We made some cheap and fun Reactive Targets today

[Gertrude]

We did a little experimenting today, and were quite pleased with the results.
Just thought I'd share and some of you might like seeing these. 

Powder Filled Exploding " POOFING" Ping Pong Balls.





They worked pretty well today.
 (Actually, ... they worked even better than we expected)... We figured they would do OK on the cloud poof when hit, but we were pleasantly surprised when we found that they would take 3 to 5 good hits, delivering a decent "Poof Cloud" each time, before being completely destroyed. YAY !

144 Ping Pong / Beer Pong balls --- $9.95


100 Golf tees --- $6.95
 

5 lbs Colored Chalk Line Powder --- $10.40


We also tried a few filled with Flour, and it worked well too... but the colored powders were a little better at "poof cloud production" with better visibility.

Using a hot Soldering Iron, we melted a hole in the balls ust large enough to get the tip of the dispenser tip of the chalk powder bottle in.
Next, we filled the balls a little more than half way with powder, and placed them in the egg flats.
Next, we used a Hot Glue gun to put a small amount of glue onto the Golf Tee and placed it over the hole in the ball.
Allow to cool down and the glue to set-up, then get ready to blast away at them.
 They are a TON 'o Fun !

Then just for fun, we decided that we should up the challenge and "raise the bar".
 So we started gluing a regular Paintball on top, and then a Powder Filled 40mm paintball on top of that.



Hope you all like and enjoy.
Cheers !

[Hoosier Daddy]

I Love it!
Not only that, but the Grand-Daughter will enjoy making them with me. WIN-WIN

[TraderJoe]

Great idea! I'm gonna have to try this one.

[dk1677]

Good one Ron!

[avator]

Ron..
You kids are just having way too much fun over there. Nothing better than a good batch of smoking blue balls.... wait.. what?
Anyhow, just added stuff to the shopping list.
Thanks.

[maraudinglizard]

I Love it!
Not only that, but the Grand-Daughter will enjoy making them with me. WIN-WIN

Don't for get the necco wafers and aspirin. Glue the aspirin to the wafers to make the ears on a mouse.

[Hoosier Daddy]

That's a good one too Kris!

[avator]

The problem with necco wafers is I end up eating more than  I shoot. Ping Pong balls are harder to chew.

[Cathartes]

Nice! I'm too lazy, I just fill plastic Easter eggs with the stuff.

[avator]

LOL.... I'm even lazier than that... I just shoot the paintballs.

[Gertrude]

Haha,

Thanks for all the compliments so far guys.  I figured some of the membership here would like them.
They are so easy, quick and cheap to do, I had to share the idea.
Then also the unexpected added benefit that they will take several hits before they are out of powder, makes them REALLY worth making.

We will do some more experimenting soon.
 Maybe make some wire hangers similar to a christmas ornament,  or just hot gluing a length of string in lieu of the golf tees.
 Being able to hang them from something say 3' to 5' high produces a better/larger visible cloud at longer distances.
 Yesterday we were shooting them at 50 - 75 - and 100 yds with very satisfactory results.

I was able to deliver some to Craig as he was getting ready to take off and go meet up with Nick, Dana, and a couple of others for a overnight Hunt. (I was unable to go due to other commitments).

I asked Dana to do some video of them if they had some target shooting time, and he said he would try to do that.
 Hopefully he did, and he can post up a short video of them in action soon.

The reason I liked them so much, is that our regular shooting permission is absolutely covered in dead, dry, 3' tall weeds and grasses.
 Although it might be fun to have other types of reactive exploding targets,.... it would just be far to risky and dangerous.

 These are a fun, safe, cheap, and acceptable compromise as opposed to something that might be a source of ignition to a fast spreading brushfire.
 That is ALWAYS a huge concern in Summer/Fall dry seasons around here.

Take care, shoot straight, shoot safe, and stay tuned.
Cheers !