Reactive targets are terrific—until they need to be reset. Across the multiverse of shooters, this statement likely rings most true to Smallbore Silhouette competitors. Those who practice for this sport likely own several of the chicken, pig, turkey and ram targets that make up the official playing field. Built to fall when struck, these are only capable of a single hit before they must be retrieved and reset. Often this requires a bit of searching, as a well-placed shot will send them flying. Being that a ceasefire must be called and the line closed, this can be quite the hassle, especially if you are sharing the range with other shooters. Seeking to end this inconvenience, New Jersey-based Throom Targets (formerly Newbold) has extended its formidable Knockdown series to include a set of these regulation-sized targets (MSRP: $279.99 for an eight-pack) crafted from the company’s exclusive self-healing polymer.
After getting a sneak peek at SHOT Show 2025, I was able to receive a set to see how they fared after a day of shooting. When the targets arrived, I was eager to put them up against the real deal to see how close they were to the regulation ones of steel construction. I’m glad to say that Throom hit the mark, nearly perfectly. The overall shape and dimensions were spot on, but I’d say they are scaled to 99% of the originals. However, as these are created for training, this will force you to practice harder, which will only increase your score when the chips are down—if you even notice the difference at all.
Targets from the Knockdown line include a self-healing base that can be affixed to any durable platform. Throom is even kind enough to include 1½-inch coarse-thread screws for this task. Bonus points for not going overkill on these, as they’re short enough to put in manually with a screwdriver, in case you don’t feel like toting your drill to the range.
Whenever I’m presented with self-healing targets, my first question is, “How well do they hold up?” Unlike steel, these are consumables, but unlike paper, they offer substantially more target life. To put them through a realistic practice session, I chose CCI’s 38-grain Blazer load, as its lead round-nose profile accurately represents the match-grade fodder used by most smallbore competitors. Although not match-grade itself, I have found it to be plenty accurate for informal projects, and the bulk packaging makes it perfect for high-shot-count endeavors like this.
Although this ammunition represents typical use, life is seldom typical; therefore, I also decided to test a target with hollow-point ammunition. By nature, these bullets are more destructive, as they expand after impact and their open tip acts like a cookie-cutter on soft targets. I selected Remington’s new Golden Hunter for this application, as its high velocity and 40-grain composition creates a “worst-case” .22 Long Rifle scenario.
Everything was going to be fired from a Bergara BMR-X topped with a 2-10X Burris Signature HD, a combination that I have found to be utterly precise and exceptionally easy to support offhand. With equipment squared away, I proceeded up the hill to our range.
Step one was to install the system, which was as simple as finding something strong enough to hold the target base, screwing it down and snapping the target itself into place. After they were secured, I used a laser range finder to position myself at the appropriate distances and showered them with .22 LR rounds. I found the reaction to be on par with the real deal, as they fell when the entirety of the bullet hit them, but resisted movement when they were only clipped. Anybody who’s spun a steel target on a podium knows the importance of placing a good shot, and the Throom Knockdowns don’t let you get away with anything less.
Reeling them in for inspection, I was impressed with how well the targets handled the round-nose ammo. The faces of the targets healed virtually completely after each hit, with only minimal gouging on the backside. This even applied to hits through the same hole, leading me to believe that even the chicken can take several hundred hits. As for the target that had to digest hollow point ammo, well, let’s just say that Remington knows how to make an effective bullet. As predicted, they imparted more damage than their non-expanding counterparts, but overall, I still consider the test a success. Even though they took a plug out of the target, a significant amount of healing took place, and you can still expect a few hundred hits if you absolutely must shoot it with hollows.
Throom’s new targets are a welcome addition to the range, and are useful far beyond Smallbore Silhouette practice. Placed accordingly, these are excellent shapes for sports like NRL22 or any other field-themed practice. They’re also a terrific companion for suppressed shooting, as the ping of a traditional steel target is the only part of that experience that generates any measurable noise. Those looking to rejuvenate Throom targets are invited to paint them, as it flakes away to reveal each new hit, similar to a Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C; However, as you can simply replace the targets for as little as $19.99, it might just be easier to snap a new one in its place.
