I did a search on foam targets, but it didn't really answer my question. I'm looking for a halfway decent, but fairly cheap block target. Due to some health issues I'm on a very limited income, and want to get the best bang for my buck. I don't expect what I'm asking for to hold up to a lot of arrows. Just something I can shoot a few arrows into each day, that might last the summer and into the fall. I'll be shooting field points most of the year, and i'll switch to broadheads a few weeks before deer season. I guess what I'm asking, is what do you consider to be the best of the "cheap" block targets. Thanks for your help.
Bob
Styrofoam blocks free from T.....r S.....y if you have one near.
9 blocks,half a pallet and 15' of rope will make you a 3'x3' bale that will last a long time at that rate.
Just rotate the blocks around to keep from shooting a hole through it.
They use them to separate their trailers during shipment and glad to get rid of them in most cases.
I bought a new block classic for $59 yesterday. They don't last very long if you go shooting broadheads through them but I tell you it is easy to pull the arrow out with 2 fingers. I have a big green and you have to drive your knee in it and pull like hell to remove arrows.
Cardboard box, fill with spray can foam insulation from hardware store. One can per day untill full. 15 to 25 dollars depending on size of box.
QuoteOriginally posted by Robert Armstrong:
Cardboard box, fill with spray can foam insulation from hardware store. One can per day untill full. 15 to 25 dollars depending on size of box.
You know, I was thinking about spray foam last night, and wondering if it would work for a target. I wasn't smart enough to think of spraying it into a box though. :rolleyes: Good idea, thanks.
I'll stop into the supply store the next time I'm up that way and see if they have any of the styro blocks too. That's another good idea, and even cheaper.
Thanks everybody, I appreciate it.
Bob
Wal- mart
Buck commander umder $40. I usually shoot homemade bag targets all year but I needed something for BHs picked this one up knowing it would not last long. I was very impressed has sides for feild point sides and BHs sides. I will not buy a block again. Not enough bang for your buck. And they do not hold up especially to BHs.
I cut up my old 3D targets and put them in with the foam insulation.
A pile of sand will last you a life time and will be fairly cheap too. A paper cup for a target or a cardboard cut out of a sqirrel or rabbit and you are good to go. Great for broadheads too.
QuoteOriginally posted by Whitetail Addict:
QuoteOriginally posted by Robert Armstrong:
Cardboard box, fill with spray can foam insulation from hardware store. One can per day untill full. 15 to 25 dollars depending on size of box.
You know, I was thinking about spray foam last night, and wondering if it would work for a target. I wasn't smart enough to think of spraying it into a box though. :rolleyes: Good idea, thanks.
I'll stop into the supply store the next time I'm up that way and see if they have any of the styro blocks too. That's another good idea, and even cheaper.
Thanks everybody, I appreciate it.
Bob [/b][/QUOT
I tried this in a ball and it didn't work out...the foam won't set up when so much is poured in. I've thought about buying the foam for garage door backs.its super cheap for a big sheet and I could cut it and stack it
Bob,are there any archery only clubs near you? I belong to one here and we have a broadhead and field point range for $30 a year. Was wondering about the idea of foam from the trailers from the supply store. Would like another target for my basement.
Old soccer ball filled with expanding foam, you could hang it, kick it, bounce it, roll it, swing it, and when you feel better, you could use it for practicing your soccer !
We have the Rinehart blemished 18-1 targets on the web site now. Fantastic easy pull targets that are very mobile and will last a long time.
thanks, bigjim
I use the styro blocks from T.S. They work really well in stopping my arrows. One word of caution, the arrows are a mother humper to get out. Thats how tightly packed the styrofoam is. And i am not having issues of little styro balls. The blocks do come in a plastic wrap. And the arrows make a squelching sound, using carbons or woodies
That store doesnt mind getting rid of them, although i had one rep tell me that they get charged for them blocks. I asked a rep and he told me to take as many as i wanted. The blocks were blowing all over the fields.
Box with the spray foam works good, just let one can set for one day. Arrows were a bit snug getting out, also when box was all torn up i would have to get another box asap
Box/bag of tee shirts or works great for fieldpoints, not so much on broadheads. The bh were getting stuck while pulling arrow out.
The sand box works awesome, bag o sand cost 3$ that can get a bit pricey depending on how deep you want your pit. I tried using the sand around my house, since i live in the pines, lots of sugar sand, thought it would be great, but its filled with tiny little rocks. The bag of sand is great for woodies as it strengthens them via the heat(friction). Just have to wipe the sand off after every shot, its very sticky. Weather so cold its like concrete now ;(
Hay bales work great @5$ a bale. Get 4, ratchet strap em together, problem i had was the wet weather, even when i built a roof for em. They got all moldy.
Still currently using potato sacks filled with ole work shirts, i just change the sacks out and they cost me about a buck a piece. Plus its light enough for me to bring in/out of house. The tee shirts will get moldy if left outside.
I have used the blocks, nice but dont hold up like the anything else. I figured for the cost, the bag with clothes works great.
I hear lots of solutions for "cheap" targets, but I can't help but think that many of them take more effort to build, gather, or take care of than what you are saving.
Yes, I am not of the age/state of mind that I think about every penny, but I have so little time to traipse around that quick is often cheaper.
Sure, I sell the stuff, but that is because it is easy to sell. The products speak for themselves.
Last year, I would have pallets of blem 18-1 targets shipped in and they sold well. This year, I was disappointed to find out that they weren't making nearly as many blems and didn't even have a pallet of them to buy...They have new employee's though and that means blems :)
BigJim
Lots of good ideas there, thanks a lot everybody. I actually have some plastic feed bags out in the shed somewhere. I'll dig them out, stuff one with old clothes and give that a try too.
I'll check out the target you suggested too BigJim. I shoot your Gold Tip Traditional blems by the way. :thumbsup:
I envy you folks that have a basement to shoot in. I probably shouldn't even tell you this, but I live in a mobile home, and before my girlfriend moved in I used to shoot from the living room, down the hall into the bedroom. Of course I had a good backstop set up behind my target, just in case. :D
Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it.
Bob
I save pieces of ethafoam packaging blocks whenever I can, they would work great for in the center of the box will foam in it.
I had been using those inside of old 3-D targets to repair them, but now I think I will make a box target for myself!
Another good choice is the plastic wrap that comes on pallets. I also get it from T*** S****. Works great, is free, and makes a very light bag that is not affected by water. Get a 100lb sack and you are good to go. When I sack gets bag cover it with a new one. This is my inside the house blank bailing target.
I've bought a couple Black Hole targets on special from my local Scheels store. They hold up very well to field points and pretty good to broadheads. Best target value I've found for broadheads. For field points I like a bag.
QuoteOriginally posted by njloco:
Old soccer ball filled with expanding foam, you could hang it, kick it, bounce it, roll it, swing it, and when you feel better, you could use it for practicing your soccer !
I don't know how I missed this the first time through. That's a good idea. Sounds like a good time to me, and my oldest grandson (5) is gonna love it. I'm always trying to think of ways to keep shooting interesting for him. Thank you.
Bob
Kevin Winkler, tracker12 and Fletcher, thanks for your input too, much appreciated.
Bob
Looks like you guys have much better luck dealing with T****** S***** than what I have had.
I done the 3x3 foam block thing back in Florida and when I get here, Spring, Texas, I found the nearest store and went in and asked for some foam blocks. Let me tell you, these guys at this store guard those darned things like they're GOLD! I bet I went in there 3 or 4 times trying to get them and never was able to do it. I even offered to BUY them cause one of the guys said they are under ORDERS that they CANNOT get rid of them cause they have to pay for them. So I told him, "Charge me what you have to pay, I'll be happy to pay it." NOPE!! No go on that either.
About a month later I just happened to pull in there and drive around back to the dumpster and I couldn't believe what I was seeing, there in the BIG LONG dumpster was 10 of those foam blocks! I hurriedly grabbed those blocks and stuffed them in my SUV. Grinning like a opossum, I went into the store to find that guy that has been such an A-Hole to me the times I've been in and asked nicely for them, when I did located him I asked if they had any MORE of those blocks they were planning on throwing away cause I just filled my car with the ones in the dumpster.
I could tell he was PO'ed.....I just smiled and said THANKS ANYWAY and left.
I went by there about 2 months ago and went in the back, in the fenced in area, and I came upon a stash of those block that had to be 25 feet long, by 10 feet wide and 10 feet tall. I don't know how many they had in there, it was HUMONGOUS! All those blocks and they wouldn't give me 9 of them even when I offered to pay for them.
I'm going to have to find another store soon cause a couple of mine are getting shot out. I move them around to minimize problems, but I could use a couple more.
The targets work great though.
I've also heard that DOCK FOAM also works great and can be found for cheap. Search Craigs List. I bet if you found some and explained your situation how you need exercise and such, they'd probably give you a really good deal. Lots of times they just want it out of their yard.
Nalajr
I bet those guys at the supply store weren't traditional archers, if they were they probably would have shared them with you. In my experience, trad shooters will help a brother out any way they can. :D
I'm not knocking anybody that shoots anything other than traditional, we're all a part of something bigger than what we choose to shoot/hunt with. Just something I've noticed about trad folks in general. Thanks Nala
Bob
I will say I go thru my cardboard box fiklees with rags targets fast. Cardboard gets shot out so fast its annoying to keep restuffing new boxes. One kd bigjims 18-1 blems doesn't look too bad!
I have a Buck Commander and will never buy another. Cheap but will cause hernia trying to extricate one's arras. Might be due to my advanced age but they hold arrows in a death grip. I'm a believer, finally, in the old adage, "You get what you pay for". In most cases that is.
QuoteOriginally posted by BigJim:
I hear lots of solutions for "cheap" targets, but I can't help but think that many of them take more effort to build, gather, or take care of than what you are saving.
Yes, I am not of the age/state of mind that I think about every penny, but I have so little time to traipse around that quick is often cheaper.
Sure, I sell the stuff, but that is because it is easy to sell. The products speak for themselves.
Last year, I would have pallets of blem 18-1 targets shipped in and they sold well. This year, I was disappointed to find out that they weren't making nearly as many blems and didn't even have a pallet of them to buy...They have new employee's though and that means blems :)
BigJim
I gotta go along with Big Jim here... These Rhineheart 18-1 targets are the best bang for your buck. they last for years and years just using field points and you can use them for broadheads too. I keep one in the shop to test bows on that i shoot daily.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/IMAG1103.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/IMAG1103.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Kirkll:
QuoteOriginally posted by BigJim:
I hear lots of solutions for "cheap" targets, but I can't help but think that many of them take more effort to build, gather, or take care of than what you are saving.
Yes, I am not of the age/state of mind that I think about every penny, but I have so little time to traipse around that quick is often cheaper.
Sure, I sell the stuff, but that is because it is easy to sell. The products speak for themselves.
Last year, I would have pallets of blem 18-1 targets shipped in and they sold well. This year, I was disappointed to find out that they weren't making nearly as many blems and didn't even have a pallet of them to buy...They have new employee's though and that means blems :)
BigJim
I gotta go along with Big Jim here... These Rhineheart 18-1 targets are the best bang for your buck. they last for years and years just using field points and you can use them for broadheads too. I keep one in the shop to test bows on that i shoot daily.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/IMAG1103.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/IMAG1103.jpg.html) [/b]
I don't doubt that a bit and I'd love to have one. I mentioned earlier that due to health issues (not being able to work), money is tight right now. I'm not looking for cheap target ideas because I don't want to spend the money. I'm just looking for ways around spending money that would be better spent elsewhere. I don't like it, but for the time being that's just the way it is. ;) Thanks.
Bob
bob. there is already a thread here on making your own bag target. stuff a plastic seed/dog food bag with other plastic film. shopping bags, plastic wrap from distribution warehouse, scrounge up what you can. mebbe by the time you need a bh target your finances will have changed for the better.
doh! shoulda read more 'fore i posted...
Dont forget about judo tips or blunts if you have room to shoot outside,couple of tennis balls for targets and your good to go for years.
as previously mentioned hay bays blunts work great here.
I am in the process of saving grocery bags i am stuffing them in a empty cat food bag made out of woven nylon, but like BigJim mentioned it will take a very long time before one has enough for a target
btw spray foam is NOT cheap, your much better of putting that money in a target from wally world.
fwiw I have rineharts 18-1 target i am certain it will last me a lifetime with target points money well spent.
My local "Wally World" has 30 inch by 30 inch foam targets with one bullseye on one side, 5 small bullseyes on the other side, and two bullseyes on each end. They sell for about $18. I bought several but my first one is still going strong after 2 years of use.
Another bag alternative is coffee bags. If you have a coffee roasting company in your area, the raw beans come packed in burlap sacks. You can usually get as many as you want from big commercial roasters that sell in stores or small scale roasters that process the beans for local coffee shops just for asking. Usually the bags are cut open in ways that they cannot be reused for coffee beans again. Stuff the best ones with other burlap coffee bags, old clothes, carpet scraps, hay/straw, just about anything that will stop your arrow.
I stuff feed bags (double layer) with plastic grocery bags and fiberglass window screen scraps. Doesn't get as funky as old clothes and rags.
Thanks a lot everybody, more good ideas.
northener, in all the years I've shot a bow, and all the different things I've shot with a bow, I've never thought of tennis balls with blunts. Thanks. Thank you all again, I really appreciate your help.
Bob
If you were closer to me I'd help you put together one of these 3x3 foam targets. They are great for sure.
Here's how I have mine set up and it has worked for me for several years now...
Get 9 1x1x18" foam blocks from T****** S#####. Then get 2 ratchet straps 15 feet in length. Lastly get some 1"x4" boards and cut them slightly less than 3 feet. You need 2 per side so that's about 24 board feet. They're cheap at Lowes and you can even get ones that aren't straight or otherwise not perfect.
Stack the blocks in 3x3 style and then take the straps and secure them. Slip the boards under the straps on each side and when you have it all leveled up, ratchet those things down tight and you won't have to worry for several thousand shots.
Good luck.
Nalajr
I got a great deal on a 1" thick Insulating sheet of foam because it had been damaged. I cut it down and tripled it. Put it in front of my hay bails and have been shooting the heck out of it! The only downfall is the arrows tend to collect the Hot Foam as they go through it. Little scraping and all is groovy once again!
I'm sorry for bumping this back to the top, but I just realised I missed the last two posts. Thanks for the info and the offer Nala, I appreciate it. Thank you too shakes, much appreciated.
I talked to a farmer friend the other day that I've gotten hay/straw bales from for years, and he wants to drop off one of the big round bales for me. Seems like overkill, but it should hold up for a while. We've helped each other out with different things over the years and he won't take a dime for it. Says he's interested to see how it works out for me, nice guy. Thanks.
Bob
Shoot the round bail from the side. I've had arrows go all the way in when shooting at the ends.
Also, after much experimentation with home made bag targets, I've concluded burlap sacks stuffed with plastic pallet wrap last longest. Woven plastic feed sacks start to break down in the weather after a few months and break open. I've also had critters rip them open and drag plastic all over with some I hang in the woods. Shopping bags for stuffing tend to get pushed out the back of the target by my arrows, and heavier kinds of plastic turn into plastic mulch inside the bag after a while. Old clothes or towels or pillows make great stuffing but start to stink and weigh a ton after they get wet.
TS sells 50 lb. burlap sacks for a little over a dollar, and most places I've asked are happy to set aside plastic pallet wrap for me for free. The sacks are pretty loosely woven, so I double up. I traced a template of the vital area off a 3D deer target and use permanent marker to draw the vitals on the burlap sacks. I hang the sacks sideways between small trees in the woods or from a simple frame made out of 1 inch PVC in the back yard. Arrow removal is easy, but no good for broad heads.
About shooting in the house . . . No basement for me either - living room to bedroom at the end of the hall is about 15 yards - only when the wife is out!
I wondered about loosing arrows like you mentioned with the bales being so big, thanks for the tip. thanks for the other ideas too, I appreciate it. Yeah, we tend to see some things a little differently than the wives do. :D Thanks again.
Bob