Yep you read that right. Cardboard targets that react…. Lots of possible uses for this one, especially long range training where resetting targets isn’t practical.
And lots of ranges do not allow you to bring your own steel to the range and many don’t have steel available. My local range is one of those, as you can only shoot paper or cardboard targets.
People like shooting targets that react, clays come apart and steel either rings or falls down. The cardboard target I came up with just might fill the gap between boring paper and steel. Very effective at all distances and just like my steel targets can be used with all weapons platforms including some high powered rifles that you wouldn’t use on steel.
Plus it has other uses well beyond being used as a range toy…. Lots of possibilities including use with airsoft and other soft hitting reality based projectile systems. Will keep you updated as things happen.
Staples, Cardboard and String
It’s a really simple thing to make and will take a lot of hits before it wears out and needs replacing.
1 Cut up cardboard into squares of an appropriate size, I use a 2.5″ square as I am generally hitting them from 200 yards with a rifle. Just about any size will work but smaller is generally better.
2 Put 3 pieces of cardboard in a stack and lay the string across one corner…. And what string you use is important, the braided construction string you find at the hardware store is best. I have grazed it and it hasn’t always broken. But yes it will break if you get a good hit on it.
3 Place one piece of cardboard on top of the string and staple this down on the corners, but be sure not to staple the string. (And we are talking about a heavy stapler with 3/8 or larger staples not the one in the office.)
Allowing the string to slide will make adjustments easier….
4 Add 2 more pieces of cardboard and staple those on. Turn it over and lock the original 3 pieces in place, once again miss the string!
5 Wrap target tape around the middle, as this adds a lot of durability to make the target last longer
6 Add an aimpoint if you like. I keep them simple or fun. Plus it allows you to see movement with the naked eye at distance. This particular one can be seen at 200 yards without an optic. If your wondering it’s just the part of a shoot-n-c target that normally is thrown away.
7 Cut a hole in your target cardboard that is just a bit larger than your small cardboard target and staple the strings to the back of your target stand, centering the target in the hole. Or slide the target on the string to align it if you didn’t put a staple in it….
Take it to the range and shoot it! Like I said it is extremely durable, this particular target was being hit with 308 and 300 Win Mag rounds and is no where close to wearing out. With a bit of re-taping I hit one over 60 times with a 308 before it was done. That’s a lot more use than a clay pigeon…..
It also encourages and conditions you to get back on target so you can verify that you made a hit, meaning the target will still be moving before it settles down. And no reason to retape between shooters as the target is small, so where it’s hit is not as much of a concern as simply hitting it.