Recommend a steel plate rig for practice?

[altitude_19]

I'd like some more practice between matches, but don't have a range that keeps a steel plate rig up. I've seen some "dueling tree" types that look easy to transport/set up. Are there any you folks would recommend? I'm looking at a price cap of about $100.

 

[Justin]

I don't know that you'll find a dueling tree capable of taking hits from a centerfire pistol for a price point of around $100.

However, MGM makes some excellent steel poppers that are about as close to your limit as I've found.

Also, if you order online, shipping will be pretty expensive due to the weight.

 

[Avenger29]

I don't know that you'll find a dueling tree capable of taking hits from a centerfire pistol for a price point of around $100.

The cheap steel targets tend to have a "fine print" warning that they are to be used only with soft lead nosed rounds. That's something that doesn't tend to make the catalog descriptions. And I don't know how those would hold up to even low velocity lead rounds.

 

[1SOW]

I shoot some steel and USPSA that includes steel and had the same practice problem.

I traced a "small" popper to make a template. Using the template, I trace the shape and cut the popper out of the 'white' side of a cardboard IPSC std target with a razor knife.

I had made some simple target stands for the std IPSC carboard targets out of 1X2's.
2 sticks at a dollar each make one stand. I made some short bases that fit my stands and clip the white carboard poppers to the base using those 2 inch spring-steel paper clamps available at any office supply store. I can set up as many as 5 poppers to practice with.

My "white" cardboard poppers easily show 9mm holes out to 15+ yds. White 3/4" "first aid tape" patches the holes perfectly. The round circle part of the popper can supply plate run practice. I was pleasantly surprised at how long they stay usable before a replacement is needed.

Hope this helps.

 

[altitude_19]

An interesting idea about the paper stand-ins...I was REALLY hoping to make something a little more realistic (that dings when you shoot it ). Here's some candidates that I've found shopping around. I use plated rounds, so my ammo is still pretty soft.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=250376http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=380169

 

[g.willikers]

Birchwood Casey also makes similar steel targets, priced about the same.
One is a double swinger, the top is 4" dia and the bottom is 6".
They hold up fine to most pistol rounds and are rated up to 44Mag.

 

[Avenger29]

Birchwood Casey also makes similar steel targets, priced about the same.
One is a double swinger, the top is 4" dia and the bottom is 6".
They hold up fine to most pistol rounds and are rated up to 44Mag.

Those are the kind I'm talking about that are rated for lead nose rounds and not FMJ. Doesn't mean they won't stand up to FMJ in some cases...it's just that they might wear out faster (and I guess breaking is possible).

 

[1SOW]

When you're as deaf as I am, the "ding" doesn't matter. I'm also not much of an artist on the computer.

 

[BullfrogKen]

If you add to your budget a bit, you'll be able to find something much better. Cheap steel isn't worth buying, especially for high volumes of shooting. There's nothing at that price point I'd feel comfortable recommending.