I started building some big targets today. The Thirdhand Archery style. I ordered some 4'x4' skins from third hand and 2 of their rag bags too.

This first target is a little less than 5' tall and 38" wide. I sized it to fit some Morell faces I already had.

Made from 2x12's and am stuffing it with plastic wrap. Picked up a gallon of OOPS paint exterior latex

John, you must have lots of space! i'm envious. how did it turn out? -ted

Looking forward to seeing them in action! Nice job, Lance.

I almost have the frame stuffed with plastic wrap. I need to go scavenge up some more...it takes a LOT to fill it up. I am going to try this one with plastic. I will be making another one this week that I might fill with cloth.

The Morell forever faces are usually pretty noisy and at least on loose bag targets, the points tend to get snagged if they aren't flush to the shaft.

Third Hand 'skins' brag about 2 finger arrow removal. I would love that.

Tractor supply sells burlap bags but they aren't as strong as coffee bags. These target frames are pretty easy to restuff as needed. They suggest you cut a trap door in the top but I might just try to get by with being able to remove one top corner of the target face on this one.

Save the plastic bags that you get groceries etc. in as well. I use those to stuff a LOT of bag targets.

Also, the problem with clost stuffed bags is (if they get wet) they get extremely heavy. Also, they will greeze in cold weather. Other than that they work well.

Yep...

I don't know if I'll go the trouble of building a roof or keeping it covered with a tarp. I have an unused garden shed that I could put it in but I don't like its location and it wouldn't be easy to move

One thing you can do to keep them dry JSD is take some of those big contractor trash bags you have put over them. I've done that in the past also.

Are you going to hang a target in the top opening and one in the bottom as well?

What are you using to keep the fill where it belongs?

I'd expect that gravity would affect those "innards" in a manner all too familiar to most guys past 60... Or maybe 30, these days!

Nice design. Simple, strong, stable, cheap and log lasting I am sure. I see one like this in my future.

Where I shoot they are using those plastic target faces. Not real keen on them, arrows get snagged when pulling. They do last longer than paper/cardboard no doubt and are somewhat water proof. Wish they could find the burlap target faces agian. I do like your craftsmanship on the frame. That will last you a long time. Lots of ways to keep rain out. We used to band roofing shingles on top of the bales on the range. Water soaking down from the top is what really shortens bale life. We tried plastic sheet but the sun cooked it and we had plastic everywhere.

Gf The theory is that not having a rigid backing helps absorb shock and keeps it from settling back so much. And they advise cutting an opening in the top to make it easy to stuff it

John, I have used a similar type target for over 20 years. All i ever do is change the facing ever once in a while. I have tin over mine to keep it dry. soft covering on both sides holds together great

This will be a fun target. Pulling isn't bad. It isn't quiet. I might try to tack on some Lexan or tin on top for good measure.

I DONT recommend the 2 spot indoor face. It will get shot out pretty fast.

I installed a top to keep out the rain and use cardboard as a face. Use a sharpie to make dots.

This face (while it's fresh at least) holds Target tacks pretty well. These are some plastic ones I bought online.

Thirdhand recommends capped roofing nails for that. You have to brace the paper while pulling of course.

JSD, put some string (Jute or something similar) or a 2 elastic straps around the target and you can hold the target faces on with 4 clothes pins. 1 in each corner.

Good idea I'll do that. Thanks!

After shooting today, I'm in favor of the plastic wrap stuffing. I had one dead spot that I didn't pack well. But the big plus is that I can pick this up and move it by myself

I guess I'm not worried so much about the fill falling out the back as simply settling towards the bottom…

Sorta like the difference between six-pack abs… And 12-pack abs!

LOL

I would love to have a great big backstop in my backyard, just to keep the neighbors on an even keel....

That's why they want you to have a trap door on top to be able to stuff more in. I'm making a Thirdhand Rag Bag today. Has a Velcro top and loops to hang it

It really doesn't settle like you would think. At least mine don't, but they are primarily recycled plastic shopping bags. The material is extremely durable and is about the best target stuffing I've ever encountered in a bag target.

My form target is a 50lb. feedsack full of plastice that has been shot probaby 10,000 times and I think I've added stuffing about 4 or 5 times. I do have to put a new bag on the outside as the middle gets shot out though.

Just set up this third hand archery rag bag stuffed with clothing and hung on 6' T Posts.

And another...stuffed with two big comforters and some scrap burlap. Bag closes with Velcro and loops are sewn in to hang. The T posts are $3.89 each. Really couldn't be easier than this

What is a "t-post" ?

Metal posts for Barbed wire. Just hammer into the ground and the bag hangs right on it. Not arrow friendly but we should be able to keep arrows on the bag right ? ;)

Starting a 4x4 target stand. (2) 6' 2x12 2x12x48" top 2x12x45" bottom 2x8x36 feet

Holds a 4'x4' target 2' off the ground. Cut an opening in the top for stuffing the fabric in and adding/repacking. Cover the target face area with a layer of weedblock and then the Thirdhand archery skins stapled on top and then you add 1x2" trim.

Apparently, you don't need cross bracing.

Use screws so you can easily replace the skins.

I cut a 5"x16" access in the top. Will add a drawer pull to it maybe? Or just a wood block.

I added some Strong Ties to the legs.

Stapled a layer of weedblock (just keeps the stuffing from showing through) and then stapled on the face and then screwed the trim on over that. The best way would have been to secure the top trim first and then you'd be able to pull the skins tighter. I'll do the other side that way

4'x4'x12" is going to take a lot of stuffing. I found a Goodwill outlet where everything is 99 cents. I bought 15 comforters. We'll see if bulky stuffing is a good thing.

My mother in law volunteers at a thrift store (not local) and they throw out a lot. I'll get more from her in the future.

Oh yeah...I added a handle on side so I would be able to pull it and tip it back onto a dolley. I won't be moving this a lot. You occasionally need to turn it and shoot the back

WE had a archer club back in the 90s and built similar type targets for our practice range and they worked well.We too stuffed them with old clothing from good will.The problem we had was that they were a prefect hang out for rats. Also the rags would twist around the arrow shafts,especially after they got wet.We to had shingle type roofs but they still got wet.

Hopefully, having it off the ground will keep out big pests.I am going to try to keep it covered with a tarp when not in use. I know that will get old. I have at least 20 other targets to shoot scattered around so only NEED this for long shots (setting it up for 60 yards) and possibly as a 'bulk shooting' 20 yard.

Other than keeping it dry, I imagine that keeping it packed tightly helps keep your arrows from getting hung up in the fabric. I will find out!

Good luck.

8x6' tarp with the grommets tied together with paracord to make a slipcover. A 10'x6' would be perfect....

The larger one in the background

I added a bow hanger on one side

this was my basement target

and this was a six foot Gurage monster both filled with tee shirts from church rummage sales

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