A quick range improvement - Target Frames

[BrokenolMarine]

Too hot to shoot, so I jumped in the shop where the AC was running and knocked out some new target frames for the range. I have been using the steel bases that the wood frames fit into and I have six or eight... but slowly but surely over the last ten years or so, Students have shot up the wooden frames. I have, I think, three left. They are sized for the LE Qualification targets, the B27. So they are fairly large, heavily built to stand up to the abuse they have taken over the years, and have lasted. The targets I shoot these days are usually the Q, or "Bottle" target as it's sometimes known. If not those, I just stick up some cardboard and staple a paper plate or piece of typing paper on the dang thing. I do have B27 repair centers, but they don't need that big frame either.

For those who don't know, this is/was the standard LE Qualification target in use when I was teaching and the target used for PPC competition. The old B27. We know one another well.

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Here, on the home range in VA, I had set up to teach a new Game Warden in preparation for his trip to the academy. He was new to shooting and we started on the Q target. You can see how they didn't really fit the B27 frames. After three days of coaching, he was a lot more confident in his ability to pass the shooting portion of the academy. He listened well and shot well enough that after the additional training at the academy, shot "Sharpshooter." Not bad for never having held a firearm before our time on the range. (He was from New York City.)

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I laid out, then cut and assembled four new frames sized exactly for the width of the Q targets. I used the leftover furring strips from previous projects, and some leftover 2x2s from a couple projects. Cost for the new frames? $0. I'll knock out a couple B27 frames to replace the shot up two that are remaining when they finally fail completely, salvaging the hardware. These new frames are nice, weigh in about 1/3 what the old ones do. In the next Range Report, you will see the them in use.

I set up four so I can set up for two shooters to shoot two targets at once.... I don't see more than two shooters on my home line in the future.

[BrokenolMarine]

First, an apology in terminology. The target frames I made and the targets I referenced...
... forgive an old man... they are IDPA, IPSC, or USSPA targets; not the FBI Q/Bottle targets. I have those too, but I was referring to the IDPA targets.

Old man, old memory.

I had knocked out the 4 frames, and assembled them with the brad nailer and got to thinking that ... maybe the impacts from all the rounds would loosen them up. So I pulled those four frames and the two remaining B27 frames back up to the shop, along with the big collection of cardboard still waiting to be cut to targets, since it was so hot outside. Sounded like inside work.

The IDPA frames:

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The damaged B27 frames in need of repair:

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[BrokenolMarine]

I started my repairs by adding a screw to each corner of the IDPA frames to strengthen the joints made by the brad nailer. I used 1-1/2 screws that went almost all the way thru on the top and nearly thru on the bottom. You could feel it pull them tighter. You can see the torx head in the corners in the pic.

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I checked both the remaining B27 frames and one of the two only needed the two 70" vertical sides replaced, and the center crossbar. I'd also be replacing the 26" vertical spacers on both sides that went under the edge of the target backing above the crossbar, which had been shot badly. Before starting, I made careful measurements and noted them on the dry erase board.

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I then disassembled one side at a time, and used the vertical side as a drill template to drill the new 70" side rail. Fit well and went smoothly. I reinstalled the side rails but left off the cross member until I could cut a replacement. Then it was installed as well, using the removed crossmember as it's template.

The repaired B27 frame:

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The second frame was too badly damaged for repair, and I disassembled it completely saving the hardware. Next home depot run I'll pick up additional furring strips and build a second frame so Miss T and I can both shoot at the same time if need be. SHE won't be shooting at B27 qualification targets, but we have a large collection of movie posters to staple up and bang away at.

[BrokenolMarine]

I next went to work on the cardboard supply, using an previously shot IDPA target as a template to mark the large pieces of cardboard for cutting. New blade in the razor knife and off I went.

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Mark up each large piece with the cutting diagram, and start cutting.

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After an hour or so of work, I had 28 IDPA head and shoulders targets... and four large B27 Backers cut out. Worth my time? We would have had to haul off the cardboard, or burn it. Fifty of the targets run about $0.75 each. I'd rather reuse the cardboard when I can.

[BrokenolMarine]

Remember I built the smaller frames due to a savings in size... here is a size comparison now that both are done...

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[BrokenolMarine]

I forgot to mention... when I left the shop after my work session... there was a visitor enjoying the warm (102 degree) weather on the Carport. A Snake about 2 to 2 - 1/2 feet long.... as big around as my thumb. He was a shiny, almost oily black, with a single neon bright yellow and green longitudinal stripe down his side near his belly. His head was narrow and pointed rather than wedge shaped, suggesting a non-venomous variety of snake. And, when I allowed him a minute to depart he was QUICK.

I had no intention of harming him since the non-venomous snakes eat the rodents and vermin I want gone and usually won't bother us. Live and let live. If the venomous snake give me a wide berth I'll give them the same courtesy. What I don't see can't hurt them.

[Hatchdog]

I forgot to mention... when I left the shop after my work session... there was a visitor enjoying the warm (102 degree) weather on the Carport. A Snake about 2 to 2 - 1/2 feet long.... as big around as my thumb. He was a shiny, almost oily black, with a single neon bright yellow and green longitudinal stripe down his side near his belly. His head was narrow and pointed rather than wedge shaped, suggesting a non-venomous variety of snake. And, when I allowed him a minute to depart he was QUICK.

I had no intention of harming him since the non-venomous snakes eat the rodents and vermin I want gone and usually won't bother us. Live and let live. If the venomous snake give me a wide berth I'll give them the same courtesy. What I don't see can't hurt them.

I had the same experience the other day. Had a 2.5’ bull snake all laid out on my lawn near a rock wall. I tried to get my phone out of my pocket for a pic but it saw the motion and in a flash, and I mean a flash it moved about 2’ to the wall and disappeared. I just told it to enjoy the mice and get to work.

[BrokenolMarine]

Opposite experience this morning. Something didn't agree with Fiona, and she ralphed a bit on the rug on her "Princess Perch" in front of the bay windows. I took it out back to spray off the yak and let it dry in the sun.

As I pulled the hose over, I was glad I was watching where I was walking. Small Copperhead catching the morning sun by Miss Ts workshop, looked up at me, uncoiled and slowly crawled into the decorative grasses around the building. I stood there holding the hose... Thankful I didn't get struck at... I would have had to hose off more than the rug.

[North Country Gal]

With your skills and knowledge, you could open your own range if you ever needed a source of income. Very impressive.

When I lived in "snake country", which meant rattlesnake country, I never messed with rattlers unless they were in a place where they might bite someone. Out in the field, I just walked around them. Now that I'm up in the north woods, no poisonous anything, but plenty of mosquitoes and black flies.

[BrokenolMarine]

With your skills and knowledge, you could open your own range if you ever needed a source of income. Very impressive.

When I lived in "snake country", which meant rattlesnake country, I never messed with rattlers unless they were in a place where they might bite someone. Out in the field, I just walked around them. Now that I'm up in the north woods, no poisonous anything, but plenty of mosquitoes and black flies.

Yup, I have that live and let live policy unless they are up around the house, the coop, or in and around the barn. The do control the vermin so do you job, but leave the livestock and family alone.