I've posted elsewhere in a Shoot Boss area what we in Arizona have come up with for super portable target fence. Since this would be handy kit for any shooter, I'll repost it here where anybody can see it and use it.
First thing needed is plastic safety fence, found in most hardware and garden supply stores for about $30 for a 4' x 100' roll. One roll makes 4 of these fences, because you'll be using 2' by 50' per 20 shooter fence. (For larger Appleseeds, I'd recommend multiple 50' fences over a longer single fence anyway.) 2' high handily accommodates an AQT. You can either split the rest of the fencing with others, or just save the other 3/4 for future use.
Per 50ft fence you'll also need:
8 tent stakes
about 30ft of paracord
small zip-ties
5x 2ft long sections of 1/2" conduit (I bought a 10ft piece for $2 and cut it in the parking lot with a tube-cutter)
10x 2ft sections of 3/8" rebar (Home Depot had pre-cut 2ft sections for about $1.40 ea., I could've saved about $6 by doing the same as above and buying one 20ft piece, but I didn't have a hacksaw with me.)
Zip-tie the conduit sections to the 2ftx50ft fencing every 12 1/2 feet, tie 7 or 8ft of paracord tightly to the center of each end.
*NOTE: It is important to use enough zip-ties on the end conduits, make 'em tight, and keep the top and bottom ones close as you can to the top and bottom of the fence. If your fence "belly's" the top strap is likely slipping through a too loose zip-tie.
As uniformly as you can, bend the last 2 inches of one end of each rebar section about 30 degrees - the exact angle isn't as important as all of them being close to the same.
Then file or grind the outside of each bent 2" end as shown, until the OD minus the grind is a little less than 1/2 of the conduit ID, or about 0.3" thick - as shown below.
All done and ready to put up!
Drive the first end-stake into the ground and tie off the paracord in a taught-line hitch, then starting at the near end post, working your way down the fence to the far end post, insert 2 of the rebar legs flat-to-flat into the bottom of each conduit as shown. At the far end, drive the other end-stake and tie-off with another taught-line hitch - straighten the fence and tighten each end as needed. VOILA! Portable, up in minutes, only 2 stakes need to be driven.
You, sir, are one clever son of a gun. I see this working well for a 25 meter event at Ft. Bliss, instead of those insanely heavy target stands they have!
Yup, this stuff is so easy to deal with, I prefer to use it even at ranges that supply backers. I made up several 10ft short fences to set up at various ranges when shooting in the desert with friends too.
Testing at several shoots now has proven that you will need to guy down the center post at least in winds over about 8mph, but if you guy down all three mid-posts and pull it all nice and tight, that fence stays steady in winds gusting up to 30mph so far. Tie 2 pieces of 3.5ft long paracord near the bottom of each of the three mid-post conduits. Drive extra stakes to guy front and back if they're needed - leave the paracord dangle if they aren't.
I use clothespins from the dollar store to hold targets to the fence for Appleseed, I can usually find 50 packs for a buck or thereabouts. However, the fence I have for personal use, instead of hauling a big bag of clothespins around, I just use a little Tot office stapler to staple paper directly to fence plastic. I just roll it back up with targets on it when done and clean off staples at home later.
Outstanding Sir!!!
Thank you for sharing!!
:F
Been using a similar system at my shoots in Florida.
I started out with steel posts but have recently switched to Portable Electric Fence Posts. You can pick them up for 2.50$ at Home Depot.
Very light and just roll them up with the fence. Non-Metallic for ranges that have rules about metallic posts.
Just like the other shown you might have to throw a few guy lines in if the wind blows hard. (I haven't as of yet)
Henry
I'll try the 2 foot version this year. I've been using steel post and a full 4 foot fence. This system is way easier if you have to bring or move a target line.
Thanks for the idea.
Quote from: Charles McKinley on January 08, 2019, 11:39:23 PM
I'll try the 2 foot version this year. I've been using steel post and a full 4 foot fence. This system is way easier if you have to bring or move a target line.
This system is super easy to deal with, and you only have to hammer stakes in for the guys. I had one complaint last year about light showing through, but oh well. I bought a roll of 4 ft fence from the orange Borg, and cut the roll in half with a handsaw as soon as I got it home. Just a hint in case anyone was tempted to use scissors. ;D
We just use the plastic fence posts at @ $1.69 per and some wire. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/american-farmworks-4-ft-white-step-in-fence-post?cm_vc=-10005 Use one post for every 2 post lengths (8ft). 2 -3 targets between posts. Use old IDPA backers for target backers.
I've made my adaptation of AZmule's target line setup. I upgraded a bit to a larger diameter metal conduit and thicker rebar but it has held up very well through several events and will be used for at least 4 more this year. Some of the WA state instructors here have seen my version of the setup at some events. I've had no complaints from any shooters so far.
Couple of things to keep in mind:
1. The safety fence likes to sag, if you do this make sure your conduit supports are tied well to the fence to take up as much slack as you can to keep the fence nice and straight.
2. In my experience, do not go over 25 feet in length because it becomes difficult to manage the sag.
3. Dollar stores carry packs of wooden cloth hangers, perfect for hanging targets on the safety fence.
4. Bring extra paracord, one of my lines that I had setup the evening before had a guy line chewed through by a critter, luckily I was able to repair the line and keep it going.
5. Keep things on the fence to an absolute minimum, the safety fence will support the targets perfectly without the need of a backer. Backers just add weight which will cause the whole setup to sag over time.