Targets for drills..

New owner of a 16" Del Ton and I wanted to start thinking about applying the drills to learn proficiency, It seems like immediate feedback would be a huge help while im training, so I have begun to research "reactive" targets. In my limited reading, it seems like steel can have some blowback issues, especially if it is hit with FMJ 5.56. Its also pretty expense as well. I wanted to set up multiple targets as i practice engagement scenarios so that high cost becomes even more burdensome.
So my current idea, to which I would love feedback is to set up boards that hold clay pigeons in a circle, maybe 8" diameter. The clays would obviously reveal a shot in the target zone, and i guess I would only need to replace the destroyed clay each time so the cost would not be too high. I think i could just nail 7 roofing nails to some OSB or plywood in a circle pattern so it creates one target with minimal gaps..something like this:
___________
OO
OOO
OO
__________


I just wanted to hear what people think if I set these up between 10-25 yards so i could have that instant feedback that seems important. If people have other ideas for a different instant feedback system, I would love to hear it too! Thank!!

Balloons.


Yeah, they can be a PITA to blow up and affix to the target, but they are cheap, and feedback is immediate and decisive.

I'm just trying to imagine filling balloons and tying them off after each cycle. 30 seconds of shooting with 10 minutes of balloon prep could be prohibitive.

I just use IPDA cardboard targets. They don't give instant feedback, but they are cheap and easy to use and reuse.

Instant feedback may be gratifying for you but it's not that much of a help in training. Above a certain skill level, you should be calling your shots from the sight picture when the shot goes off.

Even when shooting steel, you need to paint it often to know where you are hitting. My advice would be to stop worrying about "instant feedback" and work on drills shooting cardboard/paper.

Gringop

That is exactly what I was going to say. I infact prefer targets that don't allow me to easily see the bullet holes. Chasing the bullet is a bad thing in my opinion.

I would not get hung up on the whole reactive target thing. You will be better off shooting paper and pasting the targets afterward. I would start out with some basic (but good) drills like the 2X2X2, 1-5 drill, and the Rifle El Prez Drill .

Learn some basic skills like safely handling your rifle, how to transition between targets, reloads, malfunction drills, and shooting support side, then you can start to spice it up.

http://www.parmarng.org/freeidaho/AlSkDjFhG/WoodenReactiveTarget/WoodenReactiveSketch.pdf

http://www.parmarng.org/freeidaho/AlSkDjFhG/RockingTargetPVC/RockingTargetPVCPlans.pdf

http://www.actiontargetbeta.com/store/catalog/category/view/id/17 (I would make my own)

Wow..those were not the answers I was looking for but they are answers I appreciate. I have been shooting for 15 years, but it has been all defensive pistol or hunting. The carbine world is a new one, so i value your opinion. I'm looking forward to learning my way through the common proficiency that needs to be developed. Thanks guys!

If you want a good target for drills, I just got these and love them...

LINK

I have been mixing those in for the past few months and everyone has liked them. Thats a great site to order from!

It is a great site, you have to be smart and read the pages when ordering. Those targets are $1 each if you order 24 or less, but once you order 25 or more they are less then half of that price. The best price is around 100+ targets.

LE Targets also makes another good training target:

NPT-1 target



The only downside to ordering bulk quantities of cardboard targets is shipping costs.
It costs more to ship targets than it does to ship ammo.

I just bought 75 of these targets and UPS charged $38 to ship them (their 'dimensional weight' calculations).

+1 the balloon. I use carbord torso targets spead from 50- 200yrs filled with balloons 9in out to 100yds and 12 inch at 200 yds( bad eyes) and have a blast with my eotec. all you need is good quality heliunm rated balloons and a t25 staple gun(the one used for t stat wire) trust me if your just starting out they will last awhile in range sesion

I like the general concept of your clay pidgeon, I might try that at some point. I can tell you that my budget is remarkably feeble at this point, clay pidgeons being a little too pricey. I also have a desire for instant feedback, and my two cent suggestion would be to try balloons. There is some prep time involved, but those plastic balloon pumps that usually come with birthday party sets etc. seem to work just fine. Balloons ease the pocket-book and the need for a super stable stand/frame to hold them. Dowel sticks work(something I saw on some sniper show on the history ch). On occasion the balloons will pop on their own if not stretched out prior to mounting, but otherwise will provide instant feedback(and a little movement depending on how you mount them, though it's a fun challenge sometimes). Good luck.

Tagging this for later. Some good ideas in here.

So to give a my experiences with clay pigeons....

I used small nails to hold 7 clays in a "circle". I drilled the clays so they could be slipped on to the nails that were on some scrap plywood

The idea worked to a point, but what is comes down to is after each drill, you end up replacing a few pigeons and that kinda gets old.

So now I have been setting up a few 2x4's in the ground that have 2x4's running horizontally to hold scrap 2x6 pieces. I just drill 2 holes through the bottom of the 2x6 and hang them so they move a bit when hit.

The movement is subtle, so I'm going to try to find wood that might give a bit more motion..something like MDF or particle board. The set up gives me a center mass target as well as separate head shot. I'm looking forward to the outcomes.

I know its good to focus on my shooting and not "chase" rounds, but its important to know you are htting your target while you are shooting, right?

I think that could devolpe into a bad habit of shifting your focus to the target (to see the wood move) instead of preparing for another shot, you should be following threw with a second sight pic and prepping the trigger for the next shot, then see if the target needs to be shot again.

I am not trying to talk you out of your idea, you should try it out and see if I am right or wrong, as I have never shot a target like you describe.

NRA bullseye targets and some masking tape to function as a target paster seems to work perfectly well. There are also plenty of targets you can print out on 8.5x11 paper out there if you look...try Pistol-Training.com.

Here is something that may save you time when hanging clay pigeons:

Use a training partner. Preferably someone who has already taken a formal class with a carbine. You should take one too, then report back!

OP, I am going to echo mcnielsen's suggestions. Yor are a perfect canidate for a carbine 1 course, you have your rifle, and you want to learn how to employ it effectively. The money that you would spend on course tuition is really small potatoes compared to what you can learn @ a 8 hr. + carbine class.

Ask for some Instructor recomondations in your hometown forum, I'll bet you will find a class near you soon.

and don't forget to post an AAR !

good luck, and keep 'em in the black.


forrest -

I started hanging 12" softballs from string... about the same size as a clays (shot up a couple cases of them.. got tired of the resets).

They hold together for many rounds... react when hit.. are a challenge to hit at speed... and are cheap.

I just screwed in a long drywall screw and washer, then tied on a string and hung them from tree branches overhanging my backstop.

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