No Alien Targets...

[Luggo1]

What is the purpose of this rule at many ranges? Setting aside something really weird or offensive on a paper target, what is the reason that most ranges require you to buy their targets, even if you have your own exactly like it or very similar? Is it strictly money? You pay a range fee, is it that important to get another $1 per target or whatever the cost is? I have offered to pay the target fee and use my own, because they don't have the specific target I want to shoot....denied. If I want to practice on an IDPA or IPSC target I have and am willing to pay to do it...what is the rationale not to allow me?

Anyone have insight on this?

[gringop]

Money can be one reason but ensuring proper backstop hits can be another. If a range has target hangers set so the bullseye hangs at 5 foot and results in hits to the middle of the backstop, you can be assured the someone will hang a target with bulls at 6 foot , shoot from low down on the bench and start wanging shots off of the lights and cables. Or the bull will be at 3 foot and they will jerk low and skip them off the ground and over the berm at an outdoor range.

Or they may just be greedy and want to sell you lots of overpriced targets. When I shoot at indoor ranges I always have my masking tape and tape the targets after every string. Gotta keep the rust off of those cables and pulleys.

Gringop

[Luggo1]

Money can be one reason but ensuring proper backstop hits can be another. If a range has target hangers set so the bullseye hangs at 5 foot and results in hits to the middle of the backstop, you can be assured the someone will hang a target with bulls at 6 foot , shoot from low down on the bench and start wanging shots off of the lights and cables. Or the bull will be at 3 foot and they will jerk low and skip them off the ground and over the berm at an outdoor range.

Or they may just be greedy and want to sell you lots of overpriced targets. When I shoot at indoor ranges I always have my masking tape and tape the targets after every string. Gotta keep the rust off of those cables and pulleys.

Gringop

That makes sense, however the variety of targets the range will sell you is pretty divergent on those bull levels, from any kind of humanoid target, to more traditional round targets, to "sighting" targets. I'm trying to talk myself out of the greed view and you have a point for some places I'm sure.

[mctowalot]

Thought I was going to see the shooting simulation range from Men In Black.

[Grog]

Thought I was going to see the shooting simulation range from Men In Black.

+1

[OldCannon]

Money can be one reason but ensuring proper backstop hits can be another. If a range has target hangers set so the bullseye hangs at 5 foot and results in hits to the middle of the backstop, you can be assured the someone will hang a target with bulls at 6 foot , shoot from low down on the bench and start wanging shots off of the lights and cables. Or the bull will be at 3 foot and they will jerk low and skip them off the ground and over the berm at an outdoor range.

Bullet path is the primary reason. Some ranges won't let you use any "human looking" targets for legal reasons as well. It varies from place to place.

Or they may just be greedy and want to sell you lots of overpriced targets. When I shoot at indoor ranges I always have my masking tape and tape the targets after every string. Gotta keep the rust off of those cables and pulleys.
Gringop

Yup, taping is usually ok. Also, most indoor ranges will let you use your own targets taped to their targets, so long as it stays within their target zone (i.e. - Poker Targets).

For what it's worth -- operating an indoor range is probably the slowest road you can take to becoming a millionaire, just below "Minimum wage job at Wal-Mart", they gotta make a dime where they can.