Tires? What to use them for (Props)

[ChidJ]

I recently brought some tires out to my range and could possibly source a bunch more. Was thinking of setting up some shooting positions/building props out of them.

Before I go just getting myself a big mess of a tire pile, what are some tire based props/obstacles/whatever that you've encountered and liked at various competitions or venues?

Just looking for ideas. The obvious one to me is the 3 tiered pyramid type arrangement. Maybe a hole you have to shoot through? Or are tires just another version of "bag on a piece of lumber"? Let me know what you think.

 

[DFOOSKING]

Obviously stack them vertically at various heights. Or make walls out of them.

Then stacking them in things like 3 into a vertical triangle formation like you mentioned. Offering a low stepped set of heights that flex.

Basically any way you stack them is a good way. Angled or haphazard...its all good. Play with tire thicknesses too. Saw where people had practiced prior to the match on a regular car tire and on the day of the match a thin 4" thick spare tire with rim was used.

Here a tire strapped to another obstacle.

Saw once where one tire laid horizontal on ground while another is inset in the tire upright....tread facing downrange. Lower tire somewhat limits the vertical tire from rolling away but provided a narrow curved slick patch to rest the rifle/bag upon.

I've seen tires bolted directly together through the tread (openings facing you) suspended by frame and chain. They can wobble and bounce. Offers the open ports and the tops of the tires to rest on. Probably the most difficult tire obstacle I've encountered with the way the tires could mildly pivot or bounce under load or recoil.

We had a match where they had really big (like 5' tall) tractor tires. One was stood vertically and the inner lip was only like half to three quarter inch wide so you couldn't necessarily have your rifle span the entire gap front to back. I think one match had you shoot under the strap show here. Another on the strap.

There was a stage where you had to go back like 10' and grab a tire then shoot two targets. Go back and grab another tire, stack it on and shoot. Repeat till all 5 tires were used.

As with anything, the more thought you put into a stage...either in finding unique obstacles or creating unique but plausible scenarios will work.

Sometimes the tire is a stand in for anything of that height and size. Or it could be how would you use this thing for cover/concealment to shoot from.

On those big tractor tires I thought it would be cool to get inside one laying flat and shoot a sweep of targets...tank turret style. As a kid we had playgrounds with these big ass heavy tires stacked to play in.

 

[JBoomhauer]

Fucking hate tires. Use them as little as possible.

They are always wet.

Slows the stage down with everyone searching for brass in them.

They are very loud and annoying to shoot thru.

For the pros, they are usually free and easy to set up a quick stage.

 

[JBoomhauer]

They are also hot in the sun. Some guys paint the tops white to keep the temp to a bearable level.

 

[Aftermath]

They make for easy berm building, good bullet backstop. We plan to use them as such, filled with dirt, on our home range to 1000 yards.

 

[J. W.]

They’ll be good for simulating incoming fire when the wasps build nests in ‘em.

 

[Pbgt]

I have tires here in SKEETER country, shoot some drainage holes so they do not collect stagnant water....Offer foam plugs for those that want to double up while running a muzzle break just inside them!

 

[J. W.]

@Pbgt is 100% correct about the mosquitoes

 

[Pbgt]

They’ll be good for simulating incoming fire when the wasps build nests in ‘em.

Brings up a good point, check for nests just before a class or event, around ALL props, we had a wasp sting turn into a heart attack on an otherwise very healthy individual. Very lucky to live thru it, shut down organs in just a couple of minutes.

 

[High Desert duck]

I use them stacked 3-4 high unbolted/connected. We will often have a stage where the shooter will engage the target(s) remove a tire and repeat. Or do the opposite add tires after each series.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Fucking hate tires. Use them as little as possible.

They are always wet.

Slows the stage down with everyone searching for brass in them.

They are very loud and annoying to shoot thru.

For the pros, they are usually free and easy to set up a quick stage.

Plus:

They attract wasp and yellow jacket nests, and can be a genuine, and I mean genuine, pain.

I once set up a horizontal stack of them and tried to shot through them as a sort of muffler to channel sound toward the target, but first shot and I was suddenly running from a bunch of irate insects. That was an interesting trip...

They also tend to be mosquito breeders.

BTW, next time you go shooting off range benches, check the underside of the bench. Often as not, I'd find ticks hanging under there, waiting for someone to put their legs in under the bench.

Greg