LARGE indoor target design?

Gdpolk · March 21, 2016, 09:14:00 PM

I'm getting ready to build a rather large indoor target for my bow. I'm thinking 3'x6' or 4'x6' would be ideal. The two ideas that I'm leaning towards most strongly are a stacked carpet rig or a "lifetime" target. This will only be used with field points and will be shot at daily from 5 to 40 yards. It will be stored and shot at in the garage so weather isn't a concern at all. The cost differences between these isn't an issue, they are both well within budget. Also the initial build time for both isn't a concern. It seems the carpet one might be a bit messier but would likely also be easier to staple paper critters targets to. What I am looking for is:

durability
serviceability over a lifetime
QUIET

I want to build this on a heavy duty 4x4 frame with locking casters. One side will be left blank and possibly have various life size animal papers stapled to the base to shoot at as if they were standing on the ground in the woods. The area above that will be left without any animals or target points to help practice picking a spot and working on the mental game of archery. The reverse side of the target will be filled with dots for archery games.

Between the two, which design will be the best option for me over the long haul?

Carpet design:

"Lifetime" design:

March 21, 2016, 09:42:00 PM

I voted for the stacked carpet!

The other one just looks like a mess waiting to happen at some point to me.

And btw, how are you shooting those FOB's off a trad bow????

Bisch

Gdpolk · March 21, 2016, 09:50:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
I voted for the stacked carpet!

The other one just looks like a mess waiting to happen at some point to me.

And btw, how are you shooting those FOB's off a trad bow????

Bisch

I'm not shooting fobs. Those were just random Google images. I like short feathers for my bow.

I'm loving the Badgers you sent me though.

March 21, 2016, 10:09:00 PM

I figured that, but just could not resist the temptation!

Bisch

AZ_Longbow · March 21, 2016, 10:41:00 PM

the chicken wire setup tried it once. had an arrow split the wires and I did not know. went to smooth out the paper target and sliced my hand good.
The carpet target is great, but HEAVY for that size in the 150lb range.

highlow · March 22, 2016, 05:39:00 AM

40 yds. indoors? You must have one hell of a big house.

Gdpolk · March 22, 2016, 06:41:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by highlow:
40 yds. indoors? You must have one hell of a big house.

Nope but I can get 40 yds out from my garage's back wall and shoot into the garage. The target itself will always be kept inside

Scott F · March 22, 2016, 06:57:00 AM

I am a huge fan of using plastic wrap as a filler for large targets. It is free, easy to acquire and will not damage arrows. An added benefit is that it is impervious to weather, but that is not a concern of yours if it will remain inside.

I made a target with 'snow fence' material that I bought from Lowes. I used this plastic in lieu of chicken wire. If it wears out, you can replace it.

For filler, I hit up a large grocery store or Sam's Club. They'll give you some used shrink wrap for free. Pack it into your frame and the target will never wear out.

If this is a permanent target that you'll keep for a long time, have you considered buying a grass mat target similar to what is used in FITA?

slayer1 · March 22, 2016, 07:49:00 AM

I am curious about the stacked carpet? how does it work? I have access to a lot of scrap carpet. Is there any noticeable damage to the arrows?

KentuckyTJ · March 22, 2016, 08:41:00 AM

I have used this target literally since 1996 and its has been shot a ton. I did have to replace the front material a few years ago. It is like your stuffed clothes one. The great thing about this one is all your arrows stay perfectly straight the way they went in due to the first two layers of material around the 2x4 frame that is hollow inside before the shafts go into the stuffed material backing inside the 2x8 framed section. Also arrows pull out easily in this design as well.

last arrow · March 22, 2016, 08:58:00 AM

TJ, I like your target design. What is the fabric you are using and what is the stuffing in the back portion.

azhunter · March 22, 2016, 08:59:00 AM

Stacked carpet. They have those at one of our outdoor ranges. They put some type of coating on the outside to make it last and we don't get a lot of rain here. They have held up for a long time.

KentuckyTJ · March 22, 2016, 09:30:00 AM

I am not certain what the front 2x4 fabric is called but it is some kind of poly weaved material. The holes actually heal up when arrow is pulled and for some reason the weaved strips never seem to fray. The arrow just separates the weave when it goes in. The back 2x8 compartment is stuffed super tight with the poly pillow stuffing. The back fabric of the 2x8 compartment is a super thick heavy material. That is to withstand the force of stuffing it very tight and so the staples will stay in.

johnnyk71 · March 22, 2016, 12:21:00 PM

Consider using a 4' x 6' horse stall mat. you can get one for about $40 at Tractor Supply.

i built an awesome outdoor backstop using one. i'll see if i can find a pic.

you could easily mount one in a garage, and it will stop and bow you have.

johnnyk71 · March 22, 2016, 12:32:00 PM

[/url] [/IMG]

only decent pic i could find.

DanielB89 · March 22, 2016, 12:35:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by johnnyk71:
Consider using a 4' x 6' horse stall mat. you can get one for about $40 at Tractor Supply.

i built an awesome outdoor backstop using one. i'll see if i can find a pic.

you could easily mount one in a garage, and it will stop and bow you have.

how far does it penetrate? have you ever just shot the mat itself? do you see any problems with it damaging your arrows? Seems like it would be a pretty tough on your arrows.

pinky · March 22, 2016, 12:47:00 PM

I voted for the chicken cage so i could see the poll results. The cage looks like a little less work and I like shooting stuffed bag targets for the easy arrow removal.

sfh761 · March 22, 2016, 01:36:00 PM

Are the carpet pieces compressed at all or just sitting loose within the frame?

rraming · March 22, 2016, 03:17:00 PM

I go with the carpet (since I'm a carpet guy) and my wife wouldn't like me shooting holes in all her clothes!!

SKITCH · March 22, 2016, 03:24:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by DanielB89:

QuoteOriginally posted by johnnyk71:
Consider using a 4' x 6' horse stall mat. you can get one for about $40 at Tractor Supply.

i built an awesome outdoor backstop using one. i'll see if i can find a pic.

you could easily mount one in a garage, and it will stop and bow you have.
how far does it penetrate? have you ever just shot the mat itself? do you see any problems with it damaging your arrows? Seems like it would be a pretty tough on your arrows. [/b]

The horse stall mats are definitely just a backstop to use behind your target. They are tough!!