Shortages in the gun world come and go, and one thing we never go short on is targets. To be fair, anything can be a target. Range dumping into trash is an American tradition. However, to train effectively, you need proper targets. We have lots of great options, but there are five targets every shooter needs to keep in their range bag.
These five targets share several important attributes
- These targets are multipurpose designs that can be used for numerous drills and training evolutions.
- They are tactically relevant, and I use that term to say they are specifically relevant to defensive shooting training.
- These targets are small enough to fit into a range bag easily. Most aren’t any larger than a piece of printer paper.
- They are common, cheap, and can even be printed at home (or the GAT Office).
Having a few of these targets loaded into the range bag will set you up for success. Let’s dig into the targets to create a clearer picture of why these five targets are beneficial.
B8
The classic B8 looks and operates a lot like a standard Bull’s eye target. That’s exactly what it is. The B8 was designed for use at 25 yards and typically for slow-fire applications. In the modern era, the B8 has become a very relevant target for modern shooters. The small size of the target creates a challenge and replicates the vital areas of the head and torso.
Several modern drills, like the 10-10-10 Drill and the Hateful 8, use the B8 as their core target. The B8 targets are an excellent option for shooting for both accuracy and time. The b8 is cheap, easy to find, and can be printed. There are tons of PDFs floating around, so it can be nearly free.
Dedicated A Zone
ISPC/USPSA targets are divided into several different sections with dedicated letters. The A-zone is the smallest section for both the head and torso. The dedicated A-zone of the torso is a 5.9 x 11.02-inch box. Round it off to 6 x 11 inches, and you have a dedicated, easy-to-produce target. It’s easy to go into Microsoft Paint and make a 6 x 11-inch box.
A USPA A-zone does a great job of representing the vitals of a human threat. The box creates a valid target for vitals shooting. It’s used for drills like the famed Bill Drill and, in general, makes a great target for training purposes. It’s my go-to for shotgun patterning, accuracy testing rifles, and shooting fast while trying to shoot straight.
3 x 5 Cards (Or Boxes)
A 3×5 index card is a super cheap, easy-to-find target that’s quite small. Small targets are challenging. Index cards, or just 3×5 inch boxes printed on paper. These cards represent head shots quite well and create a challenging target for shooters looking to shoot fast and straight.
Pair a 3×5 with an A-zone, and you get a capable vitals target that represents the small areas of the human body. The cards can be marked, colored, and more for perception drills. You can also create a variety of drills that require thinking, as well as speed and accuracy.
Dot Torture
Dot Torture targets consist of ten 2-inch dots on a piece of printer-sized paper. They are sold everywhere, but they are most commonly printed. Dot Torture targets are a fifty-round training evolution that works the most basic skills in the handgun world. There are variants for DA/SA guns, snub-nose revolvers, rifles, and more.
The included drill is fantastic, but it’s not the only use of Dot Torture. Dot Torture targets are made up of 2-inch targets. You can use those 2-inch targets for a wide variety of skill-building tasks. A two-inch dot can be extremely difficult to hit when any kind of speed is applied, so it pushes you to shoot straight and fast.
Sage Dynamics Vital Anatomy Targets
Sage Dynamics is a training company led by Aaron Cowan, a knowledgeable instructor. If you go to the Sage Dynamics website, you will find about half a dozen targets. The Vital Anatomy targets are printable designs with a head and torso target focusing on the lungs, heart, brain, and spine.
The printability makes these a very affordable target for realistic training. You can visually see the vitals and learn to aim where those vitals are. These targets can be used for all manner of visualization training and for running the usual suspects of drills like the Failure to Stop, Box Drill, and more. I love these targets and want to thank Mr. Cowan for producing and personally giving them away.
Targets, Targets, Targets
There it is. These are the five targets that are always in my range bag. I used them to train, to zero, and to test the various firearms you see at GAT. These targets are a diverse group that seem simple but allow for fantastic skill-building opportunities.
