The Safety of shooting steel targets

[2 Wild Dueces]

Others will argue that welding hardened steel will change the temper and thus lead to cratering and danger. Welding on armor plate (AR 500 / 550) is a no-no to me.

 

[Zak Smith]

I was about to post that.

All the targets we've used that were welded on eventually cracked and/or took bullet damage (ie damage nontypical for AR500).

 

[2 Wild Dueces]

As I am quite concerned with the safety of shooting steel, I am posting some pics of the hanger system I made for my "close" targets - those up to 30 yards away. Farther targets will be held by shepherds hooks.

These pics are just from a model in my garage...but this set-up is fashioned after the Artzen tripods, which are commercially available. My brackets will mount on a wood frame to keep my costs down and safety up.

A 5/8" slot holds a 1/2" x 1 1/2" long carriage bolt and a nut holds the bolt tight to the plate. A second nut forces the steel to hang in the same way after every shot and the plate does not swing about wildly (like when held by a chain) - so its ready to be shot again with less risk for a ricochet (at least that's my logic - which I took from my target stand). Makes a good "ring" too!

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Surprised no one posted this-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc