What are Paper Shooting Targets made of?

We made a quick reference for shooters and the curious about paper targets.

🔘 Standard Paper Targets (Indoor / Light Use)

• Type: 20 lb or 24 lb bond paper (like standard printer paper)
• Use: Indoor shooting ranges, air rifles, BB guns, .22 caliber
• Pros: Cheap, easy to print at home
• Cons: Tears easily with higher caliber bullets

🔘 Heavy-Duty Paper or Cardstock Targets

• Type: 60–100 lb cover stock or tagboard
• Use: Outdoor shooting, higher calibers, USPSA/IPSC, IDPA, etc.
• Pros: Holds up better to wind and multiple shots, cleaner holes
• Cons: Generally needs something to hold it up so it doesn’t fall over

🔘 Cardboard Targets

Cardboard shooting targets come in many shapes and sizes

• Type: Corrugated or fiberboard backing (1/8”–1/4” thick)
• Use: Competitive shooting (e.g., USPSA, 3-Gun), tactical training
• Pros: Extremely durable, freestanding or stapled to stands
• Cons: Not printable at home, heavier and costlier than paper (but cheaper than steel)

🔘 Peel-and-Stick or Adhesive Targets

Adhesive shooting targets come in many shapes, colors, and sizes

• Type: Label stock or vinyl with adhesive back
• Use: Quick application, “shoot-n-see” targets
• Pros: Easy to apply to other surfaces
• Cons: Need another surface to apply the target to

🔘 “Shoot-N-See” or Reactive Targets

(Sorry, we’ll get a picture of this one posted when we can! It’s basically similar to an adhesive target but with splatter on it)

• Type: Laminated paper or vinyl with reactive surface
• Use: Visual feedback at a distance (splatter effects are popular!)
• Pros: Visible impact area (often neon), no need for spotting scope

Summary Table

That about rounds it up! Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments section below!