New Targets...New Approach to Training

So I recently got the urge to change my training techniques to better optimize my time on the range. I was spending entirely too much time on pasting up targets. Seriously, think about it....you shoot until you can't make head or tails of what is your last shot and then go paste the whole target. The distance fired walked up and back every so many odd rounds usually 24 or less in my case as the center gets blasted out...just kidding!  So my buddy Paul Cho came up with a ridiculously simple way to repair the targets really quickly. Duct Tape. Three or four strips cover the alpha zone or zero zone and then right back to shooting. This was a great revelation; because we no longer taped the main body of the target hits off the tape did not count. Brilliant! Focused shooting efforts for a better score. I liked this until I realized that the high value zones were highlighted. Perfect for a beginner like Paul, but holding me back like a crutch. I ran this plan until my roll of duct tape ran out and then got another idea....what if somebody made an A zone target out of steel...no more pasters!

I got in touch with the good folks at NEVCO Targets when I found out they made exactly what I was looking for. It wasn't like it was a grand search, I know the Mortons and shoot with them a lot. So after a short chat Nevitt got me set up with two awesome steel A zones for my shooting pleasure.  After about a week from first call I had my targets in hand and went to the Lowe's to pick up some 2x4's to stand them up on. I also selected some fluorescent yellow paint and some cardboard brown paint...yellow for a zombie match application and brown for USPSA practice. Nothing good comes from shooting white A zones...nothing.

Freshly Painted Tan A-Zones

After a weekend's wait, I was finally able to get out and use my targets yesterday. I really enjoyed the instant feedback the steel gave me each and every hit. I could say every shot but four holes in my 2x4 attest to that being untrue. I really enjoyed the feedback from the holes in the board because I wasn't able to paint over them and they did not go away between strings. The ability to stand ten yards off the targets with .40 major PF jacket ammo being safely directed down and away from the shooter was a great plus. I engaged the targets successfully from 10 to 50 plus meters, although less sucessfully at the longer ranges. The targets gave good and clear indication of bullet strike whether glancing or full diameter at all ranges. The fun on this day was limited only by the 250 round ammo supply which went extremely quickly even though I had to reload moonclips every 78 rounds.  I cannot wait to unleash my 625 on these targets...I have 166 moonclips for it, that's 996 rounds of clang potential! I think something will definitely have to give under those strenuous circumstances and I'm sure it's not going to be the targets.

The Test Platform



The Results...if you look closely you can see the misses.

 So if you are looking to improve your game or make practice a little more productive give Nevitt at NEVCO a call at 804-994-9195 or visit them online at http://www.nevcotargets.com/ . Be sure to tell them you heard about it here. I am not currently sponsored by nor am I soliciting sponsorship by writing this article. This is just a positive evaluation of a product I personally purchased and use.