Action Target has built some of the largest and most complex indoor shooting facilities for military, law enforcement and private clubs, so the company knows a thing or two about target design. If you don’t have the space or finances to build a fantastic indoor facility, though, never fear—Action Target offers its innovative training targets to individual shooters. One of its best offerings is the Rimfire Hostage, which is made of 0.25-inch AR500 steel, so it will withstand years of use. The blue rear swinging plate simulates a bad guy in a hostage scenario, and the target spins to the other side of the “victim” every time you connect. It’s a great way to practice your precision and hone your trigger control and sight alignment. The Rimfire Hostage Target weighs just 39 pounds, stands 4 feet tall and offers a 4-inch-diameter blue spinning target. Its MSRP is $189.
The innovative Rigid Silhouette 10-Clay Target Holder from Birchwood Casey allows you to shoot at a standard-profile target with visible, easy-to-replace target zones that break on impact. Simply press the clay targets into the openings in the cardboard target and begin moving from one target to the next, breaking the clay at each location. It’s easy to replace the targets, as the holes fit standard 108mm clay targets well enough that you won’t have a problem with them falling out when properly inserted. It’s also a great reactive target. The targets are large (23 by 35 inches) but lightweight, and at just $5.60, this is a budget target you’ll love.
Practice time on the range is great, but if you don’t know why you’re missing, then frustration quickly builds. The Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C Handgun Trainer target is the answer to that problem. This target provides feedback based on different quadrants of the target to help you understand why you aren’t hitting the center. When the bullet strikes the target, you’ll be able to diagnose shooting problems based on the point of impact. Shooting too high? This target diagnoses that as breaking the wrist up. If you’re anticipating recoil or using too much of the trigger finger (both common problems), you’ll be able to identify those problems, too. Each five pack of targets comes with 90 “repair pasters” that cover existing holes in the target for maximum life. These targets are some of the least expensive and simplest ways to improve your rimfire handgun skills. A set of five targets has an MSRP of $13.
If you want to safely fire a .50 BMG or .470 Nitro Express into a bullet trap, Bullet Bunker has a model for that! But those units cost thousands of dollars and weigh as much as a small car. For rimfire fans, the company now offers a much lighter, much less expensive bullet trap called the Scout that is ideal for .17 to .22 rimfires. The target’s face is 24 by 16.75 inches, and the metal surrounding the target face is angled so that bullets can be safely trapped. The Scout weighs 125 pounds, and the re-sealable target surface is good for thousands of rounds. It’s perfect for scout camps and backyard targets, and it works indoors or out. Its MSRP is $599.
Challenge Targets makes its rimfire targets out of heavy-duty, 0.25-inch, laser-cut AR500 steel that is built to withstand a lot of punishment and continue functioning. The company’s newest offering is the Paddle Stake Target, which can be placed in the ground anywhere you have a safe place to shoot. The sturdy design of the target means you can use .22 LR pistols at just 10 yards (or rifles at 15 yards). Unlike other targets that require the shooter to stand at 25 yards (a distance from which few shooters can consistently hit a target with a handgun), the offerings from Challenge Target are more enjoyable for most shooters because they’ll be able to hit the spinner more consistently. The MSRP for the Paddle Stake Target is $80.
The Champion DuraSeal Wobble Target is a must for the range because it bounces, spins and tumbles with each shot and yet it returns back to its upright position every time thanks to the weighted, hemispherical base. Each hit on the reactive Wobble Target sets it in motion, and after a few moments it returns to the upright position without the need to manually reset it. The high-visibility green top is easy to see, and the multi-dimensional target top means you’ll have a clear view of the target despite your position. It’s made of DuraSeal material, so you can fire thousands of shots without serious damage to the target. Not only is the Wobble Target fun, it’s also lightweight and a great training aid to help shooters learn to get back on target quickly. Its MRSP is $25.
For those who want to wring out the most precision possible from their small-bore rimfire pistol or rifle, Champion offers its In-Sight series of targets. The 50-yard Small Bore Rifle target (shown) in particular is ideally suited for a fun day on the range of seeing how accurately you can place all your shots on paper. Measuring 8.5 by 11 inches, the target is sold in handy packs of 12 and provides the meticulous shooter everything that they need. The 100-yard Small Bore Rifle target measures 14 by 18 inches, the same size as the 100-yard Rifle Sight-In target. Finally, there is the 25-yard Pistol Slow Fire, which measures 11 by 16 inches. These targets feature markings along a crosshair pattern of high-visibility orange bars with black borderlines. The result is an easy-to-use target that helps determine the inherent accuracy of you and your trusty new rimfire! And, the 12 packs for each of these targets is reasonably priced at under $5.
Do-All Outdoors offers a wide variety of affordably priced Bonehead spinning targets that are built on lightweight but durable rebar frames and are easy to transport and set up. Do-All has a variety of different Bonehead options, all of which feature a skull theme. For rimfire shooting, the options include the Two Way Spinner, which offers an inner and outer ring of skull-shaped steel that move independently of one another (try to keep one target moving in the opposite direction as the other spinner!), and the Bonehead Triple Spinner, which has three hanging skull targets with easy-to-see orange center stickers. Both targets are affordable and come already assembled so all that you have to do is head to the field and position the targets where you want to fire. Both the Two Way Spinner and Triple Spinner are rated for soft lead bullets. The MSRPs for the Two Way Spinner and Triple Spinner are $23 and $40, respectively.
This is a great way to have fun while improving your shooting. The MGM .22 Football Target, made in the U.S., features a football “field” and a hardened round steel target above and below. Strike the top target to move toward one end zone, the bottom target to move toward the other, and the first person to score a touchdown wins! You can also handicap for new or young shooters by starting the target closer to one end zone or the other. As steel rimfire targets go, this is one of the most challenging and exciting new products on the market. It adds a bit of friendly competition to your shooting session while also building important precision shooting skills. This 18-by-17-by-11-inch target comes with a lightweight stand. It’s easy to move and requires no setup. Its MSRP is $129.
The Whirly-Gig spinning target offers a rimfire challenge that’s reminiscent of the old carnival games of years past. The five-pointed star design is made of hardened AR400 steel, and the heavy-duty, laser-cut plates can stand up to plenty of rimfire rounds. The AR400 arms spin when a target is struck, and each time a plate is hit it falls from the target arm. These plates are easy to reinstall, and you can spend hours practicing with this unit. There are very few targets that help shooters engage moving targets, but this is one of them! Spending some time popping plates will greatly help your shooting skills. The American-made Whirly-Gig is well-built and installation is quick and easy. If you’re a serious shooter, this target needs to be on your range. Its MSRP is $679.
The Right Now Range may be one of the coolest budget target designs to come along in years. Comprised entirely of cardboard, this portable, lightweight shooting range allows you to completely customize your targets. There are three shelves that are perfect for holding tin cans and apples, and the large base has high-quality bullseye graphics. There are even flaps that fold out on the top of the range that secure clay targets! With a variety of different target options and positions, there are a number of different items that you can use as targets. The Right Now Range is easy to set up and transport, and it’s reusable. The kit includes the Right Now Range, five stakes and six hanging toggles. Its MSRP is $30.
Whether you’re training for the Olympic biathlon event or simply target shooting in your yard, the Biathlon Target is a great choice. It comes with five 1.5-inch falling targets on an 18-inch steel target rack, and each time a target is hit a “flag” indicates a strike. There’s also a 50-foot reset cord so you can instantly reset your target. In addition, it’s light enough that it can be easily moved and positioned so you can practice wherever you want. The Rimfire Steel Biathlon Target is made in the U.S. with American steel, and there’s even an AR500 steel version for maximum strength and longevity. The standard model has an MSRP of $200, while the AR500 steel model’s MSRP is $239.
Rimfires are highly versatile and fun to shoot, and, like many shooters, I started my shooting career behind the iron sights of a .22 LR rifle. Traditionally, rimfires have been thought of as a great low-cost, low-recoil way to introduce new shooters to the sport, and while that’s true, the perception of their utility is increasing. More and more experienced shooters are stepping up to the challenge of rimfire target competitions, and cartridges like the new .17 WSM are improving rimfire ballistics.
A growing number of varmint and small-game hunters are now relying on super-accurate, super-fast rimfire cartridges to take down game as large as coyotes. There’s also a growing interest in rimfires as effective training tools, and companies like Kimber, Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Sig Sauer have developed rimfire pistols that mimic their larger pistols.
Many CCW permit holders now have a .22 LR with controls and ergonomics that mirror their carry gun for a lightweight training option. In addition, compact .22 LR revolvers like the Smith & Wesson 317 and Ruger SP101 make great trail guns because they are very accurate and easy to transport. Today’s market is loaded with inexpensive and lightweight rimfire rifles and handguns that are tons of fun to shoot and don’t overwhelm with heavy recoil or numbing muzzle blast.
In response to all of this interest in rimfire guns, several companies have introduced rimfire targets that range from the basic to the extreme. Many of these targets can turn a regular day on the range into a fun-filled shooting adventure. No matter your age or shooting experience, you’ll get a kick out of these targets, and they’ll help you build a foundation for better shooting. Here’s a look at 12 of the very best rimfire targets currently on the market.
