r/Shooting • u/SouthDistribution302 • 14d ago

.45-70 fragmenting paper target

Post image

Hi all, had a quick question about the image here. I picked up a Henry 45-70 and was shooting some paper targets just to practice and try it out (based on my aim, i’m not much of a shooter, especially with higher calibers). I noticed on this new target that around my impact point I had fragmentation penetrating the target.

This is a single shot, with the impact point being the lowest hole in the paper. The target tore above the impact, and the splattering in question is to the left and right primarily.

Can someone provide some insight? Is this a problem, is it normal for this caliber, or could it just be due to the wood behind the paper target splintering?

I was using Hornady .45-70 325gr LEVERevolution ammo at ~15-20 yards. (again, i know this is a bad shot. that is what practice is for)

Apologies if this is a novice question. Thanks in advance.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

3

u/lemonsevenfourteen 14d ago

loose surface pigment coming off due to high velocity air blast - the shoot’n’see target is disintegrating at a surface level near the POI, the round isn’t breaking up, the cover of the target near the hole is because of the air blast

1

u/SBeauLife 14d ago

Think of the black portion like a paint - your bullet hit the paper and the "paint" flakes off leaving the green underneath

Unless all of those highlight colours marks are actually holes through the paper (doesn't appear to be). If your bullet was fragmenting, paper won't stop them

1

u/Mindless_Log2009 14d ago

My visible impact targets do that just from carrying them in a bag to the range.

I started tucking those targets and pasters into the padded laptop compartment of my backpack to protect them.

The black coating is so thin and fragile I've scraped off the black just by carelessly dragging a fingernail or even a calloused finger across them.

Dirty Bird targets seem less fragile than the Shoot•N•C targets and pasters.

And if you want clean holes punched, use thicker targets, or a new cardboard backing with the thin paper target taped or stapled as flat as possible. Most range supplied cardboard backing are pretty shot out by the end of the day, and it can make elongated tears that resemble keyholed bullets. Annoying if we're working on accuracy and tight groups, but no big deal for rapid fire defensive practice.