[jb2sea]

I think we've discussed this before, but couldn't find it.... for those of you that go to ranges that do not provide the targets or the target stands, how do you set up your full size targets (at outdoor ranges)? I use heavy cardboard and staple the target to the cardboard. That part works fine. But then I have to attach the cardboard to dowels. I've been using heavy paper clips to attach the cardboard to the dowels. But on days that are more windy, they don't hold that well. Any ideas there?? I may try just taping the cardboard to the dowels.

I have a small metal frame that sticks in the ground, and that works well for small targets. It's just the full size targets (the ones I use the most) that I have trouble with. The wind moves the cardboard around and the clips come loose.

 

[SlayerNut]

A heavy duty staple gun will work. You can also use small drywall screws if you have a cordless drill.

 

[jb2sea]

Well, I have the staple gun right there already, so could give that a try. But the dowels I use are not large. 7/16" or 1/2" I think. So hitting them with a stapler may be a pain. But worth a try. Thanks.

 

[SlayerNut]

Well, I have the staple gun right there already, so could give that a try. But the dowels I use are not large. 7/16" or 1/2" I think. So hitting them with a stapler may be a pain. But worth a try. Thanks.

Yeah, that might prove challenging lol. I was thinking larger dowels I guess. Maybe some double sided tape would hold if it's not too windy.

 

[pinkbunny]

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu24.htm

 

[SCshooter57]

Here's the target stand I use at the rifle range:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu24.htm

It uses rectangular stakes instead of dowels. Plenty of room and depth for a heavy duty staple.

(hat tip to The Box o Truth)

edit: Bunny, you beat me to it.

 

[Windini]

Love me some Box o' Truth!

That said, the outdoor range nearest to me has two ropes (high & low) strung between two poles--also sort of difficult to staple to. I found some zip ties on sale at Harbor Freight, bought a boat-load, and have used those ever since. More secure than clothespins, easier than stapling.

 

[11B CIB]

Here is mine. Home made wooden stand; overbuilt. I am going to make some more with thinner pieces. One 8 foot 2x4 made this. I have a million E-type silhouettes I stick in it but a piece of cardboard works fine. I drilled a hole in each of the four "feet" so I can secure it to the ground with tent stakes but I've never had the need. It's super stable and works like a charm. Staple target to cardboard, shoot. It's also good for holding pieces of trim moulding for painting :\

 

[jb2sea]

All good ideas. I guess my issue is the dowels. Our range was sort of sat up for everyone to use the dowels. That's why they have railroad ties out there with holes drilled in them. But I've seen people using all sorts of different things for target stands out there.

Now that I think about it, I may have trouble stapling thru the cardboard I use. It's really thick. It lasts a long time due to it's thickness, but I doubt a standard stapler would go thru it. Believe I'll try tape first. If that doesn't work I'll give one of the above ideas a try. I like both the Box o Truth idea and 11B's. My old range used something close to the Box O Truth one, and it worked OK. Still alot of movement of the target if it was windy though.

Anyone else have a unique idea?

 

[11B CIB]

All good ideas. I guess my issue is the dowels. Our range was sort of sat up for everyone to use the dowels. That's why they have railroad ties out there with holes drilled in them. But I've seen people using all sorts of different things for target stands out there.

Now that I think about it, I may have trouble stapling thru the cardboard I use. It's really thick. It lasts a long time due to it's thickness, but I doubt a standard stapler would go thru it. Believe I'll try tape first. If that doesn't work I'll give one of the above ideas a try. I like both the Box o Truth idea and 11B's. My old range used something close to the Box O Truth one, and it worked OK. Still alot of movement of the target if it was windy though.

Anyone else have a unique idea?

A staple gun won't bunch through your cardboard? Sounds like some tough stuff!!

I don't go to the range without duct tape and a staple gun. One way or the other, I'm hanging a target!!!

 

[jb2sea]

Yeah, I carry both as well.

It's the stuff appliances are delivered in. It's double-thick cardboard. Way tougher than regular cardboard. It's probably 1/2" or more thick. Lasts a long time. You almost have to shoot several big holes in it before it's toast.

 

[hardluk1]

I haved a small 1/4" stpler from Stanley for 35 or 40 years. Looks like this model from lowes but red.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_308823-3404..._qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=
I also made a few steel stands and use 1x3's as uprights to staple to.

May steel base looks like these but cost was scape steel and an hour to make.
http://www.tuffsteel.com/

 

[RedneckFur]

When I'd go to uwharrie, I'd take a sectional target frame with me, and attach the targets using duct tape.

Back home, I used cardboard with targets stapled on, and eventually built a target stand out of old lumber.

At DPRC, they provide stands, cardboard, and targets. All I have to bring is the staple gun.

 

[jb2sea]

You'd think they would provide staple guns

I've built a few target stands out of 2x4's. They work fine. But are a pain to carry back and forth. And if I leave them there, other people use them and they get shot up. The PVC stands would be lighter. But still bulky and a pain to carry back and forth. And they'd get shot up too, if I left them there. But I may give them a try. I could attach the cardboard to the two pieces of PVC at home (maybe with bolts) and have the bottom part separate, to make it easier to carry. Then just insert the cardboard/PVC posts onto the bottom part when I get to the range. That may work. I think I just had a light bulb go off over my head.

For anyone using the PVC stand, are they pretty stable in the wind?

 

[elDiabloLoco]

Now that I think about it, I may have trouble stapling thru the cardboard I use. It's really thick. It lasts a long time due to it's thickness, but I doubt a standard stapler would go thru it.

Poke four holes(Texas Toothpick for the win) in the cardboard and use cable zip ties to attach to the dowels. That seems a lot easier than taping.

You could even have the zips pre-attached at home, then just pull the zip ties tight at the range.

 

[old confederate]

Drive a couple of 2X4s in the ground. I would like to see the cardboard that a staple won't go through. Larry

 

[jb2sea]

OK. I think that would work too, if I use shorter dowels. I take the cardboard off the dowels for transport. But if I make the dowels shorter, same height as the cardboard, then it would fit in the back of the vehicle fine.

I think I'll try the zip ties AND the PVC stand and see which I like better. Thanks everyone for all the ideas.

 

[Catfish]

I'm a surveyor so I have a ready supply of 30" stakes in my truck. They cost about $0.25 ea and I use two per target. Staple cardboard to the stakes, tape printed targets to the cardboard. cheap and easy just like me.

 

[jb2sea]

But those won't hold a full size target. My little metal stand works great for the smaller targets.

No way a staple will go thru that cardboard I use. I just measured and it's actually 3/4" thick. I can do alot of shootin before I have to replace it.

 

[osirissky]

I use metal fence stakes from Lowes and cheap 99cent 1x4s. You can cut wood to go across or up and down. Bolt the strips to the fence stakes and staple the cardboard to the wood. I built a stand roughly 6hx8w for less than $15. You could also use one stake and mount two strips centered to overhang either side for two targets. That would cost roughly$6. The stakes are easy to push into the ground too. They have a little step for just such a purpose.

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