buy them or make your own?

PaulS · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:51 am Post subject: buy them or make your own?

Targets that is.

I have been making my own targets for the last 20 years or so. I make them because I can't find small enough targets that are commercially made that have the information on them that I want to save with my target.

I use the "drawing" mode in MS Word. I have targets that have 1 1/2 inch bulls arranged five to a page, a single 1 1/2 inch bull in the center of the page - I record my "first shot" each time out on one of these and then each time I go out using that load and rifle I put a new target over the original and fire a "first shot" at it. Do that for twenty days out and you know where that first shot is going to go when you are hunting.

I have a 3 1/2 inch bull in a grid for 50 yard revolver use to record my accuracy. It goes on the last page of reload records. First page is for the load data, second page is the ballistics table, third page range notes and a list of each days group sizes and the last page is the last target I shot. I throw away the one that was there before. Keeps a shooter honest to keep good records.

I have a selection of 5 and 6 inch bulls that I don't use any more. The smaller targets tend to bring groups sizes down - as long as you can see them. Each target has load data, range, date, time, number of shots, weapon, facility and shooter. You can't always count the number of shots individually.

I print them on craft paper because it is cheap and wadcutters make a nice clean hole just like the targets you buy. Jacketed bullets make round holes but they are never caliber size unless you are shooting wadcutters or semi-wadcutters. My old eyes do better with a black on white contrast than the conventional yellow tint paper that sell at the stores. If you print them up a month before you use them they won't run if they get wet either.

Vince · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:14 am Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

G'Day PaulS,

Like you I print my own, but I also have some left over from when I did buy them.

I searched out targets on the net and found some pretty good ones. Have a look at this link. There are some good useful targets there.

Targets

Do a search of the net, there are heaps out there and someone has already done the hard work in setting up the software, all you have to do is print them out then go punch holes in them.

Cheers, Vince

Flint54 · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:03 am Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

99% of the time I will print out my own, I have a vast library of targets to choose from, all can have data boxes put on them. When I print them out I always use "CARD STOCK" much heavire than standard paper & holds up very well. It is well worth the extra cost. Very Happy

1895ss · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

Like Vince, I have downloaded many targets from the internet and when i need some I just print them.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

I used to print my own but lately I end up buying them. I use NRA 50yard rimfire targets as 100 yard Muzzleloader targets (8" bullseye is easy to see and sight on). I use outers 100 yard rifle targets as my main target. They work well I found.

-DallanC

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

Most of my targets are cheap paper plates with an orange dot in the middle and placed at 100 or 200 yards, depending on the rifle being fired. The rest are made up of targets from the internet and a few left over NRA targets.

Gil Martin · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject: Buy them or make your own?

I make my own by using a 6" bull target that is 8 1/2" X 11" and place four white pasters in the X area. Then I photocopy a pile of them. they work at 50 and 100 yards for handguns, muzzleloaders, .22s and centerfires. All the best...
Gil

bubbadoyle · Rookie Member Joined: May 03, 2005 Posts: 16

www.varmintal.com/atarg.htm
This is a link to many free targets to download.

coyotehunter_1 · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

To quote one of my favorite movies: â€œAim small, miss smallâ€.
I make most of my targets using white 3â€x 5â€ index cards, a lead pencil and a ink pad. The rubber eraser on the â€œmistakeâ€ end of the pencil makes a good rubber stamp. I stamp one red dot per card, tape several cards to a heavy backing on my target stand. A standard pencil eraser makes about a Â¼â€ ink dot. For larger "eyes" I use a oversized pencil. The cards are rule lined with room for info. When the shooting session is over the cards are stored in a plastic index card box for future reference. This is a rather inexpensive system that works well for me. Smile

waumo · Member Joined: Oct 05, 2005 Posts: 30

I use targets from Midway that have 4 bulls on 8.5 x 11" sheet and the other side is a one bull pistol target.

I haven't needed to purchase them for a while but they used to have two different grades of paper. The thin paper was crap and tore badly. The thicker paper is pretty decent.

Sometimes I print a special target but unless you have free printer ink available to you, it doesn't take much figuring to decide it is cheaper to buy targets than print them.

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

I make my own using Windows "paint" program. I prefer bright colors contrasting with heavy black + I have tried several colors and have settled on bright green as my favorite. Simple, yet highly visable from 200 yds, plus.

Blaine

Deleted_User_2665 · Super Member Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 380

I shoot at bullet holes..............

Bushmaster · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

Know wonder I can't see where I hit. I keep hitting your holes. Cheers

1895ss · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

Bushmaster wrote:

Know wonder I can't see where I hit. I keep hitting your holes. Cheers

You too...... ! I thought I was the only one, and I'm shooting 100 yrds with open sights. I must be hitting both your bullet holes............... !! Confused

Vince · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: buy them or make your own?

1895ss wrote:

Bushmaster wrote:

Know wonder I can't see where I hit. I keep hitting your holes. Cheers

You too...... ! I thought I was the only one, and I'm shooting 100 yrds with open sights. I must be hitting both your bullet holes............... !! Confused

Hey guys....ya both missin' !! Me and my trusty Winchester Model 94 in 30.30 are takin' out ya bullets before they get to the target. Very Happy

When I am sighting in, I use a sheet of A4 paper with a cross drawn from top centre to bottom centre and left edge to right edge and dark enough to see through the scope at 100m. You can also mark it at whatever increment you wish in the vertical line. Its a simple target and allows me to put the POI where I want it at 100m, you just cover the cross with the crosshairs and go for it. I then use a more conventional target at longer ranges to adjust/confirm.

For checking group size I use a target with a well defined point of aim (POA) (usually a .22 target patch). I shoot a control group with a known load, mark it then using another POA on the same target group the test load. Don't care where the POI is, only interested in the group.

Cheers, Vince