Hanging Gongs

[BearGuy]

Going to do a little friendly shooting competition this year but need some ideas on how to hang all of the gongs. We’ve done chains before but they often break with either hitting the chain or some of the big wallop guns will break them. Terrain will be in the mountains. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[flyfisher117]

Fire hose. Or if you are near a potato/sugar beet grower go see if they have old conveyor belting laying around. It won't last forever but it will significantly outlast chain.

 

[hereinaz]

You can find hose or belts on eBay.

I have gone to t-posts and single hangers that slide on top. The Caldwell ones are a decent bargain. These outlast chain in my experience and take less to haul around and set up.

 

[Lawnboi]

What distance? How big of target? How big of rifle?

That’s all going to make a difference in what is unusable, serviceable and bullet proof

 

[BearGuy]

What distance? How big of target? How big of rifle?

That’s all going to make a difference in what is unusable, serviceable and bullet proof

Distances are 100-800. Gongs from 4”-silhouette and anywhere in between. Rifles from .223 to 300 weatherby. Wide range of everything. But needs to be portable as we will set them up and tear them down and hike them in and out.

 

[RMM]

This on a T-post works great. Would need to pack in a T-post or pieces of T-post however

T-Post Slider Target Hanger

Improve your shooting sessions with the robust Steel T Post Target Hanger. Specifically designed to support gongs and steel targets, this hanger is an ideal addition to your shooting setup. Proudly made in the United States from 3/8" thick AR500 steel, it offers reliability and durability for...

precisiontargets.net

 

[hereinaz]

This on a T-post works great. Would need to pack in a T-post or pieces of T-post however

T-Post Slider Target Hanger

Improve your shooting sessions with the robust Steel T Post Target Hanger. Specifically designed to support gongs and steel targets, this hanger is an ideal addition to your shooting setup. Proudly made in the United States from 3/8" thick AR500 steel, it offers reliability and durability for...

precisiontargets.net

I have had this style slip if really smacked hard. They work though.

One drawback is if the post goes in at an angle to the shooting position the plate is not square to the target.

Dang, these are $5 cheaper than the 5 I bought for the AZ Rokslide shoot. May have to buy a couple more.

https://a.co/d/cfSU878

 

[onlybrowning]

I used rubber drawer liners that I found in a clearance bin at Tractor Supply. Worked great...until it dry rotted in short order when I left them out. I am going to go to fire hose or something like it. But, again, mine stay out.

 

[Lawnboi]

Distances are 100-800. Gongs from 4”-silhouette and anywhere in between. Rifles from .223 to 300 weatherby. Wide range of everything. But needs to be portable as we will set them up and tear them down and hike them in and out.

That’s asking a lot of anything that can easily be destroyed by bullets. Standard T posts, chain and fire hose won’t last long, specifically when shooting semi small targets in that 3-500 yard range. Bigger guns will even beat up the hardware and cause target cracks at those ranges.

Two solutions I have found, both portable. One would be one of those kits made for conduit and gas pipe, with an ar500 hanger off the center post. Posts are far enough away that they won’t get pounded and the ar500 hanger will handle a lot of abuse. Less target failures due to cracking because it’s not hard mounted to anything. This will work good for larger targets at longer ranges. Big guns at sub 500 and your probably spinnning the target around and knocking it over.

Here’s an example. Lots of companies make stuff. I really like the one I have linked.

Gong Hanger Kit - Single or Double Hooks (Parts shown in red)

The fastest and easiest way to mount your target. AR500 construction means it's nearly indestructible!

www.atlastargetworks.com

The other option is some kind of ar500 post, the one linked is portable and what I use 90% of the time. Larger guns won’t knock it over or break it. Hangers are replaceable if needed, and you could easily come up with a pin system to take it down flat for packing. This is the only option besides full on ar500 t post that has worked for me long term.

ATLAS Target Stand

CNC laser-cut in the USA from American-made SR500+ steel SR500+ steel is more durable and better suited for steel targets than AR500 Risers can take direct hits from centerfire rifles Multiple mounting positions and stand height options so you can mix things up

www.atlastargetworks.com

For a half ass low volume approach it’s hard to beat screw gun, fire hose and a target. Fire hose works better than t posts and chain ime but big guns are going to beat it up pretty quick. The spall coming off a 200 grain bullet at 400 yards is significant enough to destroy the hose in short order.

 

[flyfisher117]

My local range has 1k ish members. The 200 yard gongs ranging from squirrel sized to large plates all handle the yearly onslaught of abuse from the orange army. They are hung with nothing other than conveyor belting, grade 8 hardware. Occasionally a carriage bolt head breaks off. Eventually a rubber conveyor belt gives out.

If they can handle public range usages a private target will be just fine with conveyor belting.

Nothing is forever. It all wears out. My private targets have had zero issues with rubber belt and fire hose.

 

[hereinaz]

I am most worried about the big calibers…

Firehose/belts/Tpost toppers are the bet mechanism to attach, but the rest of the system is prone to failure. The AR500 stands are the least prone to failure.

Otherwise you can get through a small friendly match with any decent hardware of the 3 above—but plan on a couple failures and cease fires.

I have had the pipe style get hit and fold under the weight of two medium sized plates. The cross bar always gets hit whenever I have gone out with friends. I hate dealing with the mini razors it leaves on the bars.

I have had a 338 cut a new TPost in half at 1000 yards. The 300 Weatherby could cut a post in half at most of the ranges you gave. A direct hit at 300 could do it. It will penetrate some plates as well.

 

[BearGuy]

I am most worried about the big calibers…

Firehose/belts/Tpost toppers are the bet mechanism to attach, but the rest of the system is prone to failure. The AR500 stands are the least prone to failure.

Otherwise you can get through a small friendly match with any decent hardware of the 3 above—but plan on a couple failures and cease fires.

I have had the pipe style get hit and fold under the weight of two medium sized plates. The cross bar always gets hit whenever I have gone out with friends. I hate dealing with the mini razors it leaves on the bars.

I have had a 338 cut a new TPost in half at 1000 yards. The 300 Weatherby could cut a post in half at most of the ranges you gave. A direct hit at 300 could do it. It will penetrate some plates as well.

Problem with any cease fires is most shots will be across a canyon. Takes about a day to set everything up so if any of them fail then we might just have to skip that target and not use the points. Maybe the 300 will have to shoot last every shot haha. Trying to keep it somewhat cheap too so maybe some rubber belts this year and save up for better stands for next year.

 

[Elkslut]

I've used chunks of old conveyor belts. Could cut up tires. Takes many holes to ruin

 

[hereinaz]

Problem with any cease fires is most shots will be across a canyon. Takes about a day to set everything up so if any of them fail then we might just have to skip that target and not use the points. Maybe the 300 will have to shoot last every shot haha. Trying to keep it somewhat cheap too so maybe some rubber belts this year and save up for better stands for next year.

I would definitely shoot by caliber, lol.

It’s for fun, so hang em and go for it. If you cut rubber tires like suggested that can be cheap, even bicycle tires.

 

[Castle Rock]

Conveyer belt is about the most durable but fire hose is easiest to work with

 

[coast range]

Where are you getting old fire hose?

 

[coast range]

We use the T post “clips” they work but they do end up failing

 

[White Mamba]

https://www.amazon.com/Post-Steel-Target-Hanger-Hook/dp/B08HLDG61P/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2EO98KV9QR5Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tQ_1yjLe7hlvpL75hc1Nf8DNcv6yvQH-bE7yiiIBpTCVVbp-WL2XW8FNe9Fpw9zVAuAD2wigw7X-35PpKzpWMlO1Htgxep9VeuCwK8AVB9TnzqPq5Y0cEzWyEr7hs_nOZCSiAiSRDsI2Il_jvgovRhaynPYzBZkIMuKEIU_kIaurMx1sL7dC856YzUZhxwkUDtiPRImlFKVyclARlof32w.cGNHpKw83TM2WMEIKqpB6UZhG7xztJc6H7-slW-Wlq4&dib_tag=se&keywords=ar+500+steel+target+t+post+hangers&qid=1744253267&sprefix=ar+500+%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-4

I think these are the best deal right now. I use alot of them at my place.

 

[waspocrew]

I prefer these T post hangers. No complaints so far.

 

[Castle Rock]

Or just screw it to a tree with a rattle gun