Need some help with steel targets

[jab00]

I need some fresh ideas on how to address the following problem with my steel targets:

The Problem:

My target stand is constantly toppling over after 308 at 200 and 300 yards (range max distance)

I’ve kind of run out of ideas on how to keep things upright so I’m hoping that someone has some suggestions

The Background Info:

• I’m currently using a ShootSteel Static Target stand with a 6” plate. I’m primarily shooting .308 and .260 Rem at it
• I’ve tried sand bags on both sides of the stand but the spalling eventually shreds them and the sand or gravel spills out and
• I’ve tried long garden spikes but the soil is so sandy at my range that they really can’t bite into ground and will get ripped out after about 20 rounds
• I though about using a T-post as a stand but it apparently violates the club rules to pound them into the ground
• I’m currently using a hanging 2x4 stand to hang the gong but it’s a pain in the butt waiting for the thing to stop swinging

 

[Mike Islander]

Buy a steel target stand?

 

[jab00]

Buy a steel target stand?
View attachment 7473057

That would work. Who makes this one?

 

[vh20]

That stand above is from "Made Targets" (formerly Arntzen). I've got over a half dozen of those and they work fine for me, but I'm usually hanging IPSCs off of them and shooting at distance (but it's also usually a 338).

edit: The picture shows the old style. Made Targets has slightly modified it so you can shorten the "neck" of the target to get a lower center of gravity for the smaller targets, or extend it to full length for the tall IPSCs, etc. Arntzen originally made the stand in two versions, Short or Tall. Made modified it so that you can have both in one stand. Good idea - the neck is two-piece and bolts to the lower frame with two different sets of bolt holes - Short or Tall. That's a Tall stand in the pic, 53" IIRC.

 

[tnichols]

"Made Targets" (formerly Arntzen). I've got over a half dozen of those and they work fine for me, but I'm usually hanging IPSCs off of them and shooting at distance (but it's also usually a 338).

This ^^^

 

[Steel head]

If your not wanting the swinging about the above stand is a good option

I use T posts or electrical conduit stands with shoot steel brackets when I can’t drive t posts.

 

[jb0311]

For the gongs I shoot I replaced the chain with strips of rubber to keep the swinging down. It's worked well for me, not sure if it would help in your application.

 

[Downtown]

I also replaced chains with strips of heavy rubber. I cut wide strips from used rock conveyer belting. The target moves enough to indicate impact, but doesn't twist and settles quickly.

 

[MK20]

Make it easier for your target to swing as that absorbs energy. Make your stand base wide enough to tolerate the swing. Some galvanized pipe and chain will make you a nice target stand.

 

[jab00]

For the gongs I shoot I replaced the chain with strips of rubber to keep the swinging down. It's worked well for me, not sure if it would help in your application.

yeah - I swapped out my chains for the rubber strips awhile ago and it does help with reducing the swing. One this that didn’t occur to me just now is that I may need to spread out the two eye bolts on the 2x4 to help slow the swing a little more

 

[roostercogburn98]

The left one is homemade and right is store bought, but both use the same concept. The store bought has ar500 hangers that are twisted to lower the forward facing area and limit impacts. Both break down into small pieces that fit into a bag. Heavy bag, but it is relatively compact

 

[jab00]

I meant to add this picture to my original post but never noticed that the link didn’t display. It shows the issue that I’m having with the sandbags after about 40 rounds

 

[jab00]

The left one is homemade and right is store bought, but both use the same concept. The store bought has ar500 hangers that are twisted to lower the forward facing area and limit impacts. Both break down into small pieces that fit into a bag. Heavy bag, but it is relatively compact
View attachment 7473369

those look great and portability is key for my situation. Who made the store bought model?

 

[roostercogburn98]

If your handy with a welder, the left one took me about an hour, maybe a tad longer. Square tube stock, flat steel, and electrical conduit from local store. Rebar I have tons of laying around the house, so I repurposed it.

 

[jab00]

If your handy with a welder, the left one took me about an hour, maybe a tad longer. Square tube stock, flat steel, and electrical conduit from local store. Rebar I have tons of laying around the house, so I repurposed it.

unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with welding. I like how compact your design is

 

[roostercogburn98]

I’d tell you where i bought that one but it was at least 7-8 years ago so I don’t have a clue. Sorry I couldn’t help in that aspect, but it looks like you have several options here as well. Good luck in your search and happy shooting.

 

[vh20]

unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with welding. I like how compact your design is

Not sure if it wasn't clear in the picture, but the Made Target stand in the picture above folds up (no tools). The legs fold down against the main body like a bipod against a rifle barrel, so it essentially becomes a "pole". To deploy, you just pull the legs out as you would on a bipod.

 

[Mike Islander]

Not sure if it wasn't clear in the picture, but the Made Target stand in the picture above folds up (no tools). The legs fold down against the main body like a bipod against a rifle barrel, so it essentially becomes a "pole". To deploy, you just pull the legs out as you would on a bipod.

Yep! Excellent target holders, if a bit heavy.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Here's some rebar target brackets that I found online:

Rebar Stand Brackets

Utilize these brackets with 3/4 rebar for a quick set up target stand. Brackets only, you supply the rebar. Sold in sets of 2. Rebar target bracket, rebar stand, AR500,

www.d-mtargets.com

Steel Rebar Leg Bracket set - MGM Targets

The Steel Rebar Leg Bracket set is the perfect solution for an affordable and stable target set no matter what you're shooting at it.

mgmtargets.com

https://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Stand-Target/dp/B00JVX4JB8

Event & Conference Management Software | Configio

Configio offers the most complete customizable feature set of any event management system & integrates with 40+ different CRMs & AMS. Learn more at Configio.com.

jcsteeltargets.configio.com

 

[jab00]

Thanks for all of links and suggestions. I think I know which direction to go in now for a solution

 

[SourMash]

Just a thought but couldn't the sand bags be covered with a piece of plywood to protect them from the splatter?

 

[jab00]

Just a thought but couldn't the sand bags be covered with a piece of plywood to protect them from the splatter?

That’s a great point that I hadn’t even considered. I actually have some 3/8” plywood laying around in the garage that should work

 

[DownhillFromHere]

That’s a great point that I hadn’t even considered. I actually have some 3/8” plywood laying around in the garage that should work

Be careful with this... in fact, I'd advise against it. At one of the ranges to which I belong, guys have been cut badly by pieces of bullet jacket embedded in wooden paper-target stands placed several feet from permanently-mounted swinging steel plates. The bullet jacket fragments don't stick out far and are not easily seen - and can leave a nasty cut when one grabs a stand off the ground with bare hands.

 

[Seefour]

You could just make a bigger base out of 2x4's. Just make a big H on the bottom.

 

[WATERWALKER]

I’ve been cut a time or two w/ spall fragments in 2X4s so I’d recommend using gloves if going this route.

I’ve shot a lot of MGM steel in the last 1.5 years & I wouldn’t spend my money on their products. A few items have broken at welds & I’ve been less than impressed.

I’ve also bought targets from JC Steel & all their products have held up well. I’ve got no complaints over the three years I’ve been using this brand.

 

[stello1001]

Took me 5 min to make my own. Very light and portable too. I just need to find some conveyor belt to hang my target from.

Also made a smaller 3 legged stand like it...