By Jeff Johnston
Earlier this year I finally got serious about building a decent shooting range, because for most of my life I’ve been shooting beer cans propped up on a pond dam like a hobo. I’m not saying shooting beer cans isn’t fun—it’s one of the greatest activities life has to offer—but it’s not ideal when you’re actually trying to train or take someone shooting. But of course the dirt work and gravel took three times as much money as I’d budgeted, so when it came time to buy targets, I had to modify my Gun Site-style dreams slightly. Sure, I wanted dozens of custom-made target racks, spinners, poppers and steel plates from my local welding/fabrication shop, but the reality is … custom shit is expensive.
Fortunately, I found some Birchwood Casey targets online and saw that they were significantly cheaper than what I could have built. I figured there had to be a catch, but when I saw they were made in America from AR500 steel, I cautiously ordered one. It arrived and looked of high quality, so I ordered several more—including their Hostage Silhouette, Texas Star, Self Resetting Plate Rack and others. I also ordered a few of the company’s basic portable target stands.
After three months of shooting, I am very pleased to report that there was no catch. The targets have taken a beating, yet after a fresh coat of spray paint to their faces, they very much look and work like new. But one product, the $25 foldable target stand that Birchwood calls its “Metal Target Stand with Spike” has proven so useful that I feel it’s worth a separate mention.
Certainly, shooting steel is reactionary and great fun, but often I need paper targets placed at different ranges for zeroing my rifles and doping scopes. Same goes for adjusting the sights on a handgun, and for practicing drills. These metal target holders accept two, 2-inch wide slats of wood that are held in place by spring clips welded inside the square receiving tubes. Simply insert two slats, then stand on or hammer the spike into the ground to solidify the target. Then staple a cardboard backer to the target (I used the cardboard from the boxes the targets arrived in) and stick the targets of your choosing to the cardboard. Because the metal portion of the target holder is near the ground (relatively safe from bullets) and the slats can be quickly replaced, these stands should last a long time. They are light, portable and I’ve found that I use them more than any other target on the range. Most of all, they are easy.
Previously I thought of Birchwood Casey as a company that made some adhesive targets and gun cleaning supplies. But that’s not entirely true. Turns out they make damn good made-in-the-USA steel targets at prices that can’t be beaten, and for that they deserve some credit.
Pros: Made-in-America, AR500 steel, relatively inexpensive, surprising quality
Cons: won’t make me a better shot on their own
