Question about building custom targets.

[flintknapper]

Flint-

I gotta get up there and shoot some of that steel Wow...I would have to sell blood to finance ammunition if that was in my backyard.

Jason

I several other types of targets as well. You know you're welcome anytime.

[flintknapper]

The frames around the targets in some of the pictures have a few holes and dimples from the occasional errant round. Have there been any ricochet experiences when rounds hit the frames instead of the targets?

None that I am aware of. In fact..the target stand on the left has a bullet embedded in it still. I don't know if it is a .45 or 9mm. I will dig it out tomorrow and see.

The Humanoid targets are 1/4" plate, but I have 3/8" auxiliary plates that I hang over the front of them when ever someone shows up with a 44 mag., 454 Casull, 500 S&W.

I've had persons ranging in age from 8 yrs. old to 80 yrs. old shoot at those targets. The frames have taken a beating over the years...and its nearing time to replace them.

But, back to your question about ricochets. From what I can tell, nearly every bullet will fragment when striking the target. The "splatter" is not always completely predictable, but fragments of any significant weight don't seem to survive. The frames are soft enough to "accept" most bullets (as evidenced by the dimples).I am certain that under just the right conditions...a ricochet could happen, but I am pretty careful about planning the shooting "scenario".

I've had literally hundreds of people out here over the years, shot untold thousands of rounds...and we have never had a mishap. Now, that is not to say that no one has ever been stung by a small fragment that managed to come back. It does happen on occasion, but so far no one has ever declined a invitation to come back.

Shooting steel certainly requires an added measure of attention to safety. Just use common sense when setting up your targets. Consider where the bullet "splatter" will travel...and try to keep shooting angles less than 20 degrees off perpendicular.

Have fun, be safe!

[HerbM]

Flint-

I gotta get up there and shoot some of that steel Wow...I would have to sell blood to finance ammunition if that was in my backyard.

Jason

Deep East Texas? (flintknapper) is that East of Galveston? or on the I-10 at the LA border?

[flintknapper]

Flint-

I gotta get up there and shoot some of that steel Wow...I would have to sell blood to finance ammunition if that was in my backyard.

Jason

Deep East Texas? (flintknapper) is that East of Galveston? or on the I-10 at the LA border?

Pineywoods.


In my case...not too far from Louisiana (Lufkin/Nacogdoches area). Grew up in Austin though.


Edit: (My wife will contest the idea that I ever really "grew up").

[TexasComputerDude]

The first time I saw your pictures I thought "that picture looks like it was taken near lufkin."

lol that's my neck of the woods.

[Lumberjack98]

Wow flintknapper! Those are some great targets. Congratulations on putting those together and having the room and ability to shoot them whenever you want.