Sideways shot pattern ?????

looks like the pellets bounced off the wood backer and tore sideways through the paper.
Happens to mine as well.
I think you are fine
JMHO


Doc

I think it’s just cheap paper? When I shoot pretty hot pellets, sometimes the paper tears in strips like this if it is cheap paper

I get these too. Usually turns out to be the pellet ricocheting at an angle.
Rick H.

Try a different target and see if the same thing happens.

From my eyes, it looks like they went thru the front at an angle. So, clipping, loose bore, really bad crown, bad leade. Could be a few things. Under-sized ammo?

Could just be the paper as well....

I agree with MrP. It looks like the paper tore crosswise.

Tighten it up on a fresh piece of cardboard next time and see if it still happens.

Cheers,

J~

Treefrog said:

I agree with MrP. It looks like the paper tore crosswise.

Tighten it up on a fresh piece of cardboard next time and see if it still happens.

Cheers,

J~

Click to expand...

That’s the ticket. This is why quality targets are printed on card stock.

I had the same thing happen when I used regular printer paper. Use thicker paper stock.

Try some Splatterburst targets. They are reactive and thick card stock. Life is too short to shoot printer paper!

That is puzzling. It shouldn't have done that.

I usually just use pieces of cardboard from Chewy boxes because we have so many laying around, but sometimes I'll tape paper to it. I use a washer and a sharpie to make the bullseyes.

Cheers,

J~

erock said:

Thanks for your advice. This was a cheaper target paper from Walmart. It was taped onto a fresh box, though. That's what had me puzzled. I thought " how is this even possible " ??!! Will try better grade targets. Much appreciated.

Click to expand...

Take the paper off and look at the holes in the box.

MY printer will accept the lightest card stock (67 Lbs ) cheap printer also .

you photo looks to me like you didn't have the paper flat , i used 3M spray adhesive and cardboard to mount my printer paper but too much hassle and mess .

I like using cardboard and my granddaughter's glue stick for school projects, for the paper targets that I print off. It holds great! Not messy, and it doesn't make the paper curl up. I'm a carpenter by trade so I always have a lot of cardboard around. If the back stop behind the target is hard/metal, find some carpet squares and put like 5 of them together and then on the back stop, no more ricochets.

I would go with cheap paper, but there is a chance the round is tumbling through the air. It's rare but it does happen. If you have the ability (place to do so) try this.
Set the target at 10 yards shot once then 20,30, 40 etc and aim dead center every time. See if the round is flying true. Each time you go to move the target take an unused round with you and place it to the hole in the target to see how it hit. You will also see how far your spiral is and if it is tumbling. Either use a solid piece of cardboard or a stiff piece of paper. Again I really do believe it's the paper but that's a test you should do anyway for the tune. That particular round or rifle may not like that combination at that power.

The pellets might of pushed the target inward.. That is the only thing that comes to mind..