Lightweight steel target system for packing in the mountains

[DisplacedHusky]

Seeking suggestions for a good, fairly lightweight steel target system for setting up in the mountains where you may be packing it across a canyon and dealing with off-trail terrain and vertical feet.

I am considering a 4’ or 5’ steel T-post and a single hole, steel 6” target. I have not found a mounting bracket that I think is ideal.

What have you all used?

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Single t post setups are not ideal for repetitive use. We have shot several in half from low misses. I think youd be better off having a system using electrical conduit and tool less keys to put it all together. The 5 pieces of conduit together are probably the same weight as the single t post. Theres also the benefit of not having to pound it into the ground.

If you get clever with the design you will be able to use 3/4" and 1" to have some pieces fit into the others to make it more compact.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

Single t post setups are not ideal for repetitive use. We have shot several in half from low misses. I think youd be better off having a system using electrical conduit and tool less keys to put it all together. The 5 pieces of conduit together are probably the same weight as the single t post. Theres also the benefit of not having to pound it into the ground.
View attachment 989415
If you get clever with the design you will be able to use 3/4" and 1" to have some pieces fit into the others to make it more compact.

That looks pretty good. Can you post a link for the brackets you are using?

 

[Jordan Smith]

Single t post setups are not ideal for repetitive use. We have shot several in half from low misses. I think youd be better off having a system using electrical conduit and tool less keys to put it all together. The 5 pieces of conduit together are probably the same weight as the single t post. Theres also the benefit of not having to pound it into the ground.
View attachment 989415
If you get clever with the design you will be able to use 3/4" and 1" to have some pieces fit into the others to make it more compact.

Agreed, but I use rebar for legs and crossbar, and electrical conduit for brackets. Very portable and stable.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Local metal shop makes the ones I have. But they can easily be made or bought with hardware. Here is a link to some on midway. Theres other options too. https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1...oCmQqBKDRQuxDvQ_kD6CTT2CfYxUaJs8aAvGhEALw_wcB

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Agreed, but I use rebar for legs and crossbar, and electrical conduit for brackets. Very portable and stable.

Rebar frame sounds heavy.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Has been considering asking this same question.

Saw this come up a few times looking around:
https://www.targethangingsolutions.com/product-page/limited-run-mobile-ar500-target-stand

 

[justinspicher]

I bought a steel target from Big R, some chain and a bolt/nut/washer combo and just hang it from a branch. It fits nicely in the pack too.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

I bought a steel target from Big R, some chain and a bolt/nut/washer combo and just hang it from a branch. It fits nicely in the pack too.

I was wondering about something like that. Where i live theres no trees. I could see that working well in the mountains. Or even running a rope between two trees to hang a target

 

[Stumpy208]

I use one of the garden shepard hooks with a standard plate.


It workswell and no tools required to put it in the ground.

 

[TimberHunter]

Good ideas above, but what about just shooting rocks?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hereinaz]

See if 1/4 steel works for caliber and distance, and go larger than 5”. Better to hit something for feedback.

The conduit can be easier to pack, but if you hit a pipe it will be like a razor so bring duct tape to cover it to protect packs and flesh.

If it is temporary, carrying a hammer or something to pound a Tpost is not worth it…

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve also just carried orange spray paint with me and painted rocks.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

Has been considering asking this same question.

Saw this come up a few times looking around:
https://www.targethangingsolutions.com/product-page/limited-run-mobile-ar500-target-stand

That looks heavy

 

[DisplacedHusky]

I use one of the garden shepard hooks with a standard plate.
View attachment 989440

It workswell and no tools required to put it in the ground.

Does that fall over reality with impacts?

 

[Stumpy208]

Does that fall over reality with impacts?

It has handled hits from 6.8 Western and 300 prc. You just have to make sure you get the solid metal ones not the cheap tube ones. I also wouldn't go over a 10" plate if you want it to last longer.

 

[id_jon]

Caldwell T-Post Steel Target Hanger

The Caldwell T-Post Plate Hanger is a perfect fit piece for hanging your Caldwell Steel Target. The Plate Hanger is extremely easy to use and is...

ads.midwayusa.com

I've recently acquired a few of these. So far they've held up to a couple dozen 6.5cm impacts at 430 yards. Not a ton of abuse, but I've seen plenty of other things fail within that window.
JC steel slotted targets with their slotted hooks work very well too. Their twist lock hangers are about as light as you can get that will work well and hold up pretty much indefinitely, but I've knocked quite a few targets off them if they swing just wrong.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Caldwell T-Post Steel Target Hanger

The Caldwell T-Post Plate Hanger is a perfect fit piece for hanging your Caldwell Steel Target. The Plate Hanger is extremely easy to use and is...

ads.midwayusa.com

I've recently acquired a few of these. So far they've held up to a couple dozen 6.5cm impacts at 430 yards. Not a ton of abuse, but I've seen plenty of other things fail within that window.
JC steel slotted targets with their slotted hooks work very well too. Their twist lock hangers are about as light as you can get that will work well and hold up pretty much indefinitely, but I've knocked quite a few targets off them if they swing just wrong.

Not discrediting your experience but we wrecked every one of those Caldwell t post hangers we used.

 

[Jordan Smith]

Rebar frame sounds heavy.

It’s a bit heavier than conduit, but much more durable and can take a bunch of hits.

 

[id_jon]

Not discrediting your experience but we wrecked every one of those Caldwell t post hangers we used.

I'm not too surprised to hear that, it's pretty lightweight and it's +/-$20 so likely not ar500. Would definitely not hold up for a match or heavy use, but when I hear targets hung in the mountains, I think they'll probably not be getting shot 100+ times over and over.

Next time I'm at my range I'll focus my abuse on the targets with these hangers and report back