How Can I Make Steel Gongs Ring Louder

[mwsenoj]

Aside from shooting magnum loads, how do you get that nice "tuning fork" sound from your steel targets? I have used shepherd's hooks from the garden section with some good success, but it seems that when using chain or fire hose it dampens the great vibration sound that nice thin AR plate sends out. Also, I cant use the hooks for some of my larger targets. I wish I had time to get scientific and go try some different ways to see if it helped my targets make a nicer ring rather than a clank, but I am short on time and am hoping to get some ideas from the good people on theHighRoad

 

[M-Cameron]

bolt a cow bell to the backside of your steel?

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

bolt a cow bell to the backside of your steel?

Of course, more cowbell...

 

[dogtown tom]

 

[rbernie]

This thread definitely needs more cowbell.

 

[mwsenoj]

And to think I got excited to read what ideas people were gonna give me, haha

 

[MtnCreek]

Lots of trips to the plate for painting and a good spotter. Won't help with sound but the only (cheap) way I've found to confirm hits with small bullets at longish range.

 

[joem1945]

You could make hooks out of rebar, but you'll need a torch to bend it.

 

[roval]

The thinner plates, gongs will ring better especially if they are bigger for their thickness.

There's a steel target that I think I saw in one of the gun programs that did have a cut that was like a tuning fork and that gave a nice sound but I remembered I lost interest when I heard what the price was.

 

[Speedo66]

Hearing aid.

 

[CatManDo]

Use AR500 steel.

 

[mwsenoj]

I am only using ar500 plate. Mostly using 3/8" but a have couple pieces of 1/2" and now some 1/4" coming in the mail.

I did think of something that will be easy to try. I'm going to try and get some vinyl hose and try to get it in the mounting holes and see if it will let the gongs ring more freely.

 

[Iggy]

Hit it harder..

 

[hso]

Perhaps some of the Competition folks have addressed this problem in their matches.

 

[murf]

a solid mount to a steel frame will probably give you the most ring for the ding. any loose mount will dampen vibration.

murf

 

[rodregier]

...and if you can't find a steel target acoustic option to your liking,
there is the Bulleye Camera system:

http://www.bullseyecamera.com/

 

[M-Cameron]

just to be clear, i was actually being serious with my cowbell suggestion, haha

a cowbell can be heard a LONG ways off....bolting one to the back side of your steel should quite literally make your gong "ring like a bell".

 

[mwsenoj]

just to be clear, i was actually being serious with my cowbell suggestion, haha

a cowbell can be heard a LONG ways off....bolting one to the back side of your steel should quite literally make your gong "ring like a bell".

I took it as a smart Alec comment.

 

[MaterDei]

More powerful rounds would help. Electronic ear muffs too.

 

[jmorris]

Perhaps some of the Competition folks have addressed this problem in their matches.

I double plug at matches, one set of custom ear plugs and muffs on top of that.

Sounds are not relied on we use reactive steel or use other methods o indicate a hit.

 

[Ignition Override]

Compare using hollow point ammo?

 

[25cschaefer]

This is a youtube video of a company claiming to have the loudest. It appears that the target is bolted to a backer with a spring in between.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6nimIC7oGU

 

[birdshot8's]

For a mild steel plate, heat the plate to white hot and quench with water. Reheat to about 500 degrees to temper and allow to air cool. The hardened steel has a sharper ring than the untreated plate steel. Or you could do what this fellow did with a plow disc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3--JT8R7U.

 

[1KPerDay]

AR 500 plates hung with ropes and bolts are so loud indoors that you have to wear hearing protection even when shooting subsonic rounds through suppressors.

 

[mwsenoj]

Here's my stand. Just got it off of Amazon. Got everything hung after dark. I'll come back out tomorrow and do some ring tests.



Target stand link: 2x4 Target Stand AR500 - Powdercoated - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VR6XL16/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_dnwUwbB81YP0A