oneounceload · January 8, 2009, 12:38 PM

The best targets to shoot at are the ones that don't shoot back.

If you have access to a copy machine, make one or two "master" copies, then run them off - will usually be cheaper than downloading and using printer ink

longranger · January 8, 2009, 02:32 PM

Bad guys

Kreyzhorse · January 8, 2009, 02:48 PM

I think there is even a sticky post floating somewhere in this forum with links to lots of online targets.
A printer and a copier and you are good to go.

btolliverjr · January 8, 2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Remember shooting is about many things but hitting the target is the main principle, right? - well if you shoot and don't really know where you just shot? You'll never be consistent and be able to hone your precision shooting skills. Might as well turn off the lights or close your eyes and blast away(please don't do this).

Yes, later when you are very proficient and know what the heck you are doing then move to targets with a "big black circle."

For the money and especially for people new or wanting to improve their shooting ability - shoot at a blank target - be it a piece of paper, a paper plate anything but....

Remember shooting is about practice and practice and practice. Make sure you're having fun and when your scoring dead center - now that's a lot more enjoyable.

Paper plates are great targets, but shouldn't you have a dot of some type in the center as a central consistent point of aim? an 8" paper plate is a pretty big target. I like to have something specific to aim at. I don't think you will be able to consistently be able to "score dead center" without a consistent aiming point.

MrBorland · January 8, 2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

For the money and especially for people new or wanting to improve their shooting ability - shoot at a blank target - be it a piece of paper, a paper plate anything but....

Quote:

Paper plates are great targets, but shouldn't you have a dot of some type in the center as a central consistent point of aim? an 8" paper plate is a pretty big target. I like to have something specific to aim at. I don't think you will be able to consistently be able to "score dead center" without a consistent aiming point.

Well, I can't speak for oldkim, but what he may be eluding to is that , ironically enough, shooting at a non-target, such as a big piece of white paper (ought to be bigger than a plain plate, though) or even just into a berm, can be a great training aid. When taking precise aim out of the equation, a shooter is often able to focus on the front sight better or relax enough to not flinch. They just smoothly pull the trigger. Said another way, when a shooter's thinking about aiming, they're often tensing, jerking the trigger, flinching, and/or not focusing on the front sight.

sserdlihc · January 8, 2009, 05:11 PM

Quarters at 100 yards...shoot n c targets at 25 yards.

Sixer · January 8, 2009, 05:53 PM

We went out to an old landfill in KS near my grandparent's house over the holidays. They call it a "landfill" but it's basically just wide open field with a pond.

Anyway, we found a pile of old glass bottles and set them out about 20yrds or so. There were more misses than hits, but the glass breaking is much more satisfying than punching holes in paper.

January 8, 2009, 01:31 AM	#1
silentstorm16 Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 59	What is the best target to shoot at Hey I'm curious what is the best targets to shoot at I will be shooting at ranges from 3yds interview stance out to 25 yards. But most shooting will be done at the 3yds to 7yd lines. Thanks.

January 8, 2009, 07:52 AM	#5
blume357 Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 3,943	Just like the question I get all the time in my business: "What's the best firewood to burn?" the answer is.... "Free" best you can do with targets is make your own.... 100 page book of newprint paper (24x22) from Office depot about $10 yard stick and magic marker... get fancy and also by the little 3/4" round inventory stick on labels in blue or black.... I think they cost about $10 for a thousand. divide a page with lines into four section... 12x10.... place a round label in each box and in the middle and you just made 5 targets out of one page... do the math and you'll see that this cost almost nothing.... about 1.5 cents for 5 targets I think.

January 8, 2009, 10:38 AM	#9
Freeman1952 Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: People's Republik of Maryland; "We don't need no Second Amendment" Posts: 15	Best targets I use paper plates from Wallymart. They are cheap and available in different colors and diameters. If there is no hole in the plate, I missed. I don't care how far I missed. If I can keep all the shots in the middle of the plate I feel I have done well. Smaller plates help me dial in. Crude, but effective.

January 8, 2009, 10:47 AM	#10
Ranger325 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 428	+1 on paperplates. I go to the 'Dollar Store'..................... Regards, __________________ Ranger325 "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. " George Orwell

January 8, 2009, 12:16 PM	#14
racin_randy Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 24	the moving ones with there laundry wrapped around there head... LOL __________________ If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

January 8, 2009, 02:58 AM	#2
Sixer Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,891	Paper silhouettes are a good choice IMO. They're life size, cheap, and big enough to see where your missed shots are hitting.

January 8, 2009, 04:15 AM	#3
CWiley Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 50	Zombie targets!

January 8, 2009, 07:10 AM	#4
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Osama Bin Laden is my first choice, especially when he is stealing my bacon.

January 8, 2009, 08:16 AM	#6
K.W. Member Join Date: April 16, 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 87	3 - 7 yards? You don´t need the gun. Use dagger or dart.

January 8, 2009, 08:28 AM	#7
TacticalDefense1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,277	I use black circles printed off from free target websites (www.targetz.com). I start "warming up" with 4" circles, then I move to 8" circles. By the end of the range session I usually shoot a few magazines at an IDPA style target. Shooting at small targets to start out will help you with your accuracy and target aquisition.

January 8, 2009, 10:35 AM	#8
10 Spot Terminator Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 348	Use "free printable targets" for your web search topic and enjoy the ride ( if you have a printer ) . If not bookmark the ones you like, find a friend who has a printer and get busy making a master copy for the ones you like. Go to an Office Max etc. outlet and duplicate for appx. $0.12 each

January 8, 2009, 11:06 AM	#11
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Asprin Tablets

January 8, 2009, 12:10 PM	#13
Smallgame2100 Junior member Join Date: January 8, 2009 Location: New York Posts: 164	Paper plate pinned to an old stump or tree.

January 8, 2009, 12:32 PM	#15
Sneezer Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Location: NWA Posts: 94	I bought my own stands and some steel, plus I have a great range with no one around.

January 8, 2009, 12:33 PM	#16
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	Tax collectors.

January 8, 2009, 12:33 PM	#17
oldkim Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 462	+2+ on cheap, on sale, paper plates. Forget the fancy black bullseye targets. Don't waste your money and time. Even at 7 yards (21 ft) with a 9mm depending on your backstop you won't be able to clearly make out where you just shot. Remember shooting is about many things but hitting the target is the main principle, right? - well if you shoot and don't really know where you just shot? You'll never be consistent and be able to hone your precision shooting skills. Might as well turn off the lights or close your eyes and blast away(please don't do this). Yes, later when you are very proficient and know what the heck you are doing then move to targets with a "big black circle." For the money and especially for people new or wanting to improve their shooting ability - shoot at a blank target - be it a piece of paper, a paper plate anything but.... Remember shooting is about practice and practice and practice. Make sure you're having fun and when your scoring dead center - now that's a lot more enjoyable. __________________ "Shoot Safetly, Shoot Often and Share Your Sport." Jim Scoutten, Shooting USA Check out my new website: www.shootonthemove.org

January 8, 2009, 12:38 PM	#18
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Paper plates. The plain white background forces me to concentrate on the front sight. I shoot better groups at 25 yards with plates than I do with traditional paper targets.

January 8, 2009, 12:38 PM	#19
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	The best targets to shoot at are the ones that don't shoot back. If you have access to a copy machine, make one or two "master" copies, then run them off - will usually be cheaper than downloading and using printer ink

January 8, 2009, 02:32 PM	#20
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	Bad guys

January 8, 2009, 02:48 PM	#21
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I think there is even a sticky post floating somewhere in this forum with links to lots of online targets. A printer and a copier and you are good to go. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 8, 2009, 05:11 PM	#24
sserdlihc Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,454	Quarters at 100 yards...shoot n c targets at 25 yards. __________________ Familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration. Aupleius If someone doesn't like you, that's their problem! Milton Childress

January 8, 2009, 05:53 PM	#25
Sixer Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,891	We went out to an old landfill in KS near my grandparent's house over the holidays. They call it a "landfill" but it's basically just wide open field with a pond. Anyway, we found a pile of old glass bottles and set them out about 20yrds or so. There were more misses than hits, but the glass breaking is much more satisfying than punching holes in paper.