Making Target Backers - Questions?

[Leaddog]

A couple of us will be building some 4' x 6' target backers for our own personal use on our 600 yard range. We are going with this size as transport will be easy in our pickups and will fit the frames in the pits.

We want to keep the weight down but maintain rigidity. Right now, we are thinking of using dense styrofoam sheets. Anyone with some experience with styrofoam? Pros/Cons, recommendations? Thanks.

 

[LHSmith]

For the clubs I am involved in, Homosote, available in 1/2 x 4 x 8 sheets is best. A weather resistant alternative is coroplast (corrugated plastic) as used in real estate signs....and wind-flag vanes. In 4 x6 size you want 1/2 thick stock.......I got some used signs in that size and works well for a private 300/500 yd range.
I find the styrofoam has a tendency to break away in chunks, leaving large holes.

 

[memilanuk]

For our monthly 'practice' matches we started using the LR-6 target from Alco Targets. It is basically the 1000yd LR target reduced for 600yds... which means the scoring rings are tighter, the black is smaller, and the 'white' is much smaller - the whole target is 37"x35". See this thread over on longrange.com for more details on the target:

http://www.usrifleteams.com/lrforum/index.php?showtopic=12555&st=0&p=91860&

The original intent of the target was to provide a more viable training aid for sling shooters to practice for 1000yd shooting with the proper aperature size and target view thru their sights. For F-Class... except on the windiest days, we really don't need a 6' square targets, and the tight inner scoring rings tend to toughen you up and make you call/hold the wind more aggressively.

We made a frame from 1"x2" 'furring strips' from Home Depot to fit in our regular target carriers designed for normal MR target frames. Two 6' long horizontal bars to fit in the carrier, two vertical bars that connect the top rail to the bottom, and two more short horizontal bars to connect the vertical ones and provide support for the backer. We used unfolded cardboard boxes, cut to fit and then used spray adhesive to stick the target faces to the cardboard. About the only thing we need to change is that I initially used pocket hole screws to fasten the frame members together via a butt joint. Even with the pocket hole screws, it isn't really strong enough - needs some sort of minimal gusset of 1/8" plywood with construction adhesive and some staples to tack 'em in place while the glue cures to really stiffen things up.

After that... just add some weight to the carrier to offset the ultra-light frame.

YMMV,

Monte

 

[memilanuk]

Tanner sent me some pics he took when up here for a match... hope these help:

 

[Steve Wilson]

Our range uses two different backers at 600 yards; one for practice and another for the matches.

The practice backers are white coroplast, like LHSMITH mentioned. Only ours are about 1/4 inch thick. Maybe 3/8 but I'm certain they aren't 1/2". They hold up well. The staples do tend to stay stuck in the plastic sometimes but it is a minor issue to push or pull them when you staple up a new target.

The match backers are rigid foam insulation, not styrofoam and not "blue board" either. I forget the name of it but I would describe it as medium density foam board. Sort of a light yellow color. Sometimes you will see it with a tar paper facing. The insulation holds up well to bullet strikes and does not tear out in chunks like styro would probably do.

Our backers are 6' x 6'.

Hope this helps a little and good luck.

 

[Leaddog]

Hi folks - Thanks for all the great ideas and comments. Much appreciated!

 

[Leaddog]

Special thanks to Monte for the excellent post up.