Steel Targets

[RecoilSensitive]

Okay so a buddy of mine is making steel targets out of AR500 steel and I am going to pick up a couple. One is going to be a 10" circle which I plant to hang on a sheppards book so that is easy. The hard one is the silouette. How do you guys have them set up. Static or swinging and what stands or plans for stands did you use?

[PDM]

I use a grade 8 bolt with a valve spring on the back side

[RecoilSensitive]

mounting to what a 2x4 pics?

[PDM]

If you don't have any metal handy, just bolt through a 2x4. Don't have any picks with me. It's just bolt, target, spring, 2x, washer, nylon lock nut. If you know anyone with a shop, see if they can scrape up a few old valve springs for you. It's not an original idea. Here is one you can buy

[Whootsinator]

Strips of rubber, like old tires or rubber matting, work well for hanging material instead of chain.

[PDM]

That second picture looks like it would do a good job at keeping the plates from swinging, unlike chain

[Whootsinator]

Why do you think that?

I don't think any of the pictures necessarily show perfect execution of the concept, but they get the main idea of "replace chain with rubber" across well enough.

[PDM]

Two layers of rubber would be very stiff and spring back to neutral. Can't say that I would quite put it together like that though. Lol

[Frailer]

I think your ideal setup would depend on whether you plan to leave your targets in place or haul them back and forth to the range.

FWIW, I like to have some static steel (for practicing multiple shots on target) and some swinging/moving.

I'll also warn you that steel targets are sort of like guns or ammo: you'll always want more.

[Niceguy]

I think your ideal setup would depend on whether you plan to leave your targets in place or haul them back and forth to the range.

FWIW, I like to have some static steel (for practicing multiple shots on target) and some swinging/moving.

I'll also warn you that steel targets are sort of like guns or ammo: you'll always want more.

Absolutely this...

[PDM]

What do you mean by "swinging" <--not a joke

All mine are portable. It seems like the rubber straps on a frame is good if you dont' plan on moving them

[Whootsinator]

Rubber doesn't have to be any less portable than chain.

[RecoilSensitive]

I plan to move them. So potable is key. Also part of why I think static with 2x4 would be good for silouette and sheppards hook for 10"

[samb.]

Rubber works great to hold targets. Conveyor belt or sections of fire hose work better though because of the fibers in them. I was having problems with spall/splatter tearing the rubber. Swapping to fire hose, conveyor belt, or even old tow straps fixed that.

Chains suck. Heavy, loud, break when shot.

[ken6881]

Next time you see a tire on the side of the road pick it up. Works great for holding steel and cleans up your neighborhood


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[Whootsinator]

Rubber works great to hold targets. Conveyor belt or sections of fire hose work better though because of the fibers in them. I was having problems with spall/splatter tearing the rubber. Swapping to fire hose, conveyor belt, or even old tow straps fixed that.

Chains suck. Heavy, loud, break when shot.

That's what I was trying to remember! Someone mentioned something to me about fire departments often having lengths of old hose they can't use anymore. Might be a good source to try, at least.

[RecoilSensitive]

Okay. I sell chemicals to about 10 departments. I will have to ask around. I have an old tire laying around too.

[Frailer]

What do you mean by "swinging" <--not a joke

All mine are portable. It seems like the rubber straps on a frame is good if you dont' plan on moving them

Good question; I can see that I wasn't very clear. By "swinging" I meant targets that are suspended so that they move when shot, as opposed to firmly mounted steel challenge-style targets that don't.

[Gunsmokin]

Built mine a while back. 12" gong. Haven't had a chance to take it out yet.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1453420850.971122.jpg (282.2 KiB) Viewed 1052 times

[BK Meyers]

Great idea(s) on using rubber instead of chains. The plate needs some backward movement to aid in directing the projectile downward and the used tire idea is fantastic!! The "target reset" from the use of tire sections would be much quicker than when using chains.

Thanks guys. I've been wanting to buy some plates.

BK

[Whootsinator]

Plates need to deflect projectiles and energy (projectiles for safety, energy for target longevity), but they can be static angled targets. They don't necessarily have to swing or otherwise move.



Personally, I'd prefer it be swinging and slanted, but be mounted so that it can't rotate. Kinda like this, though it isn't a very refined setup:

[Frailer]

IMHO tilting targets downward isn't a requirement in many cases.

I would certainly do so if shooting with centerfire rifle rounds at relatively close ranges (say 75 yards or less), but for handgun rounds--or rifle rounds at 100 yards plus--it's not an issue when using AR500, as a lead bullet hitting hardened steel becomes fluid, splattering in all directions perpendicular to the angle of incidence.

The biggest risk is pitted targets. I recently saw a man knocked to the ground when a 9mm jacketed bullet hit the edge of a "crater" and a big piece of the jacket came back and whacked him in the temple.

Cratered targets should be relegated to long-distance shooting if not discarded altogether.

Just my 2 cents.

[Niceguy]

IMHO tilting targets downward isn't a requirement in many cases.

I would certainly do so if shooting with centerfire rifle rounds at relatively close ranges (say 75 yards or less), but for handgun rounds--or rifle rounds at 100 yards plus--it's not an issue when using AR500, as a lead bullet hitting hardened steel becomes fluid, splattering in all directions perpendicular to the angle of incidence.

The biggest risk is pitted targets. I recently saw a man knocked to the ground when a 9mm jacketed bullet hit the edge of a "crater" and a big piece of the jacket came back and whacked him in the temple.

Cratered targets should be relegated to long-distance shooting if not discarded altogether.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree 100%... We have had a few on here hit by return rounds or jackets from pitted steel. I only use pistol rounds on mine at any distance and they have been great. They are just 5/8" thick crap steel, not ar500 or anything like that.

[PDM]

Ah. Ok. Now I get why a little swing could be a good thing.

[PDM]

Mild steel is a big nono unless it is for long range. It will send copper back at you