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DIY Target Stand

BattleAxe

Chief
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Mar 3, 2010
    1,222
    51
    Earth
    I've been looking for an option to hang paper at short-to-medium range to allow multi-range engagement when I'm shooting at 850. I had this idea floating in my head for some time and decided to give it a shot.

    This is nothing but 1 1/4 Schedule 40 PVC pipe. The legs aren't glued to the stand to allow disassembly for storage and transport. It's extremely light and easy to carry and total cost was around $60.

    Carboard edges are reinforced with Gorrilla tape ob both sides and holes were drilled to facilitate tie-wrapping the target backer. As the cardboard gets cooked you can either replace it or just staple another piece over the top.

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    I made this pretty tall at 7' since too short of a target at the range I frequent will result in rounds skipping over the berm at 850. I typically set up a steel silouhette at 850, a swinger at 600, then this thing at 300-400.

    Base is 3X5 but can be made any size you wish. I went with this size to prevent it from tipping over in the wind. I tested it in 3-7k winds and it didn't budge, and if wind is a problem you can either put rocks on the base or actually fill it with sand, dirt, concrete, etc.

    Beauty of this thing is that its cheap, light, easy to store/carry, and doesn't require an engineering degree or special equipment to build. That and repair to PVC if it catches a round is a 2 minute endeavor in the field. Schedule 40 PVC likely will suffer a clean hole if struck since its relatively soft so field repair is an unlikely necessity.

    For you guys that have private land or even those that own ranges looking for a lighweight target option that's easy to move around you may want to give this rig a try....its ridiculously simple and effective.

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    Re: DIY Target Stand

    Looks good I built one out of 2x2 and 2x8 for the base all scrap wood cost me nothing. Now I use a heavy duty realtor sign it works even better sits flat in the truck and takes up no room
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: aussiem1a</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks good I built one out of 2x2 and 2x8 for the base all scrap wood cost me nothing. Now I use a heavy duty realtor sign it works even better sits flat in the truck and takes up no room </div></div>

    I initially wanted to go the "wood" route but the size I needed made that choice way too heavy, and I needed easy disassembly for storage.
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    Looks good.
    I would suggest gathering up used campaign signs after the elections and using the plastic cardboard from them for targets.
    It comes in various sizes and is very durable.
    If you go to the headquarters for the parties they are usually more than happy to give you the go to get the big ones and sometimes have them on hand ready to give away.
    I have stencils like No Trespassing, No Hunting w/o permission etc. that I spray paint on the white sides and use.
    They last for years.
    Regards, FM
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    Looks good! I have had stands made similar to that design made with 2x4s for the base and 1x1s to staple silhouettes to. I somehow didn't use CC nails and the bases started falling apart so I got some 1/8" thick 1" angle iron and welded up some bases with 1 1/4" pipe welded to the bottoms to hold the 1x1s the targets attach to. If anyone is interested in seeing my stands I can get pictures next time I'm back in my hometown towards the beginning of October. Just message me
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    Built mine today and it was great. 1 1/4 schedule 40 was perfect. I did put one .308 round thru the center cross piece and it almost broke it in two. It'll hold up for a little longer. I did 6' rather than 7' tall, with a nice 2'x2' target section. The election signs are a great idea too.

    My cost was under $30; 28' of PVC and 10 connectors/fittings.

    Thanks for the idea.
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xXsnowXx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did put one .308 round thru the center cross piece and it almost broke it in two. </div></div>
    Interesting. I would have thought it would have just punched a clean hole. Either way the stuff is easy to repair so I'll just keep a small repair kit in the truck. What kind of round was it? FMJ? HPBT?
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    that's very similar to what i made. i also cut shorter vertical sections for when the additional height isn't needed and filled the bottom section with sand to help stabilize in the wind.

    cheap, light, and easy to fix... can't go wrong
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    Very nice design, the club I go to uses a similar design.

    Although, they use wood lathe to affix the target to and they then slide the wood lathe legs into the hole of the PVC tee. It seems when a bullets strikes the PVC it will shatter, especially if cold. If you use the wooden lathes the bullet will just go through and it can handle a couple of strikes.

    Kind regards,
    Jared
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    Seriously, don't give up on the political signs.
    Depending on what candidate it is, they spend more on the signs, so are larger and stronger.
    When it is all over, there are some really neat signs that are throw-aways to them and even the little yard signs are great to plink at with a handgun or 22 for the kids.
    The big ones are often on steel posts and easy to remove and reinstall.
    A can of white spray paint or turn the plastic cardboard around and you are good to go.
    That plastic cardboard lasts for a long time and holds paper targets with staples well.
    I have been recycling "political parasites" ie. trash for years.
    They work well and are FREE for the asking..
    Regards, FM
     
    Re: DIY Target Stand

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Foul Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seriously, don't give up on the political signs. </div></div>
    I'm keeping my eyes open for one. If for no other reason than I hate politicians and its likely that I paid for it anyway.