Author Topic: Field Target Fun (Read 7192 times))

ezman604 · « **on:** July 17, 2010, 11:48:22 PM »

Several months ago I decided to build me some field targets. I got the plans and cut out the targets and got 4 in various stages of assembly. Then things got a little hectic and they sat on my bench for at least 2 months. Things either finally slowed down enough or I just decided it was "ME" time, but I got back on the project and completed 2 of the 4. We headed to the lake this weekend and I brought them with me to give them a good test.
I put them out about 25 yards and used tent stakes to lock them in place. I brought my Benji XL1500 with a new 6-24X50 AOIR scope. You can get really up close and personal with that glass.

Testing went quite well, except two minor issues. The squirrel needs some fine tuning, it dropped sometimes even when I hit outside the 1" kz. But hey, I'd fall too if I were hit by an XL1500 and CPUM!!!!

Just a little tweaking should fix this. The other issue is the paint. I spray bombed my paddles with flourescent orange. They looked like the orange peel targets in reverse. When the first round hit the kz, almost all of the orange paint shattered off.

I'll experiment with other coatings, including some 3M high intensity flourescent sheeting, like is used on traffic signs. Will ding but at least not shatter. And I've scrounged enough scrap sheeting from work to last a while.
I have a racoon and opossum in the works also. I brought them with me and am hand painting them while I relax here. Field targets are fun and help improve your shooting abilities. Glad I finally got some finished.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave

dk1677 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2010, 11:54:09 PM »

Nice job one those Dave!

Paul in MD. · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2010, 11:57:37 PM »

Thats a real nice setup you have there,nice looking ;Dtargets

Jay · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2010, 12:23:45 AM »

Very Nice Dave

,an some nice lake front also there.

Checco · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2010, 12:18:15 PM »

Nice job on the targets Dave!

ezman604 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2010, 01:19:53 PM »

Thanks guys, and I enjoy my other passion here too. Fishing....
This weekend was quite a surprise as far as weather. Was overcast, windy and cool. We had gotten a forecast of mid 90's but we never saw that. Fishing wasn't great but just getting away from the rat race and relaxing is well worth it. The below pictures will explain. Nothng like a sunrise on Kentucky Lake!!!!

Big_Bill · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2010, 01:48:18 PM »

Real nice job Dave !

But what are those round targets on the left side

They look interesting too ?

Bill

Jay · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2010, 01:55:22 PM »

Nice again Dave on pic's. I was going to say last night I use marker paint on my steel an just respray every couple of shot's,kind of a mess put they stay bright?

ezman604 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2010, 05:23:02 PM »

Quote from: Big_Bill on July 18, 2010, 01:48:18 PM

Real nice job Dave !

But what are those round targets on the left side They look interesting too ?

Bill

Yeah Bill, tempting but my mother-in-law and our neighbor might not appreciate me popping rounds into their satellite dishes.

VINNY · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2010, 11:53:06 PM »

Those look GREAT!! Good job.

gene_sc · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2010, 12:02:30 AM »

Quote from: ezman604 on July 18, 2010, 05:23:02 PM

Quote from: Big_Bill on July 18, 2010, 01:48:18 PM
Real nice job Dave !

But what are those round targets on the left side They look interesting too ?

Bill
Yeah Bill, tempting but my mother-in-law and our neighbor might not appreciate me popping rounds into their satellite dishes.

I could not resist plinking them Dave...

I would only use my FX Cycone .22... hehe

gene_sc · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2010, 12:04:39 AM »

Great targets Dave. I am terrible with wood but you seem to have mastered the skill of the jig saw or band saw. Nice work buddy.. So the wood is thick enough to withstand your big magnums?..

ezman604 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2010, 07:35:26 AM »

Thanks Gene. Don't know about skill, but I have a scroll saw I could cut these out with. With these, my brother volunteered to cut them out with his band saw. I just had to make a 50 mile round trip to pick up new blades for him.

And no, the 3/4" plywood can't hold up to my magnums. Several lessons learned this weekend in regards to field targets.
1) Have your scope zeroed before attempting to shoot field targets.
2) Don't let inexperienced shooters try your magnum at one.
3) Don't let anyone talk you into propping a beer bottle twist-off cap on top of one and shooting it off.

Now I've got some patch work to do on Mr Squirrel to fix his wounds. Or just cut and paint a new one. LOL
It WAS fun though and I impressed a friend with my XL1500. May get us another new (addict) member here.

Atchman2 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2010, 11:01:05 AM »

That would be my problem, I so rarely hit the "real" target that I would chew up the wood part

I like the hand painting on them. I collect and paint toy soldiers by hand and it is a fun relaxing hobby too.

Great job on the targets! When I get by Kentucky Lake again I'll drop you a PM!

bigbadwulff · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2010, 11:59:39 AM »

I was wondering what was buzzing around me while I was fishing the other day...

ezman604 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2010, 12:17:37 PM »

Quote from: Atchman2 on July 19, 2010, 11:01:05 AM

Great job on the targets! When I get by Kentucky Lake again I'll drop you a PM!

Thanks Randy and DO drop me a pm when you're heading that way. I try to go every weekend till winter. That is, when I don't have too much to do around the yard or computer repairs pending.

ezman604 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2010, 12:21:39 PM »

Quote from: bigbadwulff on July 19, 2010, 11:59:39 AM

I was wondering what was buzzing around me while I was fishing the other day...

Was that YOU in that aluminum Lowe boat? I thought I kept hearing a funny "ting" every now and again!!!!

gene_sc · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2010, 12:26:45 PM »

Quote from: ezman604 on July 19, 2010, 07:35:26 AM

Thanks Gene. Don't know about skill, but I have a scroll saw I could cut these out with. With these, my brother volunteered to cut them out with his band saw. I just had to make a 50 mile round trip to pick up new blades for him.
And no, the 3/4" plywood can't hold up to my magnums. Several lessons learned this weekend in regards to field targets.
1) Have your scope zeroed before attempting to shoot field targets.
2) Don't let inexperienced shooters try your magnum at one.
3) Don't let anyone talk you into propping a beer bottle twist-off cap on top of one and shooting it off.
Now I've got some patch work to do on Mr Squirrel to fix his wounds. Or just cut and paint a new one. LOL
It WAS fun though and I impressed a friend with my XL1500. May get us another new (addict) member here.

Still a great job you did Dave. Your post here was funny and yep I have been there and done all the above.. hehehe. I finally got some Steel Plinkers Targets for those of us who do not zero in our shooter prior to shooting them... hehehe Over the years I have torn up at least a dozen wooden based targets that I have made....

Keep up the great target making buddy. Love em..

Rocker1 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2010, 04:55:51 PM »

I was just about to ask what the xls were doing to the wood , I had a 2x6 behind a cardboard target and its almost in 2 pieces now. thanks david

LongIslandArcher · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2010, 05:25:41 PM »

Awesome job on those targets!!

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Field Target Fun

Author Topic: Field Target Fun (Read 7192 times))

Big_Bill

bigbadwulff

LongIslandArcher