Target stand?

TripleDeuce660

TripleDeuce660

Active member
Need a target stand for sighting in my rifles in the desert. Its very rocky so pounding stakes in the ground is often not an option. Its always windy, so needs some wide legs. I shoot rifles off a folding table, so something tall enough to be level with the table. Any recommendations?
 
I've seen them made from heavy duty PVC pipe but the fittings get expensive. The pipe is pretty cheap but the fittings aren't. Cheapest will probably be 2x4's. You can pick up 2x4's pretty cheap and with a little bit of planning you could make it where its pretty easy to assemble and dis-assemble. Then use staples or some type of fastener to attach your targets to it.
 
My frozen ground target stand is made of 2x4's. made the uprights so I could slide a 24" square piece of card board in as a target backer. Heavy, but cheap and won't blow over.

My summer rig is two electric fence posts and four spring clamps. Light, but cheap and won't blow over.
 
You could make a rectangle or square with 2X4s as the face holder, and drill four leg holes at an angle to insert metal rods (Lowes carries these). Drilled at an angle it would splay them out for a wide base.

As a target backer, the best thing I've ever found is the 1/5" foam insulation sheets at Lowes or similar. You can use toothpicks to attach the targets and you would be shocked how many rounds it takes to shoot one out. My home range gets a lot of use and I replace them about every other year.
 
Here is a portable target stand I made from 3/8" rebar. Requires an 8' long piece cut into 2' lengths and a welder to build. It can be hammered into the hard desert ground. The spokes hold the cardboard tight so it resists coming off and it works great up to about 20-25mph wind. Does not rotate like a wind vain because the leg is 2 pieces of rebar welded side by side to resist turning in the ground. Lays flat and takes almost no storage space inside your vehicle.

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One 8 foot section of 2 inch pvc pipe, two 2 inch pvc tee's, and one 8 foot long piece of 2x2 lumber.

Cut pcv pipe, 4 pieces at 18 inches and glue in the straight part of tee.

Cut remaining pvc in half (should make two 1 foot pieces) and glue into top of tee.

Cut 2x2 lumber in half (should make two 4 foot pieces) and trim edges to fit into pipe.

Use backer board of your choice and have fun.
 
Originally Posted By: FursniperHere is a portable target stand I made from 3/8" rebar. Requires an 8' long piece cut into 2' lengths and a welder to build. It can be hammered into the hard desert ground. The spokes hold the cardboard tight so it resists coming off and it works great up to about 20-25mph wind. Does not rotate like a wind vain because the leg is 2 pieces of rebar welded side by side to resist turning in the ground. Lays flat and takes almost no storage space inside your vehicle.

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Sink rebar like this rig in a milk jug full of quickcrete. No pounding into the ground. Leave it on site behind a bush out of site. These are inexpensive enough to make several and leave them at your regular shooting spots. Can't weld? Use 1x1 wood and some screws.
 
Think I will try making one from PVC or ABS. I work in the plumbing department at lowes so its easy. Might fill the legs with mortar to weight it down.
 
Originally Posted By: Ky Fur BusterOne 8 foot section of 2 inch pvc pipe, two 2 inch pvc tee's, and one 8 foot long piece of 2x2 lumber.

Cut pcv pipe, 4 pieces at 18 inches and glue in the straight part of tee.

Cut remaining pvc in half (should make two 1 foot pieces) and glue into top of tee.

Cut 2x2 lumber in half (should make two 4 foot pieces) and trim edges to fit into pipe.

Use backer board of your choice and have fun.


This is what I use.

You can skip the glue if you want to disassemble them for easier storage/transport.

Filling the leg extensions with something is a good idea but I use common sand bags filled 1/2 full for weights, works great even in 10 mph winds.

You could do a hasty rock fill with the bags and then empty when done... then fold them up, again, easy storageand transport.
 
one thing about using PVC for target stands

1) if you have folks with you who cant shoot well - pvc tends to shatter when impacted at high velocity. the older it gets, the more brittle it gets.

2) if you ever hang steel plates from it - it will collect the jacket fragments and turn the pipe into a jagged razor of shrapnel. in defense of PVC - wood has the same issue.

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I just made one out of scrap angle iron. Held up to a lot of shotgun pattern testing. Made the uprights in two overlapping pieces and welded bolts on the short bottom sections to make it an easy takedown affair for transport in the back of the Jeep.

- DAA
 
2 pieces of rebar and 4 spring clamps. Just hammer the rebar I to the ground and clamp the target to it. No reason to build anything if you dont want to.
 
I take an 12' of 2x2 and an 8' 2x6.Cut 2 48" 2x2 and @ 24" 2x2 cut the 2x6 into 2' pieces make a 2x2 square with the 2x2s and use the 2x6 as feet I nail the 2x6 over lapping with a spacer so the 2x2 will slip into them. They are easy to transport I staple cardboard and change when necessary.
 
How I figure it, 10 feet of 2" ABS pipe. 4 pieces @18 inches to make the legs. 2 pieces at 24" for the vertical part. Connect the two halves with an additional 24" piece. Fill legs with mortar for weight. I checked it out while at work, and a 2x2 fits snug into the 2" pipe with no fitting required. PVC is brittle and costs slightly more. ABS is not brittle, and people say it will hold up to being shot.

Found a perfect spot today. Can shoot out to 360 yards and set up a bench.
 
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I use the 1" pvc and don't glue the pieces together.I get a take the grand kids shooting and they usually hit one of the pieces and I have to replace it.I take a cutter and a length of pvc with us to the range to keep things working.
 
Sometimes I just take a tall cardboard box. Like a dish pack. Put some dirt or other weight in it to keep it from blowing around
 


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