AR500 Round Metal Bar

[CamW]

Go to Home Depot and get some 5/8" rebar. It should hold up better than the conduit.
A 20' piece is about $10. You'll need a way to cut it.
You might also get some longer hangers to get the target further away from the cross bar.

[Cheep]

I use chains. There will always be damage to the stand if it is conduit, at least it's cheap.

[lastinline]

AR-500 round stock: I’ve looked, but have never seen it, nor have I seen it listed on any steel mill production lists. Keep in mind that AR-500 rated material is only manufactured in a few places, and most usually in sheets. If it’s handgun loads you are shooting, a heavy section of 2” angle iron would work, but not so much for rifle rounds. If you are routinely hitting the supports, etc., time to either adjust your sights, get closer, or shoot better.

[EricT71]

The thicker conduit will shatter like pvc pipe, is that what you are using?

Try Rigid conduit

Rigid conduit is what I was referring to in my quoted post.

I'll post the following info for those interested in building target hangers. I have three types of portable swingsets-

1) The conduit style Jongage pictured that does not use chains

2) Last Stand with 1/2" rebar

3) Homebrew Last stand clones made out of blocks of wood, that use 1/2" rebar.

I like the conduit style the best, because not dealing with chains is awesome, they are by far the most rigid and also very lightweight. I like my homebrew wood stands better than the polyurethane Last Stand couplers because the wood ones are more rigid, and while the flex does not matter once they are set up, it still is more of a hassle to get the flexy ones situated.

For the "Just don't shoot the stand" comments- these types of stands are typically used at longer distances because the targets hang straight. They're not safe close up because of the ricochet danger. OP should not be shooting this style at less than 75 yards IMO.

I have seen AR500 tube at gun shows in very $$$ target hangers, so it's out there, but it was bigger diameter than conduit. Hits will happen. 5.56 will pierce regular 3/8 chain and 1/2 rebar at 100 yards. So far I've had good luck with carrying spare conduit and couplers. For up close, I feel its best to use the angled torso targets on t-bar or 2x4 posts.