Swinging Prairie Dog, H-Bar Unit, Tobey Knockers - Accurate Shooter

Swinging Prairie Dog, H-Bar Unit, Tobey Knockers
by Accurate Shooter

Ballistic Tech ComboTarget Stand--Paper and Polymer

When practicing for our 500- and 600-yard varmint matches we like to use reactive targets at match distances. Steel poppers are great, but it's still nice to have a target stand to hold paper for sighting-in and shooting groups. We've found a versatile new product from Ballistic Technologies that fits the bill. This combines a stable, ground-standing frame, with a raised paper-target holder. Instead of conventional heavy metal swingers, this combo rig uses bright orange "ballistic polymer" targets that withstand thousands of rifle shots.

With a hit, the spinner rotates around the horizontal axle. The polymer closes up around the bullet holes so it can be used over and over again. This $95 "Combo 5" target rack holds paper targets up to 24" x 24", and a "barbell" spinner with 6" diameter circles. There are many other BallisticTech targets, including a polymer prairie dog spinner and a handy horizontal rack for conventional clay pigeons.

Pros:
Spinners work well. Very versatile--switch from shooting groups on paper to spinners. Breaks down flat for storage. Relatively light-weight.

Cons:
Somewhat complex assembly. Bullet holes not visible on polymer. Holder for paper targets not sturdy in high winds. Hits on spinner axle can break it.


Polymer Suspended TobeyKnockers

A while back Ballistic Tech came out with the "Target Cube", a nearly indestructible polymer block. Deployed on the ground, if you hit the cube it would skip and bounce. Well, that was popular, but it was easily obscured by vegetation and mounds between shooter and target. Shooters wanted a similar cube that could be suspended above the ground. Enter the TobeyKnocker-- a simple, compact target that can withstand hundreds of rifle hits. You can suspend the TobyKnocker from a cable or a horizontal frame. The $95 TobeyKnocker is small enough that you can keep one in your vehicle all the time. Just bring a couple wooden stakes and a bit of rope and you can set up a reactive target nearly anywhere. The bright orange "Knockers" are small enough to challenge you at 500 yards and beyond.

Pros:
Handy, inexpensive, light-weight. The ideal "field-portable" reactive swinger.

Cons:
Not self-contained--requires a hanger bar or cable. The carabiner clasp at the top looks vulnerable.