I feel Gamo field targets pretty reliiable design, unfortunately compromised by inferior face-plate and paddle weaknesses (especialy for extensive competition use/purposes). So although well-stocked with (original) replacement Gamo face-plates, I'm constantly repairing beat-up Gamo paddles by reflattenig and/or reinforcing them with bolts and/or washers.
Consequently I was pleasantly surprised to find Quality Targets offers not only replacement face-plates for Gamos, but paddles as well; at very reasonable prices. Quality being my Bench-Rest Silhouette swingers supplier, and the owner Calvin being not only very easy to deal with but his company one of the best I've ever dealt with, another reason (in this case) to not only give him my business but have a conversation with Calvin is his willingness to customize his MANY steel target offerings to specifications. In this case, by making replacement Gamo paddles out of (tougher) AR500 steel. Though apparently not available in 1/8" thickness, and the 3/32" AR500 also requiring heating to twist, I gladly paid the (very reasonable) premium for a dozen upgraded paddles.
However upon receipt, I worried about the considerably heavier paddles falling consistently to clean hits; especially from 12 foot pound AAFTA pistol hits... out to 35 yards. But upon upgrading a few of my most beat-up Gamo targets with the QUALITY face-plates and paddles, I was impressed enough to start wondering about their possibilities for Extreme Field Target use.
First things first, I tested the jackalope below at 40 yards with my 10.5 foot pound AAFTA pistol. Much to my relief, the jackalope functioned flawlessly with 7 foot pound hits from 8.4 gain JSBs.
My first question answered, even if the 1/8" thick, non-AR500 steel replacement face-plates are tougher than original Gamos, no doubt they won't hold up to Extreme FT rifle hits. But not easily deterred, and having ordered all the replacement face-plates with 1.5" kill-zones in order to accept heavy-duty (THICK) reducers I have on hand, by also using 2.25" O.D. steel washers between the reducers and face-plates the face-plates might have some chance of surviving hits from EFT rifles. Unfortunately that question will go unanswered until which time foul weather and other priorities allows testing.
So for the time being, the prairie dog target above, left 'in the raw' for illustration purposes with the reducer and washer in place, remains 'food for thought'... aka- a question. I'll answer that question soon as weather and priorities permit. Meanwhile,
!
Regardless, pretty sure the Quality Targets upgrades described will render them virtually impervious to AAFTA power levels. That, in itself, will be worth the price of admission (upgrades).
Happy Shooting,
R
.
Consequently I was pleasantly surprised to find Quality Targets offers not only replacement face-plates for Gamos, but paddles as well; at very reasonable prices. Quality being my Bench-Rest Silhouette swingers supplier, and the owner Calvin being not only very easy to deal with but his company one of the best I've ever dealt with, another reason (in this case) to not only give him my business but have a conversation with Calvin is his willingness to customize his MANY steel target offerings to specifications. In this case, by making replacement Gamo paddles out of (tougher) AR500 steel. Though apparently not available in 1/8" thickness, and the 3/32" AR500 also requiring heating to twist, I gladly paid the (very reasonable) premium for a dozen upgraded paddles.
However upon receipt, I worried about the considerably heavier paddles falling consistently to clean hits; especially from 12 foot pound AAFTA pistol hits... out to 35 yards. But upon upgrading a few of my most beat-up Gamo targets with the QUALITY face-plates and paddles, I was impressed enough to start wondering about their possibilities for Extreme Field Target use.
First things first, I tested the jackalope below at 40 yards with my 10.5 foot pound AAFTA pistol. Much to my relief, the jackalope functioned flawlessly with 7 foot pound hits from 8.4 gain JSBs.
My first question answered, even if the 1/8" thick, non-AR500 steel replacement face-plates are tougher than original Gamos, no doubt they won't hold up to Extreme FT rifle hits. But not easily deterred, and having ordered all the replacement face-plates with 1.5" kill-zones in order to accept heavy-duty (THICK) reducers I have on hand, by also using 2.25" O.D. steel washers between the reducers and face-plates the face-plates might have some chance of surviving hits from EFT rifles. Unfortunately that question will go unanswered until which time foul weather and other priorities allows testing.
So for the time being, the prairie dog target above, left 'in the raw' for illustration purposes with the reducer and washer in place, remains 'food for thought'... aka- a question. I'll answer that question soon as weather and priorities permit. Meanwhile,
!Regardless, pretty sure the Quality Targets upgrades described will render them virtually impervious to AAFTA power levels.
That, in itself, will be worth the price of admission (upgrades).Happy Shooting,
R
.
