Seeking tips & tricks for target stands

wrc · Post by **wrc** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:41 pm

If anyone has tips, tricks, and improvements for the traditional "Lujan-style" 3 position air rifle target stand/backstop, would you please share them here?!

I know that there's been some discussion in various threads, but it would be quite useful to have a nice compilation. Especially since I've got a willing volunteer or two to make some of these stands for our clubhouse.

The first tip I've been told is to size it for standard 24" sheets of cardboard (easier to procure).

Lujan notes in his CMP instructions that steel thinner than 14 gage can be used, but doesn't specify a minimum. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance. I'll probably be contacting some coaches offline; will post any info back here.
Coach Paula, Wheaton (Il) Rifle Club

jhmartin · Post by **jhmartin** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:49 pm

You have probably found this page:
http://www.odcmp.com/Coaching/target_stand_plans.htm
This is a good starter for the Lujan Plans

I've attached some links to some mods I made for the jig so the stand will use 24" cardboard.
http://www.vc4hss.com/_Coaches/images/2_foot_Jig.jpg
http://www.vc4hss.com/_Coaches/images/Steel-Cuts.jpg
If you have Visio email me and I'll send you the Visio file
( Air.Rifle@VC4HSS.com )

If you are making more than 2 stands, make a jig. The JPGs are for the jig. If I did it again, I would even reduce the width by another 1/4" and dado out 1/8" deeper on each side to hold the cardboard. These dimensions work great for the thick cardboard, but the thinner cardboard tends to pop out of the channels if it gets a bit damp.

We have about 30 of these made with 16ga steel backing. as long as you have the plywood behind the steel you should be OK. It will dimple more, but it will be lighter to move and a bit less to fabricate.

wrc · Post by **wrc** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:28 am

Thank you for the comments, and the links to your drawings. You're right, that's the CMP page I was looking at.
Glad to know that 16 ga will work fine when backed. That's what we were guessing.

jhmartin · Post by **jhmartin** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:36 am

We have 25 or so here in the ABQ area that have full length 16 ga (easier to fab than all the cutting) that the American Legion funded.

I have 8 I made for my club with 14 ga (segmented as per drawing) and they don't dimple at all.

I also have 2 I made with some donated 12 ga (segmented) ... solid as a rock, but no one like to move those ... HEAVY!