Hornady Hit Indicators
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Jimologist
- Class B
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:33 am
- IHMSA Member#: 51873
Hornady Hit Indicators
I recently completed a test of an adaptation of the Hornady Hit Indicators to IHMSA silhouette use. Here is my report on that. I have high hopes that this economical adaptation will lengthen the life of some matches by making it uber easy to set up and run. At a bare, Spartan set up, you could make do with one animal. It will also be of use to the guys who have one animal at each range that they practice on.
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- Hornady Hit Indicatormanual.docx
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64XP-100
- Spotter
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- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2015 7:27 pm
- IHMSA Member#: 57733
- Location: Eastern PA
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Re: Hornady Hit Indicators
Very clear and meaningful report. We look forward to any improvements.
New info:
For an alternate prism, search for "Right-Angle Acrylic Prism". Not TOO expensive but a supply is available.
New info:
For an alternate prism, search for "Right-Angle Acrylic Prism". Not TOO expensive but a supply is available.
Pat Camus
Eastern PA @ Falls Township or Wilkes-Barre
NRA-Endowment Member
Eastern PA @ Falls Township or Wilkes-Barre
NRA-Endowment Member
Re: Hornady Hit Indicators
Great write-up! Thank you.
Makes me think there should be an Innovations section on the forum. Perhaps an annual award to the top IHMSA innovator.
Makes me think there should be an Innovations section on the forum. Perhaps an annual award to the top IHMSA innovator.
Tim Downs
IHMSA #57879
NRA Life Member
Teacher
IHMSA #57879
NRA Life Member
Teacher
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Jimologist
- Class B
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:33 am
- IHMSA Member#: 51873
Re: Hornady Hit Indicators
Here is an update with some problems and fixes.
We used these through one match on the Field Pistol rams. In the course of the match approx. 45 hits were registered and the indicators performed very, very well. Only two minor glitches;first one was the hit indicator slid down once about 3” but the prism was still visible and the hit indicator continued to work and registered hits as it was supposed to. 2nd glitch; a direct hit on the front directly over where the hit indicator was on the back, knocked it totally off the back of the ram. It was with a heavier bullet, (.357).
Both these issues lead me to believe my magnets are not strong enough and I have doubled up on the magnets. With two ganged magnets, it is very hard to pull the unit off metal.
It is possible that my issues with the glue holding the silicone/rubber prisms was caused by a removable film on the lens of the light. It is very difficult to see but remove it before using the hit indicator. I think the reason my glue was not sticking was that the film was peeling off. I have switched to a special silicone super glue (thanks John Richards) and have reglued all the prisms to the face of the lens. I cannot pull them off without ripping the silicone/rubber prisms so I have to assume this is as secure as I can make them. If you are looking for this specific glue it is on Amazon. Search silicone super glue.
My other issue was with the indicator and magnet sliding around on the back of the ram. I had made a frame with velcro but it wasnt ideal. I had decided to weld a 1/4” tall frame in the shape of a rectangle on the back. John Richards suggested making a frame out of Vulkem caulk which is what I will try next. If the caulk works, the advantages will be ease of application and it is removable with a razor blade.
All in all, I was estatic with the results from the first field test. The Hornady hit indicators (with modifications) worked admirably. They were extremely visible when flashing and it was a bright sunny day.
Jim Kesser
We used these through one match on the Field Pistol rams. In the course of the match approx. 45 hits were registered and the indicators performed very, very well. Only two minor glitches;first one was the hit indicator slid down once about 3” but the prism was still visible and the hit indicator continued to work and registered hits as it was supposed to. 2nd glitch; a direct hit on the front directly over where the hit indicator was on the back, knocked it totally off the back of the ram. It was with a heavier bullet, (.357).
Both these issues lead me to believe my magnets are not strong enough and I have doubled up on the magnets. With two ganged magnets, it is very hard to pull the unit off metal.
It is possible that my issues with the glue holding the silicone/rubber prisms was caused by a removable film on the lens of the light. It is very difficult to see but remove it before using the hit indicator. I think the reason my glue was not sticking was that the film was peeling off. I have switched to a special silicone super glue (thanks John Richards) and have reglued all the prisms to the face of the lens. I cannot pull them off without ripping the silicone/rubber prisms so I have to assume this is as secure as I can make them. If you are looking for this specific glue it is on Amazon. Search silicone super glue.
My other issue was with the indicator and magnet sliding around on the back of the ram. I had made a frame with velcro but it wasnt ideal. I had decided to weld a 1/4” tall frame in the shape of a rectangle on the back. John Richards suggested making a frame out of Vulkem caulk which is what I will try next. If the caulk works, the advantages will be ease of application and it is removable with a razor blade.
All in all, I was estatic with the results from the first field test. The Hornady hit indicators (with modifications) worked admirably. They were extremely visible when flashing and it was a bright sunny day.
Jim Kesser