OK let's see what you guys come up with on this one. What is the best kind of paper that will produce clean bullet holes when printing your own targets?
Best Paper for Targets
- Thread starter triplecelectric
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Re: Best Paper for Targets
18x24 80lb paper from Staples, Office Depot, or Office Max with blaze orange round stickers work well. The paper comes in a "pad" so it makes it nice and neat to take back and forth to the range. It is cost effective as well.
I shoot at 1/4" round stickers at 100yds, 1" at 200, 2" at 300 etc.
18x24 80lb paper from Staples, Office Depot, or Office Max with blaze orange round stickers work well. The paper comes in a "pad" so it makes it nice and neat to take back and forth to the range. It is cost effective as well.
I shoot at 1/4" round stickers at 100yds, 1" at 200, 2" at 300 etc.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
I use regular paper. When I need to be 100% sure of exactly where the shot hit (zeroing) I'll put a 1" shoot n c in the dead center of the different points of aim
I use regular paper. When I need to be 100% sure of exactly where the shot hit (zeroing) I'll put a 1" shoot n c in the dead center of the different points of aim
Re: Best Paper for Targets
Thanks for the feedback. The key words hear are CLEAN HOLES. Will the Cardstock and the 80lb paper produce clean holes? Funny thing I've been using the Winchester targets with 9 dots on them that you can buy at Walmart. The 168 FGMM produces a nice hole while my handloads of 185 scenars at around the same velocity tear up the paper. Is it possible they havent stabilized at 100yds. They rip the paper at the edges of the bullet holes.
Thanks for the feedback. The key words hear are CLEAN HOLES. Will the Cardstock and the 80lb paper produce clean holes? Funny thing I've been using the Winchester targets with 9 dots on them that you can buy at Walmart. The 168 FGMM produces a nice hole while my handloads of 185 scenars at around the same velocity tear up the paper. Is it possible they havent stabilized at 100yds. They rip the paper at the edges of the bullet holes.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
I agree with Mosdet, all the targets I have used other than steel get rips in the paper around the holes. If you have access to a chronograph, you could check the velocities on your loads against the FGMM, I would bet its alot lower, especially with the 185s.
Also, if you are getting lopsided rips, it is called keyholing and yes, it means the bullet isn't stabilized(but you probably knew that). What twist and length barrel are you shooting those 185s out of?
madd0c
I agree with Mosdet, all the targets I have used other than steel get rips in the paper around the holes. If you have access to a chronograph, you could check the velocities on your loads against the FGMM, I would bet its alot lower, especially with the 185s.
Also, if you are getting lopsided rips, it is called keyholing and yes, it means the bullet isn't stabilized(but you probably knew that). What twist and length barrel are you shooting those 185s out of?
madd0c
Re: Best Paper for Targets
I do notice a difference between the card-ish kind of paper used in the SSAA targets and the regular office paper.
I know that alot of target shooters shooting single-shot or revolvers use those Wadcutter rounds to produce even holes through thier target, however they still cause tearing.
You could try a number of things. Shoot N See targets would be an obvious answer.
Aside, perhaps using that clear stick stuff that you cover schoolbooks with, im not sure if it could work but it could do a better job?
if i remember i might head to the range saturday and try some of this out with a .22, like different target types to see what produces the best holes.
SO if anyone has ideas PM me.
I do notice a difference between the card-ish kind of paper used in the SSAA targets and the regular office paper.
I know that alot of target shooters shooting single-shot or revolvers use those Wadcutter rounds to produce even holes through thier target, however they still cause tearing.
You could try a number of things. Shoot N See targets would be an obvious answer.
Aside, perhaps using that clear stick stuff that you cover schoolbooks with, im not sure if it could work but it could do a better job?
if i remember i might head to the range saturday and try some of this out with a .22, like different target types to see what produces the best holes.
SO if anyone has ideas PM me.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
When I shoot paper, I usually print them straight from my own printer (laser or inkjet...depending on B&W/Color) onto a 65lb card stock (or some of that mythical, what-dreams-are-made-of 20lb copy paper that 427Cobra mentioned)! When I don't "print" my own, plain paper (card stock or otherwise) with 1" s-n-s dots work great in a pinch!!
As for "clean" holes...both card stock and copy paper get a little ragged edge to them as the bullets pass through, but it is easy to carefully push the edges back together flat from the back of the target so that they "look" cleaner.
When I shoot paper, I usually print them straight from my own printer (laser or inkjet...depending on B&W/Color) onto a 65lb card stock (or some of that mythical, what-dreams-are-made-of 20lb copy paper that 427Cobra mentioned)! When I don't "print" my own, plain paper (card stock or otherwise) with 1" s-n-s dots work great in a pinch!!
As for "clean" holes...both card stock and copy paper get a little ragged edge to them as the bullets pass through, but it is easy to carefully push the edges back together flat from the back of the target so that they "look" cleaner.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
I'm so glad that I'm not the only one on a quest to find the magical target paper type.
I've tried 20lb copier paper, expensive card stock, index cards, and have yet to find anything that doesn't tear.
Someone has to know what type of paper is used in mass produced targets...
I'm so glad that I'm not the only one on a quest to find the magical target paper type.
I've tried 20lb copier paper, expensive card stock, index cards, and have yet to find anything that doesn't tear.
Someone has to know what type of paper is used in mass produced targets...
Re: Best Paper for Targets
Not trying to be a smart "ars" but why is it important to have clean holes?
Inherently the design of a bullet is to penetrate something (skin, paper, wood, etc) and to expand. Kind of like a wood splitting wedge. It isn't designed to cut out a hole like a drill, rather push to the side and penetrate something. Therefore, I don't think it is possible to get clean holes... Maybe tissue paper where the thickness and tension of the wood particles in the paper are very low? Try that Remoah.
Not trying to be a smart "ars" but why is it important to have clean holes?
Inherently the design of a bullet is to penetrate something (skin, paper, wood, etc) and to expand. Kind of like a wood splitting wedge. It isn't designed to cut out a hole like a drill, rather push to the side and penetrate something. Therefore, I don't think it is possible to get clean holes... Maybe tissue paper where the thickness and tension of the wood particles in the paper are very low? Try that Remoah.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
I'm shooting a GAP Crusader. 21" 11.25 twist. I also had no probelm hitting the 1000 yard plate yesterday with this load. I'm running 43 gr. Varget. The 185's were chronoed at 2610 fps. I'm really surprised at all the feedback on what I thought was a pretty stupid question. The funny thing was that the FGMM 168's were cleaner holes the 185's were noticeabley different.
I'm shooting a GAP Crusader. 21" 11.25 twist. I also had no probelm hitting the 1000 yard plate yesterday with this load. I'm running 43 gr. Varget. The 185's were chronoed at 2610 fps. I'm really surprised at all the feedback on what I thought was a pretty stupid question. The funny thing was that the FGMM 168's were cleaner holes the 185's were noticeabley different.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
I think some of you are missing the point of the question.
We are looking for paper that performs the same as the type of paper that is used in commercially printed targets.
The standard targets that you buy have much cleaner holes than if you just use copier paper.
I think some of you are missing the point of the question.
We are looking for paper that performs the same as the type of paper that is used in commercially printed targets.
The standard targets that you buy have much cleaner holes than if you just use copier paper.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
i just print up on regular copy/printer paper and tape onto cardboard boxes or use cardboard sillhouettes
i just print up on regular copy/printer paper and tape onto cardboard boxes or use cardboard sillhouettes
Re: Best Paper for Targets
I bought some printer paper awhile back at Costco. I meant to buy standard weight 8-1/2"x11, but this stuff ended up being heavier than I thought. It turned out to be ideal for printing targets. The package says: "Zerox Premium Multipurpose Paper 24lb. 800 sheets". I don't remember the price, but I know I grabbed it because it was one of the cheapest packages they had.
Holes come out pretty clean and the heavier weight makes it easier to remove from a backer without the staples tearing through. They actually hold up a little better in the rain than standard targets since the paper is less porous.
I bought some printer paper awhile back at Costco. I meant to buy standard weight 8-1/2"x11, but this stuff ended up being heavier than I thought. It turned out to be ideal for printing targets. The package says: "Zerox Premium Multipurpose Paper 24lb. 800 sheets". I don't remember the price, but I know I grabbed it because it was one of the cheapest packages they had.
Holes come out pretty clean and the heavier weight makes it easier to remove from a backer without the staples tearing through. They actually hold up a little better in the rain than standard targets since the paper is less porous.
Re: Best Paper for Targets
This is from John De Armond, presented without comment:
"I've also developed a method of making "target paper" at home. I start with uncoated business card stock. The current paper I have is Warren Scott Vellum in 19.54M weight, code # 6011. I print my targets on this paper using whatever method. Then punch a hole at the top of each one. This hole us used to suspend 50-100 of these vertically in an old aquarium. Above the bottom of the paper is placed an inch or so of hydrocloric acid such as is used to clean brick. A plexiglass lid is placed and the assembly is allowed to sit several days. The acid vapors will partially digest the paper and make it extremely brittle. If I'm going to use the targets immediately, I take 'em out and shoot away. Otherwise I neutralize the acid by replacing the HCL with
strong ammonia water and allow it to sit another day. These targets work extremely well. The only caution (other than the
obvious about handling corrosive chemicals) is that if you expose too long, the paper will likely "break" when the first bullet hits it. -John"
This is from John De Armond, presented without comment:
"I've also developed a method of making "target paper" at home. I start with uncoated business card stock. The current paper I have is Warren Scott Vellum in 19.54M weight, code # 6011. I print my targets on this paper using whatever method. Then punch a hole at the top of each one. This hole us used to suspend 50-100 of these vertically in an old aquarium. Above the bottom of the paper is placed an inch or so of hydrocloric acid such as is used to clean brick. A plexiglass lid is placed and the assembly is allowed to sit several days. The acid vapors will partially digest the paper and make it extremely brittle. If I'm going to use the targets immediately, I take 'em out and shoot away. Otherwise I neutralize the acid by replacing the HCL with
strong ammonia water and allow it to sit another day. These targets work extremely well. The only caution (other than the
obvious about handling corrosive chemicals) is that if you expose too long, the paper will likely "break" when the first bullet hits it. -John"
Re: Best Paper for Targets
Wow. Just think if all this time to find the perfect paper was instead expended in perfecting the SHOT.
Standard printer paper works for me. Quick, easy and the carbon rings make it clear where the edge of the shot hole is.
Wow. Just think if all this time to find the perfect paper was instead expended in perfecting the SHOT.
Standard printer paper works for me. Quick, easy and the carbon rings make it clear where the edge of the shot hole is.
