Ideas for Back Yard Shooting Games

[Steelontarget]

What sort of shooting games has everyone played in the backyard or at the range among friends?  For example, mini-sniping, that came out of South Africa in the 1980s was thought up while friends were enjoying a bar-b-que.  I like to think of different ways that shooting buddies can have fun at friendly competition.  So tell us what sort of shooting games do you play with friends in the back yard or at the range.  I’ll start first.

GAME #1
 
I got the kids to competing by having a set number of cans set up down range corresponding to each side of the competitor's side of the firing line.  At the command to fire, each shooter tries to knock down all of his or her cans before the other person does.  The pressure is really on with break-open-single-shot air rifles.  The same can be done by using repeating CO2 pistols at a shorter range.

GAME #2

This is almost like "dueling" competition.  Each shooter has a single-shot pistol loaded and on safe.  Or the pistol can have more than one round in the magazine. However, the shooters only get one shot.  Down range at an equal distance from the shooters are two soup cans - one per shooter.

Each shooter will have the pistols held at their sides, standing and facing their targets.  At the command "ready" each shooter will point his or her pistol down range and cock it (or take the safety off).

At the command "aim" each shooter may place his or her finger on the trigger whilst pointing the pistol down range and taking aim at the target.

At the command to "fire" each shooter may pull the trigger.  The shooter who knocks over their soup can first is the winner.  Should both shooters either miss or knock over both cans then their “seconds” will take their places and finish the "dueling."  Should a shooter fire his or her pistol prematurely they forfeit and should hang their head in shame

GAME #3

This game usually works best with magazine-fed PCP rifles and CO2 repeating pistols.  However, it can be done with single-shot springers.  The pistols should still be of the CO2 repeating variety even if you are using the single-shot springers.  This is a fun game but to be fair, everyone should be using the same type of rifle (PCPs, springers, scoped or iron sights).

I call this game the “Alvin York Takedown” or the “Tin Can Takedown.”  The idea came to me after recalling what SGT Alvin York did in 1918 and resulted in the capture of 132 enemy soldiers.  It can be read about here: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-soldier-alvin-york-displays-heroics-at-argonne

This is the set up.  Have a set number of soup cans downrange to be shot at with the rifles at a pre-arranged distance.  For the PCPs you might want to have 10-15 cans set down range.  A little less would do for the springers since it takes longer to reload.  Closer to the shooter and off to the side another line of cans should be used to shoot at with the CO2 pistol. 

The object of the game is to knock over all the cans with the fewest number of shots in the shortest amount of time.  Keep in mind the LOWEST score wins.  Because this is an informal game the rules can be altered as necessary and by agreement.  For example, you could use the empty 9mm shell casings at 25-35 yards with PCPs like the mini-sniping game but use soup cans for pistol targets.

Because this is a timed event an observer ought to be near the shooter to ensure that he or she doesn’t get too excited and inadvertently point the rifle or pistol at someone instead of down range.  This is particularly true with younger shooters.  Safety, as always, comes first.  It’s not fun if someone gets hurt.

The shooter can either be prone (easier to do with PCPs) or seated for the springers.  The shooter should be given a preparation period to get their magazines loaded or pellets lined up in a holder if they are using a single-shot rifle.  The rifle, by agreement can be used on a rest or bipod or shot without them.  The magazine or cartridges are also loaded in the CO2 pistol and, for safety, placed on a mat to the left or right of the shooter (depending on their dominate hand) and pointed down range.

At the end of the preparation period, the shooter is permitted to get into a prone or sitting position with rifle in hand, on safe and pointed down range.

At the command to fire, a timer is started and the shooter fires at all of the cans placed at the far end of the range.  He or she may shoot as many pellets as desired to hit the cans.  The scorer must count the number of shots fired as this will be used to determine the score.

Once all the cans at the far end of the range are knocked over it’s time to engage the short range cans with the CO2 pistol.  This simulates a situation similar to what Alvin York was faced with. 

After shooting all the machine gunners, six enlisted men charged SGT York with fixed bayonets. He had to use his pistol to shoot those men running at him.  To make this a little interesting, a line of several cans can be placed diagonally in front of the shooter.  He or she must hit the rear most can first as did SGT York.  He knew that if he shot the first man in line, the others would see this, go to ground and start shooting at him with their rifles.  When he hit the rear most soldier the others didn’t see it and kept up their charge going until he took out all of them down.

Anyway, after the rifle targets are all knocked over the shooter lays his or her rifle down, pointed down range.  Then they pick up their CO2 pistol and shoot at the short range cans.  The timer is stopped once all cans are down or the shooter is out of pellets.   

The score is determined by this formula:

[(shots fired – cans hit) + 1] X time in seconds = score

The SMALLEST number is the winner.  As you can see, the magazine-fed PCPs have the advantage over the single-shot springers.  So there ought to be different classes for the PCPs, springers, repeaters, scopes and iron sights.  Here is an example with 10 cans used for the rifle targets and 6 cans for the pistol targets.  This shows how the combination of shots fired versus cans hit in a certain amount of time will affect the scoring.  The goal is to be both fast and accurate.

Shooter A:  [(16 shots fired – 16 cans hit) + 1] X 60 seconds = 60
Shooter B: [(16 shots fired – 16 cans hit) + 1] X 80 seconds = 80
Shooter C: [(17 shots fired – 16 cans hit) + 1] X 50 seconds = 100
Shooter D: [(17 shots fired – 16 cans hit) + 1] X 60 seconds = 120
Shooter E: [(17 shots fired – 16 cans hit) + 1] X 80 seconds = 160

NOTE: Mathematically speaking; it is possible to miss a lot of cans and not shoot all of your pellets in a very short amount of time.  This would give a very artificially low score.  So if any cans remain standing, the shooter forfeits the game.

The game can be altered for the experience level of the shooters and/or the type of equipment to be used.  If you don’t have enough soup cans you could always buy cheap paper (or Dixie) cups and fill them with water.  That way you know if they have been hit.  Paint balls at 25-35 yards could be used for the rifle targets and Dixie cups at 5 yards for the pistols.  You are only limited by your imagination.

So, I’d like to know what other types of shooting games everyone else has made up for back yard fun.

[ac12]

For kids and new shooters, I like a paper cup and using a red dot sight at 5 meters/15 feet.

Make it easy to aim (red dot), and easy to hit (paper cup or aluminum pie pan).  The paper cup is used to eliminate ricochet of the pellet at close range.  As the range increases, you can switch to an empty soda or vegetable can.
They will still miss, but the success will keep them interested. 
Want to make it more challenging, just push the distance out maybe 5 feet at a time.  But don't make it so hard that they get frustrated and quit.

Reaction targets are fun.
- Like a balloon.  But the movement of the balloon by the wind may make it frustrating to aim at, unless you can tape it down so the balloon does not move. 
- Ritz or other cracker on edge, in a slot on a wood holder would be fun also, as long as they shatter when hit vs. the pellet just making a small hole.
- Film container half filled with baby powder.

- But PLEASE, DO NOT USE GLASS BULBS, BOTTLES, CUPS, etc.  Glass does NOT biodegrade, and can remain sharp enough to cut someone, even after decades in the dirt.  I have that problem with broken beer bottle fragments in my yard, probably from the people that built my house 40+ years ago.  Those fragments were still sharp enough to cut skin.

[Deckard1973]

I got a set of these for Christmas:  https://magnumtarget.com/products/silhouettes/15-scale-nra-silhouette-knock-overs-rated-for-small-bore-shooting-4-piece-set/

I would like to set them up for a Outlaw like class FT out to 100 yrds, any power scope, .22 and .25 rifles.
Been brainstorming ideas for the rules/set up. 

Something like the chicken will be between 20 and 40 yrds, the turkey 40 to 60, pig 60 to 80, and hog 80 to 100yrds. 

Debating the use of turrets or not, shooting sticks, bucket/seated pad, or maybe extreme Kneeling, sitting and prone only but you can use shooting jackets and shooting gloves. 

Dunno. 

[maraudinglizard]

I have a steel plinkers dueling tree coming. The game is to get all your paddles to the other side before the other guy does. Just set it up at any distance you want.

http://www.steelplinkers.com/DuelingTree.html

[Steelontarget]

I think that whatever game you design for backyard shooting the number one thing to keep in mind that it should be fun. 

A lot of how the game would be played would also depend on the experience level of the shooter.  Let's say you had a mix of really expert shooters who wanted to shoot out to long distances and have some friendly competition.

It might be entertaining for someone new to the sport to watch but only for a few minutes. The only air rifle they ever held was probably the Daisy BB gun they had as a kid.  That may have been the last time the ever shot a rifle.  Or you might have some kids in the group.

If there are kids in the group of guests I don't shoot.  I get a gun out that they can handle and make it fun for them.  The children may not get much of a chance to shoot.  I always have plenty of time.  I want to see a young person having fun.  Hopefully they get the shooting bug and will want to take up the sport.

There have been other occasions at the range where someone might bring their girlfriend to watch them shoot their magnum PB.  Sometimes it's not much fun for the girlfriend.  That's when I drag out the .22 or an air rifle and let them bust some soup cans.

Once the neophytes learn the basics then you can design the shooting game with their skills in mind.  The expert shooters ought to be willing to spot the neophytes a few points.

The only time that I might pick up the rifle when the neophytes are shooting is to demonstrate something.  Or when some kid says; "there's something wrong with this rifle.  I can't hit anything with it."

That's when I say, "let me see it. Do you mind if I try?" Then I proceed to hit the cans, plates, spinners or whatever several times and hand it back to them.  "It looks good to me."  Then I try to give them a few tips.

I did that at the range the other day.  A gentleman had a PB pistol.  He shot 2-3 feet low with it at about 10 yards.  So I asked him if I could take a look at it then proceeded to put three shots in the bulls-eye.

I didn't embarass him but gave him some pointers now that I got his attention.  He walked away gratefull for the advice and with confidence in his pistol.

Even though I like to be competitive, the reason I got into the shooting sports and why I have stayed in it was because it's fun.  It should be made fun for the beginners.

When it comes to me and my dead-eye friends in competition, all I can say is bring it on    

[uglymike]

Cheap decks of cards. You take the 10 of spades, I take the 10 of hearts. Race to see who can put a hole in each spade or heart the fastest.

[avator]

Chinese fly paper at 10 yds, paintballs at 35 yds and soda cans set upside down on 3" drywall screws in 2x4 with 2" of screw exposed.
Top row of cans is 6 cans each (12 screws). Second row of cans with 6 cans each and an odd can in the middle ( 13 screws). Below that 6 paintballs each on 2X4 (12 paint balls) Second row of paintballs 6 paintballs each and odd paintball in middle (13 paintballs).
Each shooter goes for a fly. If player kills fly he/she moves to paintball on top row. If paintball is hit shooter moves to top row can. Can must be torn from screw to advance back to fly. When all even paintballs and cans are gone player finishes remaining flys. Then player takes out odd paintball and finally odd can to win.
This game is best played with pumper guns. Flys require 4 pumps for accuracy. Paintballs require 5-6 pumps for accuracy anfd cans require 5 to 10 pumps for accuracy and power at rimshots. A well placed rimshot on a can at 5 - 10 pumps can result in a very rewarding report along with an acrobatic can. And paintballs, well they just add bright colors to the festivities. Flys are most rewarding when all you have is a hole in the paper where a fly used to be.
Warning... a single game can go one for long periods of time with several lead changes.

[ricksplace]

Line up empty shotgun shells like 5 pin bowling. Hit on the side, empty shells will spin, knocking down adjacent shells. Score like bowling. Loser has to set them up next round. Stay close enough to ensure lots of hits and lots of action.