I’ve been able to attend some excellent training courses, and you know what I noticed? None of them involved running around with a stack of paper targets and a stapler.
There’s a time and place for paper targets but shooting steel has to be in your training program if you’re serious about building real-world proficiency.
Buying metal targets is a costly endeavor. To understand what’s possible when you commit to upgrading your range experience, I reached out to TA Targets to find out what a premium system can do for you.
Get to Know TA Targets
The people at TA Targets are shooters like you and me. They build products in Pennsylvania and stand behind them after the sale. Not sure what you need? They’ll walk you through the options and help you figure out what will work best for you and your budget.
All TA Target systems are made from high-quality steel by American workers. Stands and hooks are powder-coated for protection against the elements. Hardware is all heavy-duty and plated to prevent rust so that every set-up will be as easy as the first.
The TA team understands that its targets aren’t toys; they’re training tools. If protectors — military, law enforcement, or ordinary people who love their families — are going to rely on these targets for training that could save someone’s life, the products better be worthy of that responsibility.
Which TA Targets Should You Buy?
It’s easy to get distracted on the TA Targets website. What’s the difference between all those options?
Genesis Targets
TA Targets recently launched its Genesis line of targets to make the brand more accessible to shooters on a budget. Let’s get one thing straight, though: these targets are affordable, not cheap.
These targets use AR500 steel that’s 3/8” thick. There are plenty of shapes and sizes to choose from, ranging from a four-inch square gong to silhouettes.
Genesis targets will survive thousands of rounds if you abide by the recommended standoff distances for various firearms (printed clearly on the back of each target). For recreational shooters, that could very well be a lifetime target. Competitive shooters and training facilities will eventually wear them out.
I had no issues setting up and using the Genesis target TA Targets sent me. It rings nice and loud and doesn’t look any worse for the wear after a day of training with 9mm ammo.
The wide array of target options makes these systems a no-brainer for the average shooter. Whether you want to get more proficient with your CCW or confirm data with your hunting rifle at 100-yard intervals, Genesis targets make it possible for anyone to train like a pro.
Exodus Targets
The Exodus line of targets really shows why TA Targets stands out from the crowd. They’re wildly overbuilt and almost indestructible.
Unlike most steel targets, these use AR550 steel instead of AR500. You have the option to order targets that are 1/2” thick or 3/8” thick. The bottom line? You’ll probably never have to replace these things.
Instead of gongs, the Exodus line offers silhouette-style targets that cater to competitive shooters and professional qualification courses. There are some fun systems, though, like dueling trees and falling plates.
I tried a C-zone target with a reactive A-zone paddle. It’s expensive, but what a training tool! Force yourself to focus on the vital zone by keeping shots on the paddle, or pick up the pace and declare the whole target fair game. If you want to get serious about balancing speed and accuracy, this is an incredible asset.
You can adjust the angle of these targets to deflect shrapnel safely to the ground at various training distances. This doesn’t require any tools; there’s just a cotter pin to remove and reinstall by hand.
This is a case where “buy once, cry once” applies. If you find yourself replacing steel targets all the time, stop the financial bleeding and replace your range setup with a bunch of these.
Stands
All you need to get started is a T-post and a hammer. TA Targets sells gong mounts that slot right over a post for $33, and then all you need is a target.
If you don’t have soft enough ground to drive a post into or want something more mobile, TA Targets has base plates that use a 2×4 instead of a T-post.
I tested a few of these. The Genesis Steel Target Base is the most compact and least expensive at $97. It breaks down for storage easily. All you have to do is remove two bolts, reorient the horizontal portions, and reinstall the bolts. If space or money is limited, this is the base for you.
Next up is the Breakdown Target Base — the most versatile of the bunch. Like the Genesis Steel Target Base, this one comes apart so you can transport it and an A-DAP target mount with one hand like a briefcase. It can support a 2×4 and a steel target or a pair of 1×2 stakes and a cardboard or paper target.
Want easy setup? Skip the assembly step and get right to the fun part of training with the Round Steel Target Base. This one-piece assembly works with steel or paper targets and doesn’t require any tools. The tradeoff is size — you can’t take it apart for storage or transportation.
All of these components — targets, mounts, bases, and even hardware — are well-built. They’re designed for shooters who don’t want to mess with rusty bolts, misaligned threads, and sharp metal edges. This experience will absolutely spoil you.
Shooting Steel Will Make You Better
If steel targets are so great, why don’t more people use them? Simple; they’re expensive.
Shooting steel offers instant feedback so you know if you hit your target or not. This lets you run more dynamic training sessions with lots of moving parts, all while getting a continuous performance review.
Steel targets obviously last longer than paper. In the case of TA Targets, you might never need to replace them. Throw a fresh coat of spray paint on them every so often to freshen up the target face and prevent rust, and you’re all set.
I can’t overstate how nice it is to train without running downrange after every string of fire. It’s a perk for pistol shooting and a practical must-have for distance work. Do you want to walk 1,000 yards to count your impacts? Me neither.
Don’t Throw Away Your Paper Targets
Shooting steel has undeniable benefits but it’s not the only training tool you should employ.
Paper targets are excellent for refining your marksmanship. They allow you to assess shot placement in a much more refined way. Knowing that you hit your target is different from knowing where you hit your target, so paper targets will help you diagnose errors in your mechanics and keep you honest about your accuracy.
Knowing all that, it makes sense that we still use paper targets to zero our sights and optics. It’s possible to zero on steel with a fresh coat of paint, but having multiple bullseyes and a grid that matches our turrets’ unit of adjustment makes setting up a new optic way easier.
Shooting paper can also be safer. It’s not that steel targets are dangerous, but you have to maintain a minimum standoff distance to avoid pieces of the bullets that splatter against the steel face. TA Targets recommends staying 10 yards away from steel targets when shooting with a pistol. Training at closer distances than that? Stick to paper.
Take Control of Your Training
TA Targets lets you buy complete systems or mix and match components to build exactly what you need. The build quality is always excellent, but you have the option to keep costs down or go all-out with a range setup fit for the pros.
What will you build?
