Page 1 of 3
Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 4:16 pm
by CoffeeNut
I seem to be on a roll with "things I thought were gimmicks" topics today. I had been seeing these "self healing" targets pop up on my Instagram feed for a while and people were loving them. GX2Defense was selling some slightly blemished ones for $20 so I decided to pick up a couple and I am pretty impressed with the results.
According to their website self healing means "...target material expands upon bullet entry and immediately contracts upon bullet exit preventing the target from breaking apart or 'blowing out'. The flexible nature of our material provides a very impressive durability factor and lifespan. Our material will mend its own wounds by closing up entry and exit points up to 98% of the way in ideal situations and or settings."
I've shot mine with everything from .22 to .45 and the holes just close right back up to the size of a pin prick. The entry point is visible due to the friction burn that occurs but other than that it's pretty hard to tell it's been shot.
Apparently I can shoot this thing up to 1500 times or more depending on size of target and rounds used. They're pretty fun so I'm looking forward to seeing how many it will take.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:31 pm
by PBR
i was wondering how well they worked but also wondered about once it was shot a bunch how can you clean it up so can see new shots -- with steel you can just paint it and tell -- have you tried anything to clean up the friction burns or can you just paint over it -- just a thought and wondered myself on if it could be done -- i mainly shoot 45 and 223
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:47 pm
by WildBill
CoffeeNut wrote:I seem to be on a roll with "things I thought were gimmicks" topics today. I had been seeing these "self healing" targets pop up on my Instagram feed for a while and people were loving them. GX2Defense was selling some slightly blemished ones for $20 so I decided to pick up a couple and I am pretty impressed with the results.
According to their website self healing means "...target material expands upon bullet entry and immediately contracts upon bullet exit preventing the target from breaking apart or 'blowing out'. The flexible nature of our material provides a very impressive durability factor and lifespan. Our material will mend its own wounds by closing up entry and exit points up to 98% of the way in ideal situations and or settings."
I've shot mine with everything from .22 to .45 and the holes just close right back up to the size of a pin prick. The entry point is visible due to the friction burn that occurs but other than that it's pretty hard to tell it's been shot.
[
Image ]
Apparently I can shoot this thing up to 1500 times or more depending on size of target and rounds used. They're pretty fun so I'm looking forward to seeing how many it will take.
I have read that you can not shoot hollow points and have them close up. For your centerfire rounds have you used hollow points or only FMJ?
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:52 pm
by CoffeeNut
PBR wrote:i was wondering how well they worked but also wondered about once it was shot a bunch how can you clean it up so can see new shots -- with steel you can just paint it and tell -- have you tried anything to clean up the friction burns or can you just paint over it -- just a thought and wondered myself on if it could be done -- i mainly shoot 45 and 223
I haven't tried to clean it up yet as I haven't used it to the extent where I can no longer see where my shots are going. I'll probably end up using Krylon for plastics on it but I'm also curious if the marks will scrub off with soapy water. I checked their website and they don't have anything listed for how to clean it up but they also don't say "don't spray paint it". The material is pretty solid so I don't see how painting it will hurt it.
Just in case I sent them a question. I'll post back here when they update.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:56 pm
by CoffeeNut
WildBill wrote:I have read that you can not shoot hollow points and have them close up. For your centerfire rounds have you used hollow points or only FMJ?
It does not like hollow points. I hit it with a few and the target doesn't want to heal as the HP is taking material with it so you're left with a smaller than normal hole but still a hole.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:57 pm
by WildBill
CoffeeNut wrote:WildBill wrote:I have read that you can not shoot hollow points and have them close up. For your centerfire rounds have you used hollow points or only FMJ?
It does not like hollow points. I hit it with a few and the target doesn't want to heal as the HP is taking material with it so you're left with a smaller than normal hole but still a hole.
Bigger than normal hole? That's what I thought.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:03 pm
by CoffeeNut
WildBill wrote:CoffeeNut wrote:WildBill wrote:I have read that you can not shoot hollow points and have them close up. For your centerfire rounds have you used hollow points or only FMJ?
It does not like hollow points. I hit it with a few and the target doesn't want to heal as the HP is taking material with it so you're left with a smaller than normal hole but still a hole.
Bigger than normal hole? That's what I thought.
Bigger than normal for this target but smaller than the average hole a HP leaves on a regular target. It heals up a tiny bit but my guess is it can't heal where the hollow point's cavity punched actual material out. They tell you not to shoot it with HPs or slugs but I wanted to see for myself. A good group of hollow points would destroy it.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:07 pm
by WildBill
CoffeeNut wrote:WildBill wrote:CoffeeNut wrote:WildBill wrote:I have read that you can not shoot hollow points and have them close up. For your centerfire rounds have you used hollow points or only FMJ?
It does not like hollow points. I hit it with a few and the target doesn't want to heal as the HP is taking material with it so you're left with a smaller than normal hole but still a hole.
Bigger than normal hole? That's what I thought.
Bigger than normal for this target but smaller than the average hole a HP leaves on a regular target. It heals up a tiny bit but my guess is it can't heal where the hollow point's cavity punched actual material out. They tell you not to shoot it with HPs or slugs but I wanted to see for myself. A good group of hollow points would destroy it.
It's a bit like your skin healing from a small cut versus a getting a hunk of flesh removed where you need stitches.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:03 pm
by puma guy
Thanks for posting. I am going to try them out. I ordered one of their larger targets as well and was able to use a promo code for $15 off (basically pays for shipping) Promo code is "spring" is any are interested.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:49 pm
by C-dub
Daughter and I have used and still use the orange cube. We take it my parents' place up in KS and just put it on the ground, step back a ways, and blast away. Since it moves or rolls when hit the feedback is easy to see.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:49 pm
by Abraham
I'm very interested, but I wonder how well you can tell where you hit before the self-healing aspect comes into play?
Lately, I've been shooting 5.56 - 62gr FMJ's at a 100 yds. I use a 20 X 60 spotting scope. With the scope, I can easily see where I hit. I use paper plates with orange stick on bulls eyes.
It would be nice not to have to change out the targets.
Thanks!
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:55 pm
by C-dub
Abraham wrote:I'm very interested, but I wonder how well you can tell where you hit before the self-healing aspect comes into play?
Lately, I've been shooting 5.56 - 62gr FMJ's at a 100 yds. I use a 20 X 60 spotting scope. With the scope, I can easily see where I hit. I use paper plates with orange stick on bulls eyes.
It would be nice not to have to change out the targets.
Thanks!
It's not always easy and especially after 10-50 rounds. That's why the reactive targets are good. Especially something like this, which I would like to try this summer when we go back up again.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:02 pm
by Abraham
C-dub,
Thanks!
I hadn't considered that type target, but I will now.
Thanks again.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:32 pm
by puma guy
Abraham wrote:I'm very interested, but I wonder how well you can tell where you hit before the self-healing aspect comes into play?
Lately, I've been shooting 5.56 - 62gr FMJ's at a 100 yds. I use a 20 X 60 spotting scope. With the scope, I can easily see where I hit. I use paper plates with orange stick on bulls eyes.
It would be nice not to have to change out the targets.
Thanks!
I was thinking of using sticky paper targets on these. I am looking at them more for their reactive nature as they swing and if I hit in the healed area it will still react.
Re: Self healing targets
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:59 pm
by CoffeeNut
Abraham wrote:I'm very interested, but I wonder how well you can tell where you hit before the self-healing aspect comes into play?
Lately, I've been shooting 5.56 - 62gr FMJ's at a 100 yds. I use a 20 X 60 spotting scope. With the scope, I can easily see where I hit. I use paper plates with orange stick on bulls eyes.
It would be nice not to have to change out the targets.
Thanks!
The friction burns are very obvious and can be seen pretty easily at distance but after a fair amount of shooting it would be difficult. On another note I have strung mine up in a way so it rocks back and forth when hit. They offer other types that give different feedback but I can't speak for those.