AR500 Gongs

[lone shooter]

1. Make sure whatever size gong you have that the stand will stay upright upon impact. Swing it back and forth somewhat violently to see the effects before you get to the range. Nothing ruins a shooting session more than a flimsy stand. I've been battling this for a while. It's hard to find a balance between portability, durability, stability, and price.

2. Bullet velocity is what kills a target. 100 yards for 223/5.56 will leave some minor pitting. Bi-metal and steel core will also kill it faster.

3. You either buy strong hardware less frequently that costs a small percentage more which has a very long life, or you buy cheap hardware that you will likely be replacing every range session. Use grade 8 bolts and washers, and grade 70 chain (if you use chain).

Thanks for the tips.

Lowes sells the graded bolts. At least grade 5, not sure about 8. Yes, I'm using chain. I'll have to do my homework on your #1 above.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/materials-and-grades/bolt-grade-chart.aspx

[Jiggy325]

Lytle creek allows them.

[lone shooter]

^ Yes, they do.

[musick]

Yes, I'm using chain.

Seems chain is the go to for hanging AR500 but 1 errant shot can render it useless and its somewhat expensive. Ask me how I know.

Ive had a lot of luck with woven fabric straps - I salvaged mine from the shoulder strap of a gym bag. After 500+ hits to the plate the spalling has not noticeably weakened the material and even the occasional bullet passes right through while remaining intact. Strips cut from blown out tires which can be had for free on the side of many highways work even better from what I have seen.

I feel the extra dimes spent on grade 8 nuts and bolts to be well worth the cost. Try to eliminate any exposed threads with washers and such as it makes the rotating of plates difficult.

Shepards hooks can be used for a stand and attaching the plates with paracord works pretty good for pistol calibers. Very inexpensive and quick to replace if needed.

[cwilliams]

Musick is also correct that there are other methods of hanging them, especially the woven straps. Used fire hose is also supposed to work well for longevity. So far, in the two years I've had things on grade 70 chains, I have yet to break a single link. Maybe I'm just not shooting enough! I even had a bolt take a direct hit from a 308 round and it took a crater out of it, but did not disable it enough for replacement. Tough bolts!! The splash alone is enough to start to disabling non-hardened bolts.

In regards to finding the grade 8 hardware locally, ACE carries just about everything you need. Lowe's is your next option, followed by Home Depot. Yes, in that order if you have an ACE nearby. Home Depot does not always carry grade 8.

Chain wise, about 50% of the Home Depot's I have gone to sell the grade 70 chain by the foot. I advise to call ahead if you go that route.

[L84CABO]

I'm lucky that I have access to private land. Shooting steel is a blast! And having done it, if I didn't have a buddy who very generously lets me shoot on his land, I would look into buying a piece of my own. Even if I went in on it with some friends. It is most awesome!

[cwilliams]

I've had the private land opportunity as well. That's the best way to shoot!

I also have a full membership to West End where I can set my targets up how I like in their private bays. Since becoming a member I have thoroughly extended my target collection. I have sizes ranging from 1x1-3/8" (yes, that small) all the way up to 12x20. I try and not bring it to the range all at once because the pile of targets alone weighs around 150-200 lbs. It's made me get a little creative with how I have to transport it all without having a truck.

[golfish]

We shoot on private land surrounded by BLM land. I use saw horses that go together with 4 screws. It makes it easier to transport when they are broken down.

[afteractionreport]

Any of you guys have experience with shepherds hooks from the hardware stores to use as a stand?

[cwilliams]

AR500 Gongs

Any of you guys have experience with shepherds hooks from the hardware stores to use as a stand?

Don't buy the hooks from Walmart. Home Depot is better quality with better welds. You'll need to make sure the ground you are on is soft enough, but not too soft, to push it into. It's probably the easiest way to hang them if the conditions are right. Dry, rock hard ground at most ranges in SoCal is not ideal.

[SoCal Choppas]

I shoot my AR500 targets at Lytle Creek all the time. Don't forget to take a "Chill Pill" before going, because idiots will shoot at your targets.

Make sure you angle the targets, so most of the energy is deflected downwards. This will help prolong the life of your targets than when taking direct perpendicular hits and taking hits from bimetal jacketed ammo. The pock marks won't be as bad.

Regarding stands.....good luck trying to get a shepherd's hook in the ground, you'll need a spike and a sledge hammer to make a pilot hole at Lytle Creek.

[SoCal Choppas]

8" Gong at 100 yards @ Lytle Creek

The Saw Horse looking swing targets belong to the range.






10" Gong at 200 Yards

[cwilliams]

I shoot my AR500 targets at Lytle Creek all the time. Don't forget to take a "Chill Pill" before going, because idiots will shoot at your targets.

Make sure you angle the targets, so most of the energy is deflected downwards. This will help prolong the life of your targets than when taking direct perpendicular hits and taking hits from bimetal jacketed ammo. The pock marks won't be as bad.

Regarding stands.....good luck trying to get a shepherd's hook in the ground, you'll need a spike and a sledge hammer to make a pilot hole at Lytle Creek.

Nice looking stands. I have fabrication skills, but I need to learn how weld and then the sky is the limit. I've had ideas brewing in my head for the past couple years.

Agreed on the chill pill. You are at a public range. Yes, some dipwad from who knows how many lanes over will shoot your stuff and then claim he thought it belonged to the range.

Thankfully, the people who use the West End main range have enough respect to not shoot what doesn't belong to them.

Here's something to keep in mind when you are building or looking at stands to buy - if it's visible to the path of the bullet, expect it to be shot. A goal to try and achieve is to minimize the amount of surface area visible to the bullet path. You either build (or buy) something strong enough to resist the impact, or you go cheaper with parts that can be somewhat easier to replace. Only you can determine what is ideal for you and how deep your pockets go. With longevity in mind, I have been slowly easing wood out of the equation because it gets chewed up far too fast. I reserve it for rimfire only since a stray round does far less damage than say something like a 45. Bullet splash is also its worst enemy.

OP - you might want to check this out if you want a fairly cheap, easy, and highly portable solution. The Last Stand

[afteractionreport]

Don't buy the hooks from Walmart. Home Depot is better quality with better welds. You'll need to make sure the ground you are on is soft enough, but not too soft, to push it into. It's probably the easiest way to hang them if the conditions are right. Dry, rock hard ground at most ranges in SoCal is not ideal.

I was thinking about some from lowes theyre rated at. A max 20lbs weight capacity and the other ones are rated a 8lbs....don't know how accurate that is but my 12inch Is about ten pounds according to the manufacturer.....

[Click Boom]

It sucks to spend money on stands but it really does make things a helluva lot easier every single time you go shooting.