The Reactive targets

[McNamara]

Saw a show a couple of weeks ago, inadvertently removed it from the DVR 
You had made some cardboard reactive targets, with a balloon in center mass that dropped from a post of sorts.  Was looking for the video or instructions again on how to construct the target.  Does anyone have this video or can it be posted to this site? 

BTW, great show.  Look forward to it every Wednesday!!

[kmitch200]

I liked that one too. I now have to scrounge for some approx. torso sized boxes.

I still have the show on DVR so I can give you the sizes for the wood pieces if you need them.

[McNamara]

Thank you for that offer.  I had a few things around here to suspend them from. Was wanting more info on the correct size boxes and how he formed the head. and such.  I remember most of it, but not all of it.  And no one else on the web has anything nearly as cool, inexpensive, and fun.  I told a few of my gunner buddies about it, and they were interested.  They are unfortunate not to be able to get Outdoor Channel.  So I have them come here.  Will wait to see if anyone can make it into a you tube video or something.  Thank you again!

[PegLeg45]

The box was roughly the same size as a standard IPSC target.....
A box around 2' X 3' will do approximately and around 6" to 8" thick.

Cut about a 8" x 8" square out of each top corner, measuring inward from the top and side edges (I found that it works out better to measure the width of the box and then third the measurement for the size of the squares). Be sure to only cut out the flat parts (front and back of the box) and leave the top and sides that form the corners.

Once the four 8x8 flat pieces are cut out, push the remaining top corners inward to form the head.
Wrap with tape and it should roughly resemble an IPSC torso/head target.

Cut a hole in the center of the torso (around 4" or so, I think) to allow the balloon to expand and hold the target.

Cut a small hole in the top for the string to pass through.

Hope this helped a little. Maybe someone can post a video or link because seeing it is better than I can describe.

[McNamara]

Thanks Peg Leg!  I did happen to catch the show yesterday for the spinal cord shot.  Am seriously considering making a video of my own using their info, provided it does not hit the web before that.  Showed the wife the video and she may be able to get me a box of that porportion, since she works at CVS.
I just think that is the perfect, inexpensive, and fun training tool that folks on a budget, like myself and unlike the current administration (did I type that outloud? ) can do for practice and training.  thanks to you and others for the input.

[Sponsor]

[ratcatcher55]

I have used these in the past.

http://www.actiontargetbeta.com/store/catalog/category/view/s/3dtargets/id/17/

Good folks to deal with.

[McNamara]

I have used these in the past.

http://www.actiontargetbeta.com/store/catalog/category/view/s/3dtargets/id/17/

Good folks to deal with.

Thanks for the link.  That give me more ideas...

[kmitch200]

Cut a hole in the center of the torso (around 4" or so, I think) to allow the balloon to expand and hold the target.

Good description of what to cut Peg. I've got one box that I can whittle down so far.

You can also use the balloon all the way to the top (head) to get practice with failure drills.
If you don't let the shooter see the setup it could be good training.

[Michael Janich]

Hey, Guys:

Sorry for getting to this thread so late--been traveling overseas and a bit out of the loop...

The description of the process posted by Pegleg was spot on--thank you, Pegleg! The exact size of the box isn't really important, since people also vary in size. Also, the beauty of this approach is that you can scrounge materials instead of buying stuff. I've had really good luck with scrounging boxes from a variety of sources on a regular basis and squirreling them away. When I need targets, I pull one out (I store them flat to avoid clutter), tape or glue it back into its "full" form, and then start cutting and taping to create the head.

Balloon placement can be whatever you want it to be. The traditional approach is to put it in the head for failure-to-stop/Mozambique drills or center chest for standard COM hits. I came up with the funny-animal-balloon idea to better represent the spinal cord and make shooting the target to the ground more challenging and realistic. If you prefer the standard round balloon, you should also play with cutting a hole near the bottom of the box for pelvic shots. For these, I don’t center the balloon, since shots to the bowl of the pelvis don’t stop reliably. Put it off-center to represent the iliac arch and head of the femur and “shoot pockets.”

Putting a T-shirt over these targets—especially a dark one—helps a lot since it prevents you from seeing where the balloons are placed. You also can’t see your hits and adjust fire based on groups.

As for video up on this site from the show, we’ve been pushing for that for a long time without success. When I get back in the loop and have some time, I’ll try to make a stand-alone video that documents the process.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Epirider]

I was also thinking that I was going to try to tie 2 balloons in succession. Having a little bit of knowledge on anatomy, shooting and such, just because you shoot them in the chest - critical shot placement - that does not always stop them. Adrenaline is a very potent hormone. I have had the unfortunate knowledge that some times the heart / lungs know there has been critical damage, but with enough adrenaline, the brain may not care. 2 balloons = critical shot is #1 shot, stopping shot may be shot #2. Do this with your shooting partner (in my case my wife) and dont tell them when it is going to happen. Just like a realistic scenario, because sometime you dont know. Just a thought.