Printing your own targets: Paper choices?

[haertig]

I have had less than stellar luck using generic "all purpose" laser/inkjet/copy paper taped down to corrugated cardboard backing.  The paper tears making accurate scoring difficult.  I can see where the wadcutter pellets I always use from 10m are trying to cut a clean hole (no evidence of tumbling), but the paper still rips much of the time.  Are purchased "official targets" better in this regard?  How do you guys print and back your targets?  The cardboard-ish Gamo targets I have (about 5"x5"?) are nice an clean, but those target bulls/scoring rings are way to big for 10m rifle.

[airgunandy]

Try 110lb cardstock. It's available at places like Staples and Walmart with all the other copier/printer paper.

[Magnum]

I am still experimenting with paper and always use a cardboard backing.  The wadcutters are the way to go for targets, easier to see the punch marks on lower velocity airguns. I will be using up targets I have printed and then go heavier paper /card stock. Tony

[gamo2hammerli]

I have almost 500 sheets each of the Steriod 15 and Gamo5 target sheets.....and about 50 sheets of the other target sheets....all in "regular" paper.  I always use a cardboard behind them (I used to use a phone book).....sometimes I would get a nice clean hole.....sometimes a bad tear.  Depends on the power of the airgun, distance and type of pellet.  It's always worst with pistols at the 10 meter matches.  What can I do....I've to use up the 1000 sheets before I go make some copies with heavier paper.  Don't even know if the photocopy shop carries the heavier paper......

[haertig]

I found some heavy nice bond paper tucked away at home that I forgot I had.  I bought it years ago for printing resumes on (I guess printed resumes are passe now...)  I'm not sure what weight it is, but it's pretty stiff.  You can hold one bottom corner of the page and the paper will stand upright in your hand without you having to finagle and try to balance it.  So quite heavy.  I bought it at some office supply store.

I tried this heavy paper for targets and the wadcutter holes were perfectly clean!   I seem to remember it being moderately expensive back when I bought it - maybe 5 cents a sheet (8-1/2x11 standard letter sized paper).  Still, that's cheaper than buying preprinted targets.  It goes through my laser printer just fine.  I remember using it years ago in my inkjet printer too, with no problems.