During my last visit to NTRP, one of the targets featured on the range was a steel spinner target. Shooting it was a pleasant diversion and a challenge to engage, as opposed to just hitting a stationary steel plate. I decided to try to replicate the target and came up with the following as a weekend garage project.
I was told that the target at NTRP utilized a go-kart axle as the basis, but I didn't have one to use as a reference. I googlized spinner targets and found that rimfire spinner targets were the norm. Only a few suppliers made one that was intended to be used with centerfire rifles (geez, they are pricey). Those that I found seemed to use a pillow block bearing that attached on one side of spinner bar. I checked around and found an online bearing supplier (vxb.com) and stumbled upon their flange mounted bearings (http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit8864). This seemed to be a better choice for me to use with some 1.5" square tubing that I had left over from a previous target building project. I received the bearings and collected the remaining parts. As I put things together on my folding metal sawhorses, I realized that reinventing the wheel to create a stable base for the spinner was not needed. I bought some two hole straps (Not that kind of two hole strap, VJJP) and ended up just using the sawhorses as a base.
I had two square AR500 plates (6" and 8") from a previous group buy. I welded the plates on the ends of a 5' length of the square tubing to use as the spinner. I drilled the tubing and mounted the bearings (the bearings have set screws to grab the center coinduit and allow smooth spinning). I used a 4 foot length of 1/2" conduit as the center and mounted the spinner. It mounted firmly on the sawhorses with the two hole strap.
An added bonus is that it breaks down quickly and is easy to transport. I shot it at 300 yards yesterday with my bolt gun and found that the bullet splash ate into the paint of the sawhorses, but didn't seem to adversely affect its performance. Oh, well I now have ugly sawhorses. I found that having to accurately engage the target, work the bolt, get back on target and time your following shots to keep the spinner moving was a kick in the arse. I also shot it at pistol range with my 1911 and the .45 caliber projectile also made the steel rotate easily. The conduit did show a pretty good dip in the center from the weight of the spinner after the range session day, so I might have to replace it with a sturdier material (if not, they're $2 to replace). Because I already had the sawhorses, steel plates and steel tubing, my total cost for this project was less than $50. Not bad for a change of pace target investment.
I was told that the target at NTRP utilized a go-kart axle as the basis, but I didn't have one to use as a reference. I googlized spinner targets and found that rimfire spinner targets were the norm. Only a few suppliers made one that was intended to be used with centerfire rifles (geez, they are pricey). Those that I found seemed to use a pillow block bearing that attached on one side of spinner bar. I checked around and found an online bearing supplier (vxb.com) and stumbled upon their flange mounted bearings (http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit8864). This seemed to be a better choice for me to use with some 1.5" square tubing that I had left over from a previous target building project. I received the bearings and collected the remaining parts. As I put things together on my folding metal sawhorses, I realized that reinventing the wheel to create a stable base for the spinner was not needed. I bought some two hole straps (Not that kind of two hole strap, VJJP) and ended up just using the sawhorses as a base.
I had two square AR500 plates (6" and 8") from a previous group buy. I welded the plates on the ends of a 5' length of the square tubing to use as the spinner. I drilled the tubing and mounted the bearings (the bearings have set screws to grab the center coinduit and allow smooth spinning). I used a 4 foot length of 1/2" conduit as the center and mounted the spinner. It mounted firmly on the sawhorses with the two hole strap.
An added bonus is that it breaks down quickly and is easy to transport. I shot it at 300 yards yesterday with my bolt gun and found that the bullet splash ate into the paint of the sawhorses, but didn't seem to adversely affect its performance. Oh, well I now have ugly sawhorses. I found that having to accurately engage the target, work the bolt, get back on target and time your following shots to keep the spinner moving was a kick in the arse. I also shot it at pistol range with my 1911 and the .45 caliber projectile also made the steel rotate easily. The conduit did show a pretty good dip in the center from the weight of the spinner after the range session day, so I might have to replace it with a sturdier material (if not, they're $2 to replace). Because I already had the sawhorses, steel plates and steel tubing, my total cost for this project was less than $50. Not bad for a change of pace target investment.
