Portable Archery Target

[Firemandivi]

Alright I am a complete noob as far as archery goes.  I listened to you guys and got myself a good used re-curve for my first bow and I finally found a safe legal place to practice.  Now I'm working on a portable target.  Below is a quick sketch of what I'm thinking about making, should be quick to make and real cheap too.  My questions are is 18"x18" big enough and is 12" thick of flat cardboard too thick or not thick enough?  I would love to make the cardboard 6" thick instead.  The pvc pipe will act as a third leg so the target will stand up.  The pvc leg is removable to help keep it small and portable as I will have to drive and setup this target every time I want to practice.  I was thinking about making the pvc leg 1 longer piece but thought that 2 shorter pieces would make it less cumbersome.  So what do you guys think, any changes you would recommend?  

   

[KodiakMag]

In stead of cardboard do you have foam you could use instead?

Also, I don't know how much that us going to cost you but how about one of these premade ones.

 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Archery/Targets/Foam-Block-Bag-Burlap-Targets%7C/pc/104791680/c/104693580/sc/104624280/i/103978980/Cabelas-Shot-Stopper-Target/728801.uts?des tination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-archery-targets-foam-block-bag-burlap-targets%2F_%2FN-1100047%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103978980%3Fpcrid%3D8195298897%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BMM%253Bcat10 4693580%253Bcat104624280&WTz_l=SBC%3BMM%3Bcat104693580%3Bcat104624280%3Bcat103978980


And lastly, nice CAD work.  :D

[wtpops]

I made one like that and would suggest using 1/2" to 5/8" thread rod. The 1/4" will bow like crazy and score the threads when trying to get enough compresion and the thumb screw (if this is a wing nut) will most likly not work, you will be happier with a nut and use a wrench to get the leverage needed to get the compersion.

you will be supirsed at how heavy it will be when put together.

One more thing, i wished i had used a 2X6, with the 2X4 as you start to compress, the center portion of the taget material will try to bow out, it is hard to keep it centered during the compresion process and during shooting the force of our arrows hitting the target will push the target material out of center and pop out like a deck of cards. A 2X6 just might help this.

No need to make the target materal much wider that the board used to compress it as the excess will not comrpess as much and just makes to harder to get things centered.  

I ended up changing from cardboard to carpet it lasted much longer but made the target even heavier.

My target face was 24" X 24" so you may not have as much trouble getting things centered and keeping it their.

[bolong]

I would use a bigger all thread also with nuts and 2X6 at top and bottom. Six inches thick is plenty.  I made one like that probably 35 years ago and it worked good. I think mine was 3' X 3' if I remember correctly. Pretty heavy but it was stationary. Be sure to keep it dry.

[Rob DiStefano]

those kinda compressed matts have been in use at least as far back as the early 60's and they work well.  as mentioned, 1/4" threaded rod is way too light, go with 3/8".  adjust the compression so that the cardboard stops the arrows yet is reasonably easy to pull 'em out.  they're heavy and need good support so they don't fall forward and bust arrows.  keep 'em dry, too!

the best butt for me is simply a coupla 30" or so wood stakes banged into the ground about 2' apart and drapped over with two layers of rug/carpet material.  i shoot all manner of points into it, including dulled broadheads.  i have mine set up near my yard shed and store the throw rugs in it.  it's also quiet, as sliding into a rug makes far less noise than smacking into cardboard, foam or bag butts.  old throw rugs and cut up carpet are usually quite easy to find.

 

[PaddyMac]

Carpet works very well in this design, too.

[joekeith]

I agree with bolong.  Use thicker rods, 3/8" or 1/2". Then use a 2X6 on top and bottom. Then a big washer, lock washer, and nut on each end of rod.  Cut the cardboard usin' the 2X6's as your guide.  I would make it 24" X 24", or 30" X 30", or preferably 36" X 36".  It will get heavier the larger ya make it.  I would also leave about 6" extra rod stickin' out the bottom.  That way when ya drop it down where ya want it the bottom will be stationary.  I don't think you'll need that handle on top either.

I had a couple of these made up back in the 80's and they lasted a long time.  Just crank 'em down as tight as you need to control the penetration.  I left mine out, and would just pull a large black trash bag down over 'em when not in use.  They work great.  Good luck.....  

[Orion]

You can buy a nylon U-stuff it square target for about $25 and fill it with plastic bags, plastic sheeting, etc. that you can pick up from almost any appliance or furniture store for free.  Nice thing about it is it's about as weatherproof as possible.  Nylon bag and plastic don't rot and rain runs through it fairly easily.  Also easy to transport.

[swamprooter]

Poly dog food bag stuffed with wal mart or grocery store plactic bags works great and it is free. Chris

[Firemandivi]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  I will make it 2x6 and 1/2" rod and the nut on top not wing nut for the extra torque, but I will still use cardboard.  The rugs will be to heavy I expect.  Thanks again for the info

[awbowman]

You might also try this.

Order pizza and enjoy.  Take the box and tape the seams with duct tape, leave the little flap on the front open initially.  Fill the box up about 1/2 way with spray foam that you get from any big box hardware store(about $2.50 a can. Seal flap and lay it flat on a hard surface(concrete) and place about 40#s of weight on it so it stays the shape of a rectangle as the foam expands.  You now have a broadhead target that last about 50-100 shots for less than $3, you get to eat the pizza, and it weighs far less than a pound.  You can also tape two together and it stops the best broadheads from any distance.

I'm bringing one for practice on our elk trip next week.  I can just burn it when we are finished hunting.

[KellyG]

Here is one I did over here to give me one I could shoot at.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?
ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=004586;p=1#000000

Hope it helps you out. If you have any questions shoot them to me.
Kelly

[Jeff Strubberg]

The only advantage I see to a compressed target is that you can use broadheads with it.

Otherwise, a stuffed bag target is a much better fit for what you are doing.  It's lighter by a factor of ten, will last at least as long, probably longer, and is one-quarter the cost.

If you can find a plastic burlap feed bag or one from bulk grass seed, the cost is zero.

[joekeith]

I use the stuffed bag targets nowadays too.  Like said, much lighter.  I just fill mine with plastic bags.  I've got about a half dozen stuck all around the place.  Lot less work to makin' one.

[Jeff Strubberg]

The plastic to fill 'em with is all over the place, too.  Five minutes at the local furniture store will net you all you can use.  Lowe's is another good source.  All of their palleted outdoor stuff comes wrapped in heavy plastic.