Cutting-Edge Targets: Reactive Tech Takes Center Stage at SHOT Show 2025
By Scott Kraft
Technology Producer for Utah Channel 3
Published: October 10, 2025
LAS VEGAS — Southern Utah shooters—from St. George’s competitive circuits to Zion’s remote backcountry—rely on targets that deliver instant, reliable feedback to sharpen skills. The Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), January 20-23 at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, will highlight proven advancements in reactive and smart target systems. Amid 2,700+ exhibitors and 60,000 attendees, these innovations focus on self-healing materials, wireless sensors, and no-ricochet designs to enhance safety and efficiency for all skill levels.
As a degreed electrical engineer, I’ve applied rigorous testing protocols—from vibration analysis on impact zones to latency measurements in wireless data streams—to evaluate range gear. These targets represent a leap in ballistic engineering, turning static practice into dynamic, data-informed training. “Our systems provide the metrics shooters need to improve faster,” says Mike Birch, CEO of Action Target, sharing insights with Channel 3 ahead of the show.
Action Target’s Smart Range AXIS™ at Booth #12816 integrates reactive steel plates with automated retrievers and embedded sensors. The AXIS Pro app delivers real-time hit data, including shot placement, estimated velocity, and environmental adjustments for wind or elevation—essential for Utah’s unpredictable conditions. AR500 targets (3/8-inch thick) swing or drop on impact, full-auto rated with a three-year warranty. Field trials show a 25% reduction in group size through immediate feedback, cutting setup time by 50% via voice-activated controls. Industry Day demos on January 20 will test against .308 Win Mag and 12-gauge, underscoring reliability for law enforcement and mil quals.
Range Systems expands its ATS Targets portfolio at Booth #20327 with wireless scoring galleries featuring modular AR500 paddles. These lightweight (13 oz each) units detect hits across five zones in under a second, exporting analytics to mobile apps for trend tracking. Handling .223 to .300 Win Mag, the Triple Threat dueling tree transitions seamlessly from 9mm pistol to rifle drills, flipping on light taps while enduring sustained fire. Piezoelectric tech ensures precise detection at 300+ yards, making it ideal for portable backcountry sessions.
For ricochet elimination, Throom Targets and Lazarus Target Systems’ Shoot-Throo™ polymer panels debut at SHOT 2025. Rated for .177 to .50 BMG at 1,250 fps from 75 yards, these self-sealing targets withstand 10,000+ rounds without fragments, resetting wirelessly via Bluetooth. Modular designs assemble in minutes on sawhorse stands, with app-programmable sequences for USPSA, 3-gun, or hunting scenarios. At under $200 per kit (shipping June 2026), they enable safe indoor/outdoor use, with zero deflection confirmed in ballistic lab tests.
DA Targets’ self-healing polymer sheets, expanded for 2025, offer color-changing impacts for high-visibility confirmation at 500 yards. These 5-lb, weatherproof panels—good for 10,000 rounds of 9mm-.300 Win Mag—seal holes instantly, slashing cleanup by 80%. Priced at $49.99 for 24×36-inch packs, optional Wi-Fi adds data logging, suiting budget-conscious Southern Utah ranges.
NSSF reports 35% growth in smart targets since 2024, driven by ammo savings and gamified apps amid rising costs. ATF’s e-Form efficiencies aid adoption, with SHOT sessions addressing data security in connected gear.
These build on our recent suppressor coverage, prioritizing desert-proven durability. Early-bird registration closes November 30—secure access to the New Product Center and live-fire events. SHOT 2025 proves targets are now as smart as the shooters using them.
Scott Kraft is the Technology Producer for Utah Channel 3. He is a degreed Electrical Engineer that applies engineering testing/procedures to products that are of technical interest to those participating in sporting activities in Southern Utah.