AR500 Gongs

[Click Boom]

I haven't used them, but those polymer "last stands" brackets seem like they might be good option.

[cwilliams]

They are a decent design. Rather than try and resist the impact, they absorb it. You can do far worse for their relatively low cost even after you have purchased the rebar.

[chknlyps2]

Here is my diy hanging target, they are AR400 though. The steel yard that cuts cutting edges and wear plates for our bull dozers has a scrap bin. They use AR400 because of the wear resistance vs cost (AR500 costs more and doesn't last much longer rubbing against dirt all day). I got 4 plates between 8 and 10 inches and 1/2 to 3/4 in. thick, about 10, 4 in. x 1 in. discs and some 8 ft long slivers I used for stakes.... all for $40. I welded extra bolts on the stakes because one broke from the shock one day, since then none have broke. I plan on using fire hose after this chain gets shot up to much. I take extra bolts, washers & chain with me to patch things up while at the range. These are 4+ years old and have taken case after case of GP11 and numerous spam cans of 7.62x54 hits.





The swinging plates absorb more of the energy and don't crater, the plates I welded legs to that I just pound into the ground get crater marks. I have welded them up with 7018 a couple times.





The thin blue one is just for .22 rimfire. It rings pretty good being thin, I have had to run it over with the truck a couple times to flatten it back out a little.

[afteractionreport]

Any suggestions on stands that dont require welding?....

[chknlyps2]

Any suggestions on stands that dont require welding?....

Kinda spendy but.... https://shootingtargets7.com/store/target-stand.html

I googled 2x4 target stand and this popped up from this thread. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=830848

[cwilliams]

Any suggestions on stands that dont require welding?....

The Last Stand that I posted a link to above requires no fabrication skills whatsoever. Buy the product, rebar, chain, and other hardware. Done.

Anything can me made out of wood for relatively cheap. You will just deal with the fact that it will get chewed up by bullet splash. Making it out of metal without welding is a lot harder and becomes very expensive very fast.

Remember that you can take the route of either expensive and strong, or cheap and replaceable. EMT will be the easiest thing to work with if you want to use metal tubing.

To help everyone else out, here is a large list of vendors I've researched or have done business with. They all have a stand of some sorts. I am not affiliated in any way. I just like to look at what is out there and decide for myself what works best for me.

This is in no order of preference whatsoever, but I will list who I have purchased from, who I have found, and some notes about them and others -


http://www.letargets.com/ - Well made reactive targets
http://www.challengetargets.com/ - 22plinkster uses them (as well at ShootSteel)
http://www.grizzlytargets.com/ - Known for their galvanized products
http://www.shooterselement.com/ - I own their 12" Octagong
http://www.gongshot.com/ - Has made me custom cut AR500 targets
http://www.arntzentargets.com/index.htm - Hickok45 uses their products
http://shootsteel.com/ - My go-to vendor. 75% of my setup utilizes their targets. The absolute best cut steel I've seen so far.
https://www.tuffsteel.com/spinner.html - Gave me some ideas for the early renditions of my home-made stands.
http://www.ar500-targets.com/Default.asp - I have two of their pipe stand setups, AR500 hangers, and a small popper. Great people to do business with and my second go-to vendor, especially because they are local. I plan to collaborate on a custom design in the future.
http://www.223targets.com/Default.asp - I use their "The Spyder" folding target stand and a 12x20 IPSC target. It's a very portable setup. Great owner!
https://www.mrtargetonline.com/ - Very cool setups. I'd like to buy something from them in the future
http://www.custommetalprod.com/steel...-targets-store - Just purchased their 4' static target stand via Amazon. Very well made and portable products. Will likely buy another one.
http://www.bluerhinotargets.com/stee...ng_targets.htm - Super heavy duty stands. You get what you pay for.
http://socaltargetworks.com/ - Bought a mini IPSC target from them at the gun show just because I had to have it. Nice owner.
http://impacttargets.com/ - Talked with the owner at the show. Looks like he's still building up his product offering
http://mgmtargets.com/ - What Jerry Miculek uses. Some very unique and also very strong setups.
http://www.rangemasterrowdy.com/index.html - Lots of reactive targets
https://shootingtargets7.com/store/ - Bought their magnetic target stencil. They also have some cool setups
http://www.qualitytargets.com/ - Have almost bought some knockdown targets from them several times. One of these days...
http://www.laststands.com/ - Unique rebar setup using self healing adapters
http://www.standera-targets.com/ - Cool looking stands and one of the few who figured out like I did that it helps to place a rubber washer between the target and chain (or other hanging option) so it will ring better.

[TheSierraDrifter]

I concur with cwilliams regarding the shootsteel.com targets. I've got a few of the AR500 66% IPSC and brackets. So much fun. Just ordered a couple SRRT targets as well - can't wait to try them out.

[cwilliams]

My latest purchase from ShootSteel is their Modular Target System. One of the coolest designs out there that is both portable and extremely strong. It's not lightweight at 44 lbs total, but I don't care with this one. Worth every penny to me!

[CamW]

Here's the target and base I made, it's AR500, 2/3 IPSC body with 6" head.
The base folds up for easy storage. I tested it at 50 yards with .308 and 12 ga slugs, and at 25 yards with 12 ga slugs and .45, it's very steady, never started to rock or tip over.

[cwilliams]

Nicely done! I'm a big fan of stands that use no tools to assemble and/or fold up like what you made. That's something I'd easily buy.

The CMP stand I mentioned next to my link above not only uses no tools, it has no other hardware except for the nut and bolt to hang the target. It's a very well thought out design and is simple in its construction.

[golfish]

Here's the target and base I made, it's AR500, 2/3 IPSC body with 6" head.
The base folds up for easy storage. I tested it at 50 yards with .308 and 12 ga slugs, and at 25 yards with 12 ga slugs and .45, it's very steady, never started to rock or tip over.

CamW, so you welded some square tubing to the gong? Good idea.

I'm surprised the 12ga or 308 didn't know it over.

We'll get the one made from 2x4's swinging back and forth shooting in rhythm and get it to fall over..

[CamW]

cwilliams,
Thanks for the kind words. If you want to try out the target and stand let me know, I'm a member at WEGC also.

golfish,
It surprised me how steady it is, when I tested it I was shooting fairly rapid fire and it pretty much stayed put.
I welded 2x4 tubing to a piece of angle iron , then bolted it to the target.
No welding on AR500 for me.

Rigid mount on the left, wiggler mount on the right.

[golfish]

I didn't look close enough at the first picture. I missed the bolt heads.
Great Idea, got to give it a try..

My buddy is moving his project over to my house later this week. I'm going to have to get him to make a couple of these brackets for me..

[D_ninja]

Those are really nice. I love the design. You could easily market and sell those.

[cwilliams]

cwilliams,
Thanks for the kind words. If you want to try out the target and stand let me know, I'm a member at WEGC also

I'll for sure let you know. I really like the base the most, especially if it stays upright with that heavy of a target and the conditions you put it through. I have certainly had a stand or two fall over. 30 cal rounds are a real test for stand stability.