Arkansas Sportsman

PVC makes versatile rifle, pistol target

We have a cool new shooting station at the Redneck Rifle Range, and this new target apparatus should last for years.

This actually is an adaptation of an existing target holder that I made several years ago. It originally consisted of a rectangular base that is 36 inches long and 28 inches wide. I built it from 2-inch diameter PVC and four 90-degree elbows. In the middle of the longer sides are two T-joints that connect to the elbows with smaller sections of PVC. Inside the T's are 18-inch vertical sections of 2-inch PVC.

For years, my target frame was made of two 5-foot lengths of 1-by-2 board that I jammed into the vertical PVC pipes. Time for a little truth in advertising here. It's labeled 1 inch by 2 inches, but the 2-inch part is only 1 5/8-inch. I resent that very much.

Anyway, the wooden struts supported a bolted horizontal board to which I stapled large pieces of cardboard that held targets.

The frame was badly deteriorated from weather and gunshot, so I renovated the whole thing into a very nice all-purpose target.

First, I discarded the old wooden frame and lengthened the vertical PVC struts to about 7 feet by joining additional 5-foot PVC sections.

Atop the lengthened PVC struts are two 90-degree elbows that hold another section of 2-inch PVC that connect the struts. This makes a very strong, sturdy and versatile frame.

To hold paper targets, I drilled two 5/16-inch holes in each strut that are 20 vertical inches apart. This is about the height of a standard cardboard box.

I also cut two lengths of 1-by-2 (1 5/8) board that extend past the width of the struts. I drilled 5/16-inch holes in the boards 28 inches apart, matching the width of the upper and lower holes in the struts. The boards connect to the struts with 5/16-inch bolts and wing nuts for easy installation and removal.

With the boards in place, I stapled a length of cardboard which holds a stapled or taped paper target.

With the boards removed, I added a Champion 12-inch steel gong target. At $60, this is the most expensive component. I also bought a Champion installation kit, which includes two lengths of chain and hardware to mount the chain to the gong.

To suspend the gong, I drilled two half-inch holes through the upper part of the PVC frame. Two half-inch diameter hooks suspend from the frame and are held in place by large disc washers and bolts. The chain slips over the hooks and allows the gong to swing freely.

The gong is black. I painted it florescent orange for better visibility, knowing that a few bullet strikes will knock off all of the paint. If shrapnel damages the struts, I'll redesign the frame so that the gong hangs at an angle away from the struts.

When the shooting session is finished, I slip the gong off the hook and carry the boards back to the shop, where they are safe from weather and thievery.

I'm telling you, PVC is the greatest thing since duct tape.

photo

Boards attached to a PVC frame hold paper targets for shooting rifles and pistols. You can pattern shotguns by omitting the bottom bracket. With the boards removed, a 12-inch metal gong can be hung which can sustain impact from rifles as powerful as .338 Winchester Magnum.

photo

Boards attached to a PVC frame hold paper targets for shooting rifles and pistols. You can pattern shotguns by omitting the bottom bracket. With the boards removed, a 12-inch metal gong can be hung which can sustain impact from rifles as powerful as .338 Winchester Magnum.

Sports on 11/01/2018

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