How to Build Rifle Targets Yourself

Shooting a rifle is a lot of fun. The downside to the fun is the cost involved in purchasing ammunition and targets that are going to be destroyed in a matter of seconds. Making your own targets can cut down quite a bit on the expense. There are different types of targets you can make, including the popular printed paper targets and the reusable metal spinner targets.

Prepare for Shooting

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  Safety is the key issue in building a rifle target area. shooting-range image by serkolod from Fotolia.com

  Create a backdrop for the area immediately behind any target you are planning to use. You can use a mound of dirt that is at least 2 feet higher than the target and 2 feet wider than the width of the target. If a mound of dirt is not available, you can construct a wall of 3/4-inch plywood reinforced with heavy duty sheet metal or two more pieces of 3/4-inch plywood. As long as you are not practicing with armor piercing rounds, this structure should be adequate.

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  The position of the fire line should be far enough away from the targets for safety reasons. sport shooting image by Kostyantyn Ivanyshen from Fotolia.com

  Set up the firing line. For steel targets and using rifles, you may want to set up the firing line a minimum of 25 yards from the targets. This prevents an unfortunate ricochet from ruining your day.

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  Use a sizable eye hook to secure your target to the frame. hooks image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com

  Build a frame from which to hang your targets. This can be done with a couple of 8-foot fence posts and a plank of treated wood secured to the tops of both fence posts. Screw in a few 3/4-inch eye hooks from which the targets will hang.

Creating the Targets

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  Though not essential, the bowling pin shape makes a good pop-up target. bowling club image by joanna wnuk from Fotolia.com

  Obtain a sizable sheet of 3/8th-inch steel. Scrapyards, home improvement stores and even junkyards with rusted out dump trucks are good sources for your steel. Download and trace a target to draw onto the steel the pattern you wish to use for your target. Targets in the shape of bowling pins work best for pop-up targets. Using an oxyacetylene cutting torch, welding gloves and glasses, cut out this pattern from the steel sheet.

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  A safe target range can be enjoyed by anyone. rifle lady two image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com

  Cut a hole in the top of the target if this is to be a hanging target. The hole should be at least 1 inch from the edge of the pattern. Use a rope or cable and secure through the hole to the eye-hooks on the gun range frame you built earlier. If the target is to be a pop-up, do not cut the hole.

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  A hinge backing like this one will work for use with the pop-up target. hook image by Irina Surikova from Fotolia.com

  Secure the pop-up target to a spinner rod. The spinner rod should have at least 3 inches on each side of the target's edge. An easy way to do this is to weld a hinge backing to the rear of the target located somewhere near the form's center of gravity. The hinge backing is the part of a small door hinge into which the lynchpin is inserted. Make sure the spinner rod is easily inserted into the hinge backing.

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  Your new rifle target will provide hours of practice and fun. soldier and his rifle image by Daniel Wiedemann from Fotolia.com

  Attach a lead strip to the bottom of the target for weight. The lead strip should be at least as heavy as the target itself. You can use spot welding or super glue for this if you prefer. Insert the spinner rod through the hinge backing. The target should be able to swing from front to back. The spinner rod can be secured on each side with rope hanging from the eye-hooks or by building a wooden frame around it with holes in the side in which to insert the rod.

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  A wooden box frame resembles this illustration with one or two open sides. wooden cube image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com

  Build a wooden frame for the pop-up target. Secure four 3/4-inch planks into a "box frame" shape with screws or nails. Planks that would serve as bookshelves or from a discarded bookshelf will be the best choice. The frame should be large enough to accommodate the size of the target and allow it to hang freely in the center of the frame. Size up the frame with the target's spinner rod. Make sure that both sides of the spinner rod fit with room to spare on the outside of the frame. Drill a hole on each side of the frame and insert the rod through one side, then through the hinge backing of the target and through to the other hold in the "box frame."