steve_b_wales Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 After using the Tarian brand chalk 'biscuit' targets with my .22LR, I thought that I could make my own. So, I bought a small bag of finishing plaster for £4.00 and looked for something to use as a mould. I came up with the plastic lids off pots, and 'tupperware' type containers. I also used the lid of an ice cream container, and a yorkshire pudding tray (with my wife's knowledge of course) You can use whatever shaped lid you like, big or small. First attempt, the plaster stuck to the lids, and either broke or got stuck. I then lined the lids with cooking foil, and put the mix into the lids. Sometimes the foil can be reused, but I used a cheap make. After a few hours, the lids can be gently removed and the plaster left to dry. You can fasten up this process by putting them in the oven on a low heat. I used wooden dowels that were put into the mix before it set, to make the holes. I have made around 40 and I'm looking forward to trying them out on the farm. The smaller ones can be used at 50 to 100 yards with rimfire, and the bigger ones can be used further out. ( I intend to place these at 200 yards) This is a photo' of 'some I prepared earlier' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Looking Good. If you get the silicon rubber bakeware they can be pushed out, no foil needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynny Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Nice one Steve, have you tried using plasterboard instead, easier to just cut pieces and drill holes in, if small enough you can peel one side of the paper off to give a better dust/ strike effect Good idea mate, Atb Flynny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Nice one Steve, have you tried using plasterboard instead, easier to just cut pieces and drill holes in, if small enough you can peel one side of the paper off to give a better dust/ strike effect Good idea mate, Atb Yes, shot at plasterboard many times.I think the ones that I made should have a better effect though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynny Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Yes, shot at plasterboard many times.I think the ones that I made should have a better effect though. Great stuff, wasn't knocking your effort mate, just trying to give you an easier option, but I'm obviously preaching to the converted ha ha ha Atb Flynny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Yes, shot at plasterboard many times.I think the ones that I made should have a better effect though. Great stuff, wasn't knocking your effort mate, just trying to give you an easier option, but I'm obviously preaching to the converted ha ha ha Atb Flynny I know you was'nt mate. I just (hope) that the ones I am making will give an 'exploding' effect. Looking Good. If you get the silicon rubber bakeware they can be pushed out, no foil needed. A good idea, but looking at what's available in the silicone baking moulds, would not be suitable for my needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy.plinker Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Great idea. You've been busy in the kitchen, you could start 'the great British shoot off'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Great idea. You've been busy in the kitchen, you could start 'the great British shoot off'. Kitchen? The wife would kill me! These were all made in my man cave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade1971 Posted October 12, 2014 Report Share Posted October 12, 2014 Looking Good Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2014 Looking Good Steve Cheers. I've made quite a few now, and will keep them for us to shoot at when we get chance to go out. Hopefully, they should be okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted October 12, 2014 Report Share Posted October 12, 2014 get a tube mate fill it with plaster mix when hard push it out then cut to thicknesses you want with saw works a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincs1963 Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Moulding plaster or plaster of paris can be removed from the moulds after 5 minutes. I useit for making castings to repair antique coving and plaster mouldings etc. Make a mould from rubber solution and hardener, add sawdust to thicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I have now spray painted one side of the targets in yellow,and then I painted the other side red,by using poster paints.I am pleased with the result. I know you can buy ready made chalk targets,but there's something about making your own,no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted October 21, 2014 Report Share Posted October 21, 2014 I have now spray painted one side of the targets in yellow,and then I painted the other side red,by using poster paints.I am pleased with the result. I know you can buy ready made chalk targets,but there's something about making your own,no matter what. +1 on that. You could paint justin biebers face onto some larger ones... that would be fun to shoot. They look good and functional and cheap overall once you get set up. I end up just using the coke can I just drank on the way to the site and then have to walk a long old way to retrieve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2014 I was going to put faces of my ex mother in law on them, but her looks would deflect any bullet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted October 21, 2014 Report Share Posted October 21, 2014 Just use biscuits good for the birds as well, rich tea at 200 yards great fun Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2014 Just use biscuits good for the birds as well, rich tea at 200 yards great fun Deershooter Good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted October 22, 2014 Report Share Posted October 22, 2014 Just use biscuits good for the birds as well, rich tea at 200 yards great fun Deershooter Yep, when the crows come down for the crumbs ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 The plaster targets were tested yesterday at ranges from 50-150 yards, using 22R, 22-250 & 243. Very good results with the targets smashing to bits. A £5 bag of finishing plaster makes over 100 targets, depending on the size and thickness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michufc Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 Hi matey you could also make them without heating as when I do plastering I leave all excess in the flexi tub and when it's gone off usually when I get there in the morning you just tap the bottom and it comes out in a lump and that's usually around 1" to 2" thick so for thin targets probably a hour ish and they would be done and when they are starting to go off you can draw a bulls eye or what ever into the plaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted November 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Hi matey you could also make them without heating as when I do plastering I leave all excess in the flexi tub and when it's gone off usually when I get there in the morning you just tap the bottom and it comes out in a lump and that's usually around 1" to 2" thick so for thin targets probably a hour ish and they would be done and when they are starting to go off you can draw a bulls eye or what ever into the plaster Hi matey you could also make them without heating as when I do plastering I leave all excess in the flexi tub and when it's gone off usually when I get there in the morning you just tap the bottom and it comes out in a lump and that's usually around 1" to 2" thick so for thin targets probably a hour ish and they would be done and when they are starting to go off you can draw a bulls eye or what ever into the plaster That's a good idea.But I am looking at making various shapes/sizes of targets. For example,the ones that we shot at 150 yards, were approx 2.5" diameter. For less range, I have some that are approx 1.5" square. They have holes in them, and I have threaded them with string. They are either hung on a target board or bamboo canes with hooks attached. I am going to make some larger ones to shoot at ranges between 200-300 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michufc Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 If you made a sort of mould for them them is it's going off puts a stick in it for the hole . Oh my wife brought some rubberised jelly moulds various sizes I think from the pound shop they would be perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbyduck Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 iv'e seen them moulds in the form of rabbits and ducks and squilrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted November 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 There are loads of various moulds on the market. At the moment,I have been using lids etc off jars and small plastic containers.I am going to make some 6-8" targets for long range shooting. I have just finished using the small bag of plaster, and have made 126 targets. They will now be painted red and yellow by my grandson,using poster paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade1971 Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 (edited) There are loads of various moulds on the market. At the moment,I have been using lids etc off jars and small plastic containers.I am going to make some 6-8" targets for long range shooting. I have just finished using the small bag of plaster, and have made 126 targets. They will now be painted red and yellow by my grandson,using poster paint. Can't wait to get rid of some for you 💥 Edited November 15, 2014 by Ade1971 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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