I bought a steel target with 4 hanging targets and a reset target. Something like this .(http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=35515&hvarDept=400&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=4&hvarSubCode=6&hvarTarget=browse)

The instructions or box said to keep the targets at a minimum distance of 30 yards. Does anyone set such a target closer than that? I found 30 or 35 yards to be on the difficult side with my .22 rifle (may need to dial in the scope a little better). I can't imagine hittting them consistenly with a .22 handgun.

Any suggestions?

I seem to recall some guys at my gun club shooting pistols at about 25 feet at such spinning targets. That seems more reasonable to me.

I would go with the manufacterers recommendation , anything less would be at your own risk . Might want to look into a different target for your needs. Another thing to consider is how quickly you would become bored with the thing if it was a piece of cake from the start.


444fitch

Caught a jacket fragment from steel spinner at 20 yards...small fragment only went in about 1/3" and I could dig it out myself...kind of glad it tagged me in the hip and not the face. BUT was using a centerfire (9mm).

Haven't caught one from a .22 at that range..but have heard the occasional "bit" rustling the leaves behind me.

Think 30yards would be fair if you've protective glasses on and are reasonably careful.
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Buddy was telling me how his old 30-06 and WWII AP ammo would shoot through steel. On his backstop he hung a rail road plate (one of the big paltes they drive spikes through...a fishplate?). Shot it..bullet zinged through...but a chunk of steel came back, SPLIT the 3rd button of his coat, went through his coat, shirt, undershirt.. and was sticking out of his sterum. He asked us...so we grabed onto it with a pair of pliers and pulled it out ...along with a little bit of bone marrow.

Stopped off at the hosptial to have an x-ray to check for pneumothorax..didnt want the bullet fragment in there as that entails a lot fo paper work, so it became a "power tool accident".

Have had projectiles bounce back at me, not fun. Keep it at 30 yards and work on your marksmanship!

AND have EVERYONE wearing shooting glasses.
We were dinking around the back lot one day shooting a BB gun at a pepsi can about 15 or 20 yards away. A can spun end on, then a BB must have hit the bottom just right, because a BB bounced back and smacked my brothers young daughter in her eyebrow! No shooting glasses. Man, I felt way worse than if it had hit me. I had the flutter guts thinking about the damage if it had been a half inch lower!!!!!!!!!

Caught a BB right between the eyes, once. That's what happens when you are stupid and use bricks for a target! :eek:

I have made my own spinner targets, #1 rule make the target so it points at an angle towards the ground. This after I found a slug in my shirt pocket. The distance was 15yds. I have never had another one bounce back since.

Been hit in the face by a bounce back. Not fun, make sure that you can angle the steel target downward. So when the round does bounce off it. It goes straight into the ground.

Been hit in the face by a bounce back. Not fun, make sure that you can angle the steel target downward. So when the round does bounce off it. It goes straight into the ground.

I shoot spinners @ 25M with a Trailside and have never heard or felt anything come back my way. Could be lucky I suppose.

Regardless, eyes (and ears) are a must.

cheers

jonas

i'm interested in making one of these for .22 and bb gun shooting. how do you get the target to stay held back as to get the angle? is it something you have to reset each time the target is shot?