Steel Targets on the Cheap (pt. 2)

[Sidewinder243]

This is a follow-up of something that I posted ~5 months ago about inexpensive steel targets that I found. Anyways, magnumtarget.com has the most inexpensive steel targets that I've been able to find anywhere. $67.25 will get you two 3/8 inch thick 12 inch gongs with free shipping, which is great because most other places charge 20-30 dollars for shipping. I've hit them with .357 magnum, 9mm, and a .243, and there's been no problems (as in pitting, denting, etc.). I thought for such a low price, they wouldn't be able to handle a centerfire rifle but there didn't appear to be any issues at all.

I don't mean for this to sound like too much of an advertisement, it's just that I find it impressive that functional steel targets can be had for that little. For comparison, one 3/8" thick 12" gong from shootsteel.com is 60 dollars.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I put magnum target brand AR500 steel up on a club rifle range 2 years ago. They have been shot tens of thousands of times. A couple of round
gongs had the mounting ears break off near the two year mark. No big deal for the price. One of their 12 X 20 IDPA targets has been hit so much that it bowed in the middle. I turned it around and we are now hammering it back in the other direction.

I put magnum steel brand AR500 up at a club pistol range 4 years ago. They have probably been hit well over 100k times and have virtually no wear.

 

[Chuck R.]

Guys, sounds great, their prices are he best I've seen yet.

Have any of you done a special order with them??

I need a Ram swinger, just a ram set up as a swinger. I already have a full size pig and turkey.

Chuck

 

[hq]

Old brake rotors with a length of chain and scrap steel center caps welded to them. Close enough to $0 for all my informal steel target shooting.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I inspected the targets I have in service today. The heads are starting to crack on some of the IDPA 12 x 20 gongs.

 

[Chuck R.]

I inspected the targets I have in service today. The heads are starting to crack on some of the IDPA 12 x 20 gongs.

I think it's to be expected depending on how hard they're used and how they're mounted. I've had 2 Arntzen 2/3rds IDPA silhouettes that developed cracks right at the "neck" after years of rifle and pistol hits. I think it's the single bolt mounting and how I've got them hung. No big deal, both are over 10 years old now. They've been moved back to rifle target berms and sooner or later I'll either have them welded or just cut the heads off.

Chuck

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Mine are hung by chains.

I don't have a problem with the ones I am talking about cracking. They have had heavy club use for 2 years.

 

[SamT1]

I’m luck enough to have a welding shop in town that has a water jet. They have sheets of AR500 in 3/8 and 1/2 and cut standard gongs and tree parts as well as anything you can dream up.
I’ve got a 3/8 thick 10” that’s been smacked lots of times. It has some minor surface damage from some goofball shooting some 22-250 at it from 50 yards. Other than that it’s all good.
For pistols I’ve got some 3/8 standard steel plate. It works fine for cast lead, but warps up pretty bad. Mine are mounted inside cut atv tires to catch the lead and then on a chain so they have a lot of weight to swing kinda enhancing the beating.

 

[Walkalong]

Mine are mounted inside cut atv tires to catch the lead and then on a chain so they have a lot of weight to swing kinda enhancing the beating.

Interesting.

 

[SamT1]

Here is one that’s by my shed that needs a new plate. The lead (alot of it) falls into the tire after it hits the plate. You scoop it out and melt it down to go again! It makes the wife think she is a better shot though since it dances when you hit the tire too.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Here is one that’s by my shed that needs a new plate. The lead (alot of it) falls into the tire after it hits the plate. You scoop it out and melt it down to go again! It makes the wife think she is a better shot though since it dances when you hit the tire too.

Very good idea.

 

[SamT1]

Very good idea.

I stole it off a forum somewhere. I never saw a picture but some older casters were talking about using a tire to salvage the lead.