Good, Cheap Target Stands

teriyakisaki · August 13, 2007, 07:38 PM

So i dont really have any decent shooting ranges near by. the closest things i have are all outdoor public ranges. its fine for skeet and stuff like that, but when it comes to targets i dont really have much. i usually just resort to basic plinking because i dont really have a way to shoot the paper without driving for over an hour. on top of this i'm a noob to shooting so i really want to work on getting nice grouping and whatnot. its kinda hard to do that with glass bottles. what do you guys use as target stands? i dont really have any metal stock let alone welding skills/tools available to make one out of metal. i could probably fashion something out of 2x4s, but i dont know any good designs or know much about the overall durability.

another big issue for me is i have 2 room mates and theres already low storage in the garage due to a leveling table, work benches, snowboards, skis, kayaks, bikes, etc etc (we even have an extra storage shed). im sure i could make a nice one out of 2x4, but itd take up a ton of space. im thinking the biggest id need/want would be 45" for the biggest sillhouettes.

any suggestions?

FM12 · August 13, 2007, 07:49 PM

Check out the "JAMMIT" target stand, made by MTM, about $15.00 or so. Cheap, portable and takes apart for storage. PLEASE, NO GLASS BOTTLES! btw, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!

Michaelm45 · August 13, 2007, 08:03 PM

Best stand I've made. If you make it, get an extra 1x2 just in case some of those wood seeking bullets get the originals.

http://www.kuci.org/~dany/firearms/targets.html#frames

rdebert · August 13, 2007, 08:20 PM

FM12 is right on target. Got one of those from Midwaysusa (dot com) and it works great. The most cost effective accuracy improvement accessory I have ever bought. Only issue I have had is when the ground is really dry and hard.

jlyent · August 13, 2007, 08:21 PM

old political or real estate signs are what I use. Tape or staple paper targets to them. Ultra cheap

**Capt Charlie** · August 13, 2007, 08:30 PM

I've had luck with 3" PVC pipe. You'll need two 4' uprights, two 3' crosspieces, two 2' legs, four 2' supports, two elbows, and 4 "T" joint connectors. Use a couple of spring loaded binder clips (available at any office supply store) to hold cardboard as a target backing.

Glue the "T" joints and elbows only on the uprights and legs. That'll allow you to break it down for easy storage. The finished stand will look like a hollow rectangle with 2' legs. The bottom "T" joints should be glued so that the supports can be inserted at 90 degrees to the stand. If the pieces won't hold together, you can drill the elbows and "T" joints to insert a single screw.

Hope that isn't confusing. I tried to paint a "picture" using keyboard characters, but didn't have much luck.

Spade Cooley · August 14, 2007, 06:24 AM

I've been hauling a big target stand I made out of 1 X @ that stands about five foot tall.

My buddy showed up the other day with his converted Real Estate Sign like the man stated above. The sign sticks in the ground anywhere and is small and light weight. I'm on the lookout for one.

Mainah · August 14, 2007, 07:27 AM

I created a cheap shotgun system that I use in the winter. I strung a 15 foot length of heavy wire between two trees out back, I fill five plastic grocery bags with snow and string them along the wire in two foot intervals.

The bags can withstand quite a bit of bird shot, but I do bring extras when I'm using buck.

mattro · August 14, 2007, 08:33 AM

Blank plastic yard sign (corrugated plastic) from Walmart,they come with a metal wire stand to stick it in the ground. They take alot of rounds before they are really damaged. Tape paper targets to them. Weatherproof.

They will take 100's and 100's of 22 rounds, and alot of 45 rounds.

cost - $4
storage - alomost 0

Shawn Dodson · August 14, 2007, 11:36 AM

An Inexpensive Target Stand You Can Build In A Few Minutes

armedandsafe · August 14, 2007, 01:47 PM

Go to any major real estate office. They often have competitor's signs out by the back door.

Picked up that little tip from my RE agent daughter-in-law.

Pops

togliat · August 14, 2007, 02:42 PM

Another option is to buy 60 lbs of South African gold, smelt it down and build a solid gold 1" thick frame standing 6' tall. Then take some lapus lazuli and decorate the corners and place diamonds at top center for orientation. Presto! You have the most expensive target frame in history! You'll be a celebrity!

(tongue firmly planted in cheek, folks)

JoeBlackSpade · August 14, 2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Go to any major real estate office. They often have competitor's signs out by the back door.

Awesome idea!!!

Thanks!

restlessnomad · August 14, 2007, 02:49 PM

2x4's

Mannlicher · August 17, 2007, 09:36 AM

if 'free' is cheap enough, the the upcoming political season is good for you. I contact different candidates after the election, and get permisison to haul off the signs. They have wire frames, and plastic signs, which are great for shooting. I just tape a target on them, and go to it.

mattro · August 17, 2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

I contact different candidates after the election, and get permisison to haul off the signs.

Great idea. And, make sure you tell the dems they will be used for target practice.

armoredman · August 17, 2007, 10:56 AM

I bought a cheapie plastic one for now. I am going to cut up the cardboard boxes from my move, and use those as target holders -the ultimate in recycling, though I doubt the greenie weenies would see it that way.

Spade Cooley · August 18, 2007, 06:23 AM

Thats a great idea, using a political sigh. Is there any chance I could get one with a picture of her on it?

ENC · August 18, 2007, 01:39 PM

While there are alot of good ideas above I like to use pallets. You can get them for free almost anywhere. If you have two you can lean them against each other to stand them up. Staple any size target to them. and they will take more rounds than any other of the above.

Evan

teriyakisaki · August 18, 2007, 03:16 PM

i think im gonna build one out of wood. i like how with the wood frames you can do silhouette shooting at a realistic height. im liking the political sign idea though too. does anybody know if dianne feinstein is running/has a sign with her picture on it? lol.

August 13, 2007, 07:38 PM	#1
teriyakisaki Member Join Date: July 14, 2007 Location: South Lake Tahoe/Socal Posts: 45	Good, Cheap Target Stands So i dont really have any decent shooting ranges near by. the closest things i have are all outdoor public ranges. its fine for skeet and stuff like that, but when it comes to targets i dont really have much. i usually just resort to basic plinking because i dont really have a way to shoot the paper without driving for over an hour. on top of this i'm a noob to shooting so i really want to work on getting nice grouping and whatnot. its kinda hard to do that with glass bottles. what do you guys use as target stands? i dont really have any metal stock let alone welding skills/tools available to make one out of metal. i could probably fashion something out of 2x4s, but i dont know any good designs or know much about the overall durability. another big issue for me is i have 2 room mates and theres already low storage in the garage due to a leveling table, work benches, snowboards, skis, kayaks, bikes, etc etc (we even have an extra storage shed). im sure i could make a nice one out of 2x4, but itd take up a ton of space. im thinking the biggest id need/want would be 45" for the biggest sillhouettes. any suggestions?

August 13, 2007, 08:30 PM	#6
Capt Charlie Staff Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: Steubenville, OH Posts: 3,387	I've had luck with 3" PVC pipe. You'll need two 4' uprights, two 3' crosspieces, two 2' legs, four 2' supports, two elbows, and 4 "T" joint connectors. Use a couple of spring loaded binder clips (available at any office supply store) to hold cardboard as a target backing. Glue the "T" joints and elbows only on the uprights and legs. That'll allow you to break it down for easy storage. The finished stand will look like a hollow rectangle with 2' legs. The bottom "T" joints should be glued so that the supports can be inserted at 90 degrees to the stand. If the pieces won't hold together, you can drill the elbows and "T" joints to insert a single screw. Hope that isn't confusing. I tried to paint a "picture" using keyboard characters, but didn't have much luck. __________________ TFL Members are ambassadors to the world for firearm owners. What kind of ambassador does *your* post make *you?* I train in earnest, to do the things that I pray in earnest, I'll never have to do. --Capt Charlie

August 14, 2007, 08:33 AM	#9
mattro Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 224	Blank plastic yard sign (corrugated plastic) from Walmart,they come with a metal wire stand to stick it in the ground. They take alot of rounds before they are really damaged. Tape paper targets to them. Weatherproof. They will take 100's and 100's of 22 rounds, and alot of 45 rounds. cost - $4 storage - alomost 0 __________________ My Battle Rifle has no sporting purpose.

August 14, 2007, 11:36 AM	#10
Shawn Dodson Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 1998 Location: Titusville, FL, USA Posts: 1,007	An Inexpensive Target Stand You Can Build In A Few Minutes __________________ /s/ Shawn Dodson FirearmsTactical.com "It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep may be." - Virgil

August 14, 2007, 01:47 PM	#11
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 995	Go to any major real estate office. They often have competitor's signs out by the back door. Picked up that little tip from my RE agent daughter-in-law. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

August 13, 2007, 07:49 PM	#2
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,115	Check out the "JAMMIT" target stand, made by MTM, about $15.00 or so. Cheap, portable and takes apart for storage. PLEASE, NO GLASS BOTTLES! btw, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!

August 13, 2007, 08:03 PM	#3
Michaelm45 Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2004 Location: NV Posts: 198	Best stand I've made. If you make it, get an extra 1x2 just in case some of those wood seeking bullets get the originals. http://www.kuci.org/~dany/firearms/targets.html#frames

August 13, 2007, 08:20 PM	#4
rdebert Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 295	FM12 is right on target. Got one of those from Midwaysusa (dot com) and it works great. The most cost effective accuracy improvement accessory I have ever bought. Only issue I have had is when the ground is really dry and hard.

August 13, 2007, 08:21 PM	#5
jlyent Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Posts: 53	old political or real estate signs are what I use. Tape or staple paper targets to them. Ultra cheap

August 14, 2007, 06:24 AM	#7
Spade Cooley Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2007 Posts: 296	I've been hauling a big target stand I made out of 1 X @ that stands about five foot tall. My buddy showed up the other day with his converted Real Estate Sign like the man stated above. The sign sticks in the ground anywhere and is small and light weight. I'm on the lookout for one.

August 14, 2007, 07:27 AM	#8
Mainah Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Posts: 292	I created a cheap shotgun system that I use in the winter. I strung a 15 foot length of heavy wire between two trees out back, I fill five plastic grocery bags with snow and string them along the wire in two foot intervals. The bags can withstand quite a bit of bird shot, but I do bring extras when I'm using buck.

August 14, 2007, 02:42 PM	#12
togliat Member Join Date: December 8, 2004 Location: Midland, NC USA Posts: 34	Another way to go... Another option is to buy 60 lbs of South African gold, smelt it down and build a solid gold 1" thick frame standing 6' tall. Then take some lapus lazuli and decorate the corners and place diamonds at top center for orientation. Presto! You have the most expensive target frame in history! You'll be a celebrity! (tongue firmly planted in cheek, folks)

August 14, 2007, 02:49 PM	#14
restlessnomad Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Location: Midwest Posts: 61	2x4's __________________ Just cause I sleep with a shotgun under my mattress, doesn't mean we cant be friends......

August 17, 2007, 09:36 AM	#15
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 2,785	if 'free' is cheap enough, the the upcoming political season is good for you. I contact different candidates after the election, and get permisison to haul off the signs. They have wire frames, and plastic signs, which are great for shooting. I just tape a target on them, and go to it. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

August 17, 2007, 10:56 AM	#17
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,482	I bought a cheapie plastic one for now. I am going to cut up the cardboard boxes from my move, and use those as target holders -the ultimate in recycling, though I doubt the greenie weenies would see it that way.

August 18, 2007, 06:23 AM	#18
Spade Cooley Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2007 Posts: 296	Thats a great idea, using a political sigh. Is there any chance I could get one with a picture of her on it?

August 18, 2007, 01:39 PM	#19
ENC Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Location: Grand Lake, OK Posts: 610	While there are alot of good ideas above I like to use pallets. You can get them for free almost anywhere. If you have two you can lean them against each other to stand them up. Staple any size target to them. and they will take more rounds than any other of the above. Evan

August 18, 2007, 03:16 PM	#20
teriyakisaki Member Join Date: July 14, 2007 Location: South Lake Tahoe/Socal Posts: 45	i think im gonna build one out of wood. i like how with the wood frames you can do silhouette shooting at a realistic height. im liking the political sign idea though too. does anybody know if dianne feinstein is running/has a sign with her picture on it? lol.