Firebird Exploding SS65 Shooting Star Target

We used several packs of these at a match over the weekend. When hit they make a considerable flash and smoke, even more than quarter pound binary targets I've used. Cost effective and fun, but ensure you obey restrictions on how close you are... They throw sparks a fair distance!

Instructions for this product only say to stick under a standard clay and shoot as normal. It should say the charge needs to be hit *directly* to ignite, and this is rather difficult: Most presentations will have you hitting the edge of the clay, or partially the top, but almost never from the bottom (except at certain skeet stations, but you shouldn't use exploding targets coming straight at you). Even birds that were hit twice failed to ignite. We had shooters from intermediate to true dead-eye in our party. Then we had to walk out and locate the fallen targets, else we'd be leaving small black powder charges to possibly start a fire come summer. The targets work well if propped up on the ground and blasted, or I imagine have the exact same functionality as the rifle targets also sold, if you want to use them as such.

These are advertized as Loud Smoke and Flash. They do make a pleasing cloud of white smoke along with a small shower of sparks, but they are not loud. More of a gentle pop than a blast. Oh well... Also, they do reliably pop when hit by a .22 Short rimfire, but NOT reliably when hit with a .177 cal air rifle pellet, even at 1100 fps. (Benjamin Discovery) I tried both the orange (for shotgun) and the yellow (for rifle). The orange took one hit without popping before doing so on the second hit. The yellow had at least two hits before we put a .22 short into it. Not bad for a laugh, but be aware that it is NOT loud and needs a solid hit. The pop will be drowned out by the gunfire. Of course, the flash and smoke is fine.