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Testing the waters

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:07 pm
by Captainkirk
Did I mention I'm doing a little shooting? I did, didn't I.
Not that anything has changed here on the outside; neighbors are still neighbors, ordinances are still ordinances, and all that. You guys know the scoop; no need to beat a dead horse.
But there have been some positive INSIDE changes.
First off, the "range". While prior examples offered a variety of distances up to 40 yards, the ultimate backstop was still the neighbor's fence, regardless of the distance between said fence and the target. After much cogitation and deliberation on the matter, I "changed it up", placing a sheet of plywood against the back wall of my garage and placing the target block in front of it. Bottom line; a low hit that would penetrate the plywood goes right into concrete. A wild or high shot goes, well...into the garage siding. With my babies inside (motorcycles/project car) it ain't happened yet. Let's just say I'm "motivated" not to do that...
The downside? Well, this "new" range is 15 yards. D'as it, d'as all. 15 yards. Deal with it. Beats not shooting, or being unsafe. Since I consider my "max ethical range" to be 20 yards anyway, no biggie.
Upsides? Well, my shooting area is now completely obscured by brush and leaves. And by leaving the noisy plastic burlap bag in the garage and using my 'spensive new"block", you'd have to listen hard to know what I was up to. And if I start shooting those "Bunny Busters", well...pretty much covers everything but the legal aspects.

The "New" range facilities...

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So, tonight I tested out the new range. I was amazed at the first group of 5 I shot:

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...Immediately followed by this group:

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...and gradually breaking down to "crapola" afterwards, as my lack of muscle tone from not shooting much this past year+ began to work me over. Plus, it was only 15 yards, so nothing to write home about, folks.
Still, I'll take it... :mrgreen:

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:02 am
by Carpdaddy
That's great Kirk, glad your getting to fling some arrows again. I'm using a stall mat from Tractor Supply, does great on stopping a stray arrow. I have those regular! :oops:

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:06 am
by Crazynate
Nice shooting

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:25 pm
by Shadowhntr
Invest in 3 more sheets Kirk, to put to the sides and over the top of the existing sheet. It's better then the siding...just saying.

I shoot a lot at 15....That's where my deer are going to be. Nice shooting and....some of them shafts look vaguely familiar! :lol:

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:33 pm
by Graps
Instead of plywood , try horse mats . They are much easier on the arrows and they don't go BANG when you hit it .
Just a quiet thud .

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:31 pm
by Captainkirk
Good points, gents...this is sort of just a 'trial run'. So far (other than the max distance) I'm pleased with the results.
And yes, those shafts do bear a resemblance to something or other...I forget... :lol:

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:34 pm
by Captainkirk
graps wrote:Instead of plywood , try horse mats . They are much easier on the arrows and they don't go BANG when you hit it .
Just a quiet thud .
Where does one get horse mats? Would moving blankets work as well? I'm working on cooking up something a little more permanent for next season.

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 4:09 pm
by Graps
You can get horse mats at any farm supply store , like Tractor Supply .
They are heavy rubber mats 4 ' by 6 ' . I have seen them smaller 2 ' by 4 ' .
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produ ... -ft-x-6-ft

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 6:33 pm
by Captainkirk
Oh! :D I have a roll of VERY heavy rubber mat, probably 4 feet wide, half inch thick and reinforced with fiberglass mat. I came off a conveyor belt. I will hack off a hunk and try it!

Re: Testing the waters

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 6:36 pm
by Mohawk
That's about as far as I get to shoot too, Kirk. It's illegal to shoot in my town too, but it has to be done. I can pack up and go to the country to shoot if time allows but all to often if I shoot, it's spur of the moment.
I'll bet that rubber mat will save some worry! Man! If I had a $ for every arrow I pounded into Shadows garage! :lol: Or the house across the street! :shock: :oops: