There are some older threads on this subject, but rather than bump an old thread I'm making a new post as the old threads didn't really answer the questions I have. For the past couple of years I have been using corrugated plastic as my target backers on top of plywood sheeting. I need the plywood to provide the mechanical strength, limit wind flex of the corrugated plastic, and withstand high winds on target boards that are out in the elements all year long. My 100 yd. target board is 48" wide and 32" tall to provide the 'real estate' needed to mount several targets at one time. This has worked very well as the corrugated plastic is fairly cheap, easy to obtain, and can be replaced as needed. The plywood backer behind the corrugated plastic splinters and is more expensive to replace. Related threads mentioned Homosote, and I'm wondering if this stuff would be an alternative to the plywood I now use behind my corrugated plastic? It comes in 4 x 8 ft. sheets and is much cheaper than plywood. Will it stand up to weather all year long? Will it provide the mechanical strength to limit wind flex during shooting sessions and survive high winds?
Target Backers
- Thread starter JDinFbg
- Start date
I’m not sure what Homosote is but I’m assuming it’s the same thing as Cel-O-Tex, which is some sort of fiber impregnated with creosote or light tar and formed into 4X8 foot panels. We have used it over the years at our range and it can withstand the guile of Michigan weather.
The stuff I got from Home Depot is only 4mm thick, but comes in 4 x 8 ft. sheets. One sheet made three 48" x 32" panels for my 100 yd. target board. The heavier 6mm stuff would be good, but I wonder if it would be rigid enough to withstand high winds? A 48" x 32" panel makes for a fairly large 'sail', so plywood behind helps provide the mechanical strength. I'm just wondering if there is a cheaper alternative to the plywood?
A local public range near me uses homosote boards attached to 1"x3" wooden frames. The boards are only put out while actually being used and brought in as soon as the shooter is finished. IMO the boards don't last long at all and need to be replaced regularly. They also don't do well in the rain. They are more like sponges than wood.
The only positive aspect is that shooting just turns the backer into little dust particles that probably degrade quickly and don't need to be cleaned up.
At our club, we use standard 1/2" ply backers with steel frames and legs/feet. They last an entire shooting season and are easily replaced. The cost of wood skyrocketed for a while but has come down quite a bit. I think it's hard to beat ply for our use.
The only positive aspect is that shooting just turns the backer into little dust particles that probably degrade quickly and don't need to be cleaned up.
At our club, we use standard 1/2" ply backers with steel frames and legs/feet. They last an entire shooting season and are easily replaced. The cost of wood skyrocketed for a while but has come down quite a bit. I think it's hard to beat ply for our use.
I've use homosote* for over 30 years and it works terrific. No splintering / target damage and lasts a very long time and best of all, it's cheap. My current backer is 5 years old and is in no sign of needing replaced!
The only drawback is that it's difficult to get staples to penetrate it to hold the targets. I've solved that problem by placing four permanent sheet metal screws from the back to the front to hold the target in place at each corner. Just slip the target over the pointed end of the screws. On windy days, I thread appropriate size electrical connectors** over the four screws which prevents the target from blowing off the backer. I haven't used a stable gun in years.
* Not sure what homosote is but I use 1/8" thick hardboard, that brown pressed fiber board at Lowe's or Home Depot. It comes in 4 x 8-foot sheets. My local Lowes has half sheets.
** match the electrical wire connector with the size screw before installing to make sure it threads securely yet is easier removed for reuse. You will only need these on windy days. Most days the threads on the screws provide enough to hold the target in place.
PS: As long as you don't hit the sheet metal screws, they'll last forever. Just drill a two-size smaller drilled hole through the backer and securely screw into the back, back to front so the pointed end of the screw is facing the target to be attached.
The only drawback is that it's difficult to get staples to penetrate it to hold the targets. I've solved that problem by placing four permanent sheet metal screws from the back to the front to hold the target in place at each corner. Just slip the target over the pointed end of the screws. On windy days, I thread appropriate size electrical connectors** over the four screws which prevents the target from blowing off the backer. I haven't used a stable gun in years.
* Not sure what homosote is but I use 1/8" thick hardboard, that brown pressed fiber board at Lowe's or Home Depot. It comes in 4 x 8-foot sheets. My local Lowes has half sheets.
** match the electrical wire connector with the size screw before installing to make sure it threads securely yet is easier removed for reuse. You will only need these on windy days. Most days the threads on the screws provide enough to hold the target in place.
PS: As long as you don't hit the sheet metal screws, they'll last forever. Just drill a two-size smaller drilled hole through the backer and securely screw into the back, back to front so the pointed end of the screw is facing the target to be attached.
I think you are using tempered Masonite. Homasote is a cellulose fiber board of homogeneous composition often used as a sound barrier in interior wall construction. Several folks have noted using it as a target backer, and the company that makes it made a test wall that they situated outdoors for 2 years. It supposedly has a coating that provides moisture resistance, but I suspect that would be compromised by multiple bullet holes in it. Charlie-NY in Post #5 above pretty much confirmed my suspicions about Homasote if left out in the elements year round.
Downhill
Gold $$ Contributor
I build the frame with 2x2 steel tubing, 2 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Leaving the frame open. I then make 2 feet by 2 feet frames with 1x2 wood and attach 2 hangers at the top. Staple cardboard or corrugated plastic to wood frames for targets. Just hang on frame and shoot and remove when not in use. No plywood to rot and no celotex to fall apart
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Cut a hole in your backer and put rubber inner tube over where you hit. Youll always have a very black bullet hole very visible
The club I was a member of in PA during the 80s & 90s used homosote backers. I believe it was half sheets (2'wide x 4'high) of 1/2" attached to 2x4 frames that slipped into corresponding sized PVC pipe buried about 2' into the ground. The targets stayed out all year. The guy who ran the CMP shoots replaced the ones that were too shot up every spring for the hi-power shoots. They were fine year round except took a regular beating right before deer season when all the numrods came to "sight in". Getting hit often at 2800fps, nothing will last forever, but homosote held up better than about anything else I've seen over the years. Maybe rubber from conveyor belts would be an option, but the cost could be prohibitive. With plywood priced a tad above ridiculous I haven't priced homosote.
I use scrap pine boards. The individual boards that are worn out can be replaced without replacing the whole backer. Mine are placed between vertical rails so they don't require fasteners.
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