i've seen plans on the internet but not sure how well the targets turn out. anybody got plans for one that they know works well?

i'm wanting to build a 4'x4' target in my backyard

I don't have plans or anything but when I was younger, I had a pretty cool target butt. I took a wood pallet and cut a couple slats out of it, I then put in a couple bales of hay. On top of the bales I put a wooden plank that was pretty stout. I ran long threaded rods down each side of the hay and cranked it down periodically to compress the hay. It lasted forever and was always tight.

You can get 2 sheets of the 2" thick blue styrofoam at Lowe's. They are 4' x 8'. Cut them in half and then duct tape them together so it is 8" thick and they are 4'x4'. I use this early on for a target. Then I took the green dots....The tar paper roofing nails with the green plastic on them and used them for a bullseye to aim at. Then use rebar or all thread rod for the legs to hold the target. Pound them in the ground and them push the middle of the bottom of the target onto the stakes.

Does the styrofoam stop it pretty well? How long does it last? Great idea.

i was thinging of something along those lines but i was thinking of putting plywood on top and bottom of the styrofoam and banding it together to compress the foam. i'm not sure if it would work or not but it would be worth a try


thanks for the idea

It lasted about 4 years. I had to retape it after 2. The target stopped arrows very well. The target was so big I just moved my bullseye around when the center got shot up. I used it for field tips and broadheads. I did bring it in every winter and put it in the garage to keep the weather off it other than 3 months it sat out all the time.

Do you have any pictures? I like it. Hey Lug, Trophy5503 has a nice target too, he enclosed a bag target if I remember correctly. Maybe he will post that.

i remember when he bought that one. it's a reinhart if i remember right

Found this on the net, they used carpet, I have seen cardboard or you can put in hay

http://transsylvaniaphoenix.blogspot.com/2...ery-target.html

http://www.pabucks.com/homemade_target.html

Not sure, I seem to recall he had it set up in his meadow with an enclosure around it

I don't have any pics of it I moved and haven't built another one yet. Sorry.

Just a thought......telephone books.

now that's cool! i've never though of using telephone books before.

It's a Pacific Bow Butt and here's the thread: Trophy's Target

willy; do you think you could go over to steve's house when he's gone and box up that target and send it to me? i'll pay the shipping LOL

Sure, I know I wouldn't get caught on camera and I'd have Ranger eating out of my hand.

I have been following this thread because I want a big durable target also. A friend of mine has a target made out of sound board. It is 4'X5'. He thinks it is about 10 years old, gets shot at daily, and is still in great condition. The sound board comes in 4'X8' sheets, 1/2" thick. You cut it down into 4'X8" strips and these get stacked on top of each other to whatever height you want. Then it is all held together with a 2"X8" top and bottom and 2 pieces of all thread holding it together tight (just like people do with the cardboard targets. The material is going to cost around $80.
I looked at the foam mentioned earlier and Lowes want $38/sheet so the cost is about the same. The foam target will be much lighter but I think the sound board will last a lot longer. Anybody else have any ideas they would like to share before I make up my mind?

i'm still looking everyday for the latest and greatest idea but i haven't had a good one yet. the sound board seems to be about the best design that i've seen so far but that phone book target may send me in a different direction.

Here is what the local archery club uses for bales. Looks to me like 4 long boards for legs, with boards between them to make an inner box. Then it gets wrapped with plywood around the sides top and bottom (outdoor wood not cheap initially but lasts a life time). Carpet covers the front and back with thinner boards screwing over the carpet to the inner frame. And the inside is stuffed with used shrink wrap that is used to hold stuff on pallets for shipping (should be able to be gotten for free). Carpet will take many many shots and as far as I know the shrink wrap never goes bad (carpet remnants very cheap). Worst case, you change the carpet every other year or so as once you start to really wear one side out. Just turn it around and start over with a new target. Can obviously be built to whatever size you like. I didn't measure this one, but it is big enough even I could hit it!

Front/Back view


Side view


Replace carpet and good as new

I made this one after I remodeled a room. 2x4 frame and several layers of carpet. It won't last forever, but it will hold up for a couple of years if you alternate bulleyes.

Don't laugh. It only cost me my time. :)