Winter is coming ... bad weather range set up - opportunity shooting

[Marc In Iowa]

In certain parts of the USA, like where I live (Iowa), it gets cold in winter. When summer starts to leave, the fall can be cold, wet and windy. When spring approaches, it can be cold, wet and windy too before the nice days of summer are back.

In the seasons of fall, winter and spring there are times of dry, sunny weather with low, calm wind. Even in winter, a nice sunny period with no wind can be a good time to shoot.

It's led me to create an environment for "opportunity shooting." What's that? It's where you have targets set up that you can leave outdoors in the cold, dark, rain, sleet or snow. And when you get some sunny, calm weather (even just 20-40 minutes), you take the opportunity to shoot as you can without wasting any time prepping your targets.

You get a window of opportunity ... you shoot.

If you have the space for 25-50-75 or more yards, you might not want to walk out in snow drifts, ice or even slippery mud to put out fresh targets.

I've created some inexpensive, durable, metal targets that create a satisfying "plink" and stay up all year long.

Each target has four "parts."

1. Shepard's hook (for hanging a plant)
2. Circuit box cover (RACO, 4" or 5")
3. Conduit pipe hanger clip
4. Cheap black spray paint

The circuit box cover dangles from the conduit pipe hanger slipped over the shepard's hook. This creates a diamond shaped target. I spray paint them black so they show the hits. They are easy to re-spray when you've hit too often to see fresh hits. Because they dangle, you can even tell where you've hit by watching the plate deflect (more information than you get from a spinner).

I've named them my Black Diamond Targets (BDTs). The points of the diamond shape even provide nice aim points for holdover and windage. I've shot these even in 25 mph winds ... extra challenge and fun!

In my forest range, off the deck outside my living room, I've placed these at ranges I like; 25-35-45-55-65-75 yds. You can have as few or as many as you like.

I've also got a special target at 82 yds, a "gong."  This is a used wok from a trift store (~$3). Not just any wok. Hand selected by my wife for exceptional "ring"  by tapping every used pan in the store. It's hanging from an extra large shepard's hook.

The wok shape is useful too. Hits on the outer edge (near misses) have a light "tink" sound. A hit on the flat, center bottom gives a satisfying, meaty, "TUNK!" Even at 82 yds you get decent feedback on where you hit.

I've even got three Field Target reactive animal shapes permanently mounted; rat, crow and warthog. They are "shoot to reset" so I don't have to leave strings outside.

I've attached pictures of the range (winter and fall),  BDTs and the "gong."

Winter is coming ... now is the time to prepare! You might even find shepard's hooks on clearance (or order from the internet if local stores have already cleared out).

[FPGT72]

I will try to remember to take some photos of mine, but my setup is a little like this but i will shoot out of the garage....if real cold I will put a portable propane heater in there (safe for indoor use naturally) and will stay nice and toasty.

What I use is parts of the kids old trampoline base....a little hard to explain but it has hangers for steel and wood for staple of paper targets....works pretty good.  I have it out to 103 yards at the moment, but I could easy go 100 more before I hit the trees at the back of my property.

My issue lately is the wind...20 yesterday and today and up to 40 tomorrow.  No point in shooting at all....even 25 yards the pellet is moving.

I do have a "hollow" in the trees that gets very little wind where I shoot my firearms with the same type of setup.....less windy down there....I have yet to haul the airgun stuff down there as it is so much stuffs I need to haul...tanks and all.  I need a SxS.