24 replies to this topic

[sobirch]

Here is my target, an old feed bag full of old jeans with all metal and zippers removed as a precaution to protect the bolts.

[Lscha]

WELCOME Sobirch!

Nice target!!

[Hunter2]

Using natures wood, recycled bag, old jeans. Now thtas what I like you dont have to spend high dollar to get something that works, excellent. Hunter2:D

[ridgehunter]

Welcome sobirch!  A question please, does that arrow have a practice point or a broadhead?  My aging eyes cannot determine the answer from viewing the picture.  Nice looking target though.

[sobirch]

Thanks for the welcome. It has a field point on, very very easy to remove from target. I have shot broad heads into it and they are difficult to remove unless you loosen the bag and carefully remove from the material inside. It is the best I have found for field points though.

[Redclub]

Looks very interesting I need to try that
RC

[DeadlyAim]

That stand is neat.  Good job.

[gandalf4688]

Thanks for posting your target.  It gives those of us with low budgets some ideas as to making our own targets for cheep.

Makes me wonder if some 2X4's, a section of all-thread for a top bar and some nuts and washers wouldn't work as well.  That way the target would be completely collapsable and easy to put in the back of a car or truck.

[Yamahasuzuki]

very thoughtful

[Va Buck]

That is nice! I love home made things that work as well as store bought.

[kennisondan]

so birch : welcome
useful; smart; economical; effective..

the target has those same qualities too..
dk

[vaguru]

I finally had enough used jeans/shirts etc to make one of these bags, about half full.  So far, it is the only target I can shoot at 10yds in my basement that doesn't require "2 men and a boy" to remove the arrows!  Matter of fact, my Vortex didn't even punch through the back side of the bag.  My Cyclone did punch through, but only after a third hit in the same spot, and then only about 5" came through the back side.  Fletch came no where near contact with front of bag.  After that 3rd shot and pulling the arrow, I picked up the bag and "bounced" it on the stand 2 times.  Shot another in the same spot without complete penetration.

Note:  my bag sits solid on a stand with no potenial for swinging.  Swinging would allow for even less  penetration.  I did have other targets 8" behind bag in case of pass through. Happily they were not needed.

I have wanted to make one of these bags for some time now, took 8 years to get enough material to stuff one.  I really like this bag.

Update 7/19/09:  I was chrographing different arrow combos with different bows yesterday.  The bag was 2 yards from the bow.  This target took it all, never got to the fletchings, even shooting 435 gr arrows at 366 fps.  Did I say I REALLY like this target?

Edited by vaguru, 19 July 2009 - 10:12 AM.
more info

[sobirch]

Thanks all for the positive comments. Has anyone else beside vaguru made one and tried it? Lots of second hand stores have clothes they cannot get rid for free or cheap. If you build one you will pleasently surprised. I now have four of them set at ten yards apart on the front lawn. Just for laughs I have been thinking of building a frame in the shape and size of a deer and having the target hang where the kill zone would be, even have an old set of antlers to mount on it. My own redneck 3-D target lol. If I do get around to building it I will post a couple pics.

sobirch

[maad]

Looks good will have to try one. Thanks for the post.

[rt2bowhunter]

Yes i have 2 made. I set mine in old lawn chairs. Some thing i found helps is put your old clothes in a trash bag first. helps keep them dry.  These targets work great they stop my strykeforce shooting a 508gr arrow at 355. Swinging would be better also you can hang them side to side and get in some 3d type shooting. I had one of mine get real wet didnt work near as good waited until the wife was gone. slipped the clothes in the dryer good as new.

[vaguru]

One thing I found that really helps alot.  After extended shooting the bag was getting loose from broken strands and the fabric was being pushed out the back side.  I recoverd with another bag over the first.  Much more stable.  I would recommend using 2 bags from the start.  Now my arrows barely penetrate 3 - 4 inches at 10 yds.  Keeping the fabric packed tighter makes a big difference.  

I even thought about wrapping the first bag with fiberglass window screening for extra support before recovering, but didn't have any.  I did see where you can buy a 3' x8' piece at Wally World for $6.50.  This will help keep from blowing the fabric out the back, tearing the bag. I will do this when I need to recover again.  Same thing is inside my Morrells bag (looks more like hardware cloth than screen but is fiberglass), I re wrapped it twice so far.   Is 8 years old with tens of thousands of shots.

[AlexG.]

how much does the bag weight?

[Excalibur]

pretty cool

[Michigan Hunter]

real nice....thanks for posting a picture

[vaguru]

My bag is not full as I didn't have enough material, it measures 15" wide by 18" high.  The extra bag is twisted tight and closed by wrapping 2 wraps of 12/2 copper wire.  The extra bag material is then folded back over and uses a ty rap to form a handle.  This bag weighs 20 lbs, I just weighed it.