A new target system from the folks at Metal Madness called VST (Very Safe Targets) promises to minimize or even eliminate bullet splashback.
Ed White, the founder of Metal Madness, describes the organization’s new Very Safe Targets as “an affordable target system for the beginner to the seasoned competitor.”
In development for the past two years, the patent-pending design of this target system basically eliminates ricochet or fragmenting coming back at the shooter. Very Safe Targets displace the energy of the impact of the round to the ground, rather than back towards the shooter, making it less likely for the shooter to be struck by fragments from the spent round while shooting steel.
“Our patent-pending design was developed for Metal Madness Unlimited, but we found that it works in any steel target shooting sport,” White said.
While watching video of the Very Safe Targets in action above water puddles to indicate where spent bullets are headed, you can see the new targets directing rounds fairly straight down after impact, marked by both large and small splashes below the targets and hangars. You can watch the video at Rumble and YouTube.
I asked White how the Very Safe Targets can send rounds to the ground, instead of back towards shooters.
“The way it works is that the target gives on impact, because of the way the hanger is angled and designed,” he said. “The size of the hole in the target is important to allow the target to move freely, but be small enough that a .22-caliber round will not pass through it insuring a mark on the target.”
Besides being touted as a safer steel target, White mentioned that Very Safe Targets have “a loud ring and visible movement, making it easy to know when the target is struck.”
As for the price, it’s still being determined, but White said it will be “comparable or less than targets already on the market.”
Manufacturing is complete for Very Safe Targets, and you will be able to find them online soon at the Metal Madness website. Go to mmssa.net.
