Steel Target question

[atek3]

I shoot at a local private range with two lines, a 50 yard pistol bay and a 100 yard rifle line. I proposed installing reactive rifle rated steel at the 100 yard line. The preliminary response was favorable, but I need to find some fairly specific targets.

The targets would have to be relatively cheap (less than 400 dollars for the array), small (4-5”), and very durable (able to survive errant hits from poor shooter), and weather resistant (able to sit outdoors for months without care). The best target would be self-resetting using gravity, immobile targets would probably be chewed up quickly by magnum cartridges.

Anyone have any recommendations and a link to the catalog?

Thanks,
atek3

 

[General Geoff]

What's the upper spectrum of rifle caliber this thing should be designed to withstand?

 

[atek3]

thousands of rounds of 223 and 308. There will be a sign that says "no armor piercing, no magnums, no 50 bmg" but occasionally jerks will shoot it anyway. Someone that shoots it with a 50 BMG will be expelled from the range.

atek3

 

[SDC]

Your cheapest option would probably be to hang some hardened steel (T1, if you can get it) gongs on chains, so they'll ring and dance when they're hit. If you hang them at a 45 degree angle, with 2 chains at the front and 1 at the rear, then any splash from the steel is going to ricochet down into the ground, instead of over a berm and off to who-knows-where.

 

[atek3]

I've tried chains, and they always get shot

atek3

 

[cuervo]

One of the ranges I go to uses old steel wheels taken from tractor trailer trucks. Theirs are out much farther than 100yds, though. I don't know if ricochets would be a problem that close.

At the closer ranges, they have steel gongs welded to a piece of angle iron. The angle iron rests on a piece of steel round stock, acting as a hinge. When the gong is hit, the target rotates to dissipate the bullet's energy. This could also be done with a piece of pipe slipped over the round bar, but the angle iron can just be put on and off without having to lift the bar.

Something like this but much more home-made:

 

[BSlacker]

Try these: http://www.gttargets.com/targetsandbases.htm

I use these for pistol up close even 357 mag from a 12" barrel Contender with 180gr heavy loads at 50 yards and rifle 50 yrds and further. No holes or serious marks after thousands of rounds. I did destroy one with some heavy 69gr .223 up close. Easy to set up and repair. The plates hang on a mount that is slipped over the end of a 2X4. The mount itself is hidden behind the plate so it is safe from errant shots and it holds the plate loose and at about 20 degrees. With the plate loose you get good sound with only the plate exposed there is less to damage and what there is is cheap and easy. Of course I never miss so I am working with my original 2X4 when the 2X4 is used up just replace it and keep going no welding just cheap wood and 5 seconds of your time. When you want to bring them in just slip the plate off the mount and your done. The price is medium for this quality. Shipping is to be noticed. They are heavy. Good luck and safe shooting.

 

[Whole Hog]

I just bought a pistol target and folding stand from these people:

http://www.actiontarget.com/

They have lots of other tartgets, including hardened rifle targets.

 

[cheygriz]

www.metaltargets.com

I'm real well pleased with the "duelling tree" from them. I plan to get another target or three from them!

 

[Chuck R.]

T1 will be too soft, you're looking for T500 or AR500 or better for rifle targets. I buy mine form Arntzen Targets:

http://www.arntzentargets.com/SteelTypes.htm

They're rated for 7.62 FMJ at 100 meters and .223 FMJ at 150 meters, at these distances the steel will not dimple or crater.

Whatever you decide to get, make sure it's reversible, as they will bend from impacts over time. I flip mine every year.

Chuck

 

[cheygriz]

And also remember that when the maker says:

MINIMUM 25 YARDS, 100 YARDS ETC

He really means it! You don't wan't to shoot anything from so short a distance that you will be hit by a richochet. (Rick O'Shea?? )