Lead capture ... GAMO cone target - Field Target

[Marc In Iowa]

Most of my shooting has been plinking on 5" metal targets from 20-75 yds using lead-free GTO pellets in my 22 Discovery (HPA) or 177 Hammerli 850 (COČ). It took almost a year but I got good enough that I needed more challenge (i.e. fun). 🙂

Last fall, I decided to try shooting some Field Target. I bought my entry level FT rifle; GAMO Coyote in 177. And worked to find my best pellet; JSB Exact Heavy 10.34 gr. (lead); which I want to capture. So far, I've done 10-shot .5-.6" groups at 25 yds and <1.5" groups at 55 yds. So I think my every level FT rifle can get me started at least.

Now, I need to start practicing at different ranges and building up my range card with known holdovers at the various ranges.

For my initial "lead-capture" FT practice range, I've decided to spot 4 pellet traps at different ranges using two kinds of traps; GAMO metal cone trap (5.25" targets) and a Champion 22 rimfire trap (8.5x11" target). I'll shoot them at these yards:

25 GAMO
35 GAMO
45 GAMO
55 Champion

I'll mix up my practice shot ranges 25-55-35-25-45-55, etc. to practice shifting my focus and ranging. I'm shooting paper which isn't the best for FT practice but it's what I've got until I perfect  some lead capture enclosures for actual knockdown Field Targets.

My Champion trap is so tough my Coyote will never damage it. I bought one GAMO cone trap to see how it would do. Between my Coyote and my brother-in-law's TX200 we beat it up pretty bad in a short time maybe 300 pellets or less even.

The throat of the cone funnels the pellets to a downward deflection plate and then the pellets fall into a collection box. The cone holds up pretty good 'cause the pellets hit it at a pretty sharp angle. The deflection plate and the back of the throat take a real beating though.

I picked up some metal "mending brace" plates at the Meynards home store to reinforce the back of the trap. One long plate I had to bend to the rough angle of the deflection plate and I added two more shorter plates so they'd fit the cavity more snuggly. The final step is to tie an old sock into a knot and shove it into the throat. Between the sock and the 3 plates, the GAMO cone trap now shows no sign of dying before it's time.

Set up in my forest involves using a bungie cord to attach the trap to a concrete block and set them out at the ranges for practice.

I don't really like the format of the printed GAMO card stock targets so I designed a paper overlay I tape on the front to give me two size bulls (1" and 1.5") for aiming and "scoring" my practice shots; 4 total aim points per 5.25" target.

Now I just need some trigger time. Today it is 63°F in Iowa so I'm hopeful that spring will be along soon.

Photos attached.

BTW, these GAMO traps come with a pack of 100 card stock targets (worth $5) so the cone trap itself is about $10 each from Amazon.

[Back_Roads]

 I stuff  my GAMO targets about 1/3 rd full of duct seal putty, due to the fact they do not hold up well to closer range high power air rifles, they have been holding up much better.

[Marc In Iowa]

I stuff  my GAMO targets about 1/3 rd full of duct seal putty, due to the fact they do not hold up well to closer range high power air rifles, they have been holding up much better.

How often do they need cleaning or re-doing?

[Back_Roads]

around 200 rounds the lead starts stacking up, usually just where the bull is, so just pull out the wad of lead and repack the putty.

[bantam5s]

Most of my shooting has been plinking on 5" metal targets from 20-75 yds using lead-free GTO pellets in my 22 Discovery (HPA) or 177 Hammerli 850 (COČ). It took almost a year but I got good enough that I needed more challenge (i.e. fun). 🙂

Last fall, I decided to try shooting some Field Target. I bought my entry level FT rifle; GAMO Coyote in 177. And worked to find my best pellet; JSB Exact Heavy 10.34 gr. (lead); which I want to capture. So far, I've done 10-shot .5-.6" groups at 25 yds and <1.5" groups at 55 yds. So I think my every level FT rifle can get me started at least.

Now, I need to start practicing at different ranges and building up my range card with known holdovers at the various ranges.

For my initial "lead-capture" FT practice range, I've decided to spot 4 pellet traps at different ranges using two kinds of traps; GAMO metal cone trap (5.25" targets) and a Champion 22 rimfire trap (8.5x11" target). I'll shoot them at these yards:

25 GAMO
35 GAMO
45 GAMO
55 Champion

I'll mix up my practice shot ranges 25-55-35-25-45-55, etc. to practice shifting my focus and ranging. I'm shooting paper which isn't the best for FT practice but it's what I've got until I perfect  some lead capture enclosures for actual knockdown Field Targets.

My Champion trap is so tough my Coyote will never damage it. I bought one GAMO cone trap to see how it would do. Between my Coyote and my brother-in-law's TX200 we beat it up pretty bad in a short time maybe 300 pellets or less even.

The throat of the cone funnels the pellets to a downward deflection plate and then the pellets fall into a collection box. The cone holds up pretty good 'cause the pellets hit it at a pretty sharp angle. The deflection plate and the back of the throat take a real beating though.

I picked up some metal "mending brace" plates at the Meynards home store to reinforce the back of the trap. One long plate I had to bend to the rough angle of the deflection plate and I added two more shorter plates so they'd fit the cavity more snuggly. The final step is to tie an old sock into a knot and shove it into the throat. Between the sock and the 3 plates, the GAMO cone trap now shows no sign of dying before it's time.

Set up in my forest involves using a bungie cord to attach the trap to a concrete block and set them out at the ranges for practice.

I don't really like the format of the printed GAMO card stock targets so I designed a paper overlay I tape on the front to give me two size bulls (1" and 1.5") for aiming and "scoring" my practice shots; 4 total aim points per 5.25" target.

Now I just need some trigger time. Today it is 63°F in Iowa so I'm hopeful that spring will be along soon.

Photos attached.

BTW, these GAMO traps come with a pack of 100 card stock targets (worth $5) so the cone trap itself is about $10 each from Amazon.

Same exact thing happened to my gamo cone and I was only using a Daisy model 35 on 4 pumps.

I found it recently and got the deflector plate straightened out, but it won't stay this way for long.
Mine also started to tear at the corners.