Trying to squeeze more life from a target

[Creamer]

Thanks to quarantine, crazy thoughts like this get put into action. My 3D target was 99.9% dead. My second insert was shot up and the target broke in half in the middle. So, I got to work.

I used some small light wire hooks and braided dacron line (fly reel backing) to hold the two pieces together.

Then I filled most of the cavity with scraps of the last insert that were still laying under the target.

Then I filled all the gaps as best I could with spray foam insulation and wrapped with plastic wrap to try to contain it as it expanded and dried. I'm hoping the spray foam all around the dacron line I have running internally will help make it more rigid when it cures.

Of course, I found out that night that my stimulus check got direct deposited...

It's still curing now, I'll add to the thread if/when I am able to actually shoot at it.

 

[Big_Holla]

Thanks to quarantine, crazy thoughts like this get put into action. My 3D target was 99.9% dead. My second insert was shot up and the target broke in half in the middle. So, I got to work.

I used some small light wire hooks and braided dacron line (fly reel backing) to hold the two pieces together.

Then I filled most of the cavity with scraps of the last insert that were still laying under the target.

Then I filled all the gaps as best I could with spray foam insulation and wrapped with plastic wrap to try to contain it as it expanded and dried. I'm hoping the spray foam all around the dacron line I have running internally will help make it more rigid when it cures.

Of course, I found out that night that my stimulus check got direct deposited...

It's still curing now, I'll add to the thread if/when I am able to actually shoot at it.

The state park down the road from us (here in Michigan) puts up 3D targets every year and that was what they did to get more life out of them. Works good enough anyway for something to shoot at. Used tan colored primer on them after as well.

 

[Mike]

It works, but not for very long.

 

[BlueSpruceOutfitters]

I do this every spring, works decent, I've found if you can find the harder type spray foam (Loctite foam is better) it lasts a bit longer. I also then prime the whole thing and repaint it. After painting I spray it down with waterproofing silicone, kind of excessive I'm sure but, it seems to help it last a little longer.

 

[jagermeister]

LOL. Go buy a new target, ya cheap son of a gun.

 

[BlueSpruceOutfitters]

LOL. Go buy a new target, ya cheap son of a gun. [emoji38]

He has a point...lol. Did just get at least 1200 from the government....lmao. I may follow his advice too

 

[Creamer]

He has a point...lol. Did just get at least 1200 from the government....lmao. I may follow his advice too

Yea I spent some of that last night. lol

Back to my cheapskate target, I just peeled the plastic wrap off and unfortunately the foam insulation didn’t go all the way through. So I flipped the target over (it stayed in one piece!!!), pumped that side full of foam, and wrapped it again.

 

[BlueSpruceOutfitters]

Yea I spent some of that last night. lol

Back to my cheapskate target, I just peeled the plastic wrap off and unfortunately the foam insulation didn’t go all the way through. So I flipped the target over (it stayed in one piece!!!), pumped that side full of foam, and wrapped it again.

Hey I'm not hating. My wife has said I've needed to replace my target arsenal for 2 years now, and I keep filling them back up. My coyote target has been filled 5-6 times now. Lol. I'm still gonna do the same thing in the next week or so, and maybe I'll buy new ones next year. [emoji1787]

 

[giles]

If @hickslawns says buy one or calls you cheap, I’d suggest going and buying one today.

Seriously though, if you guys are wearing these out, I’d say it’s a product you are using and worth replacing. If you aren’t happy with the longevity, write the company. Maybe they don’t realize what’s going on and they can improve or suggest another option. Anyone can fire into a target repeatedly in a test facility, days in the sun and rain is another story.

That just sparked another thought all together...might be worth building a little roof over.

Thinking more along the lines of “how did I get to this point”. Preventive maintenance

Thinking out loud here, rambling.

I’ve never owned this product, so I have no clue about it. Just looking in from the outside.

 

[Creamer]

I have no complaints at all about the target. I've just abused it to death. I shoot it nearly every day, often multiple times a day.

 

[jagermeister]

I have no complaints at all about the target. I've just abused it to death. I shoot it nearly every day, often multiple times a day.

If @hickslawns says buy one or calls you cheap, I’d suggest going and buying one today.

Seriously though, if you guys are wearing these out, I’d say it’s a product you are using and worth replacing. If you aren’t happy with the longevity, write the company. Maybe they don’t realize what’s going on and they can improve or suggest another option. Anyone can fire into a target repeatedly in a test facility, days in the sun and rain is another story.

That just sparked another thought all together...might be worth building a little roof over.

Thinking more along the lines of “how did I get to this point”. Preventive maintenance

Thinking out loud here, rambling.

I’ve never owned this product, so I have no clue about it. Just looking in from the outside.

I have no complaints at all about the target. I've just abused it to death. I shoot it nearly every day, often multiple times a day.

Yea... They are just cheap targets. There’s really no preventing it if you shoot enough. My two are on their 2nd set of inserts too. The one laying down, I just put it up against a bag with no insert... just shoot through the opening. I’m due for some new ones too.

 

[hickslawns]

Son of a. . . .hate it when I agree with @giles .

Think I'd PM @brock ratcliff to see which ones hold up best. He and Mason should get targets for free. They could be THE R&D for manufacturers.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Not leaving them out in the elements goes a long way. I got a stand for mine so I can quickly remove it from the shed and start shooting. I only leave it out during hunting season. I know a lot of the cheaper targets have a small core replacement, so there's a lot of shot wear on the actual body of the target. The glendel full rut is expensive in comparison, BUT the vital replacement is very large and takes most of the arrow abuse. I've had it now for 3-4 years and just turned the vital replacement block for the first time. It's good as new and still have more turns before buying a replacement.

 

[giles]

I gotta ask, why not just throw those in the trash and shoot the bag? Do the 3D actually help mentally?

 

[jagermeister]

Not leaving them out in the elements goes a long way. I got a stand for mine so I can quickly remove it from the shed and start shooting. I only leave it out during hunting season. I know a lot of the cheaper targets have a small core replacement, so there's a lot of shot wear on the actual body of the target. The glendel full rut is expensive in comparison, BUT the vital replacement is very large and takes most of the arrow abuse. I've had it now for 3-4 years and just turned the vital replacement block for the first time. It's good as new and still have more turns before buying a replacement.

And that's the difference between a $250 target and a $60 target. The glendel targets are a much higher quality target. These el-cheapos just aren't made to last... You get what you pay for, that's for sure.

I gotta ask, why not just throw those in the trash and shoot the bag? Do the 3D actually help mentally?

I can't speak for Creamer, but for me... Yes, the 3D target absolutely does make a big difference. For shooting instinctive, I like my sight picture to be as close to the real thing as possible. Think of it this way: As a pitcher, how would you rather practice?... Throwing at a strike zone square painted on a blank wall, or throwing to an actual catcher, with someone standing in the batter's box?

 

[giles]

And that's the difference between a $250 target and a $60 target. The glendel targets are a much higher quality target. These el-cheapos just aren't made to last... You get what you pay for, that's for sure.

I can't speak for Creamer, but for me... Yes, the 3D target absolutely does make a big difference. For shooting instinctive, I like my sight picture to be as close to the real thing as possible. Think of it this way: As a pitcher, how would you rather practice?... Throwing at a strike zone square painted on a blank wall, or throwing to an actual catcher, with someone standing in the batter's box?

Interesting. I never thought about it honestly. When I aim, I generally pick a single spot and ignore everything that isn’t in the path to that spot. So the target has never played a part in my mental breakdown. I do get buck fever though. I’ve learned ways to practice to shoot with it. Never thought about the 3D maybe helping myself or the kids. Might of just talked me into buying one. If nothing else, I’m sure it’ll startle me for the first month.

 

[jagermeister]

Interesting. I never thought about it honestly. When I aim, I generally pick a single spot and ignore everything that isn’t in the path to that spot. So the target has never played a part in my mental breakdown. I do get buck fever though. I’ve learned ways to practice to shoot with it. Never thought about the 3D maybe helping myself or the kids. Might of just talked me into buying one. If nothing else, I’m sure it’ll startle me for the first month.

When you shoot instinctive, it doesn't really involve "aiming" per se. It's just muscle memory working in harmony with your vision, or your sight picture. Like throwing a ball. Sure, you can still hit spots on a target. It's just different than shooting a compound or a crossbow. For me, I just find it helpful to see an outline of a deer... It translates better to a hunting scenario for me. I've also seen instances where people, shooting any kind of bow, struggle to hit a particular "spot" on a bag target, but can 10-ring a 3D target all day long. It's a mental thing as much as it is physical.

 

[giles]

When you shoot instinctive, it doesn't really involve "aiming" per se. It's just muscle memory working in harmony with your vision, or your sight picture. Like throwing a ball. Sure, you can still hit spots on a target. It's just different than shooting a compound or a crossbow. For me, I just find it helpful to see an outline of a deer... It translates better to a hunting scenario for me. I've also seen instances where people, shooting any kind of bow, struggle to hit a particular "spot" on a bag target, but can 10-ring a 3D target all day long. It's a mental thing as much as it is physical.

Makes perfect sense for you trad guys. I get it now!

 

[Creamer]

When you shoot instinctive, it doesn't really involve "aiming" per se. It's just muscle memory working in harmony with your vision, or your sight picture. Like throwing a ball. Sure, you can still hit spots on a target. It's just different than shooting a compound or a crossbow. For me, I just find it helpful to see an outline of a deer... It translates better to a hunting scenario for me. I've also seen instances where people, shooting any kind of bow, struggle to hit a particular "spot" on a bag target, but can 10-ring a 3D target all day long. It's a mental thing as much as it is physical.

Yep. That.

I'd have a much simpler, dumbed down version: I like to practice how I play.

 

[Creamer]

And that's the difference between a $250 target and a $60 target. The glendel targets are a much higher quality target. These el-cheapos just aren't made to last... You get what you pay for, that's for sure.

I can't speak for Creamer, but for me... Yes, the 3D target absolutely does make a big difference. For shooting instinctive, I like my sight picture to be as close to the real thing as possible. Think of it this way: As a pitcher, how would you rather practice?... Throwing at a strike zone square painted on a blank wall, or throwing to an actual catcher, with someone standing in the batter's box?

Definitely. For me, mentally, when it comes time to make the shot for realsies I like to know I have done it as close to real life as I can. If a whitetail had a red dot in the money spot, that would be great...but they don't. I don't like shooting at spots too much. Some trad guys go crazy shooting paper and 300 rounds, for me, I'd rather practice 80% of the time focusing on a spot I need to hit that's more realistic to a hunting scenario. Picking a spot on deer hide that is all the same color, for me mentally, isn't the same as focusing on that colored dot on a spot target.