Broadhead targets - Homemade?

[thelefthand]

I'm looking for suggestions for material to use in an broadhead target. I got my broad heads dialed in for this year, but my targets are completely shot. I should have already replaced them. I have an old block target (what a waste of $$), as well as an old McKenze broadhead target. Think of a 24x24x2 target made out of the same stuff as the 3D targets. I've had that one for about 6 years now, and it has held up well. For the last 2 years I've used the block as a back up and positioned it about 8" behind the McKenze while trying to pick out and hit a spot on both targets that is still good. So I started looking at targets yesterday and I'm just not spending $75 on a target that I only use a few weeks a year, and probably won't take very many hits with a broadhead anyway. I did some research yesterday and I've decided that I have everything that I need to build a frame for a 24x30" compression style target. Something where I layer material in the frame and then use a couple pieces of all thread to tighten the frame down like a vise. A lot of what I found recommended EPS (expanded polystyrene). That's those sheets of foam insulation that you get at the lumber yard. The drawback to that stuff is that with carbon arrows the impact heats the EPS up enough that it melts and sticks to the carbon, gluing it into the target. I happen to have some fan fold left over here at the house so I cut off a few sections of it and cut them into 12x12 pieces and layered them up to make a 12x12x8" target. I had a couple of 12" 2x4 blocks in the back of the truck, so I put one on each 12x12 side, and used a ratchet strap to pull them together. Then I shot at the 8" side. They might work great for aluminum arrows, but the research was right. The carbons get glued into the target. Easiest way to pull them out is to twist them first to break them free, then they will pull out fine. Not two finger, but not too bad. After 2 or 3 shots the EPS starts to build up on the shaft. I can scrape it off with my thumbnail, but I think I'm going to use a piece of scotchbrite instead. If I were still using aluminum arrows, this would be an awesome weather proof target that would cost me about $30 in extra materials to build, and for another $10 at a later time I could buy another sheet of insulation to replace the worn pieces in the core.

Now I'm trying to find some expanded polyethylene. This is what's in most Block style targets, and its what those old $20 foam targets are made out of. Its also the material that comes in a roll and used for packaging. Problem is that it's going to be a lot more expensive I've thought about cardboard, but I don't have access to enough of it to make a target like this. Plus, I try mechanical heads every once in a while, and I think layers of cardboard stacked on end would be tough on them. I built a target like this back in HS with cardboard, and it lasted forever... literally, but I used it for field points. After college, dad got tired of walking around it in the garage and got rid of it. Then he got a cross bow and wished he still had it LOL

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions on a material to use other than what I'm looking at, I would love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Mark

[Dave W]

Not sure if this will work on the foam insulation but when I was shooting 3-d a light coat of Armor All helped ease the pulling of arrows out of the McKensies.

[Deleted]

The all thread is a good idea, I have been thinking getting my materials together and having the local lumber yard that has a metal strapping device,STRAP my materials together like how the block was built, I would think that would be the cheapest route.
I shoot broadheads only so I will destroy a target well before its
time, I needed a new target this year and I couldn't see spending
$100.00 on one.
I was on my way to work the other day and I saw a BLOCK in a trashpile by the road. Upon inspection it had only been shot 10 times,so... I have target this year, Thank you Jesus.........

[thelefthand]

The stuff that I read on the web said that a little soap takes care of the plastic foam adhearing to the carbon, but I just don't want to have to "prep" my arrows before I shoot them, and I really don't want to put anything extra on my hunting arrows for the sake of the odor.

Greenhorn, banding would be okay. That's how the block is made, but I'd go for a ratchet strap first because it's adjustable and allows you to take the target apart for repairs, or to retrieve a broadhead and insert that gets pulled off inside. I like the all thread method the best. Like I said, I've used it before, and it works great. I used the ratchet strap on my test block because it was quick, handy, and available. Congrats on the Block. The Lord always provides

[krieger]

If you have the room, a clean sand pile works very well.

[thelefthand]

Yeah, I know, but I don't.

The quick one that I put together works for 4 shots or so before the film from the foam gets hard to rub off. For what it is, it works well. Especially since it didn't cost me anything.

[Deleted]

How about going to a carpet store and go through there dumpster, some used padding should work well if stacked and compressed with your straps, what do you think...?
That was/is what I'm planning on trying to use when I try to make one home made.
GH

[esshup]

I know that these aren't home made, but I've used their bag target for both field tips and expandable broadheads with my crossbow. I can shoot the bag from 4-5 feet away with a field point to unload the x-bow and still pull out the bolt with 2 fingers.

Made in U.S.A.

I was thinking you could buy the bag target, and replace the outer bag once a year. I keep mine out of the rain/snow/sun when not using it and I've had mine for 5+ years.