Grizzly Target Review

 

 A few months ago we did a field review on a Grizzly Target (more like a torture test)  the full review can be seen here  anyway the good folks at Grizzly asked if I would be interested in reviewing another one of there other targets the IPSC Steel Target.

Like the first target it is made of AR500 3/8" steel plate which in itself is 'bullet proof' (pun intended) and then hot dipped galvanized to keep it from rusting.
It comes as seen here with a base along with spikes to anchor it to the ground and the upper part which is the target.
 The 2"X4" post you will need to supply yourself which makes it easy to break down and transport as well as replace when it gets all shot up, this also allows you to use any length in to suit your need.

Here is the back of the target it measures 12" X 24" and pivots when hit. The neat thing is also it angles slightly down and the bullet splatter falls in front of the target.
I shot this target at 7 yards with FMJ 45 ACP and 9mm and 38 special with no hint or worry of ricochet as you might have with a rigid mount plate. This target also exposes no moving parts to projectiles which keeps it easy to maintain.

From the experience on the first target I knew this one could take any thing we threw at it so I opted to just enjoy some casual shooting.

Below is a picture of the target after about 30 rounds of various calibers and even after a hundred or so more it showed no sign of fatigue. All the testing done here was between 7 to 25 yards however it  would also make an excellent 100 yard target for rifle practice.

Observations... It functions very well, because of it's weight it does not swing as much as the first target we tested but still enough for you to see it's hit. It's also nice to hear an audible response to impact as well.
I really like the fact it controls back splatter especially considering I  almost never use eye protection when shooting (I know, not too smart) but between of all my years growing up and shooting without it and it was never required on military ranges either I guess old habits die hard.
Paper targets are needed for sighting in weapons and qualifying but mostly I like to just blast away at something because it provides more of a real world feel and this target fits the bill. I have no doubt you gun will wear out before this target does.
I intend to do further testing and will update the results here.

Grizzly Target Field Review

This past weekend our shooting group converged on the range for a weekend of camping, work and shooting. There were seven of us among whom were Stephen and Senior. After a morning of work we set out our array of firearms everything from modern day weapons to WWII, handguns and rifles. I had been anticipating this because I wanted to do a extensive field review on my new Grizzly Target. I had done a preliminary review a few days ago and was eager to test it with a variety of weapons.

First up I set the target out at the 15 range and we tested it with a variety of handguns which included 22, 9mm, 45 ACP, 38 Special, 7.62x25 and even a 32-20 revolver and one of my newest carry guns a Charter Arms 44 Special.
There was really no surprise with this test, with a good solid hit the target would fold down and pop right back up. The 22 would not fold it completely down (maybe half way back) but still enough to tell it was hit. After at least 50 hits from handgun ammo and a careful examination there was no damage to the target and apart from a few smudges of lead no sign of being hit.

Next I moved the target out to 50 yards and grabbed my newest build a 300 ACC Blackout on a AR frame. I shot it 3 times (.308, 150gr bullet) and with each hit it would flatten down and spring back up with a clang but again after inspection I could not find any damage.
Next up Jim (shown at right) put a solid hit on it with a 303 Enfield at 50 yds....it hit hard, the target folded down harshly and sprang right back up. Everyone of us walked up to the target and looked down, we were all shocked, there was not even a dent. I run my fingers across the surface, front and back....no mark. the only telltale sign was the heavy galvanizing was chipped. As we walked back Jim said "mind if I hit it with my 7.5 X 54 French" I said "go for it" again it hit hard and after a repeat inspection....no damage.

Senior had been shooting his AR-15 with the 22 conversion bolt and had switched back to 5.56 to blow the carbon and crud out of the gas tube so with the target still being at 50 yards he put five good hits on the target.

With each hit the Grizzly Target would fold down with a clang and spring right back into position. We all inspected the target again, this time the surface us slightly deformed, you could see the hit marks (proof below) each impact point was about 1/16 of an inch deep but still no danger of total penetration.
Steve had been sighting in a Mosin Nagant with a scope (at right) so I moved the Target out to 100 yards and he landed a good solid hit with a 147 gr bullet. This time we were all surprised, for those who don't know the 7.62 X 54 Russian round is a beast but after inspection of the target there was less sign of impact than that of the little 5.56.
I decided to bring the target back to the 50 yard mark and test it again with the Nagant just to make the range equal and give a fair comparison. Stephen decided to try his hand at destruction, At 50 yards the target was slammed hard with the mighty Russian round, I thought the target might destruct....  you could hear the clang of the target as it was shot even over the blast of the muzzle then Steve (different Steve) shot it again with a 147 grain bullet and again with a 182 grain machine gun round.
After inspection there was a slight indent but noticeably less than the 5.56. This was a total surprise, each of us would have bet money that the big Russian round would do more than the 5.56 but the proof is here.
I know from experience what rounds will do to mild steel, this is not made from mild steel it is AR500 (3/8" plate) it is the same steel used in some body armor and is laser cut to shape and it makes a superior target (I just wish we had a supply of this steel in the early days of the Iraq War for hardening vehicles but that's a different story for another day)
To sum it up we were all impressed with the target, while there was slight impressions left in the target from the 5.56 and 7.62 X 54 rounds it was in no way damaged and still functioned flawless.
 I have spent countless hours in the past building targets and welding plate only to have it needing extensive repair because some goon blasted it apart with a high power rifle and to be honest I thought this test might be a repeat that is why we worked up to higher powered rounds but to my amazement it held up.... and very well at that.
 Steel targets are so much more fun to shoot than paper targets, especially any moving (or in this case) auto-reset type targets, they give you a visual and audible response which is especially nice if you don't have a spotter scope which means you don't have to walk miles a day back and forth repairing and replacing targets which makes this target a winner in my book. 
This Grizzly Target is quality, American style. Many thanks to these good folks for the chance 'test drive' this target, they have every right to be proud of it. We would be in so much better shape is Congress worked a fraction this well.
Read another Grizzly target review Here.

Grizzly Targets

            I like to shoot, it is relaxing and fun and something I just enjoy. I have never been a fan of strict range environments. I grew up shooting bottles off fence posts and  watching cans bounce along the ground as shot them with a 22 rifle. In the military range days were OK but the military has a knack of sucking the fun out of any activity......I mean who ever goes camping and doesn't build a camp fire?
 Many gun ranges are run like a Marine Corp range, some even worse. You have to shoot paper targets and stand in certain locations and shoot when you are told you can. This is all well and good for some training but it is not real world training and it treats everyone like they are so stupid they have to be instructed every move. I am all for range safety but I like to have common sense as well applied to the range, if I want to rapid fire or quick draw etc I don't want to not be yelled at like a two year old.
For this reason my friends and I maintain a private shooting range where we can develop our own skills without over restrictive rules, we are constantly finding new targets to practice with.
I was contacted recently by Jeremy with Grizzly Targets about trying out one of their targets. Before I replied I went to their web site and looked at what they offered, I have always been a fan of moving or pop-up targets so I was keen to try them out, I wrote back and soon received this target in the mail.
My first impression was it is sturdy. I have tried a lot of different targets which seem OK at first but then deteriorate with use. This one is different, it is heavy gauge steel and is hot-dipped galvanized. All the bolts are grade 8 and the spring is stainless steel.

Having many years experience in construction and engineering I know many times welds are galvanized with a cold application but not this, it is hot dipped after welding, a far better method and ensures it will not rust.
I have seen targets which require re-welding if broken up over time but on this target the welded areas are not subject to direct hits from bullets so if there was any damage to the striking surface repairs would be easy to make by simply replacing a bolt, obliviously a well thought out design.

This is a close up view of the hinge area. Notice quality of construction and ease of maintenance. The target itself resembles the "Dog Targets" the Marine Corp uses which is designed to be a head and shoulders silhouette. The target itself is 3/8" plate and is 14" high and the circle area is 4" across which is a good size for close range pistol while also excellent for up to 100 yards with a rifle.
I am anxious to give it a full work out, we have a range day planned later this month and I will be sure to give a full report later.
For full Range report click here.