Trying to build a durable "gong" target

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Trying to build a durable "gong" target

Posted: 8/20/2002 12:38:32 PM EDT

Working on the plans for a gong type target in my head.

If I use galvanized steel pipe, the kind used for chain link fence poles, how would it react to .223 at 50yrd or 100yrd?

Would it go right through? Would it fracture?

I'm thinking of cutting sections, painting orange, and hanging from a tripod or some type of stand.

Thoughts, suggestions?

--LS

Posted: 8/20/2002 12:50:44 PM EDT

[#1]

I found some round steel plate circles at a scrap yard (I think it's about 1 1/2" thick and about 12-16" dia.; I have made several). These were plasma cut and are perfect circles. I welded chain to them to hang them. I hang them in trees at my friends ranch. They work real well and you can hear them gong out to aprox 800 M. with a .223/5.56.
Sleepy717

Posted: 8/20/2002 12:51:37 PM EDT

[#2]

How about using a 18X18 inch piece of boilerplate suspended from a frame? Being able to flex will allow it to last longer and lessen the chance of ricochet. Boilerplate is also fairly cheap.

Posted: 8/20/2002 12:57:24 PM EDT

[#3]

How far away should you stand from one of these i.e. is 50 yards still within richocet range of a 223?

Posted: 8/20/2002 1:01:02 PM EDT

[#4]

For the BRC, I welded hardened 1" thick 12x12 plates, to the back-center of hardened 24x24 plates, and then suspended them from 4x4 wooden frames, w/ 18" of chain on the right and left corners...

These were strong enough to [u]stop[/u] 50-BMG rounds, and drop most of them in a pile at the base oif the target.

Each of these 4 target plates weighed roughly 175#, and were placed at 200, 300, 400 and 450 yards.

Posted: 8/20/2002 1:06:51 PM EDT

[#5]

Dont shoot the swiss ammo that close

Posted: 8/20/2002 1:11:01 PM EDT

[#6]

All of these options seem great.

Anyone know where to find boilerplate or 1" thick plates around here in Northern VA?

I was thinking that steel fencing pipe would be cheap and if cut to the right length could be "tuned" like a wind chime.

My thought was to hang from a chain at a slight face down angle to avoid ricochet and deflect ordinance down.

I could very the length to chance tone.

Could also group side by side to form a rectangle.

--LS

Posted: 8/20/2002 1:20:34 PM EDT

[#7]

The tubing idea would be dangerous due to not having a flat surface for the bullet to hit, and wouldn't last five minutes!

Try checking your local yellow pages for a metal fabrication or welding shop.

Posted: 8/20/2002 1:25:36 PM EDT

[#8]

I use I/2 inch T1 steel with a pipe welded to the top. Run a pipe thru it and hold the pipe at each end from what ever. It becomes a static target and holds up very well. Weioght is bout 50 pounds. I use it at 25 yards for cast bullets handgun. and 100+ for any rifle. the two I have are five years old and get a lot of use.

Posted: 8/20/2002 2:28:47 PM EDT

[#9]

longshot,
.223 bullets will go thru galv. steel C-L post like it were soft butter.....

Aimless,
there is no richocet with standard .223 bullets inside 100 yds, they disintigrate/vaporize !! when hitting a solid object.......

i saw a neat one at the range the other day, it cost about $150 the fellow told me, the steel is 1/2" armor plate & mounted on a peice of rubber tire or heavy belt rubber, that has a device where it can be lifted up taken off the stand, it weighed about 65 lbs.

i am going to stop in at the aircraft junk yard some day soon & check on getting an armor plate from a fighter aircraft......., they'll stop a 20mm !!!!!!!!

Posted: 8/20/2002 2:42:26 PM EDT

[#10]

Old plow disks work really well. Know any farmers? They will have a few in the junk pile.

Ben The(living in the sticks)Emu

Posted: 8/20/2002 4:33:09 PM EDT

[#11]

I second the farm discs. and BTW it is a disc HARROW, not plow. stack about 4 or 5 old discs together, and have at 'em. Weld the edges and hang from two chains. Rings like a bell...

Posted: 8/20/2002 4:43:00 PM EDT

[#12]

If you want to go cheap, walk along a RR track in your area for a bit. Discarded plates are plentiful. Unfortunately, they have holes for spikes in them, but other than that, they are solid. Tape the holes so that you won't think you're crazy when that "dead ringer" doesn't "ring".

Posted: 8/20/2002 4:51:12 PM EDT

[#13]

dont use skillets.

[img]http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=redray&album_id=86221&image_id=7¶m=69237[/img]

Posted: 8/20/2002 9:32:56 PM EDT

[#14]

Redray, Looking at your shadow in the pic I just have to ask.... are you bigfoot? [:P]

Posted: 8/20/2002 10:07:38 PM EDT

[#15]

well, you know what they say.....

big feet, big......

Posted: 8/20/2002 10:19:27 PM EDT

[#16]

Longshot get some AR500 steel that is available at most steel yards. Price should be about six to eight dollars a square foot for 3/8 inch AR500 plate. Make all your welds with low-hydrogen rod. Do not shoot within 100 yards to prevent splatter and poking holes in plate.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Trying to build a durable "gong" target

General » General Discussion

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us