Occasionally a bullet will hit the plastic spindle of the bullet hole spotter causing an explosion and dangerous flying plastic fragments. This is more common with F Class and even more common at the shorter ranges. It seems like a solution would be to make the spindles out of material the eliminates this hazard. Has anyone done this?
Pit Safety
- Thread starter chkunz
- Start date
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
Yes. The company or companies that did it either stopped, or went out of business.
The spotters were all one piece of soft(er) plastic, about like Tupperware, not hard/brittle like regular spindles. They were also all one color - either black or white, so you did have to remember to swap spotters if your shooter got caught in a wind shift, and again when they got back in the middle. A few ranges still have and use them. More want them, but like I said, no supply.
In the mean time, many ranges (the smart ones) enforce mandatory eye protection along with strongly recommending some form of hat in the pits. I've had pieces bounce off the brim of my Tilley hat more than once... then again, I've seen a shooter hauled off to the local ER to get checked out when a piece of something - spindle, bullet jacket, whatever - struck him hard enough in the leg to draw blood - through his pants. A quick x-ray @ the hospital (on the range's dime) to confirm that there was no actual pieces lodged inside that they couldn't find, and he was back on the line in time for his next relay.
The spotters were all one piece of soft(er) plastic, about like Tupperware, not hard/brittle like regular spindles. They were also all one color - either black or white, so you did have to remember to swap spotters if your shooter got caught in a wind shift, and again when they got back in the middle. A few ranges still have and use them. More want them, but like I said, no supply.
In the mean time, many ranges (the smart ones) enforce mandatory eye protection along with strongly recommending some form of hat in the pits. I've had pieces bounce off the brim of my Tilley hat more than once... then again, I've seen a shooter hauled off to the local ER to get checked out when a piece of something - spindle, bullet jacket, whatever - struck him hard enough in the leg to draw blood - through his pants. A quick x-ray @ the hospital (on the range's dime) to confirm that there was no actual pieces lodged inside that they couldn't find, and he was back on the line in time for his next relay.
Last edited:
. It would not take much velocity from a spindle fragment made of ANY material to cause a significant eye injury.When I went through the pit orientation at the range I shoot at in Florida (Port Malabar), they did indicate glasses were required and brimmed hats were STRONGLY recommended. They also took the time to, as done within this thread, explain in detail about the dangers of flying debris from hit spindles.
Keith Glasscock
Gold $$ Contributor
For 300 yards, I stopped using golf tees and started making spindle bodies out of polyethylene tube (bought from Home Depot for hooking up refrigerator water).
I'd mushroom the head and stretch a taper for a point. A little glue kept a small disc on them.
When hit, the bullet went through them without any significant damage. I eventually lost the one that had rifling all the way through.
The down side was the time taken to make them. It wasn't easy, and the results weren't always pretty. I would only lose 1 or 2 in a 300 yard f-class match that was well attended. We never saw shrapnel from them.
I'd mushroom the head and stretch a taper for a point. A little glue kept a small disc on them.
When hit, the bullet went through them without any significant damage. I eventually lost the one that had rifling all the way through.
The down side was the time taken to make them. It wasn't easy, and the results weren't always pretty. I would only lose 1 or 2 in a 300 yard f-class match that was well attended. We never saw shrapnel from them.
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
@okshooter looks like they are still open... but maybe they are new(er) players in the field? Pretty sure a couple places have came and gone over the years as far as making the spotters.
I just contacted them and they are still making them so I ordered some to see how they work. I will let you know.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
What sparker said. It's the best way to go. Why put something that will explode on the target at 300 yards?
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
Plus its probably easier on the centers than getting a spotter pounded thru it by a bullet...
I used these spotters once. I think maybe Martiens Range on Ft. Benning?. If I recall correctly, the spindle part was molded in and was an X shape that narrowed to a point to allow for different calibers. I liked them, and if there is a source, would switch to them today.
A bunch of us got peppered this weekend. I would bet at least a dozen got blown up at 600 yards. Glasses/hat are great but I don't want to be the guy pulling plastic out of a kids face if there is a safer option.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Absolutely. Nothing says "target repair on X" more than hitting a spindle or golf tee just to the side of it. It can mess up the target something fierce.
McDs straws. Or the flexy ones trimmed; accordian portion holds in target well. Shoot them out all you want. Cost is minimal.
20-practical
Gold $$ Contributor
My dad and I made the Molds for both 3.0" and 1.5" diameter plastic spotters and we are still making them. Please call George at 763-441-3030 or on his cell at 612-723-7303 to order or ask any additional questions. thanks, Russ
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.