Tannerite is a brand of binary explosive target designed to react to a high-velocity impact and produce a loud report. Unlike ordinary targets, it is made from separate components that are combined for use, which is one reason it requires careful handling and attention to local laws and safety rules.
For people who encounter the term at shooting ranges, online, or in the news, Tannerite can seem more mysterious than it really is. At its core, it is meant to provide an audible and visible signal when struck under the conditions specified by the manufacturer. It is not something to treat like a harmless target or novelty.
The important questions are straightforward: what is Tannerite, how does it work in general terms, where can it be used legally, and what safety concerns should you know before handling it? This guide covers those basics without getting into instructions for making or modifying explosive materials.
How Tannerite Works
Tannerite is a binary reactive target. The two components stay separate until they are combined, and the mixed material can react when struck by a sufficiently fast rifle round. ATF explains that binary products generally contain an oxidizer and a fuel; once combined, the mixture becomes an explosive material subject to federal rules in 27 CFR Part 555.
That distinction matters. The unopened components are treated differently under federal explosives rules than the mixed product. ATF says a person making mixed binary explosives only for personal, non-business target practice does not need a federal explosives license. But receiving or transporting mixed binary explosives generally requires a federal explosives license or permit.
Tannerite Safety Basics
You should treat Tannerite as an explosive target, not as an ordinary paper or steel target. The manufacturer warns about sparks, flying debris, dry vegetation, and improper placement. It also says to follow the product instructions and keep people well away from the target.
Before using any reactive target, check:
- Your shooting site’s rules and local fire restrictions.
- Your state and county laws.
- The target manufacturer’s current safety instructions.
- The condition of the surrounding ground, vegetation, and backstop.
- Whether you are on private property, a shooting range, or federal land.
Fire risk is a major reason these rules can change by location and season. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that human activity causes about 88% of U.S. wildfires based on its 10-year average through 2023.
Is Tannerite Legal?
There is no single nationwide answer that covers every use. Federal law creates a framework, but state, county, range, and land-management rules can add restrictions.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 842, it is generally unlawful for a person who is not a licensee or permittee to knowingly “transport, ship, cause to be transported, or receive” explosive materials, subject to statutory exceptions. ATF applies this rule to mixed binary explosives.
Public land can be even more restrictive. BLM fire orders have prohibited exploding targets during periods of elevated fire danger. For example, a 2024 Oregon and Washington order banned “exploding targets” on BLM-managed public lands.
So, the practical rule is simple: never assume that buying Tannerite means you can use it anywhere. Check the exact land, date, and local rules before you mix or use it.
Key Takeaways
- Tannerite is a binary reactive target designed to produce a report when struck by a suitable high-velocity projectile.
- The separate components and the mixed product are treated differently under federal explosives law.
- Once mixed, Tannerite should be treated as an explosive material, not as an ordinary shooting target.
- Federal law can restrict the transportation and receipt of mixed binary explosives, with specific exceptions for certain personal uses.
- State, county, range, and land-management rules can add restrictions, including temporary bans during periods of high fire danger.
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