New Air Venturi Bell Target Coming Soon

The bell target originated in England in the 19th Century. It was part of a shooting game that involved many enthusiastic men and pubs, combined with airguns. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, actually, surprisingly little actually did go wrong, as this authoritative history of the somewhat-surprising sport of bell target shooting explains.

In fact, the bell target lives on as a valid target shooting challenge. It may have a new lease of life in the USA with the appearance of this Air Venturi Bell Target that’s coming soon.

It’s ideal for the winter indoor shooting ranges that spring-up in basements and garages in the northern states around this time of the year!

The bell target is designed to be shot at ranges of 6 or 7 Yards indoors. It’s constructed of steel with a central hole. “Scoring” pellets pass through the hole and – on doing so – ring the bell located in the back of the housing.

Air Venturi’s new target actually has two face plates. One has a 3/8-Inch diameter hole. The other has a 1/2-Inch hole. The two plates make it an ideal target for a variety of shooting levels, or those aiming from further distances.

Now it’s important to say that bell target shooting was always a close-range sport involving low-powered air rifles. This new Air Venturi target continues that tradition in having a maximum rating of 650 FPS in .177 caliber.

That makes it an ideal target for an accurate, CO2-powered air rifle, such as the HAM Gold Award-winning Umarex Fusion 2.

Although the Pyramyd web page does not make this clear, Hard Air Magazine strongly suggests that this target is only engaged with light domed, or wadcutter LEAD pellets.

Alloy pellets and – especially – steel BBs must not be used due to the risk of ricochets that could head back very rapidly toward the shooter or spectators.

The wearing of shooting glasses also should be mandatory for everyone participating-in or watching this type of close-range shooting, whether indoors or outdoors.

Have fun, but shoot safe!

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Air Venturi Bell Target

The post New Air Venturi Bell Target Coming Soon appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[rsfrid]

Can't wait! This would make a fine addition to my indoor 7 yard basement range — something else to keep me entertained during snow storms in Michigan

 

[Billm]

Well, when I lived in Northern England in the 70’s I really wanted to try bell target shooting, but never found anywhere shooting them. Back then there were three airgun disciplines that were popular: bell targets at 6 meter or 7 yards, 10 meter ISU match and running boar. Unfortunately neither running boar or bell ringing was shot locally. I will be buying one of these. I was looking at plans to build one. I have the Gamo 1000 to simulate running boar lol. I keep saying that I’m going to throttle back and then something like this comes along

 

[Billm]

A little history nugget: Bell Target shooting was created to be shot in pubs in England. It was sometimes shot in leagues similar to present day dart or pool leagues. Its purpose was to improve civilian marksmanship after the British experienced poor marksmanship during the Boer War. One of the creators was Lord Baden-Powell the father of the ‘Boy Scouts”. Now, you know the rest of the story lol.

 

[Billm]

70yds with a pcp could be interesting lol.

 

[Woogie_man]

Where is the preorder button?

These would be a blast............ for lack of a better term lol

 

[Franklink]

Sounds like a fun little side shoot during ft camping weekends to get us to break out our FWB300s again like we used to do in the past.

 

[Billm]

Sounds like a fun little side shoot during ft camping weekends to get us to break out our FWB300s again like we used to do in the past.

I thought the same thing, perfect for the FWB 300s. I wish I still had my 300s. So, I looked to see how much they are selling for and the regret sunk in lol. The 300s was the only airgun I’ve ever sold and I sold it when they were still popular in the 80s for $200-$250.

 

[Doug Wall]

This will be interesting! If we go back nine years ago in HAM, you'll find an article that I wrote about Bell Target. One thing that you'll find with Bell Target, is that it can be very messy. Even low velocity pellets will flatten or splatter on the faceplate. I had to build a box out the front of the target, about a foot, to catch it. Back in the old days, they didn't worry that much about toxic lead. Another thing that they may, or may not mention, is that in the old Bell Target shooting, they used a non-drying white paint to blank out the target between shooters. You'll find all that in the linked HAM article.
Bell Target Shooting - A Fun Indoor Airgun Sport!

 

[hameditor]

This will be interesting! If we go back nine years ago in HAM, you'll find an article that I wrote about Bell Target. One thing that you'll find with Bell Target, is that it can be very messy. Even low velocity pellets will flatten or splatter on the faceplate. I had to build a box out the front of the target, about a foot, to catch it. Back in the old days, they didn't worry that much about toxic lead. Another thing that they may, or may not mention, is that in the old Bell Target shooting, they used a non-drying white paint to blank out the target between shooters. You'll find all that in the linked HAM article.
Bell Target Shooting - A Fun Indoor Airgun Sport!

Doug, great information, thank you! You know I had forgotten about that article, thanks for reminding us about it

 

[Dogowski]

View attachment 17185

The bell target originated in England in the 19th Century. It was part of a shooting game that involved many enthusiastic men and pubs, combined with airguns. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, actually, surprisingly little actually did go wrong, as this authoritative history of the somewhat-surprising sport of bell target shooting explains.

In fact, the bell target lives on as a valid target shooting challenge. It may have a new lease of life in the USA with the appearance of this Air Venturi Bell Target that’s coming soon.

It’s ideal for the winter indoor shooting ranges that spring-up in basements and garages in the northern states around this time of the year!

The bell target is designed to be shot at ranges of 6 or 7 Yards indoors. It’s constructed of steel with a central hole. “Scoring” pellets pass through the hole and – on doing so – ring the bell located in the back of the housing.

Air Venturi’s new target actually has two face plates. One has a 3/8-Inch diameter hole. The other has a 1/2-Inch hole. The two plates make it an ideal target for a variety of shooting levels, or those aiming from further distances.

Now it’s important to say that bell target shooting was always a close-range sport involving low-powered air rifles. This new Air Venturi target continues that tradition in having a maximum rating of 650 FPS in .177 caliber.

That makes it an ideal target for an accurate, CO2-powered air rifle, such as the HAM Gold Award-winning Umarex Fusion 2.

Although the Pyramyd web page does not make this clear, Hard Air Magazine strongly suggests that this target is only engaged with light domed, or wadcutter LEAD pellets.

Alloy pellets and – especially – steel BBs must not be used due to the risk of ricochets that could head back very rapidly toward the shooter or spectators.

The wearing of shooting glasses also should be mandatory for everyone participating-in or watching this type of close-range shooting, whether indoors or outdoors.

Have fun, but shoot safe!

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Air Venturi Bell Target

The post New Air Venturi Bell Target Coming Soon appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

177 only or bb? Small co2 pistol for indoor practice would be fun to stay sharp especially in the winter!

 

[kcender]

70yds with a pcp could be interesting lol.

Bill, what kind of pubs do you go to that let you shoot PCP 70 yards? LOL!!

 

[PapaT]

177 only or bb? Small co2 pistol for indoor practice would be fun to stay sharp especially in the winter!

I don't recommend bb for the ricochet. Lead pellets only was also article recommendation.

 

[kcender]

Doug, great information, thank you! You know I had forgotten about that article, thanks for reminding us about it

I'm not letting my rabbit go down that hole. No, come back rabbit!

 

[Billm]

Bill, what kind of pubs do you go to that let you shoot PCP 70 yards? LOL!!

lol, well I’ve spent a lot of time in the UK and I haven’t seen many pubs with enough room for 6 yds. It died out in pubs before I was ever around. In the seventies it was popular in rifle clubs. My steel plate is really loud at 30yds, I can’t wait to whack a bell at 6yards j/k.

 

[kcender]

lol, well I’ve spent a lot of time in the UK and I haven’t seen many pubs with enough room for 6 yds. It died out in pubs before I was ever around. In the seventies it was popular in rifle clubs. My steel plate is really loud at 30yds, I can’t wait to whack a bell at 6yards j/k.

Maybe 20 years ago, I came across a used .22 LR rifle that was called a "parlor gun" by the LGS salesman. It was small enough to be a 'youth' rifle, but had a 14" pull on the stock. I have no idea what year it was made or if it had any identifying marks on it other than caliber. It had VERY ordinary furniture, a tiny bolt action (single shot) and he claimed back in the day, people would shoot them indoors for entertainment. I thought it looked like a Carnaval gun, but he said otherwise. Actually shot pretty good at short distances. One of those odd things I had to have.

 

[Billm]

Maybe 20 years ago, I came across a used .22 LR rifle that was called a "parlor gun" by the LGS salesman. It was small enough to be a 'youth' rifle, but had a 14" pull on the stock. I have no idea what year it was made or if it had any identifying marks on it other than caliber. It had VERY ordinary furniture, a tiny bolt action (single shot) and he claimed back in the day, people would shoot them indoors for entertainment. I thought it looked like a Carnaval gun, but he said otherwise. Actually shot pretty good at short distances. One of those odd things I had to have.

Very cool. I always wanted one of the Winchester slide action gallery guns. I’m a big fan of historical guns.

 

[kcender]

Very cool. I always wanted one of the Winchester slide action gallery guns. I’m a big fan of historical guns.

I am a fan of Remington 341's that are .22 cal tube feed bolt actions. Almost all were made in October of 1936 that I own. So after 2011 I see this one for sale in Christ Creek, Australia and I buy it. Here's the rest of the story. When WW2 broke out, citizens didn't have much experience with shooting. What followed was their government asking anyone who had a rifle to 'temporarily' donate it to train would-be soldiers."My rifle" was donated to the cause and was given an official stamping on the barrel saying so; all very official. When the war was over, the rifles were returned to their owners and mine found its way to the gun shop I purchased it from; with all of its markings still in place. So, here is this humble .22 rifle, made in the USA that found its way to the AU, put to use for training purposes and found its way back to me in the US. It was in pitted condition, but I had it refurbished and enjoyed it for its history. I mention 2011 bc it was stuck at customs in Reno, NV and required further payment of $100 to pass to me AND, I had to bring my FFL dealer with me 200 miles away to pick it up. Luckily, he was a friend who appreciated what I was trying to do and was willing for the cost of a lunch. That's the story of my humble 341 Remington rifle. Hope you enjoyed it.

 

[Doug Wall]

177 only or bb? Small co2 pistol for indoor practice would be fun to stay sharp especially in the winter!

Absolutely NO BBs! They would bounce off the steel like crazy.

Maybe 20 years ago, I came across a used .22 LR rifle that was called a "parlor gun" by the LGS salesman. It was small enough to be a 'youth' rifle, but had a 14" pull on the stock. I have no idea what year it was made or if it had any identifying marks on it other than caliber. It had VERY ordinary furniture, a tiny bolt action (single shot) and he claimed back in the day, people would shoot them indoors for entertainment. I thought it looked like a Carnaval gun, but he said otherwise. Actually shot pretty good at short distances. One of those odd things I had to have.

A lot of those "Parlor guns" were designed to shoot "BB caps". The .22 BB cap shoots an 18gr slug at 780 fps. That's pellet gun power, and very quiet!

 

[kcender]

Absolutely NO BBs! They would bounce off the steel like crazy.

A lot of those "Parlor guns" were designed to shoot "BB caps". The .22 BB cap shoots an 18gr slug at 780 fps. That's pellet gun power, and very quiet!

Thanks for the context. It seemed odd that you would shoot a .22lr indoors, so maybe that explains it!