Need ideas for a pumpkin shootin' match

[R. R. Ranger]

We have a monthly buffalo match and at the end of the match we take turns shooting at a bucket 300 yards away. Bottom of the list goes first and we work our way up to the top shooter till it gets hit, your name then goes on the bucket list. For our October match we wanted to put out a pumpkin instead but we want to make sure the hit is devastating to the pumpkin. We do not allow any type of explosives so the white exploding powder you can buy is out. Ideas like filling with water, freezing, leave it as it is, are welcome.

[Cat Brules]

You could cut little circles out of the top and push in a few cans of soda, then put the circles back in place. Once that heats up a bit it might create an "explosion" of sorts when it gets hit. With light loads, just hitting the pumpkin might not create the catastrophic blowup that you may be looking for.

[R. R. Ranger]

I did think about hollowing out and putting a jug of water inside. Jug of soda might be better.

[Ace_of_Hearts]

Remember you have to clean up the mess!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You can fill the pumpkin with water (Small hole in top, insert funnel, fill, put the plug back in) (Water will leak/run out with an edge hit)

You can fill the pumpkin with powdered lime and get a more drastic effect.

 

Both methods make A BIG MESS! (But sure are spectacular with a direct hit)

 

Try it yourself with a small pumpkin and a 22.

[Badlands Bob #61228]

I think filling it with water and then plugging the hole would work. Sort of like shooting a plastic milk jug full of water with a 5.56. The hydraulic shock could be spectacular.