Grizzly Targets have exploded on the market and are in high demand. So naturally when Grizzly Targets reached out to us and asked if we would like to review their Trifecta AR500 steel popper style targets, we jumped at the chance to put them to the test and send some rounds downrange into them.
The company offers a massive array of targets, hangers, backers and even has kits for shooters who are building their own home range. Grizzly Targets offers steel targets with price points raining from $59.00 for a basic steel target to the BYOR Steel Target Arcade Package that has a retail price on $1295.95, and all point in between. If you have a budget in mind chances are Grizzly Targets has something that will fit your needs and price range. We were lucky to receive the Trifecta AR500 target which sits on the mid-point of the Grizzly Targets price range at $279.00. Lets see the specifications of this new target.
Trifecta popper spring mechanism
Specifications
Manufacturer: Grizzly Targets (www.grizzlytargets.com)
Place of Manufacture: Tampa, Florida
Material: AR500 Steel
Thickness: 3/8″
Type of Target: Spring loaded pop up
Targets Total: Three
Targets Width: 4″
Targets Length: 14″
Overall Dimensions including base:Â
- Length: 24 ” long
- Width: 18″ wide
- Height: 21″ total height
Price: $279.00
Weight: 35 Lbs Roughly
Initial Impressions
My initial impressions is that my UPS driver was not happy about lugging a package that with AR500 steel, bolts, and packaging material weighed closer to 40 lbs that it did 35 lbs. All kidding aside the Trifecta Target is a beast hitting the scales at nearly 40 lbs, and mine obviously came partially disassembled since it had to travel from Florida to Alaska before It was able to be set up for use. The people in the shipping department did an excellent job making sure this box arrived nearly 5,000 miles away and in perfect condition, they are to be congratulated. It’s not easy moving this cross-country in one piece with no damage.
Once I disassembled the packaging and had the target out on the work bench I was slightly disappointed that there were no instructions included. Having a higher than average mechanical ability I could see how things should be assembled and set out to do just that. All I needed was a set of 3/4 sized box end wrenches and the provided carriage bolts and I was well on my way. This is where the only problem in the building of the Trifecta arose. When I went to assemble the target’s base I had to loosen and move one of the bolts that form the axis on which the popper rotates. The bolt in question is located on the far right hand side of the target.
Bolt in question on far right
A small issue that really doesn’t matter in the long run, I simply loosened the bolt tapped it clear until I could place the carriage bolt in the hole and went about completely the assembly. The hardware in the Grizzly Targets Trifecta is heavy-duty and will no doubt last years, and that is a good sign. Many companies will skimp on small things like bolts and use lower grade hardware, not Grizzly. I will admit that when I tightened the bolt I over did it, which resulted in slowing down and hindering the popper from turning on its pivot axis. It was a learning curve moment that fortunately didn’t cost me anything but a few seconds time with a set of 3/4 box ends.
Our particular target arrived with a deflection guard along the bottom to protect the hardware on the lower section of the poppers. This is a nice feature that I haven’t seen on many other popper style targets, and should help to prolong the hardware life. The material of the shield is the same 3/8″ AR500 that the poppers themselves are made of. It makes no sense to build a splash guard or shield out of weaker material than the material it is designed to protect. The shield uses the same mounting point as the poppers. You can see by the pictures below the thickness of the shield and the popper and the hefty nature of the mounting hardware.
To date I have only had a chance to shoot the Grizzly Targets Trifecta against a small amount of Union Metallic Cartridge Company 115 grain 9mm and it has help up wonderfully. This weekend we are scheduled to really hammer the Trifecta with something we have dubbed a trifecta of military rifle rounds in the form of Wolf Brand 7.62×39 mm, .223 & .303 British. We have made sure that all of our test ammunition will be full metal jacket as to not rig the results. It doesn’t do any good to rig results of any field trials or test the targets against the brand and type of ammunition it is most likely to meet. Inexpensive full metal jacket ammunition like Wolf is some of the nations most commonly shot ammunition, and when I found a batch of .303 British by Wolf, I knew where I would use it.
This has been a quick look at the Grizzly Targets Trifecta that we just received, so we wanted to make sure we got this to press as soon as possible. Its summer time and that means more campouts, range sessions and vacations for many. For us here at The Arms Guide it means we are up to our eyeballs in products to shoot and test, it’s a very busy time here at the website. We are very excited about the Grizzly Targets Trifecta and from all of our initial testing and inspection this target is built to provide years of use and enjoyment. If all of Grizzly’s products are as good as the Trifecta we received then I would say we are beginning to see the start of something great from Mark Askren and the crew at Grizzly Targets.
I would like to add one final thought on the Grizzly Targets Trifecta. This is a First Look, or Introductory article and you will see a part two on the Trifecta. We have a plan in place to use a set camera and get some close up action of various rounds impacting the face of the Trifecta poppers. We hope that there are no cross winds of mistakes by our shooters, if there are we could be looking for a new Sony video camera. In Part two of our article we will have a better idea of the total number of rounds and a fairly complete list of calibers and bullet types used. We have a lot going on during these field trials and sometimes things slip through the cracks, but we are working hard to give you the content you are asking for in your emails and comments on our articles. Thanks for helping us grow and become a better website.
