shooting metal targets safely

gringojosh · January 15, 2012, 02:15 PM

I am interested to set up a "hanging plate" type metal target for shots around 150-200 yards. Is there a way to minimize the danger of bullets ricocheting back in my direction?

TheGoldenState · January 15, 2012, 02:20 PM

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=431766

emcon5 · January 15, 2012, 02:45 PM

Like the other thread said, the 2 most important things are:

1: Get the right steel. Real armor plate, not mild steel.
2: Hang so the face is angled slightly away at the bottom, like this: \

Look on Ebay, lots of places taking advantage of the USPS Flat rate shipping on these. They are downright affordable now.

Pretty sure this is the one I got: http://www.ebay.com/itm/120587423160

It doesn't look like much, but so far it has stood up to .30-06 and 7.62X54R milsurp ammo just fine.

Palmetto-Pride · January 15, 2012, 06:19 PM

I bought these from Quality Steel targets http://www.qualitytargets.com/servle...ets/Categories

arizona98tj · January 15, 2012, 08:04 PM

emcon5,
Just wondering....how do you hang them so the bottom is angled away? I've shot the fixed/mounted targets that are positioned that way but always wondering how this is achieved with a suspended/free swinging steel target.

PawPaw · January 15, 2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arizona98tj

Just wondering....how do you hang them so the bottom is angled away?

If you bolt them with chain, put the chain behind the target. Setting up the target like that will naturally make the bottom of the target angle away from the shooter.

The problem in hanging targets with chain is that an errant bullet will cut the chain. It's just a matter of when it will happen. Try to find something like old conveyor belt or worn-out firehose They're wide enough that an errant bullet won't cut the hanger material. Chain is easy to get, and those other materials take a bit of looking around and scrounging, but eventually you'll find what you need.

oakfloor · January 15, 2012, 08:37 PM

The best steel target I have seen was simply an "A" frame with a steel plate, and a hinge welded on the top of the plate. Then attached to the top of the "A" frame, so the plate hangs down. And when struck with a bullet it just swings backward and the bullet goes downward. Of course it was out at least a 100 yards, and only lead bullets when pistol shooting up close.

leadchucker · January 15, 2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcon5

...It doesn't look like much, but so far it has stood up to .30-06 and 7.62X54R milsurp ammo just fine.

Was that 7.62X54R milsurp ammo the steel slug FMJ stuff? I'm considering getting one of the Arntzen armor plate gongs, and I was wanting to know how it would stand up to this ammo.

arizona98tj · January 15, 2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

If you bolt them with chain, put the chain behind the target.

Thanks....makes sense now. And thanks for the input regarding what to hang them with.

January 15, 2012, 02:15 PM	#1
gringojosh Member Join Date: December 1, 2011 Posts: 42	shooting metal targets safely I am interested to set up a "hanging plate" type metal target for shots around 150-200 yards. Is there a way to minimize the danger of bullets ricocheting back in my direction?

January 15, 2012, 02:20 PM	#2
TheGoldenState Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2010 Posts: 1,191	http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=431766 __________________ The Day You Get Comfortable Is The Day You Get Careless...

January 15, 2012, 06:19 PM	#4
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	I bought these from Quality Steel targets http://www.qualitytargets.com/servle...ets/Categories __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

January 15, 2012, 08:04 PM	#5
arizona98tj Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 980	emcon5, Just wondering....how do you hang them so the bottom is angled away? I've shot the fixed/mounted targets that are positioned that way but always wondering how this is achieved with a suspended/free swinging steel target. __________________ stu-offroad.com Largest Jeep TJ project site on the web! (now with guns)

January 15, 2012, 02:45 PM	#3
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Like the other thread said, the 2 most important things are: 1: Get the right steel. Real armor plate, not mild steel. 2: Hang so the face is angled slightly away at the bottom, like this: \ Look on Ebay, lots of places taking advantage of the USPS Flat rate shipping on these. They are downright affordable now. Pretty sure this is the one I got: http://www.ebay.com/itm/120587423160 It doesn't look like much, but so far it has stood up to .30-06 and 7.62X54R milsurp ammo just fine.

January 15, 2012, 08:37 PM	#7
oakfloor Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2009 Posts: 111	The best steel target I have seen was simply an "A" frame with a steel plate, and a hinge welded on the top of the plate. Then attached to the top of the "A" frame, so the plate hangs down. And when struck with a bullet it just swings backward and the bullet goes downward. Of course it was out at least a 100 yards, and only lead bullets when pistol shooting up close.