Making Safe Exploding Targets (like Tannerite but much safer)

Typical binary targets, like Tannerite, are banned for non-professional use practically everywhere in the world except for the USA, and even there, I am sure that the dangerous nature of the product prevents a lot of potential uses because of safety issues. However, a valid and safe alternative exists, which works very similarly to traditional binary targets, but while being completely non-explosive, and hence inherently safe.
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[@jessepinkman1471]

I don't think you'll see this, but with 92 comments, I might have a shot. I wanted to say, one thing I've always like about this channel is that you don't feel the need to embed politics in your videos, you don't use clickbait, your videos are always interesting, and just you share good content all around. Keep up the good work, man!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I read every comment! Thanks for the kind words😉😊

[@jessepinkman1471]

@@toddhanis1516 are you having a stroke

[@toddhanis1516]

@@jessepinkman1471 what does my heart problems have to do with my question?

[@toddhanis1516]

@@jessepinkman1471 nevermind I Google it exactly what I thought it was

[@alex_7547]

That "abstract art" was actually quite beautiful!

[@VexChoccyMilk]

Tannerite is also legal in Canada (for now).

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

thanks for sharing, didn't know that

[@andreadavide]

In a while anything will be illegal in Canada....

[@caveymoley]

Stock up while you can ;)

[@marc-andreservant201]

It's legal with a firearms license (PAL). They're supposed to check your PAL to make sure you're allowed to buy it (just like ammunition)

[@BCM1959]

@@andreadavide one year later... Truer than you expected?

[@ElementalMaker]

Love it! I only ever set off CuO/Al with fuse, need to take some to the range next time!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

thanks mate! Just make sure to bring a fire extinguisher as well ;-P

[@jacobpapaemmanouil8711]

These are reasonably popular in Australia, I can confirm that they CAN start fires however unlikely.

[@tmurdoch2]

Are the materials easy to get a hold of?

[@CrazyDog651]

Aussie here I haven’t looked into it but I don’t think it would even be legal to obtain the materials to make these and if made if their considered a bomb or not. I love the idea of this but don’t want to break the law because of it.

[@Camwize]

@@CrazyDog651 your laws are fucked! Even worse than ours here in NZ. Regardless, I can almost guarantee you that copper oxide and aluminium are not illegal in Aus.

[@CrazyDog651]

Cameron McColl You kiwis still have it good farmers, collectors and pest controls can have semi-auto center-fires also as I speak the majority of your parliament wanting to allow sports shooters to have an exemption as well. You can have semi auto rim-fires and shotguns along with unregulated suppressors. With all the shit that’s happened to you guys you still have it good compared to us. I’m holding out for the sporting exemption because I would love to go there to do 3-gun.

[@willam1992]

separately there fine but as soon as they are mixed its a no go

[@johncashwell1024]

Nicely done! I will definitely have to give your mix a try. As an ex-police officer and, later, assistant district attorney, I can certainly say that using traditional binary reactive targets is a safe and fun way to enjoy a day at the range when the user follows the directions on the product. The problem is that "bad apples" (like the guy who put it inside/under the old lawnmower and subsequently blew is his leg off) show up from time to time to offer anecdotal evidence to those who want to get elected/re-elected that it should be banned because "we need more laws to protect us". My point is that if the use follows the directions it's safe and fun; alternatively, if the user puts it inside a different container or under something, then that person has broken an existing U.S. Federal law and could be prosecuted for manufacturing an explosive device. So, please, stay safe and follow directions! Also, try out this awesome alternative from Backyard Ballistics.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

totally agree with you ;)

[@toaster_gmbh]

At the end you need more laws to keep you safe,that is how everything in law works. If no one would have ever done something stupid with heroin it might still be legal. Same with almost every law. Of course it is stupid that the good people suffer under the bad ones but that's how it is. Accidentally you also gave very good reasoning to very strict gun controlle. If you would have really strict gun cotrol no stupid people would have guns, and even the stupid ones would think twice before doing something stupid and losing their guns by that. Europe (at least some countries there(for example germay , although not in every way)) is a good example. Everyone owning a gun is really careful about it, as the tiniest dumb think will very likely cost you your guns and all the money and time you spend on getting the permits. The end result ist that those people who want guns can have theme and also don't have such a high risk to suffer under bad press. So just gun control actually kind of helps good and careful gun owner. Of course that doesn't mean that there are no stupid laws, but it works. And if you really want your AR-15 and be careful you can have it.

[@Schwarzvogel1]

@@toaster_gmbh The problem in the U.S. isn't stupid people having firearms... it is _violent_ people (viz. those who want to harm innocent people or commit crimes) having firearms. And Germany is not a good example at all. Strict gun control like you advocate has the main effect of denying lower income individuals the right to effective self-defence... and it is poorer people who typically have more need for firearms to defend their lives and properties than the wealthy. The U.S. isn't Germany, nor is it Europe. The social conditions and issues that allow Europe's systems to work would not work in the U.S.

[@Yeff365]

@@Schwarzvogel1 Yes, but this is common knowledge. What john said was more about some people not using common sense (rules are made for reasons.) Low income people have tendency to still get fire arms, obviously not super effective ones, but they're still aquire-able. Another thing to keep in mind is that lower income areas are the ones which higher crime rates, one being guns, what you're saying only applies for vulnerable civilians.

[@marc-andreservant201]

It's common sense that you NEVER put anything that can serve as shrapnel in front of a high explosive. The shock wave won't kill you from 100yds. A supersonic shard of iron definitely can.

[@AP-yx9de]

I like that he put the curb your enthusiasm meme after the guy got his leg blown off

[@frankroberts9320]

Copper thermite WILL explode violently above a set mass threshold. 100 grams can blow an arm off. It is also flame sensitive, so accidental initiation is very possible.

[@orlandodattoma6678]

Video bellissimo, è bello avere un connazionale famoso all'estero che sa il fatto suo

[@ronpaul2012robust]

Might want to use two canvases and put the reactive target in the middle and shoot between the two canvases keep from shooting a hole through them.

[@chikkenbonz]

Brilliant! I was considering purchasing some tannerite, but your recipe seems much safer. So glad I seen this! That "painting" is very neat as well...you should consider making more and selling them. 🔥

[@ricplays5905]

That's what i do call quality content. 381 likes, 0 dislikes. I love this channel but its so underrated!

[@MichaelMichael-iz1jq]

Nice job! This video was worth the wait. Thanks for making consistently good content

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Much appreciated!

[@justmosh273]

6:10 How to make a master piece art.

[@finkvids837]

This deserves so many more views

[@stefanoconti4426]

Love your videos, please keep making them!! Grazie!

[@basrengangetch.2042]

No clickbait, no BS. Just good content

[@trulyinfamous]

This is definitely pretty clever. All I really know about copper thermite is that it reacts very aggressively, being much more explosive than standard thermite.

[@toad3222]

Read the title and started laughing immediately. Of course you would make this

[@nathangilbert7774]

Thanks for the info. I’ll have to try this.

[@mikeblair2594]

Put some kind of fixing agent over the "painting" and I'd swear someone will buy it as art for a lot of money. Especially the first shot canvas you showed. It looked like someone caught in a shell blast in the great war. I'm dead serious!

[@kw9849]

A couple old books I have mention the British using rifle bullets as reactive targets for revolver training. They put them in the bullseye of a target, primer facing the shooter. Reactive indeed!

[@kirkc9643]

If I recall correctly, putting steel behind the mix will usually enable a 22LR to set it off

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

that's interesting, thanks for sharing. Using magnalium or straight magnesium instead of aluminum is probably going to sensitize the mixture as well

[@peteraugust5295]

The supersonic explosion is not necessary for the tannerite target? I think you misjudge the customer group for those targets ;) Great build though. looking forward to try this on our indoor range. or maybe not...

[@ronaldfuhrer]

The whole purpose is the explosion..BOOM

[@Ubya_]

GG, copper oxide thermite is one of the thermite mixtures with the lowest activation energies, but i honestly didn't know that if hit by a bullet it would go off. just 2 days ago i was trying to make explosive targets for my air rifle (fellow italian cries in max 7.5J)

[@silverbankruptcy]

Thank You, I appreciate it!! I think it would help if you listed all the ingredients and the containers in the description channel, for us dummies. Also is it possible to add something to change the color of the smoke?

[@cameronnorris8149]

Nice video + artwork, I would definitely hang it on my wall!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I am going to hang one, but would like to give away the others. I need to find the right way of doing it here on youtube

[@Fernando-sd6xt]

@@Backyard.Ballistics There's a giveaway that I'd enter (assuming it's international).

[@bobthompson4319]

That was absolutely beautiful.

[@justthinkingthoughts]

i kinda want to buy those "still shot of an explosion" painting :D it looks awesome like a photo of the dark and cruel fire that created this image but only lasted milliseconds

[@fsen1999]

the green colour on the canvas most likely comes from the formation of Copper carbonate when the high temperature, fine copper particles are exposed to the atmospheric CO2.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

that's what I thought, but didn't want to say it without being sure ;)

[@NvrchFotia]

It most definitely has explosive properties. It works like flash powder when confined, depending on how fine the components are and how strong the confinement is. It can also be more impact sensitive than demonstrated, and MUCH more friction sensitive.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

i've done some containment tests, and just got slightly bulging of the container. In flash powders most of the reaction producs are solid as well, but potassium chloride is a gas in a much wider temperature range, that's why it behaves explosively. As for the sensitivity, I got the same results as tannerite (5 % ammonal), with the exception that copper oxide thermite only deflagrates instead of detonating

[@nevisstkitts8264]

The copper oxide and aluminum convert to copper fume and aluminum oxide dust. The IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) for inhaled copper fume or dust is 100,000 micrograms per cubic meter or 0.1 gram per cubic meter. Inhaling copper oxide dust and fumes will cause Metal Fume Fever (MFF). So, do not use in interior or enclosed spaces, do not shoot at close range, do not allow pit operators downrange, etc. Prevent accumulation of metal contaminants near food production or water runoff, etc.

[@TiglathPileser3]

I love the art.

[@nonyabisness6306]

Thermite + gun = art who knew.

[@royalbirb2090]

Wow that's amazing! How much is copper oxide thermite? Also what's the mixture ratio you used?

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

it is a relativley cheap material, overall cost would be about 1$ per target. The typical (stoichiometric) ratio is 82% CuO to 18% Al

[@royalbirb2090]

Backyard Ballistics excellent, thank you!

[@BillWorden]

Great Content. Just subscribed! I'll be making a few of these tomorrow. 😎

[@billmeade9029]

I was wondering what the ratio was also but i figured someone would ask so i read the comments first so i want to thank you for asking 👍

[@georgealex338]

Where can someone buy coperoxide thermite?

[@cameronross4140]

I’m a little late to the party, could you mix this with paint and make the entire target reactive so it can produce smaller reactions multiple times from each bullet hit?

[@maverick9708]

It's independent channels like you that make KZbin worth coming back to

[@Frresh123]

Haha, it's awesome that you mentioned him, during the video i had this feeling of watching some youtube chemist like Nilered or Nurdrage, with the subject being strongly gun related. I personally don't know that much about firearms (i never even fired one yet, but planning to do so) and wanna learn more about the topic in general. How about a cooperation between you and Nile for the science behind it?

[@k.backus6349]

Going to experiment with mini targets, tannerite in pyro tubes and hopefully sensitive enough for a .22. just realized I can't assemble until at the range.

[@peteraugust5295]

I dont even know which law to look for the reason they are banned here. But I am sure there is one haha

[@OspreyKnight]

@Cw Sayre .... or Germany?

[@tomsoki5738]

Cw Sayre erm... take a peak at his profile pic haha

[@squirrelmanbob]

Do you have any ideas for a product that can be ignited at much lower velocity with an air rifle?

[@dc-gs3ld]

This thermite mix releases mostly solid products after it explodes, but when initiated by shock it's still a full detonation, wether or not something generates gas (be it nitrogen dioxide like with ammonal, or other gaseous byproducts) doesn't make it non explosive, it is still behaving as a high explosive, can still propel secondary projectiles (pebbles, splinters, etc.), and creates a lot of heat. A detonation is a supersonic explosion put simply, this doesn't have to be conventional as is proved by some vapor cloud explosions and even nuclear weapons. Of course I think this is all a good thing because it's cool but I wouldn't say this is less dangerous than tannerite. If it were intiated by heat alone (like from a blowtorch) it wouldn't detonate but would still be dangerous.

[@shuumai]

Could any of the solid products created by the thermite hit the user with any real force??

[@osmacar5331]

The canvas looks like the horse head nebula

[@bluewaffle1957]

What is the cost comparison between this and other binary target compounds ???

[@jaycousland9835]

An inch of black powder in an upright,dry metal soup an will light with around 2000 fps +. These copper oxide thermite targets give good validation of a hit!

[@romeolima5339]

I did enjoy this video. But where can we get the components?

[@VeronicaCastro-ru8nm]

Great targets!!!!!

[@johnparrish9215]

Sir, how fine is the powder?? I noticed that Amazon has 30 micron Black Copper Oxide powder for $60 for ten pounds.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I don't know about mine, but anything smaller than 300 mesh should work fine. The size and shape of the aluminum particles is more important than that of the copper oxide. Flake shape is better

[@feuerfrei7070]

This is very coool!

[@caminam78]

amazing and underrated

[@timonlamprey29]

Very cool, I made reactive air rifle pellets...

[@xxxm981]

@Alexander Mason Where did you get mercury fulminate?

[@jong2359]

@@xxxm981 Off KZbin, of course.

[@marcusborba8760]

Muito legal o vídeo ! parabéns !

[@RodrigoFernandez-td9uk]

6:21 Now you can sell that as modern art.

[@saheilaanarzee5552]

that looks sooo cool :D

[@REXOB9]

Your artwork is better than a Jackson Pollock painting.

[@Zanthum]

Great video. Can also get a similar cloud by shooting a soda bottle with pressurized air and some chalkline chalk in it but sadly no chemical reaction there. But take a 2 liter bottle to 120psi (~8.2bar) and you feel the shockwave from downrange. The copper thermite probably won't be allowed at my range due to fire risk. Lots of dry grass there and good luck trying to explain to them that the chemical reaction is a rapid burn not an explosion. They have already banned tanerite but oddly people keep buying it from the local stores. I want to know where they are using it.

[@buggsy5]

You might feel a pressure pulse, but there certainly would not be any shock wave from the exploding bottle. There is nothing to drive the pressure wave supersonic.

[@lacka90]

You should sell that painting. or make like 5 having your signature on it. Write an assay to each one of them about violence, nature and chemistry and you have modern art that actually looks good!

[@buggsy5]

Overspray the "paintings" with a clear acrylic protective lacquer, so the copper does not re-oxidize or form verdigris.

[@silverbankruptcy]

Can I ask you, what tools you are using to tamp it down and that small metal bucket?

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

That was an old mortar and pestle made of pewter

[@thechad1970]

Outstanding

[@eyesintheskies]

What is the ratio of copper oxide to aluminium powder please?

[@andreadavide]

I wish at my TSN they would allow this kind of targets and not just the UITS official ones.

[@mrtangerillo7758]

But wait a second, certain flash powders release solid materials as a byproduct of their reaction but can still blow stuff apart. What would happen if you confined this more? I feel like you could get even better with this idea. Very cool!

[@megah3rtz72]

Thank you for the informative video, can you share your mixture ratio? I would love to try this on my own.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

it is just stoichiometric copper (II) oxide/aluminum thermite, which is about 82% to 18 %

[@megah3rtz72]

@@Backyard.Ballistics Thank you :)

[@buggsy5]

@@Backyard.Ballistics I wonder how much of the metal splatter was from the projectile impact. The burning should have been essentially gasless.

[@CPUDOCTHE1]

Most of the appeal of the exploding targets is from the loud boom and the concussion you feel. Remember, safety third.

[@skeets6060]

Soooooo how about the formula !! Where you obtained the components mix rates,, you know

[@SuperPercyl]

Hello , I am not used to explosives and I do have a lil infor about them.... I have a farm and want to use this product "tannerite" for stump removal... My question is guns are not allowed in my country, so is there anyway can make it ignite on it own possible by burning the compound up. Any suggestion that you guys think I can use, with regards on blasting the stumps.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Hi, I don't think tannerite would be a good solution for stumps, since it has a high critical diameter, meaning that you would need to put such a big hole through the log for fitting the charge that you might as well split it by conventional means. On the other hand, one very easy and relatively safe solution is using simple black powder, loaded in a half inch diameter hole or so, drilled as deep as possible, with the hole then solidly plugged. Alternatively any flash powder can be used

[@SuperPercyl]

@@Backyard.Ballistics thank you so much , I will look into the powder stuff.... THANKS 🙏🏽

[@buggsy5]

Using Tannerite to remove stumps or any other use besides as a reactive target would be violating the manufacturer's usage instructions. In the US, that would make it illegal for such purposes, I don't know about other countries. I do know that Dan Tanner ships internationally.

[@17hmr243]

some glass beads for friction ?

[@juanlago733]

As a former combat engineer I would advise that thermite type targets only be used where there is either no vegetation or the vegetation is wet and green. Thermite is an incendiary and could get you thrown in jail if you start a wildfire or have in your possession in States where wildfire is a constant danger from natural sources. Also when mixing a copper based thermite you should wear gloves, goggles and a filtration mask. Copper Oxide is toxic and can cause a variety of health issues including renal failure. This type of thing can be done safely if you follow proper precautions. Read up on making, handling and using these types of compounds before doing it. The U.S. Army's FM 5-25. FM 5-250, FM 3-34.214 and TM 31-210 are a good place to start.

[@ruthlessrubberducky5729]

Is there somewhere that sells this?

[@spearfisherman308]

Is tanneries legal in Italy.

[@Samonie67]

well, i wouldn't say that these can't be used in explosives. Copper oxide thermite can still be used as a high explosive and a relativly effective one at that. it just needs to be confined tightly in a steel container or similar so that pressure can build up. there is gas formation, namely in the copper that vaporizes at the high temperatures of thermite reactions.

[@jic1]

If you need to contain the reaction for a pressure build-up, then by definition it isn't a high explosive.

[@Samonie67]

@@jic1 yea but that's like saying black powder is completely safe cause you need to confine it

[@jic1]

@@Samonie67 I didn't say it is completely safe, I said it isn't a high explosive. And neither is black powder, now that you mention it.

[@21Arfon21]

Would this be set off by a. 22 air rifle?

[@georgeaura]

What gun is that shown that was laying on the table?

[@littlehills739]

Chiappa Little Badger

[@billyweeks4668]

I think this is a much safer target and I will just dig out my stumps. i saw on youtube how some people almost killid themselves with tannerite.

[@georgeaura]

Can a pellet gun set these off?

[@kingsavage2272]

Why not just fill a small vial with paint?

[@lupettoversilia]

Mi dispiace che i contenitori siano di plastica, fanno del sudicio scoppiando Video Ineccepibile 😊 molto ben confezionato

[@JohnDoe-jk8yy]

Calm down man you are little nervous. Good video tjo

[@jcmo5900]

I'm not an art guy so much but I'd buy those if you were selling them!

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

Fantastic video! A compound I was not familiar with.

[@buggsy5]

Copper oxide and aluminum powder are used for welding large copper wires to copper clamps for electrical grounding systems. One of the companies that retails the mixture even sells custom molds of various clamp/wire sizes for that exact purpose. I saw it demoed at one of the national electronics expos about 20 years ago. The mix was ignited with an electrical igniter and there was zero smoke and it was also pretty much gasless.

[@orozcocris93]

What is it called? i cant seem to catch that in the video. I am horrible with accents

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

copper oxide thermite. a mixture of copper (II) oxide and aluminum in fine powdered form.

[@orozcocris93]

@@Backyard.Ballistics Thank you! Love your videos!

[@lollooobenaaa8464]

Funziona anche con le armi ad aria compressa?

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

No, è necessaria una velocità superiore ai 500 m/s

[@lollooobenaaa8464]

@@Backyard.Ballistics ah peccato 😅

[@dav8show680]

Da quanto tempo studi inglese??

[@limescaleonetwo3131]

beautimous

[@MrEazyE357]

"this looks familiar"

[@NF0416]

Eye of Sauron

[@kelseydonoghue158]

If you don’t mind disclosing it, tell us more about your engineering background. It sounds like you majored in Mechanical Engineering, but with your knowledge of Chemistry, it seems you’ve majored in Aerospace Engineering.

[@hackmasterHQ]

You should try using a canvas and sell it as art.

[@Punisher9419]

Nice art. Wander if you could sell them or something.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I was thinking of giving them away, but I haven't got a clue how to do it yet :-P

[@hornyducks4090]

that guy that shot the lawnmower? yeah his leg is gone. you can even see the blood splatter on the other guy. tannerite is no toy kids

[@rickrazz7136]

Would these work with airguns which shoot at speeds of 800-1000 fps at the muzzle/.22 cal?

[@tdb922f]

Oh god no. You've just discovered the abiogenetic cause of the Balrog or Morgoth. We're doomed now.

[@OspreyKnight]

Love shooting.... but fuck I wish we would ban tannerite. In Utah people light fires with that shit monthly. I like the idea of what you've come up, still need something that doesn't heat as much. Beautiful paintings though, might have to do some myself... assuming it isn't banned in the US while tannerite isn't...

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I don't think there would be a reason for banning it, after all thermites are used for exothermic welding all over the world...

[@OspreyKnight]

@@Backyard.Ballistics The US is kind of weird with it's laws sometimes, double so in it's enforcement. From what I can tell, its only illegal make and sell as a business without a license. Personal manufacture and use is acceptable under the same rules as binary explosives.

[@buggsy5]

@@OspreyKnight Those laws also state that if you make explosives, you cannot sell, give away or even store overnight except in a licensed explosives magazine. It is also illegal to transport the mixed product.

[@uarbor70]

Tannerite does not start fires alone. Everyone insist on including a tank of propane or a jug of gasoline. People will do that s*** without Tannerite

[@ProteinFromTheSea]

it honestly looks better than tannerite, and thermites are almost famous for their high activation energy. good job!

[@ryantait177]

cool

[@whitneydylan1]

when you first mentioned tannerite i looked at my ammo shelf and saw my 2lbs of tannerite.... then when you mentioned america i laughed my ass off

[@dumbemokid4442]

I kinda wanna try this now time to figure what he actually used lol

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

82%CuO to 18% Al 😉 (by weight of course) Just regular copper oxide thermite 👍

[@dumbemokid4442]

@@Backyard.Ballistics thanks lol im still gonna do research into it more because im curious how it reacts to bullet hitting it.

[@buggsy5]

@@dumbemokid4442 Obviously, it ignites. You can see the small ball of flame in the slow motion sequences. But I think most of the spraying/splatter is due to the bullet impact and not gases from the combustion.

[@uarbor70]

@@buggsy5 actually thermite reactions do not produce any gas whatsoever

[@fromthebackseat4865]

Don’t worry, I don’t trust lids either. With their threads and dead faces. I HATE THEM.

[@huntingupland]

People who shoot Tannerite do it for the explosion not the smoke

[@nonkynonk]

I have honestly no clue how tannerite is legal

[@wilburpost7977]

The same way gasoline is; you have to use a few brain cells when dealing with certain products.

[@mrfancypanzer549]

Interesting, wonder how well a shotgun could set these off, shooting them out of the air would be really cool.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Unfortunately shotguns have too low of a muzzle velocity. Not even regular tannerite would work, you would need 22 long rifle sensitive mixtures, usually based on perchlorates, but those are quite dangerous