Backyard Playground

[cavedweller]

I've parked 50 Field targets in my back yard.... each has a home consisting of 1/2 of a pickle barrel. The barrels catch "sound" and "lead splatter" for easy cleanup and they also provide my otherwise homeless targets a respite from the elements.

Side note: after one year, no hornets or other creatures have made a home in the barrels - apparently the smell / acid / vinegar is not something they like.

I intentionally put really small KZ's or one size smaller than legal out at the distances for practice purposes.... i figure... aim small miss small.
The yard is set up with a West Course and a West North West Course so it can accommodate 2 shooters safely under my covered area...

 

[woogie_man]

That is awesome! Wish I had enough room, and no snow, to do this.

 

[beerthief]

I've parked 50 Field targets in my back yard.... each has a home consisting of 1/2 of a pickle barrel. The barrels catch "sound" and "lead splatter" for easy cleanup and they also provide my otherwise homeless targets a respite from the elements.

Side note: after one year, no hornets or other creatures have made a home in the barrels - apparently the smell / acid / vinegar is not something they like.

I intentionally put really small KZ's or one size smaller than legal out at the distances for practice purposes.... i figure... aim small miss small.
The yard is set up with a West Course and a West North West Course so it can accommodate 2 shooters safely under my covered area...

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HA! my first thought was mowing . Very nice setup . I don't see any strings , walk to reset ? (I walk to reset , no strings and some exercise too )

 

[cavedweller]

HA! my first thought was mowing . Very nice setup . I don't see any strings , walk to reset ? (I walk to reset , no strings and some exercise too )

No strings.... walking and bending is good.... also inspecting targets for consistent (missed shot impact points) .

 

[Bramezy]

how are the targets "mounted" or are they just sitting on the ground with the barrel as a cover?

 

[ccluck]

That’s an impressive array of targets, but I have to ask - where did the pickle barrels come from ?

 

[cavedweller]

how are the targets "mounted" or are they just sitting on the ground with the barrel as a cover?

typical to many field target venues, you lay a 12"x8"x4" cinder block on its flattest widest side and use two 6-8" clamp to clamp the target to the block.

 

[Bramezy]

typical to many field target venues, you lay a 12"x8"x4" cinder block on its flattest widest side and use two 6-8" clamp to clamp the target to the block.

ok, so the barrels are strictly covers. Thank You

 

[cavedweller]

That’s an impressive array of targets, but I have to ask - where did the pickle barrels come from ?

if you were to look on Amazon they cost $200 plus used, but i have a local pickle supplier who sells me the used barrels for $50.00 and then i cut them in half and then make the windows and drill holes in the top so water doesn't create a mosquitoes breeding ground. i prefer the flat screw top side of the barrel the best. Ideally their would be a steel band all the way around the ground side of the barrel to keep them round and allow me to stake them into the ground.

 

[ThomasT]

I've parked 50 Field targets in my back yard.... each has a home consisting of 1/2 of a pickle barrel. The barrels catch "sound" and "lead splatter" for easy cleanup and they also provide my otherwise homeless targets a respite from the elements.

Side note: after one year, no hornets or other creatures have made a home in the barrels - apparently the smell / acid / vinegar is not something they like.

I intentionally put really small KZ's or one size smaller than legal out at the distances for practice purposes.... i figure... aim small miss small.
The yard is set up with a West Course and a West North West Course so it can accommodate 2 shooters safely under my covered area...

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Hello @cavedweller

In that first photo your targets look really close to the divider fence from your neighbors .

ThomasT

 

[Ranchibi]

Like Woogieman said above...AWESOME! Boy....now I want a used pickle barrel for my target catch!

 

[cavedweller]

Hello @cavedweller

In that first photo your targets look really close to the divider fence from your neighbors .

ThomasT

its about another 40 yards as a crow flies and i have a 6' x 6' x 1" thick rolling backstop covered with horse stall high density rubber, that i place in the line of fire that prevents any pellets from reaching the fence. To date, a pellet has never left a barrel. Also helps if the neighbor shoots with you. But i did just realize the photographs are not showing correct line of fire as they were rotated to accommodate the picture taker. Thus in the interest of not giving a new shooter a bad idea, i deleted the photo's with the wrong line of site and I will re post when i retake the photos with the correct target orientation to line of fire...

 

[cavedweller]

Like Woogieman said above...AWESOME! Boy....now I want a used pickle barrel for my target catch!

Only the black barrels are suitable as the blue ones or white ones are too thin and deteriorate and become brittle in the sun.

 

[ChefSparrowRagazzi]

I wonder what happens when it's time to cut and weed eat the yard?

 

[cavedweller]

I wonder what happens when it's time to cut and weed eat the yard?

i run my ZTR mower around them and pay someone to weed wack around what i miss.... everybody needs a job.

 

[PowderBurnt]

Plant gravel. Problem solved.

 

[Gear_Junkie]

Wow, I'm so jealous of the space you have! That is a FT playground that you have created - WELL DONE!!!

 

[Kdog]

I have elevated wooden boxes about 5' off the ground with Paul Porchs resettable rectangular targets in them. 55,50,45,40,30&20 yds. No strings involved and don't have to move anything when cutting the lawn. I shoot from under a gazebo which makes for a comfortable setup.

That's a nice setup you have there Rudy!