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"Pop Can" Target Thrower
"It gives kids something to shoot at safely without the cost of clay pigeons," says Doug Hilton, Seward, Ill., about his homemade "pop can" trap thrower. It's designed to use everything from aluminum pop cans to plastic bottles, walnuts, and golf balls.
"Everyone has a bag of aluminum cans to recycle. That provi
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"Pop Can" Target Thrower FARM HOME recreation 33-6-43 "It gives kids something to shoot at safely without the cost of clay pigeons," says Doug Hilton, Seward, Ill., about his homemade "pop can" trap thrower. It's designed to use everything from aluminum pop cans to plastic bottles, walnuts, and golf balls.
"Everyone has a bag of aluminum cans to recycle. That provides all the targets you need, and when you're done shooting you can still recycle the cans," says Hilton.
The trap thrower consists of a 1-ft. high, 3-in. dia. plastic tube attached to a base that's staked to the ground. A rope attaches to a spring-loaded trigger assembly on the thrower. The operator places the target inside the tube and cocks the trigger assembly, then pulls on the rope to discharge the target. It goes straight up into the air at a height of 20 to 40 ft., depending on the object used.
"The target is easier for kids to shoot at than a clay pigeon because it doesn't fly as fast, and it goes straight up in the air instead of at an unpredictable angle. As a result kids aren't as likely to get discouraged, yet it's still a challenge for adults," says Hilton. "Different targets with different shapes, sizes, and weights will all fly differently which adds some variety. The targets are also affected differently by wind conditions as well.
"It'll throw just about any object as long as it's not too heavy. An aluminum pop can will go at least 20 ft. high. A golf ball really flies and will go half again higher than a pop can. A tennis ball is about the heaviest object you can use."
Hilton says he came up with the idea because he wanted a new way to get kids involved in shooting sports. "A clay pigeon can be a little intimidating to kids, which takes the fun out of shooting. Also, because the target doesn't go as fast or far kids can use a .410 or 20-ga. instead of a larger gun."
Hilton plans to manufacture the target thrower and expects it to sell for about $60.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Doug Hilton, CAN-POP, P.O. Box 33, Seward, Ill. 61077 (ph 815 247-9023; www.canpopco.com).
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