Steel Targets
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Steel Targets
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?
"But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" -Jesus (Luke 22:36 NLT)
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Re: Steel Targets
I use a grade 8 bolt with a valve spring on the back side
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Tench Coxe
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Re: Steel Targets
mounting to what a 2x4 pics?
"But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" -Jesus (Luke 22:36 NLT)
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Re: Steel Targets
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
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Tench Coxe
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Re: Steel Targets
Strips of rubber, like old tires or rubber matting, work well for hanging material instead of chain.
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Re: Steel Targets
That second picture looks like it would do a good job at keeping the plates from swinging, unlike chain
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Re: Steel Targets
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.
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.
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Re: Steel Targets
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
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Re: Steel Targets
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.
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.
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Re: Steel Targets
Absolutely this...Frailer wrote: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.
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Re: Steel Targets
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
All mine are portable. It seems like the rubber straps on a frame is good if you dont' plan on moving them
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Tench Coxe
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Re: Steel Targets
Rubber doesn't have to be any less portable than chain.
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Re: Steel Targets
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"
"But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" -Jesus (Luke 22:36 NLT)
Re: Steel Targets
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.
Chains suck. Heavy, loud, break when shot.
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Re: Steel Targets
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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Re: Steel Targets
samb. wrote: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.
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Re: Steel Targets
Okay. I sell chemicals to about 10 departments. I will have to ask around. I have an old tire laying around too.
"But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" -Jesus (Luke 22:36 NLT)
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Re: Steel Targets
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.PDM wrote: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
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Re: Steel Targets
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
Thanks guys. I've been wanting to buy some plates.
BK
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Re: Steel Targets
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:
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:
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Re: Steel Targets
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 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.
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Re: Steel Targets
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.Frailer wrote: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.
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Re: Steel Targets
Ah. Ok. Now I get why a little swing could be a good thing.
"The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or the state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."
Tench Coxe
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Re: Steel Targets
Mild steel is a big nono unless it is for long range. It will send copper back at you
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