How to Make Target Practice More Fun

Most marksmen would say taking down targets at the range is an extremely satisfying and fun experience, but what if you could make it even better? Seasoned firearm owners would most likely agree that shooting never gets stale, but there are several fun gun accessories and unique targets out there that can take your plinking and paper-piercing adventures to the next level. If you’re looking to spice up your shooting game, read on to discover new, exciting ways to enhance your target practice and range training sessions.

Tracer Rounds – A Sci-Fi Shooting Experience

Tracer rounds, also known as visual ammo, are loaded with special bullets that leave a trail of light to help you track your trajectory, and more importantly, feel like the hero of a science-fiction story. Some gun ranges prohibit the use of certain tracer rounds that pose a fire hazard. However, Ammo, Inc. STREAK is a popular series of tracer ammo that is non-incendiary, making it completely safe for indoor range use.

Currently available with red or green trails, this visual ammunition is not only fun but has many functional uses. For military and tactical purposes, the illuminated dot is only visible within 30 degrees of your point of view, which allows you to see the bullet path without giving away your position. It’s also easier to keep track of shots fired in intense situations. But for civilians, nothing beats shooting 9mm tracer rounds downrange and feeling like your wielding a laser blaster instead of your standard pistol.

Fun Shooting Targets to Try

There are many different types of shooting targets out there, and preferences vary person to person.

Steel Shooting Targets

Steel shooting targets deliver a satisfying “plink” feedback, and OpticsPlanet offers tons of different options, from self-resetting steel targets to challenge kits that offer a variety of target sizes to test your skills.

Reactive & Splatter Targets

Reactive targets are also a fun and effective method to practice your aim. Splatter targets are a popular option. When you hit the right mark, they explode with bright, colorful bursts for instant visual feedback, giving you an extra little dose of dopamine. They also eliminate the need to walk downrange and check your shots, as you can view the splatters from far distances.

Sporting Clay Launchers

For trap and skeet shooters, we sell several sporting clay trap launchers that can mimic unpredictable flight paths, offering hunters and competitors a real challenge with unique experience every time. Shooting sporting clays is also a great social activity when competing amongst friends. If you’re looking to get into clay shooting, check out our guide on How to Get Started in Clay Shooting Sports for tips and gear recommendations.

Ballistic Gel Targets

If you’ve seen as many slo-mo shooting videos and ammo reviews as I have, then you should be very familiar with ballistic gel. It was mainly designed for professional ballistic testing, but these days, you can do a little testing of your own right in your backyard. Brands like Clear Ballistics offer ballistic gel starter kits and ballistic gel blocks, including pre-shaped objects like gummy bears and turkeys.

If you’re into social media and looking to gain some followers, ballistic gel tests are a cool, informative way to show off different firearms and calibers. Just hope that you’re popular enough to get some ad revenue because they are quite expensive.

Tannerite Explosive Targets

If you’re asking yourself “What is Tannerite?” – boy, are you in for a treat. Those familiar know that it is a brand of binary explosive targets. If you don’t know what that means, let me put it in simple terms. Bullet makes big boom. After following a few simple steps, binary explosive targets like Tannerite will explode upon impact when struck with high calibers like .223, 5.56, or 7.62x39 ammo.

We currently offer Tannerite through our affiliate Infinite Defense. However, we must stress that you use extreme caution with such products. The use of binary explosive targets may also be restricted by your local or state laws, so always brush up on the legal jargon before purchasing.

Your favorite viral gun nut probably has a video out there using it. It’s also sometimes available in blue or pink for gender reveals. If you’re like me or most people I know, you probably don’t care for gender reveals but at least you can get some fun out of it.

Fun Dry Fire Training Systems

Nobody can deny how fun training with live ammo is. However, it can be expensive for high-volume shooting and requires a safe space to fire it. That’s where dry fire drills and laser trainers come into play. We have a number of Training Gear Guides that dive into some of these products more in-depth, but here’s a quick breakdown of some of the best dry fire training gear that’s also incredibly fun to use.

Mantis X Dry Fire Training Systems

Mantis X produces some of the finest training gear for beginners and experts alike, and some models even offer live ammo functionality. They analyze your shooting in real-time and provide data that will improve your shooting and technique. What’s fun about it is the gamified experience, offering users training courses and more importantly, the ability to join groups and compete with friends. You can learn all about them in my MantisX Shooting Performance System Buyer's Guide.

Laser Trainers

Laser training pistols and target systems are incredibly fun and safe to use at home. Some products provide head-to-head competition, making them a perfect addition to your man cave (Honestly, I hate that term. Just put them anywhere you want; they’re safe and fun to use.)

We also sell shooting simulators like Laser Ammo Smokeless Range Trainers that offer a variety of virtual drills and games for use with compatible laser training pistols. This is another great training tool that offers a little friendly competition. If you’ve ever played Duck Hunt on the NES, it’s kind of like that except infinitely better. It’s also completely portable and can be projected anywhere.

Getting the Gear Is Half the Fun

The other half is using it. OpticsPlanet is your go-to online destination for fun gear, including all things tactical, hunting, and outdoors. Explore our store today and find the missing piece of your training setup. After all, the more fun you have, the more likely you’ll be wanting to practice more and challenge yourself to become the best shot you can be.