Hey not sure if this is where this post belongs but I want to make a target and did a little reading thinking compressed cardboard will be my best bet I want to do it kind of like a block target has anyone done one like this, if so did it hold up decent I am on a tight tight budget so cardboard is the go too but if anyone has any other cheap homemade targets I would like to hear about them.
An old grain sack filled with plastic grocery bags works pretty well.
I remember a thread one other time where a guy said he used old couch cushions. People dump them all over around here. I thought it sounded like a good idea,and it doesn't get any cheaper than that.
I had a 4 x 5 foot target stacked full of layered cardboard and compressed with all thread and angle iron and the original cardboard I used lasted for over 5 years. That's with me shooting it everyday. When it loosens up just tighten it some more, or spin the cardboard and rotate it and re-tighten. It lasts for years but now the cardboard is getting expensive. Oh ya, I forgot, it was also outside all the time in the weather. Works real well.
I prefer for field tips , Clothes are best, rags towels, jeans with zippers removed, and yes sofa cushings, there are 5 sofa targets in my back yard, three bags of rags, one foam broad head, and a pile of sand(dirt) also for broadheads, you guys with heavy poundages may want to double up cushings, I shoot 650g from 45# and cushings are fine.
I tried a compressed cardboard target a few years ago. It worked pretty well, but didn't hold up to the weather (rain) at all and got soggy. It needs to be covered when not in use.
Then I tried compressed closed cell foam, which worked great. Like one of those block targets only about 4 feet by 4 feet in size. But the foam sheets I got from work don't hold up to sun light. They got dry and crispy. So that didn't work.
I also have a compressed cardboard target 5/8 th threaded rod with a 2 x 8 top and a 2 x 8 bottom. Its about 42 wide 36 high. I have it in the back of the garage against the a walll so it gets no weather.
Holds up pretty well. Every so often I take it apart and rotate the cardboard from the top and bottom with the middle. Do tell my wife but I think there is a 6" hole in the plasterboard wall behind the target!
QuoteOriginally posted by BJP:
An old grain sack filled with plastic grocery bags works pretty well.
X2
I fill my empty chicken feed sacks full of old grocery bags. works real well and is light weight. Stops an arrow dead and easy removal. Also a lot easier on the arrow finish than cardboard. Iv' saved a ton of money making these targets and they last pretty good. When the bag gets shot up, just refill a new bag with the plastic bags from the old one.
QuoteOriginally posted by BJP:
An old grain sack filled with plastic grocery bags works pretty well.
x3. Pack them plastic bags in there real tight. Makes a fine target for field points.
snag a couple couch cushions and stuff them tight into a cardboard box. Use packing tape to wrap the box real well. It stops field points like a champ! As others have said, not the best in the rain.
thanks fr all the great responses guys does the cardboard bother any arrows?
Try an Ames Pillow target. Its made out of burlap and has grommets in the corners to ease hanging it up. I fill mine with plastic bags and construction plastic works great! Its economical and has a target picture on either side when to feel that an area is being shot out stand on the target and realign the plastic. Lasts for a long time. One of the sponsors on here must carry these. Check it out.
QuoteOriginally posted by BWD:
QuoteOriginally posted by BJP:
An old grain sack filled with plastic grocery bags works pretty well.
x3. Pack them plastic bags in there real tight. Makes a fine target for field points. [/b]
X4, I have one that's been outside for the last 2 years, I only shoot at it occasionally as I use a block target now, but previously that's all I used with a nylon type grain bag stuffed full of plastic bags.