Shooting target ideas

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My brother asked me if I could make him a shooting target for him. I told him no problem but have a few questions. It's not a real gun just a co2 pellete handgun and a pump shotgun that does bb's. What metal and thickness would you recommend?  I am going to do a square and round target and would like to try to add a squirrel or rabbit shaped. Any place I can download and print out an outline or a place that sells them cut out already? I have a bandsaw that can't do anything other than thin aluminum or wood but I do have a new dremel, not sure how well it would work though. Thoughts or ideas?ThanksTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Simple design idea. Build a shelf and line up empty aluminum cans, put up a stop behind it, built from pywood to keep pellets and BBs from passing beyond. Not sure of the thickness of the metal the cans are made of, but they are inexpensivly replaced when they get too many holes to be used anymore. Drink up Bro, we need new targets ASAP Hint: the longer the shelf the more cans you can set up, and the more shooting can be done before having to reset the targets. After emptying 3 or 4 six packs you may shoot for hours W/O having to do any reset-up if there is a lot of missing going on If that's the case, empty more targets for future sessions.
Reply:Gamble,I have a 75 yard range in my backyard.  sorry, I don't have any pics, but I think I can describe pretty well how I make target frames.  For paper targets, I buy re-rod, which is about the cheapest steel rod I can find locally.  I use a piece of 1/2 inch re-rod for the center post.  I tack a piece of angle iron to the center post to deflect rounds that would be a direct hit on my center post.  On the part that goes in the ground, I sharpen the post to a point.  then about three inches above the point, I weld a  4 inch length of re-rod  at a 90 degree angle to the main post.  At the end of this, I add a 3 inch section of re-rod parallel to the main post.  (if you want, you can fill in the area between the two parallel sections with a piece of 1/4 inch plate.  This is your base, and if you use the piece of 1/4 inch plate, you can just step on the base to secure the piece into the ground.  I then weld my hanging cross members at the top of the center post, and a second piece parallel to the top.  Note that I did not include dimensions.  This will depend entirely on the size of the targets.  I make mine so I can hang two targets, one in each side of the center post.  I use spring clips a from my local office supply to hold the targets in place from the top and bottom.For moving targets,  use the same base set up, except I have two end posts instead of one main post.  I don't use re-rod, but use 1/2 inch solid rod.  I use scrap tubing and weld  various sized plate targets (round, square, triangle, etc) to a piece of re-rod, then weld the re-rod to the scrap tubing.  the tubing is slipped over a horizontal rod that I run between the two end base pieces.  You can put dividers between the pieces of tubing to keep them from sliding too close together.  This should give you a nice set of swing targets.  Again, I haven't included dimensions, as it will depend on caliber.  I usually use 3/8 inch plate for mild handgun loads,  as the spinning action dissipates some of the energy.
Reply:As far as target shapes, Google Images : silhouette targets. You should be able to find a ram, pig, and so on at a minimum that you can print and scale if needed.Take a look at Cabelas as far as target ideas, and the have some nice little metal box backstops with angled traps. The shallower the angle the less chance it will come back out front. I'd do at least a 45 deg angle.For a BB gun, so  1/8" would work. My RWS pellet gun would beat the crap out of that at 1100 FPS. I'd go with 3/16" for that. ( My RWS will shoot thru a vertical 3/4" plywood  backstop at 15 yards).No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I'd be wary of shooting anything hard with BB's.
Reply:For pellets and BBs, you should be able to use 11ga. steel.  I'm assuming we're talking about shooting in the garage or basement.  Make a trap by building a long, 4 sided pyramid, about 3 times longer than it is wide at the mouth.  16 inches is a good width at the base.  Lay it on its side, then weld a shelf in the front, inside of the pyramid.  Put a prop on the small end to raise it up.  You set your targets on this.  Pack some foam or cotton wadding in the back to catch the projectiles.  If we're talking about paper targets, put a lip on the upper brow of the opening to accept clips.  If you want it to be outside, put it on wheels.  Make all participants wear eye protection.Contrary to popular opinion, I do NOT have a pet turkey that craps molten steel.  It's a goose.
Reply:I'll try to post a pic to illustrate my yada yada.Contrary to popular opinion, I do NOT have a pet turkey that craps molten steel.  It's a goose.
Reply:I'm talking metal targets. It's going to be in the backyard, probably no more than 20-25 yards away. I was thinking something soft like aluminum so they don't bounce back or is that the wrong way to think about it?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Alum targets will  allow things to bounce back, and my RWS will crater and dent / bend 1/8" alum. I used to use a few small pieces of scrap 1/8" alum for targets because you could hear when you hit them clearly. Alum didn't hold up well..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI'm talking metal targets. It's going to be in the backyard, probably no more than 20-25 yards away. I was thinking something soft like aluminum so they don't bounce back or is that the wrong way to think about it?
Reply:Originally Posted by graniteguyMetal targets..... well, I'd make 'em out of foam or something.  BBs can bounce a long way.  The reason steel targets work with higher powered firearms like 22's is because the bullet is going fast enough to destroy itself.  Indoor ranges often use pressed powder bullets that vaporize on impact.  Anyway, foam's cheaper than eyes.  And I'll post a pic of a bullet trap anyway.  If you use something like this, don't forget the fiber packing.  Those BBs really hurt.
Reply:I made a swinging target for the 22. Just made a T with round stock on top with a short piece of pipe with another piece of round stock going down with a small square welded to it. when you plink it just right it will spin all the way around.. if you do that make the base fairly big though, my base is too small and it will fall over once you get it going good shooting left and right targets one after another.. Also just put a bead of weld on either side of the pipe to keep it from moving over to the left or right and hitting the man vertical..
Reply:i will cut the shapes out of what ever you want  with a hand held plasma cutter, just send the pattern and  pay for materials and shipping.    you probably would need to do some grinding on the patterns to smooth them out.  we just have fun cutting stuff up with the plasma cutter and like doing different things.  just pm if want me to do it, bobbobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:Wish I had a plasma cutter lol. I'm going to think about this for a few days no sense in rushing it. Also my car in the garage doesn't have the fuel line hooked up at the moment so I don't want to weld with vapor in the air.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer