Many action type targets aren’t set up for BBs, since they have a higher chance of ricochets, especially with metal targets. These types of targets are mainly used for pellet air guns, or 22 firearms. However, one that works great with BBs is the Daisy Rocket Shot.

The Rocket Shot is that it is two targets in one. This makes it possible to use it by one or two people, depending on the types of air guns being used. Before getting into that, let’s back up and talk about the actual unit and what it does.

Through the use of a heavy spring, the unit fires beverage cans into the air. You push the can down into the launch cylinder and lock the spring into place with the bright yellow, 3-inch paddle target, which is the triggering device.

Target number one is the yellow paddle. When shot, it releases the spring that then throws the can about 10 feet into the air to be used as a flying target. The idea is to shoot the paddle and then shoot the can before it hits the ground.

Guns of no more than 350 fps velocity are recommended for use with the Rocket Shot. This is another reason that it is great for BB guns.

If only one person is shooting, I recommend a CO₂ semi-auto. In fact, I found the Umarex Beretta to work great at anywhere from 7 to 10 yards, which can vary if the can it thrown away from the shooter. The can will not always fly in the same direction, but so far, I’ve never had it throw it towards the shooter. It normally goes away from the shooter, or to one side or the other.

With two people shooting, you can use guns like the Daisy Red Ryder or Umarex Marlin Lever Action where one person shoots the paddle, and the other person has a single shot to hit the can. Of course, you can also use the semi-auto as previously mentioned.

The two-people way can turn into a nice competition by taking turns at firing at the paddle and can. You can also have competition with shooters taking turns as described for one shooter. This is more of a challenge since you have to concentrate on shooting both targets and reacting quickly enough to go up and shoot the can.

As for how to shoot the can, there is a bit of a trick. Each person has to develop his or her own style of shooting. I like to wait until the can is to the peak of its launch, and then fire two rounds towards the bottom of the can. There are times when both rounds will hit, but normally it hits as the can starts to fall and runs into the round that has been fired. I will sometimes fire 3 rounds—at the peak, as it falls, and last as it heads towards the ground.

Canadian airgunner Doc MacKay said that at first, he is going to cheat a bit and try his Rocket Shot with a fully automatic BB gun. I did that with the Umarex M1A1 Thompson, and it worked great. I fired a short burst at the trigger target, and a longer one that kept the can in the air for a second.

Some safety items should be brought up. First, it was already mentioned that it is not recommended to exceed the 350 fps velocity. Next, never look directly over the can as it is being pushed down and loaded, as the triggering mechanism, if not caught properly, could go off by itself and hit you in the face. Lastly, when setting up the target system, make sure that the background is clear of people, animals and anything that could be damaged by a stray round. This is not like shooting at a stationary target where a backstop takes care of anything being fired at the target. This is why I use mine at my Cedar Oaks wooded shooting range.

The Rocket Shot target system is portable and can easily fit into a range bag. It breaks down, using a threaded, two-piece ground rod which screws together to measure around 2 feet. However, you push the rod into the ground about 8 to 10 inches. I have encountered one problem with the screw fitting as it can loosen quickly when hitting the paddle, which allows the unit to turn and makes it necessary to reset it. A good remedy is to use some plumber’s Teflon tape on the threads to snug it up.

If you would like to see the Rocket Shot in use, go to this link at the Dan’s Fish ‘N’ Tales/Shoot ‘N’ Plink You Tube channel https://youtu.be/vN17desdZX4. Look around the channel to find the video where it is being shot with the Umarex M1A1.

Anyone wanting to have something different for an air gun target should check out Daisy’s Rocket Shot. You will have a stationary and moving target all in one package. It is a lot of fun, and with a little practice, you will be knocking cans out of the sky in no time.