Big Bore Rifle Targets

After shooting on several local Sportsman's ranges, and finding at least one that didn't allow anything over 30 cal., I've started to think of targets that would be both SAFE and offer quality training for a Dangerous Game hunt.

First off, shooting Big Bores at steel can be fun, but the safety considerations are no joke. With rifles producing well over 5,000fpe, and a ricochet or bullet fragments that can still send people to the Hospital, the time to think of safety is before someone takes an ambulance ride.

Looking at 50BMG targets, most all recommended a minimum safe distance of 200 yards. Most of us aren't likely to shoot a Double Rifle or .458 bolt gun that far. I found TA Targets and their Goliath model steel plate system that advertises safety as close as 100yards.

The target is an AR500 50BMG capable D zone shaped plate angled downward so splatter hits the ground at the base of the stand instead of sending ricochets back towards the shooter. Both 2x4 and T post can be used with this system and eventually will suffer damage and need to be replaced. Other plate sizes and shapes are optional.

Cost is $870 for the complete system.


Another option is offered by Life Size Animal Targets. Printed on 96x48 vinyl with corner grommets and repair stickers that extend target life. These can also be used by archers with an appropriate backstop.

They offer Cape Buffalo.

Hippo

Kudu (69X47)

Cost is $99 for the target, or $119 with the additional repair stickers. They offer 21 different species and free shipping.


A moving or charging target would offer great training for a Dangerous Game hunt, but obviously the cost and complexity are dramatically increased. In Europe there are indoor shooting Cinema's, but so far I've only seen them available for archery and small calibers here in the U.S. Larger Bore Dangerous Game calibers aren't even welcome on many smaller outdoor ranges, so a special facility might need to be built.


This is the Pro-Matic Running Boar system. Most of the Skeet and Sporting Clays courses I've shot on in the last few years are from this U.K. based company. Very well known for high quality, these are used in Europe to practice for driven hunts. They can and have been adapted for DG charging animal practice. Total system cost is $10-20,000.
If the system is damaged by a large caliber rifle, repair cost will obviously be quite high.


This is the Running Boar system offered by INTARSO, another popular option for driven hunt practice.


Cost of any similar system would be prohibitive for all but the largest range facilities. This leaves us with using our noodle to come up with something realistic, safe and at a cost that will get a thumbs up from the Domestic Minister of Finance.

As some have already posted on this forum, a large R/C car or truck may be the most sensible option.

The bodywork can be removed to mount a target frame, and for less than $200 you have a workable remote control target. One downside is that on anything but the smoothest paved surface, these tend to bounce quite a bit, and might not offer the most realistic charging target.

My answer is to remove the rubber or plastic tires, and lay down a section of small gauge Railroad track used for hobby or what is often called a Garden Railway. The rims would ride very smoothly on these small scale rail tracks.


These small gauge Railroads are popular at amusement parks, State and County Fairs all across the Country. There are more size options than I can list here, but the price isn't bad and installation would be fairly easy for a group of shooters with minimal skill and tools.

MRW.LTD from the U.K.

https://www.miniaturerailwayworkshop.com/track

RMI Railworks in the U.S.A


I'm not the most experienced at Big Bores, but right now I'm looking into these as affordable options for Dangerous Game rifle practice.

skydiver386 said:

After shooting on several local Sportsman's ranges, and finding at least one that didn't allow anything over 30 cal., I've started to think of targets that would be both SAFE and offer quality training for a Dangerous Game hunt.

First off, shooting Big Bores at steel can be fun, but the safety considerations are no joke. With rifles producing well over 5,000fpe, and a ricochet or bullet fragments that can still send people to the Hospital, the time to think of safety is before someone takes an ambulance ride.

Looking at 50BMG targets, most all recommended a minimum safe distance of 200 yards. Most of us aren't likely to shoot a Double Rifle or .458 bolt gun that far. I found TA Targets and their Goliath model steel plate system that advertises safety as close as 100yards.
View attachment 765928
View attachment 765930 The target is an AR500 50BMG capable D zone shaped plate angled downward so splatter hits the ground at the base of the stand instead of sending ricochets back towards the shooter. Both 2x4 and T post can be used with this system and eventually will suffer damage and need to be replaced. Other plate sizes and shapes are optional.

Cost is $870 for the complete system.

Goliath - 50BMG Steel Target System - Let It Ring | TA Targets

50BMG Steel Target System. The goliath target is the closest of our targets to a D Zone USPSA target. We offer this 50 BMG rated target in 1/2" AR550.

www.tatargets.com

Another option is offered by Life Size Animal Targets. Printed on 96x48 vinyl with corner grommets and repair stickers that extend target life. These can also be used by archers with an appropriate backstop.
View attachment 765932
They offer Cape Buffalo.
View attachment 765935
Hippo
View attachment 765936
Kudu (69X47)

Cost is $99 for the target, or $119 with the additional repair stickers. They offer 21 different species and free shipping.

Life Size Animal Targets - Life Size Elk Target - Moose - Mule Deer

Life Size Animal Targets - Practice Shot Placement on Life Size Animal Targets - Elk, Moose, Mule Deer, Bear. Durable Vinyl - 96"x48"

lifesizeanimaltargets.com

A moving or charging target would offer great training for a Dangerous Game hunt, but obviously the cost and complexity are dramatically increased. In Europe there are indoor shooting Cinema's, but so far I've only seen them available for archery and small calibers here in the U.S. Larger Bore Dangerous Game calibers aren't even welcome on many smaller outdoor ranges, so a special facility might need to be built.
View attachment 765944
View attachment 765945
This is the Pro-Matic Running Boar system. Most of the Skeet and Sporting Clays courses I've shot on in the last few years are from this U.K. based company. Very well known for high quality, these are used in Europe to practice for driven hunts. They can and have been adapted for DG charging animal practice. Total system cost is $10-20,000.
If the system is damaged by a large caliber rifle, repair cost will obviously be quite high.

Running Boar

Inspired by nature, Promatic has developed a running boar system like no other - fully complies with ISSF specifications 22m or 40m track available Speed up to 3 metres per second Boar changes direction at the end of the track to run in the right direction Wireless control Speed adjustment at...

promatic.co.uk

View attachment 765951
This is the Running Boar system offered by INTARSO, another popular option for driven hunt practice.

MT50 - Running boar target system

Reliable running boar target systems especially designer for hunters.

www.intarso.com

Cost of any similar system would be prohibitive for all but the largest range facilities. This leaves us with using our noodle to come up with something realistic, safe and at a cost that will get a thumbs up from the Domestic Minister of Finance.

As some have already posted on this forum, a large R/C car or truck may be the most sensible option.
View attachment 765958
The bodywork can be removed to mount a target frame, and for less than $200 you have a workable remote control target. One downside is that on anything but the smoothest paved surface, these tend to bounce quite a bit, and might not offer the most realistic charging target.
View attachment 765982
My answer is to remove the rubber or plastic tires, and lay down a section of small gauge Railroad track used for hobby or what is often called a Garden Railway. The rims would ride very smoothly on these small scale rail tracks.
View attachment 765983
View attachment 765993
These small gauge Railroads are popular at amusement parks, State and County Fairs all across the Country. There are more size options than I can list here, but the price isn't bad and installation would be fairly easy for a group of shooters with minimal skill and tools.

MRW.LTD from the U.K.

https://www.miniaturerailwayworkshop.com/track

RMI Railworks in the U.S.A

RMI Company Store

I'm not the most experienced at Big Bores, but right now I'm looking into these as affordable options for Dangerous Game rifle practice.

Click to expand...

I like the RC car and garden train concept.
I'll forgo playing the engineer.

For shooting steel targets I recommend swinging targets over any type fixed target like in your photos.



These type steel targets allow the bullets to pass through or angle downward into the back stop or ground.

Those running boar set ups look pretty cool. But as you stated a low impact shot, aka a low miss, could be pretty costly.

The Lifesize animal targets are great. They’re not actually life sized, at least the buffalo aren’t, but they’re plenty big enough. I really enjoy shooting the buffalo target before going buffalo hunting.

Don't discount the utility of skeet shooting. Yes, a shotgun is different than a rifle, but the principles of shooting moving targets are basically the same (e.g. focus on the target not aiming the gun). Station eight between the two houses is excellent practice for self defence during a charge. It's not cheap but not as expensive as shooting a big bore.

Whatever setup you choose, it will be useless unless shot starting from low gun, i.e. from gun at ready position when the target is set in motion. Forget about sticks. If the animal is moving, you will be off the sticks shooting offhand.

Ontario Hunter said:

Don't discount the utility of skeet shooting. Yes, a shotgun is different than a rifle, but the principles of shooting moving targets are basically the same (e.g. focus on the target not aiming the gun). Station eight between the two houses is excellent practice for self defence during a charge. It's not cheap but not as expensive as shooting a big bore.

Whatever setup you choose, it will be useless unless shot starting from low gun, i.e. from gun at ready position when the target is set in motion.

Click to expand...

Ontario Hunter said:

Forget about sticks. If the animal is moving, you will be off the sticks shooting offhand.

Click to expand...

Not always true, not always false. It depends on the shooting sticks and how fast/slow the animal is moving. Using sticks does allow for some adjustment to follow a moving animal. I have shot several moving animals while on sticks. Last year I used a set of quad sticks my PH had, I didn't care much for the quad sticks as I had never had used a set before. I still don't care much for quad sticks. I had practiced off wooden tri sticks and was very comfortable using them.

In most of those instances we moved ahead of the animal, set the sticks up, got on the sticks and waited for the animal to move into a good shooting position, then I took the shot. This was pretty much the standard procedure with all of my PHs.

Ontario Hunter said:

Don't discount the utility of skeet shooting. Yes, a shotgun is different than a rifle, but the principles of shooting moving targets are basically the same (e.g. focus on the target not aiming the gun). Station eight between the two houses is excellent practice for self defence during a charge. It's not cheap but not as expensive as shooting a big bore.

Whatever setup you choose, it will be useless unless shot starting from low gun, i.e. from gun at ready position when the target is set in motion. Forget about sticks. If the animal is moving, you will be off the sticks shooting offhand.

Click to expand...

I 100% agree with this. For some reason, many people who only shoot rifles, don't see the value in shotgun shooting. Growing up upland and dove hunting, I found transitioning to double rifles was a breeze. Exact same concept, just two bullets rather than shot.

Ridge Runner said:

Not always true, not always false. It depends on the shooting sticks and how fast/slow the animal is moving. Using sticks does allow for some adjustment to follow a moving animal. I have shot several moving animals while on sticks. Last year I used a set of quad sticks my PH had, I didn't care much for the quad sticks as I had never had used a set before. I still don't care much for quad sticks. I had practiced off wooden tri sticks and was very comfortable using them.

In most of those instances we moved ahead of the animal, set the sticks up, got on the sticks and waited for the animal to move into a good shooting position, then I took the shot. This was pretty much the standard procedure with all of my PHs.

Click to expand...

Ambushing a walking animal is not what I had in mind as "on the fly". Yes, sticks can work for that ... sometimes. It's exactly how I shot my first African animal, a blesbuck ram crossing a shallow valley between two large herds. On the fly is typically an animal that knows the hunter is about and is either fleeing or charging. Flight or fight, not going for a walk.

And yes, I agree quad sticks aren't much good for that. Or for setting up quickly on rough, rocky, steep, or brushy terrain. Quad sticks are not my cup of tea either.

I have a couple of the “life sized” targets you mentioned and really enjoy them and find them useful when I practice.

My wife practiced on an almost life size at 50 yards in light brush I pressured her by asking her to throw the rifle up and shoot as fast as possible. She practiced bullseye type shooting for groups on a normal range target with a .223 bolt action

But picking a spot on a blob of black is more realistic. I would think it doesn’t even have to be life-size as long as you’re shooting at a black shoulder blob. So You have to discern where to aim.

Life-size, self-made!

Since most hunting with big bore rifles is not done at long distances, even if the setup is well-planned & safe, I still think I would prefer targets that the bullet passes through for this particular type of shooting. It would be nice to measure how far off I was from my aim point especially for handheld shots.

When it comes to shooting big bore rifles & hunting in Africa, spending a few hundred dollars on life-sized targets (especially if it pays dividends in the field) doesn't seem like an extravagant expense. Having said that, I've always enjoyed using drafting & photo editing software to design my own targets that I print myself. Most of the time they were printed on 11x17" paper. Taped together, I could make 22x34" targets that were perfect for the cardboard poster-sized inserts at the public rifle range near where I lived.

If I was going to be shooting a lot of holes in a realistic animal target (e.g. a boar with my semi-auto 300 HAM'R), I would probably consider downloading a free vector graphic (.svg, .eps, .ai, etc) of the animal, converting it to a .pdf file and then having it printed on 48"x36" paper at a blueprint shop. Online I've found places that will do that for less than $5. Taping a couple together could make 48x72" targets inexpensively as well. The high-contrast B&W might not be as realistic as the great-looking buffalo target that the OP shared in his original post but it's an economical alternative to consider. Some blueprint places also print on things like Tyvek for additional outside durability. Instead of spending $119 on repair stickers, you could just make multiple repair prints of the section of the image that is hopefully getting repeatedly perforated with bullet holes.

grand veneur said:

Life-size, self-made!

Click to expand...

Ha! Your post popped up while I was typing mine.

Ontario Hunter said:

Don't discount the utility of skeet shooting. Yes, a shotgun is different than a rifle, but the principles of shooting moving targets are basically the same (e.g. focus on the target not aiming the gun). Station eight between the two houses is excellent practice for self defence during a charge. It's not cheap but not as expensive as shooting a big bore.

Whatever setup you choose, it will be useless unless shot starting from low gun, i.e. from gun at ready position when the target is set in motion. Forget about sticks. If the animal is moving, you will be off the sticks shooting offhand.

Click to expand...

I firmly believe this made the difference on my last hunt.

Was able to drop my running waterbuck by swinging the appropriate instinctive lead in front of him (kind of a station 4 target at 80 yards). (Both PH and I assumed it was hit with the first shot while it was stationary, however it turned out my first shot missed or was likely deflected). Due to the distance and lighting, a scope at low magnification with illuminated center dot made it possible.

Side note, the 2nd shot was also deflected and the bullet impacted sideways. Branch about the size of a finger, bullets were 325 gr Norma Oryx from a 9.3x74r

I used to shoot a lot of skeet but these days it's mostly sporting clays.

gcbailey said:

I 100% agree with this. For some reason, many people who only shoot rifles, don't see the value in shotgun shooting. Growing up upland and dove hunting, I found transitioning to double rifles was a breeze. Exact same concept, just two bullets rather than shot.

Click to expand...

I’m also 100% on the value of shotgun shooting benefitting one’s offhand rifle shooting. A couple recent examples where it helped were on a buffalo at about 40 yards that was facing me. First shot off sticks into the front of chest. The bull recovered from the impact and turned to run from my left to right. I came off the sticks and swung with him, sending a 400 grain TSX on its way and the buffalo collapsed in a heap. It’s impressive watching a buffalo crash hard while running full tilt! Another was a big dry land hippo bull that broke from cover at about 20 yards, running hard to my left. Same scenario where I swung like shooting a pheasant or quail. At the first shot Alan Vincent called out ‘that was right in the heart’. 2nd shot was about 40 yards and the hippo skidded on his nose DRT. Shooting skeet, sporting clays or teal & wood ducks makes you a better wing shot, even when holding a .416.

odonata said:

Since most hunting with big bore rifles is not done at long distances, even if the setup is well-planned & safe, I still think I would prefer targets that the bullet passes through for this particular type of shooting. It would be nice to measure how far off I was from my aim point especially for handheld shots.

When it comes to shooting big bore rifles & hunting in Africa, spending a few hundred dollars on life-sized targets (especially if it pays dividends in the field) doesn't seem like an extravagant expense. Having said that, I've always enjoyed using drafting & photo editing software to design my own targets that I print myself. Most of the time they were printed on 11x17" paper. Taped together, I could make 22x34" targets that were perfect for the cardboard poster-sized inserts at the public rifle range near where I lived.

If I was going to be shooting a lot of holes in a realistic animal target (e.g. a boar with my semi-auto 300 HAM'R), I would probably consider downloading a free vector graphic (.svg, .eps, .ai, etc) of the animal, converting it to a .pdf file and then having it printed on 48"x36" paper at a blueprint shop. Online I've found places that will do that for less than $5. Taping a couple together could make 48x72" targets inexpensively as well. The high-contrast B&W might not be as realistic as the great-looking buffalo target that the OP shared in his original post but it's an economical alternative to consider. Some blueprint places also print on things like Tyvek for additional outside durability. Instead of spending $119 on repair stickers, you could just make multiple repair prints of the section of the image that is hopefully getting repeatedly perforated with bullet holes.

https://svgsilh.com/search/boar-1.html

View attachment 766166


Ha! Your post popped up while I was typing mine.

Click to expand...

I'm the Captain Caveman of modern technology, but I like your ideas.

skydiver386 said:

I'm the Captain Caveman of modern technology, but I like your ideas.

Click to expand...

As a computer nerd, it might be fun to try to design a series of printable targets for the AH crowd.

However, I"m not sure if that's the great idea it seems to be or the tequila talking right now...

I'm sitting on my sailboat enjoying a beautiful weekend right now!

I shoot a bunch of steel, nearly every week. With everything from a 22LR to a 450-400 NE.
Most of it is hanging. Distances 35 to 200 yards. 3 are static with proper bases made out of AR Steel. It is all AR 500 3/8 thick.
I will also use the life size targets. Mostly for first shot. Follow up is on the steel at different distances.
We had a set tracks for a moving target stored in the range, but the tracks seem to have walked off.

odonata said:

As a computer nerd, it might be fun to try to design a series of printable targets for the AH crowd.

However, I"m not sure if that's the great idea it seems to be or the tequila talking right now...

I'm sitting on my sailboat enjoying a beautiful weekend right now!

Click to expand...

I'd really have to have some of the "Chose your shot" thread type photos made into life sized targets.

It actually surprises me the lack of targets even here in North America that accurately depict a full size game animal.

skydiver386 said:

I'd really have to have some of the "Chose your shot" thread type photos made into life sized targets.

It actually surprises me the lack of targets even here in North America that accurately depict a full size game animal.

Click to expand...

LOL....

You must be seeing the Southeastern full size big game targets. Those are life size for around here.

Oh they're life size for Florida Deer.