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Thread: Non metal reactive targets?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Non metal reactive targets?

    Hey Everyone,

    As usual, my timing is stellar. I was about to hit the "order" button on a selection of steel targets to carry out to the range with me when I got an email from the gun club telling me that use of steel targets is restricted due to fire danger.

    Has anyone found non-metallic reactive targets that will stand up to 9mm pistol at 25' and .223 at 100+ yards?

    I have tinkered with the "self healing" rimfire targets and they are ok but definitely not up to center fire.

    Suggestions?

    Thanks.

    S.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    I don't have anything useful to say but does a copper jacketed bullet spark? I wouldn't think so but I don't know. Steel jackets certainly might spark!
    Probably easier to outlaw the steel targets than to check everyone's ammo, I guess.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Never used any, but, places like Wal-Mart sell rubber targets that you shoot right through. Might solve your problem.

  4. #4
    In Remembrance
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    Reactive, yes. Reusable, no. Shotgun clay birds, about as inexpensive as you can get.
    NRA Life
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  5. #5
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    We used to take out and shoot those rubber dog toys when the dogs quit playing with them.

    If ya want something cheap to bounce around when ya hit it-- use blocks of scrap wood.
    And,,,, they're bio-degradable.
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    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


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  6. #6
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
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    I walk out on the shotgun range . And gather unbroken clays. Then shoot at them.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by mazo kid View Post
    Reactive, yes. Reusable, no. Shotgun clay birds, about as inexpensive as you can get.
    I tried that. It was a pain to clean up and still required me to go downrange periodically to set up more.

    I have trouble seeing a lead, or copper jacketed lead, making a spark that could start a fire but that is the rule.

    The advantage for me using steel or some facsimile is that I can set them up in the morning and shoot all day without having to call a cease fire.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by 725 View Post
    Never used any, but, places like Wal-Mart sell rubber targets that you shoot right through. Might solve your problem.
    I tried one and as far as "reactive" goes it was great..... For one shot I was expecting failure and my expectations were met in a fairly spectacular manner One shot with .223 and it was done.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    What about those rubber balls you shoot at and they jump all over. Hanging them keeps them from going all over. My experience is a 45 acp doesn't destroy them, though I don't know the brand it was. It was at a friends.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master


    Burnt Fingers's Avatar
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    NRA Benefactor.

  11. #11
    Banned
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigAlofPa. View Post
    I walk out on the shotgun range . And gather unbroken clays. Then shoot at them.
    Where's the fun in that? shoot at the pieces more challenging

  12. #12
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
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    Lol i do shoot at the pieces as they bust.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
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    I built a plate rack from these and they work pretty well.

    https://www.newboldtargets.com/KnockDown-Targets

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    Do you have any left over baseballs from when your kids may have played little league? I've got a bucket of them and found a baseball will absorb a surprising amount of 22's and makes a fun target that will bounce around when hit. Centerfire rifles were kind of hard on the baseballs though.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

    dale2242's Avatar
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    A comment about bullets staring fire when shooting at steel.
    I have seen it happen twice this summer at the same place.
    Steel targets were hung above rotten logs.
    I mean really rotten logs.
    They were almost to the powder stage.
    I am assuming bullet fragments deflected down and started the fires.
    I have no way of knowing if the bullets were steel jacked or not.
    I had a friend tell me that he had a cast bullet start a fire in rotten wood.
    He was shooting at steel silhouette targets at the time.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    I have a few of those rubber/plastic/polymer balls and squares made for shooting that I leave on my range. I can just bounce them across the ground with whatever I am shooting. I have had them for several years, I leave them out, move them when I mow or when they get too far away. Too far depends on the gun I am shooting. Seem to be holding up well.

  17. #17
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    Stray/feral cats leashed & staked work well, too. Just got to dig a hole for ‘em when your done.

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
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    Probably not easy to find unless you're in mining country, but surplus mine conveyor belting works great. Hung on a hinge like your steel targets, even 9mm won't hurt it. We use it for backstops around here.
    Cognitive Dissident

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigAlofPa. View Post
    I walk out on the shotgun range . And gather unbroken clays. Then shoot at them.
    My son picks those and really enjoys smashing them... And then the broken pieces too, until they're finally too small to hit.


    Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by MostlyLeverGuns View Post
    I have a few of those rubber/plastic/polymer balls and squares made for shooting that I leave on my range. I can just bounce them across the ground with whatever I am shooting. I have had them for several years, I leave them out, move them when I mow or when they get too far away. Too far depends on the gun I am shooting. Seem to be holding up well.
    I have brass balls. No squares though.

    Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

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