Thermal targets?

[Rookie]

I went out to zero my gun today. It was cold (5 degrees) and I noticed that the hot hands wasn't working that well - it was heating up the whole target. How well do the thermal targets do in the cold? Would I have a smaller target or a nine inch target like I had today?

 

[Curly Shuffle]

Some folks use pieces of those. I do not know what you anchored the hot pocket to but it sounds like it was liking the heat and or you had the zoom on?? Staple it to the center of a paper target/ something and you should not have any troubles? BANG BANG!! You can also fold as much as you can to make smaller.

 

[Rookie]

Yeah, I tried a hand warmer and I tried a different one that was only 1 inch square. Neither made a difference, the whole target was heated up.

 

[Curly Shuffle]

What were you using to tape/stapling it to??

 

[wigwamitus]

If there is any sun (we have some) just try a small square of aluminum foil.

 

[Rookie]

What were you using to tape/stapling it to??

Stapling it to a 4x8 sheet of plywood that's been outside for months.

 

[Curly Shuffle]

Stapling it to a 4x8 sheet of plywood that's been outside for months.

Sounds strange, like above try small square of foil, a hot pocket should not light up a whole piece of plywood?? unless it was baking in the sun.

 

[Rookie]

The hot hands was heating up the nine inch shoot and see target.

 

[mdmorrow]

Best way I've found is use a piece of ac repair tape and make a target on thick cardboard or plywood. Take a shot and once you're on the board put a shell casing in it. Then go back and y0u'll see the poa and poi in the scope. Hold steady on the poa and move the cursor / reticle to poi. Repeat as necessary. Handwarmers work good in the winter and ice cubes in a zip lock in the summer. I like the tape most of the time.

 

[Curly Shuffle]

Then I would try a piece of paper with a piece of the hot pocket on that. If the sun is out thermal targets work fine.

 

[Whosure]

Rookie - did any of the recommendations work?

 

[Rookie]

I haven't tried anything new yet. It's been below zero - I'm not that motivated!

 

[Homebrewer]

Following the adage of Aim Small/Miss Small, try cutting a 1/2" to 1' size square in heavy cardboard target,
then tape or staple your hand warmer - to the Backside of the cardboard.
Now you have a small heated opening on the front of your target for aiming...

 

[lilMAC]

Following the adage of Aim Small/Miss Small, try cutting a 1/2" to 1' size square in heavy cardboard target,
then tape or staple your hand warmer - to the Backside of the cardboard.
Now you have a small heated opening on the front of your target for aiming...

I haven’t tried to zero my scope yet, but this was my plan.

 

[Bowfisher]

I would take a 2" roofing nail or big headed screw, sink it in the plywood, leave 1-1/4 or so sticking out. Hit it with a lighter or plumbing torch from the side so you don't burn the paper. Now you have a night tight hot spot to shoot at.