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Rimfire Targets

Joshuaray83

Private
Minuteman
Mar 23, 2019
70
38
Eastern Iowa
What is everyone using for their rimfire target shooting? I've seen the KYL sets and those look like a blast if you're into precision shooting. I got a cheap cheap version of that with three targets from Bass Pro for $15. I think the three targets are 2", 3", and 4", but have to be shot from at least 30 yards because they're thin.

Anyone have anything creative they use or manufacture?
 
Since a lot of my ranges don't allow us to use steal, I have purchased a bunch of - https://amzn.to/2RZLzhv

I cut them down to different widths - standard is 2.5", then I have a 1.5", and a 1/2". You can really cut a bunch more sizes for whatever KYL challenge you want. The standard is great for 200 yard challenge, or for positional 100 yards. Then the 1/2" is a fun 50 yard positional.
 
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Since a lot of my ranges don't allow us to use steal, I have purchased a bunch of - https://amzn.to/2RZLzhv

I cut them down to different widths - standard is 2.5", then I have a 1.5", and a 1/2". You can really cut a bunch more sizes for whatever KYL challenge you want. The standard is great for 200 yard challenge, or for positional 100 yards. Then the 1/2" is a fun 50 yard positional.
Where abouts are you located?
 
What is everyone using for their rimfire target shooting? I've seen the KYL sets and those look like a blast if you're into precision shooting. I got a cheap cheap version of that with three targets from Bass Pro for $15. I think the three targets are 2", 3", and 4", but have to be shot from at least 30 yards because they're thin.

Anyone have anything creative they use or manufacture?

I shoot newbold targets at ranges from 10' to 250 yards. I currently have targets from 1.5-8" at 100, 125, 150, 200, 225 and 250. All newbold targets. Overall I really like the newbold targets. There is no splatter or ricochet, they hold up really well and are cheaper than steel. Cons are they do wear out faster than steel (I've shot two up, but have had the targets for about three years) and they don't have that satisfying ring. Another con is at long range, it can be hard to see impact. As they wear it's possible for a bullet to pass through and not get much reaction. For longer range I'm adding some steel targets. Primarily for the reaction (visual and audible).

Moving on to target size. Aim small miss small, but the .22 and wind (we've had lots lately) you'll need targets that will allow wind drift and realistic target effect. So, I've been trying to find the right size target to shoot long range on windy days. A .22 with a 5 mph crosswind will have 1 mil of drift at about 150 yards. For a .308 that doesn't happen until about 750 yards. Most PRS guys are shooting IPSC style targets in 33-66 and 100% range. I figure a 66% IPSC will give me similar real estate to accommodate 5-10 MPH wind drift at 200-250 yards. Should still be a bit more demanding than CF at 500-750 yards, but aim small, miss small.

 
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Hello all, I'm kinda new here. I joined many years ago but I never post anything. Mostly just read the posts. I've been shooting this since Christmas and absolutely love it. https://shootingtargets7.com/products/kyl-know-your-limits . I started out at 30 and then moved it back to 50. The 1/4" target at 50 is fun to say the least. Just for kicks, I moved it back to 100 this weekend. It turned out to be very challenging with CCI SV. I hit it several times but missed it more than I hit it.
 
Hello all, I'm kinda new here. I joined many years ago but I never post anything. Mostly just read the posts. I've been shooting this since Christmas and absolutely love it. https://shootingtargets7.com/products/kyl-know-your-limits . I started out at 30 and then moved it back to 50. The 1/4" target at 50 is fun to say the least. Just for kicks, I moved it back to 100 this weekend. It turned out to be very challenging with CCI SV. I hit it several times but missed it more than I hit it.
I've been looking at that exact setup myself. I have a brother and father-in-law that shoot 22LR a lot, so we could all pitch in and put in on my father-in-law's land. He has a straight 100 yards or room before it opens to a neighbor's grassland. We know his neighbor well and he doesn't mind if we shoot that way as long as he knows so he, his wife, and pets down wander into our line of fire.
 
I like using graph paper.

You can either buy a pad from Office Depot or even download a PDF of graph paper and print your own.

Here's how this gets really cool....

Suppose you have graph paper with 10 squares per inch.... And you place the target at 100 yards, each square is about 1/10th MOA, but move the target to 10 yards and each square is now just one MOA.

If you are interested in PRS training with your rim fire, you can color in one aiming square and a series of target squares anywhere else on the page.

Your goal now is to always aim at the one aiming square, but adjust your scope to hit each of the target squares.

This way you can practice your motor skills from a PRS style obstacle and work on your positions, transitions and timing.

I made a few different versions lately and my favorite at the moment is every 5 MOA. I always aim at the black square but dial up and over to hit each of the other colored squares.

This really exposes the effects caused by cant and how important it is to keep the rifle level.

Place the same target at 20 yards and then the colored squares are 2.5 MOA apart.

Here's a sample.

Adjust your print scaling to get it to print the right size for you.

I have a wood 4x4 practice cactus and I do this from 10 yards in the basement with a PCP air rifle. It sure beats dry firing.
 

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If you are interested in PRS training with your rim fire, you can color in one aiming square and a series of target squares anywhere else on the page.

Your goal now is to always aim at the one aiming square, but adjust your scope to hit each of the target squares.
That's a really creative idea! That's also something that can be done at an indoor range. Those are far more plentiful - and cheaper - in my town (Omaha/Council Bluffs) than the outdoor ones.
 
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I like steel and make all my own. I have enough extra racks to switch out for each distance and can move them around to make some harder or easier depending on the match. Only limit is your imagination and access to the tools to make them.



Just finished this one mainly to move farther out for practice for wind reading. Can hook it up behind the 4 wheeler and tow it to different distances for in match use.

17rackfronttargetsup.jpg


17rackbeingtowed.jpg


Topstrap
 
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I like steel and have enough extra racks to switch out for each distance and can move them around to make some harder or easier depending on match. Only limit is your imagination and access to tools to make them.



Topstrap

I saw you post that on another person's thread about target sizes. I like the candy cane and horseshoe targets. Those are creative and I bet they're tougher than they look.
 
I saw you post that on another person's thread about target sizes. I like the candy cane and horseshoe targets. Those are creative and I bet they're tougher than they look.

Those are a couple of the hardest racks, especially with some wind. Had to experiment a bit to find the right distance to make them challenging. Big difference between being challenging and bordering on luck.

Topstrap
 
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To me, with 22lr targets, the keys are strong hit indication, and feedback on misses. Thinner steel helps with the first, and smaller targets inside of larger ones helps on the second. I like 1/4 scale IPSC with a round center to them, or just round gongs with center flappers. The real 'hits' are the smaller flappers, while the bigger background helps to diagnose misses.
 
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got this to fart around with its fun enough at 100 yards with a 22 ours the targets are slightly larger even though they were not supposed to be any different but my father enjoys it so I kept it . it's fun at the recommended 36 yards or further out at 100 yards . or if you feel like trying further .
also cheap 1'' circle stickers or dots on lose leaf paper are a cheap alternative to shoot and sees .
1580933989118.png
7.00 per 1000 in this case 1500 . I like the orange the best the holes show up very well even the green works nicely . found online I use amazon under lables / stickers . they have even smaller ones up to 3'' maybe even larger ones but that's up to you .
 
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Another quick idea is old power saw blades. 6 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch, 12 inch are all easily available. You can even find some smaller and larger if you have a cabinet shop around. Thinner steel gives a reaction (visual) even at distance. And the price is usually right if you are friendly.
 
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I love this kit. All kinds of stuff you can do.


GL
DT
 
@sturkis
Makes great kyl targets.
Bought a 50 yard.
Kids love it so much I bought the 100 yard version...kids and I both love it.
When we want to play I glue some paintballs to the swingers.
 
What is everyone using for their rimfire target shooting? I've seen the KYL sets and those look like a blast if you're into precision shooting. I got a cheap cheap version of that with three targets from Bass Pro for $15. I think the three targets are 2", 3", and 4", but have to be shot from at least 30 yards because they're thin.

Anyone have anything creative they use or manufacture?
 

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I consider this forum mainly about precision, but for speed-accuracy I've gotten a 6 target dueling tree and a spinner target. Oh, so much fun. Son and I ran 600 rounds of 22 at those last weekend.

Not a big fan of odd shaped targets. Your gun shoots a circular dispersion, and targets not round then add in factor of luck- which with 22lr ammo is a big factor- along with the misses adding no info, when 22 to me at least, is all about learning. I want a valid lesson on every shot of 22 I shoot
 
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I love this kit. All kinds of stuff you can do.


GL
DT
That is quite an investment, but you could make so many different configurations with that. It'd never get old.
 
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Thanks for posting this. Been wanting a KYL for my 22 range for a while. They have a code right now to make it even cheaper. 127 with free shipping is hard to beat.


Hello all, I'm kinda new here. I joined many years ago but I never post anything. Mostly just read the posts. I've been shooting this since Christmas and absolutely love it. https://shootingtargets7.com/products/kyl-know-your-limits . I started out at 30 and then moved it back to 50. The 1/4" target at 50 is fun to say the least. Just for kicks, I moved it back to 100 this weekend. It turned out to be very challenging with CCI SV. I hit it several times but missed it more than I hit it.
 
Since a lot of my ranges don't allow us to use steal, I have purchased a bunch of - https://amzn.to/2RZLzhv

I cut them down to different widths - standard is 2.5", then I have a 1.5", and a 1/2". You can really cut a bunch more sizes for whatever KYL challenge you want. The standard is great for 200 yard challenge, or for positional 100 yards. Then the 1/2" is a fun 50 yard positional.
These look great. Just ordered some.
 
I consider this forum mainly about precision, but for speed-accuracy I've gotten a 6 target dueling tree and a spinner target. Oh, so much fun. Son and I ran 600 rounds of 22 at those last weekend.

Not a big fan of odd shaped targets. Your gun shoots a circular dispersion, and targets not round then add in factor of luck- which with 22lr ammo is a big factor- along with the misses adding no info, when 22 to me at least, is all about learning. I want a valid lesson on every shot of 22 I shoot

Actually dispersion tends to be circular only at close range, but with a 22 there's quite a velocity spread. When you project that out over distance the groups become vertically oval.

Past 200 yards I like to use rectangular targets to compensate for the vertical elongation.

In calm weather, you should be able to hit a pop can at 300 yards most of the time.

Pop cans are conveniently about 1 MOA wide, plus taller to compensate for typical 22LR speed fluctuation.
 
Actually dispersion tends to be circular only at close range, but with a 22 there's quite a velocity spread. When you project that out over distance the groups become vertically oval.

Past 200 yards I like to use rectangular targets to compensate for the vertical elongation.

In calm weather, you should be able to hit a pop can at 300 yards most of the time.

Pop cans are conveniently about 1 MOA wide, plus taller to compensate for typical 22LR speed fluctuation.
Do typical 22 rounds have higher SD than other match-grade ammo?
 
Do typical 22 rounds have higher SD than other match-grade ammo?

a fair assumption would be that the higher the cost of the box of ammo, the lower the ES and SD are. that is not always true because sometimes you get a bad batch of "match grade" ammo due to the manufacturing process.

i would venture to say with rimfire that ES is more important that SD. SD will give you the consistency of the ammo but ES gives you the full range of speeds.

for a nice long read and idea about it, do a search for the 50 at 200 yards thread on here.
 
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Depends on the quality of the 22LR ammo. With the really high end match stuff out of a match chamber, I've seen single digit SDs.

beat me to it. must have been typing at the same time. if you can find match ammo with single digit SD and an ES below thirty, do whatever you can to buy as much of that ammo as you can. that is unicorn dust.
 
Sounds like I need to think about getting a chronograph if I want to get serious.

it does help but then also provides paralysis by analysis. you still need to have good fundamentals of marksmanship or it isn't going to matter and you will still have crappy groups with really good ammo.

ask me how i know that statement... :whistle:
 
beat me to it. must have been typing at the same time. if you can find match ammo with single digit SD and an ES below thirty, do whatever you can to buy as much of that ammo as you can. that is unicorn dust.

I did notice that the barrel quality affects a lot with the ammo. Tighter chambers, proper headspace, really helps out. With my Win52D reamed barrel, it was super tight, super consistent velocity. ES of 20, SD of 7.

I did some mucking with the barrel to make it feed smoother (opened up the chamber), and opened up my ES to 35, SD of 12. Along with dropping my muzzle velocity by 35fps. Oops.

So many random things that can affect stuff... pretty crazy.
 
I did notice that the barrel quality affects a lot with the ammo. Tighter chambers, proper headspace, really helps out. With my Win52D reamed barrel, it was super tight, super consistent velocity. ES of 20, SD of 7.

I did some mucking with the barrel to make it feed smoother (opened up the chamber), and opened up my ES to 35, SD of 12. Along with dropping my muzzle velocity by 35fps. Oops.

So many random things that can affect stuff... pretty crazy.

agree 100% with you on that. tons of variables involved in this rabbit hole i am now totally sucked into.

"shoot 22lr they said, its cheaper they said..." ha ha ha...
 
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I shoot the KYL target at 50 yards: https://yourtarget.biz/shop/know-your-limits/ It is really well made and everyone enjoys shooting it.

I got some steel plates from https://shootingtargets7.com/ The 3/16" gongs are usually set up for a 100 KYL targets for sizes, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 inch dimensions. That's more fun than you could have your pants on.

I got this system to use for 22LR at 100 yards for a 22 LR PRS shoot that I'm introducing to gun club I belong to. The one minute mark in the video shows what I want to do at 100 yards with the 22 LR rifles :ROFLMAO:



It wasn't cheep but what else am I going to spend my money on; whores and whiskey?

https://www.challengetargets.com/product/CT101-PACKAGE.html

My friends and I have also hot-glued paint balls to 4X8 index cards at 100 yards. It only takes a small amount of hot-glue.

Each person gets 10 shots. If they hit the paint ball on the first shot, they get 10 points, the 2nd shot gets 9 points, 3rd - 8 points, 4th - 7 points, 5th - 6 points, 6th - 5 points, 7th - 4 points, 8th - 3 points, 9th - 2 points and if you get it on the 10th shot, you get only one point. If you miss on all 10 shots then you get zero points.

Ask me how much fun shooting at paint balls is on a windy day.

I haven't tried it yet but I want to shoot match sticks.



Along those lines, I introduced my friend's son to 22 LR precision shooting by taking out empty 22 LR cases at 25 yards.

I set up line of a dozen empty rimfire cases in a line on the target frame. At one end of the line was an empty 9mm case. The scenario he was presented with was that he was a sniper in a Middle Eastern theater of operations.

He sees a long line of terrorists on a far away ridge line escorting the hostage to the left of the line to his death. He has to take out all the terrorists. I asked him, who he was going to shoot first and how he was going to accomplish his mission.

He replied that he would start with the terrorist in the rear then eliminate them one by one with the rear most bad guy first. Smart kid. I think he has a future in firearms.

The attachment was posted elsewhere but these make great targets for reduced range practice with a rimfire rifle.
 

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wow those NewBold targets look awesome for 22lr! do the larger 6 and 8 inch hangers swing much at 150 or 200 yards from 22 hits?
The swing pretty good at 150-200. As the center wears, sometimes when you center punch the target at distance the reaction is minimal. Overall I've been pleased and will continue to use them, along with steel.
 
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My friends and I have also hot-glued paint balls to 4X8 index cards at 100 yards. It only takes a small amount of hot-glue.

Each person gets 10 shots. If they hit the paint ball on the first shot, they get 10 points, the 2nd shot gets 9 points, 3rd - 8 points, 4th - 7 points, 5th - 6 points, 6th - 5 points, 7th - 4 points, 8th - 3 points, 9th - 2 points and if you get it on the 10th shot, you get only one point. If you miss on all 10 shots then you get zero points.

Ask me how much fun shooting at paint balls is on a windy day.

I haven't tried it yet but I want to shoot match sticks.
Paintballs and matchsticks both sound awesome. I'm definitely going to keep that in mind. Both are cheap and I bet it's fun to see a paintball explode after getting shot. Not to mention how rewarding lighting a match would be.
 
Been shooting a couple kinds of targets with max emphasis on keeping cost low.
For paper, paper plates and a sharpie make a pretty good target. Post it notes and a sharpie also work well.
For steel swinging targets, I’ve been using pipe nipple. Had a piece of 1” pipe nipple laying around in my shop, so cut it into 1” pieces. Then took a piece of coat hanger and straightened it out, attaching one end to the pipe, and the other around a aluminium tube I had laying around. Suspended between two rounds of firewood, made a quick and cheap swinger.
also have used old oxygen tanks, again cut into sections. And hung with paracord.
All told I have something like thirty hanging targets all for the cost of an hour of my time



FE42D009-E174-43F1-B41B-296B02F0EA46.jpeg
 
For steel swinging targets, I’ve been using pipe nipple. Had a piece of 1” pipe nipple laying around in my shop, so cut it into 1” pieces. Then took a piece of coat hanger and straightened it out, attaching one end to the pipe, and the other around a aluminium tube I had laying around. Suspended between two rounds of firewood, made a quick and cheap swinger.
How do those pipes hold up to 22? I assume since most of the surface area will deflect a projectile and they're suspended they do alright. I'll have to keep that in mind as well.
 
So far so good. In threaded areas or on ends there has been some denting.
they’re made of unhardened steel though, so while they may bend it’s pretty unlikely they’ll break anytime soon. The biggest plus though was that they’re free. Or a couple bucks at Home Depot if your garage doesn’t have as much crap laying around as mine.
Next I have to get some 1/2” and 1/4” pipe and throw some smaller targets in the mix.
This is kind of a work in progress. My first attempt used nylon webbing to attach the pieces, but they ended up breaking. So far the coat hangers are working. I think paracord will work well too if you can find a way to attach without it getting shot through.