How the heck do i mount ar500 steel targets?

[dallssheep]

Hello all,


So i just bought two types of targets

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251093185757?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

3 of these and one of these...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251307320893?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT



What is the easiest way to mount those for a day at the range? I figure shepherds hooks would work ok for the smaller 3 but how do i get this other one mounted in a halfway portable setup?

 

[1KPerDay]

Here's one option
http://www.laststands.com/

 

[1KPerDay]

As for connecting the targets to the hanger, lots of people recommend chain or "conveyor belt" or fire hose. I've found the easiest, lightest, and most convenient is 5/8" nylon rope, some suitably sized bolts/washers/nuts, and some knots. Rope is quite resistant to strikes and splatter, and is cheap and easy to replace when necessary.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Mine are on chain. My range has 2 x 4 frames with chicken wire. I put S hooks on the chain and hang from the wire....I drape chain over top of frame and fasten to wire. That way the load on the wire is cut in about half, plus it pulls up on the wire.

 

[toiville2feathers]

I have mine hanging by 3/8 inch wire rope with a sisal rope center. all it takes is a few cable clamps and the cable. You can get it at most farm or building supply stores.
The cable is very resistant to bullet strikes.

 

[MErl]

Good, they have holes. I'm going to assume these are rifle targets, handguns are more forgiving.

Grade 8 bolts are able to take a direct hits so I use them through the holes. The washers and nuts behind the steel can be common grade. I've used rope in the past and the spall will cut it up in a hurry, not recommended.

For straps I use chain and old tire tread. It takes a very heavy duty chain to handle hits, that gets heavy and expensive fast. The tire tread is lighter and more durable but does not pack down as well. My current favorite is nylon belted motorcycle tires, they cut up quite easily. Stores will very likely give you a couple, any they give to you they do not have to pay to dispose of.

For stands, it would be hard to beat a sawhorse to get going. The orange store sells brackets you add 2x4 into. Vary the length as needed for height. The 2x4 will get chewed up but anything down range has to be considered a consumable. I use steel fenceposts for a more durability but they have to be pounded into the ground and they still get chewed up eventually. There are other options with rebar that work well and compact down to a small package; essentially a rebar sawhorse.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use chain mending links to fix any breaks. A bag of them is only a couple of bucks.

 

[zerobarrier]

I use chains, shepards hook with a fence post tied to it with wire, or a stand from metaltargets.com

 

[dallssheep]

Can any of you take a picture of your setups so i can take your pics to the orange depot and buy what i need? its so cold here i cant use Sheppards hooks. made quite the scene here at my local range today trying haha

 

[bainter1212]

I also use sawhorses. Sawhorse brackets are CHEAP and so are 2x4s. Cut the lumber to desired length and screw to sawhorse brackets. The whole setup is so cheap that you wont mind if you have to replace a board or two down the road.
I hang my targets from cheap chain. The chain doesnt break if you dont miss haha

 

[g.willikers]

Surely you must have at least one friend who trusts you enough to hold it for you.
If not, make an inexpensive stand from 2x4s with a foot.
Drill a couple of holes in the foot and use garden stakes to hold the stand upright and solid.
Cheap and effective.
Just make an effort to hit the target and not the stand.
Here's an easy to make sawhorse type, for multiple targets:
http://www.modernbushman.com/2012/06/26/ar500-steel-target-review-diy-target-stand/

 

[jtischauser]

I buy all of mine from MGM Targets. So they come with all the hardware.

Buy once cry once!

 

[Chuck R.]

I use several methods, for the round targets you pictured I use cheap "shepard hooks" from Walmart. For my IDPA Silhouettes I use portable stands from Arntzen, so I can change the setups. For my larger targets such as my Pig and turkey swingers I use chain with a spacer between the steel and chain to create a down/backward angle. I make the frames out of "T" Posts.

Sorry I don't have any closeups:
Shepherds Hooks with round plates & a swinger:


Portable Stands:




385meter swinger:


A couple I've mounted on permanent stands by using a grader blade with an "L" welded on, then mounting the plates using a heavy spring. Very durable and they ring like a bell when hit.

For Portability the Arntzen stands are the way to go, but at $70+ with shipping they're expensive. For a strictly temporary set-up, I'd look at threaded pipe.

Chuck

Chuck

 

[WVsig]

2x4 single point (credit /u/eclypse). A stupidly simple 2x4 setup. Looks like it uses maybe ten linear feet of 2x4 (about $4) and a handful of screws. Utilizes the square hole on this target properly to hold a carriage bolt, which means with the wingnut on the back, you need exactly zero tools to assemble this in the field.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

sent you in Email of the stands i made would love to post here if i knew how

 

[OilyPablo]

VAgunner - that is awesome.

 

[WVsig]

Not my design but it works!!!!!

 

[MErl]

I find it more awesome that the shipping label was glued to the steel with no further packaging .

 

[OilyPablo]

I saw that! My USPS PO would not have picked it up. "Too heavy, come down and get it."

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

 

[jmorris]

This is a portable flasher style I built awhile back.