Which Archery Target Do You Need?

Bag, block, foam or 3D: the types compared

Tips and ratings are the makers' own, from the targets we sell.

Type	Arrow tips	Speed ratings	Upkeep	Good for
Bag (Big Shot, Morrell)	Field points	350 to 450 fps where rated	Replaceable covers on some	Everyday practice, easy arrow removal
Field-point block (Bulldog, Big Shot Iron Man, SpyderWeb)	Field points	Bulldog 330 to 450 fps; Iron Man 450 to 650; SpyderWeb: "No Speed Limit"	Bulldog's lifetime warranty on its Lifetime Series	High volume, fast compounds, crossbows
Foam block or cube (Big Shot Pro Hunter, Morrell, Power-Stop, Black Hole)	Field points and broadheads, where the maker says so	350 to 425 fps on the broadhead-rated ones	Several shooting sides	Broadheads; crossbows within the rating
3D animal (Big Shot, Delta McKenzie)	Depends on the target; many pages name no tip	300 to 450 fps where stated	Replaceable vitals and mid-sections on many Big Shot animals	Hunting practice, 3D shoots
Range target (Bulldog, Big Shot)	Field points	Big Shot: "There is no FPS rating on our range targets." Bulldog's pages give none.	A new face or a rebuild	Clubs, schools, pro shops, tournaments
Straw or foam board (KAINOKAI, Aimdor, KHAMPA)	Field points; both straw makers say a bladed hunting arrow shortens the target's life	Rated by draw weight, not speed	Not stated	Light and traditional bows, kids

Field points or broadheads

Most of the targets we sell are for field points only, by their makers' own account:

• Bags. Big Shot labels its bags "Field Point Bag Target", and Morrell's bag pages say field point.
• Bulldog. Its FAQ: "The archery targets that we currently offer are not meant for broadheads."
• Iron Man. Every Big Shot Iron Man page that names a tip says field point; the Kinetic 650 is a "Field Point Only Target".

For broadheads, the maker has to name them:

• Big Shot's Pro Hunter 16 and Pro Hunter 18: foam that "works equally well with field points or broadheads".
• Morrell's YJ-380 crossbow cube (2-pack): "field points, fixed blades, and mechanical broadheads".
• Power-Stop's layered block and 24" block: "broadheads, field tips, and crossbows".
• The Black Hole 4-sided block: broadheads and expandables on its "open-face" sides only.
• Several 3D animals.

Speed ratings: matching the target to your bow

A rating is the fastest arrow the maker says the target will stop ("stopping up to 450 FPS", in Morrell's words). Pick one rated at or above your bow's or crossbow's speed.

Bulldog rates by thickness. Its FAQ gives 330 fps for every model, 400 for 12-inch models and 450 for 15-inch models such as the XL 450. Our page for the 12-inch Doghouse XP says 380; go by the lower figure.

Few makers rate by draw weight. Bulldog rates its Doghouse FP for "a bow at 80lbs or 350fps"; SpyderWeb asks for at least 40 lb on its ST 18XL.

Of the makers we sell, only Big Shot also rates kinetic energy: 222 ft-lb on the Iron Man 18 (450 fps), 240 on the Iron Man Xtreme 24 (500 fps) and 250 on the Ravin Edition (650 fps). If your crossbow's maker lists energy, compare that too.

Crossbow rating	Field points	Field points and broadheads
350 fps	Big Shot Ballistic 350 bag	Power-Stop 24" block
375 to 380 fps	Bulldog Doghouse XP	Big Shot Pro Hunter 16, Morrell YJ-380 cube
400 to 425 fps	Morrell Field Point Bag, Big Shot Trophy Whitetail	Big Shot Pro Hunter 18
450 fps	Big Shot Ballistic 450X and Iron Man 18, Morrell 450 cube, Bulldog Doghouse XL 450	None we sell
475 to 500 fps	Big Shot Iron Man 30 (475), Iron Man Xtreme 24 (500)	None we sell
650 fps	Big Shot Kinetic 650, Ravin Edition	None we sell
No stated limit	SpyderWeb ST 18XL	None we sell

The Iron Man 30 and Ravin Edition pages name no tip.

Targets for clubs, schools and ranges

Bulldog's and Big Shot's range targets are made to be refaced or rebuilt when they wear, not replaced.

• Bulldog K9. "FITA legal for ranges and clubs", in Bulldog's words, with a flat face to pin paper on and two shooting sides. Bulldog says it stops heavy compounds and is "designed to allow youth" to shoot it as well.
• Bulldog Range Dog. 36 x 36 x 12 inches, sold on its own, on braked wheels for "ranges, schools, gyms", or with an outdoor stand. Bulldog's FAQ says it holds several 80 cm compound faces but not the 122 cm faces shot at 70 meters.
• Big Shot Iron Man 41 and Iron Man 48. Double-sided and "rebuildable when the time comes".
• Big Shot Vegas 900. A tournament and league target that can be "refaced and rebuilt in your shop or club".
• Range bags. Big Shot's 32 x 36 inch Outdoor Range bag, "perfect for club field ranges", and Morrell's Weatherproof Durable Range bag with over 50 shooting spots.
• NASP. Morrell's bag with NASP scoring rings, sold with a spare cover, and Big Shot's Youth 36" NASP Range.

Buying several for a club, school or range? Call us or send the list through our contact page and we will quote it. More from Bulldog, Big Shot and Morrell.

Targets for kids and youth bows

The youth targets we sell are rated by draw weight, not speed:

• Our lightweight youth NASP bag: its maker rates it for "30-pound and below traditional and youth bows".
• Morrell's Youth Deluxe GX (2-pack): "40-pound and below bows as well as recurve bows".
• KHAMPA's 2 x 2 ft. economy foam target: "For bows up to 40 lb."
• Straw, at 18 meters: KAINOKAI recommends its straw target in 3 layers below 30 lb, 5 layers for 30 to 40 lb and 7 for 40 lb or more. Aimdor advises two of its 3-layer targets for a bow over 40 lb.

Once a bow passes these limits, choose by speed rating.

3D targets for hunting practice

Big Shot pitches its Medium Series deer at clubs whose members hunt and want to "judge distance and shot placement in realistic hunting situations". Its RV deer are modeled on a 135 lb deer.

• Replaceable vitals. The RV deer (Alert, Sneak) and the Pro Hunter Browsing Doe have a vital plug with ASA and IBO scoring rings. A worn plug takes a replacement vital, or Big Shot's broadhead vital with its "anti-tear formulation".
• Ratings. Big Shot rates those deer to 375 fps, and its Mule Deer, with a replaceable 12-inch mid-section, to 450. Delta McKenzie gives its Zombie a bow speed of 300 to 350 fps.
• Tips. Delta rates backyard targets such as the T-Rex "for field points and broadheads" and calls them crossbow approved; its Strutter Turkey takes "field points, fixed-blade, or mechanical broadheads". Big Shot's Javelina handles "field points, mechanical and fixed blades", and the Double Duty Buck has a broadhead tuning area on the back.

Many 3D pages name no tip; ask us before shooting broadheads into one of those. See all 3D targets and Delta McKenzie.

How long a target lasts, and how to make it last

Bulldog's FAQ says it has seen its targets last 10,000 to 30,000 shots, and the Range Dog and K9 longer. Morrell says its 450 cube "Lasts through thousands of shots".

• Keep it out of the sun. Rain is not the problem, Bulldog says: "The sun will dry out the face and also fade the target circles". It suggests storing the target inside after the season. We sell HME's universal cover and Bulldog's Range Dog sun cover.
• Shoot sharp points. A dull or damaged field point "wears out the fibers a lot quicker", Bulldog says. Morrell: "Not Recommended for Outserts or Field Points Larger than Arrow Shaft."
• Spread the hits. Use every side and every aiming spot. Power-Stop's 24" block has "6-sided shooting, for extended life", and Bulldog says to flip its Weiner Dog range target "to promote even wear".
• Pull straight. Draw each arrow out along the line it went in.
• Renew the cover. Big Shot sells covers for its Ballistic 450 and 450X and Trophy Whitetail bags, and screening for the Iron Man 48.

Quick answers

Can you shoot broadheads into a bag target? Not into ours; their makers sell them for field points (broadheads).

Can you shoot broadheads into a Bulldog target? No; Bulldog says its lineup is for field points only (broadheads).

Can I use an archery target for a crossbow? Yes, if it is rated at or above your crossbow's speed (speed ratings).

What target for a 70 lb bow? One rated at or above your bow's speed; Bulldog rates its Doghouse FP for "a bow at 80lbs or 350fps" (speed ratings).

What is the best archery target for kids? A youth bag rated for the bow's draw weight (kids and youth).

How long does an archery target last? Bulldog has seen 10,000 to 30,000 shots (making it last).

Ratings checked October 2026, from the makers' product pages and Bulldog's published FAQ.