Steel targets for public land

[TradLife406]

What's a good option for setting up a gong or two on public?
I shoot on some public on the prairie. I've got a Caldwell hanger post that needs a ponder to set up. It's a pain. Also don't want to have to walk it out and set it up and take it down. Or haul a pounder.

Is there an affordable way to hang plates that's simple and lightweight? Not a big deal to drop a gong in my pack and start walking. Just want a simple way to hang it. Bonus points if I could leave the hanger. Maybe lay it down where no one would see it.

Also who has the cheapest gongs? $125 for the smaller idpa gong at scheels seems crazy.

 

[Pescetism]

Make It Ring Targets
The bargain bin can be awesome and their regular pricing is better than average. No recs on lightweight hangers tho.

 

[flyfisher117]

Conduit/Pipe Leg Brackets

CNC laser-cut in the USA from American-made SR500+ steel SR500+ steel is more durable and better suited for steel targets than AR500 Tapered legs allow 3/4" EMT Conduit to wedge on Comes in a set of 2 Just add 3/4" EMT conduit or black pipe to build your own target stand If you want the best...

www.atlastargetworks.com

There’s a ton of different conduit stands you can buy. Not the most compact but they are light. Especially if you just get enough conduit to get the gong off the ground. If you wanted multiple feet high it will get more cumbersome.

Shepard hook from the Walmart garden center is another option. Though they tend to tip over if you are shooting a larger cartridge with lots of wallop.

 

[RWT]

Look for this on Amazon

Steel Target Hanger, AR500 Steel Target Stand Kit & Hooks for 1 Inch EMT Conduit​

This a a stick of 1” conduit is the way to go. I’ve used it out to 500 yards without issue. Stash the conduit in the brush and carry the kit and a gong in your pack.

 

[Lowell]

What's a good option for setting up a gong or two on public?
I shoot on some public on the prairie. I've got a Caldwell hanger post that needs a ponder to set up. It's a pain. Also don't want to have to walk it out and set it up and take it down. Or haul a pounder.

Is there an affordable way to hang plates that's simple and lightweight? Not a big deal to drop a gong in my pack and start walking. Just want a simple way to hang it. Bonus points if I could leave the hanger. Maybe lay it down where no one would see it.

Also who has the cheapest gongs? $125 for the smaller idpa gong at scheels seems crazy.

I have many times used Disks from tractors. Farmers usually have them lying around. free and they work good

 

[wpeach1912]

A little more expensive, but I use the MGM 2x4 hangers and they work pretty well. I built the hanger cap, hanger itself, and targets with their slot in it on a CAD app so I can just have send cut send make me parts when I need them. The base is basically just 1”x1” tubing that anyone with a welder could throw together

 

[Dust Rider]

Pacific Steel sells gongs of all different sizes. Have not purchased them in a few years, so not sure about current prices.

 

[Bluumoon]

I go to the metal recycling place. 0.40 a lb. They cut to my shape. They ounch two holes w torch and I hang w old barb wire. Barbwire works really well for whatever reason.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

I leave T-Posts behind, but they are a long ways from any road.
Then I hang this stuff. https://jcsteeltargets.com/ Shipping was reasonable and packaging was fabulous.

Please don't shoot up someone else's fences...and watch out for fire hazard.

 

[Timberline001]

What's a good option for setting up a gong or two on public?
I shoot on some public on the prairie. I've got a Caldwell hanger post that needs a ponder to set up. It's a pain. Also don't want to have to walk it out and set it up and take it down. Or haul a pounder.

Is there an affordable way to hang plates that's simple and lightweight? Not a big deal to drop a gong in my pack and start walking. Just want a simple way to hang it. Bonus points if I could leave the hanger. Maybe lay it down where no one would see it.

Also who has the cheapest gongs? $125 for the smaller idpa gong at scheels seems crazy.

I just pack in my pounder. Good exercise it always welcome

 

[Vince@Exterra]

This is the best deal that I have found for a basic 8" round steel target, $9.99. I have several and they work as they should.

8" x 3/8" Raw Round Special AR500 Steel Shooting Target

Shop premium AR500 steel targets at Dragon Targets for unmatched durability and precision. Perfect for shooting practice, our AR500 targets withstand repeated impact, offering long-lasting performance. Elevate your shooting experience today!

dragontargets.com

 

[mtnbound]

What's a good option for setting up a gong or two on public?
I shoot on some public on the prairie. I've got a Caldwell hanger post that needs a ponder to set up. It's a pain. Also don't want to have to walk it out and set it up and take it down. Or haul a pounder.

Is there an affordable way to hang plates that's simple and lightweight? Not a big deal to drop a gong in my pack and start walking. Just want a simple way to hang it. Bonus points if I could leave the hanger. Maybe lay it down where no one would see it.

Also who has the cheapest gongs? $125 for the smaller idpa gong at scheels seems crazy.

For steel, I go to my local steel supplier and get AR plate from them. I made some ground plates like the ones below, so everything packs relatively easily..

 

[Strider]

Midway has decent prices on gongs.

Here’s how I hang mine. Get a roll of cheap “fire” hose off Amazon. IIRC I got 100’ for $30ish. Then an 8” eye lag, grade 8 bolts, couple fender washers, and a lock nut. I pack an impact and a 3/8” spade bit. Have the steel already rigged onto the eye lag. A quick hole in a dead tree or log. Thread the whole kit and caboodle in and shoot it. Just make sure the plate has a little room to swing on impact. I like a longer bolt so the plate hangs a few degrees off plumb. The setup has worked surprisingly well and is pretty minimalist in the pack. It’s also nice because you can get the target up above grass and brush.



I painted the plate blue when I attached the strap. It’s seen a good bit of use and it’s holding up well. The black dot on the strap is a bullet hole. They just pencil through.

 

[redchinviking]

I love the idea for the above but unfortunately I don’t have trees close where I like to shoot. I’m in the t-post camp. Drill a t-post. Hike a pounder and a t-post up one time. Gong is drilled with a center grade 8 bolt. Bolt it on, Leave it. I’ve actually been leaving the gongs as well and find (believe it or not) I can trust people not to mess with them. The posts will hold up better if you hang them at an angle otherwise they will eventually get shot enough to fail. I like to use the super 6-7’ long t posts for this reason, then you can drive them really deep and they won’t fall down after freeze thaw. Also leaning them on a rock will keep them from slowly falling over from the larger plates. Set it and forget it. Hard part is finding the perfect spot to get out to 1000 where you can get a moto to paint the gongs from time to time without having to hike the line.

 

[Stache Attack]

Go to pacific steel by the new north 40. I’ve bought an 8” and 10” square gong they have different thickness too. They are in the main lobby/ sales room

 

[TradLife406]

I leave T-Posts behind, but they are a long ways from any road.
Then I hang this stuff. https://jcsteeltargets.com/ Shipping was reasonable and packaging was fabulous.

Please don't shoot up someone else's fences...and watch out for fire hazard.

Yeah I discovered these last night after the post. That would work perfectly!
I can have the kid pack a pounder in her pack to drive in some posts. They'd be hard to see from the road. Most of the people who shoot there are straight out of the trailer park. Though Friday I saw a PRS shooter at the main gate. Did meet one Rokslider who was a mutual friend of a buddy. But no one who'd have the energy to steal steel that's a ways out.

Could just leave my gongs in the grass next to it.

Are the Amazon gongs ok? Thinking a 10" would be a pretty good size similar to a vital zone.

Looking forward to getting back from S2HU then passing some wisdom to my kids. But shooting paper is boring outside load dev for an adult. Let alone a kid.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

10-in circle for CBC.

 

[naked wombats]

I've found the "seconds" from Dragon Targets are the best deal, they run sales pretty frequently if you are not in a hurry to build out your collection.

They also have some stomp and shoot hangers that work really well for easy setup, and they have a hole or 2 for 1" conduit if you want to setup a rack.

 

[BLJ]

This is the best deal that I have found for a basic 8" round steel target, $9.99. I have several and they work as they should.

8" x 3/8" Raw Round Special AR500 Steel Shooting Target

Shop premium AR500 steel targets at Dragon Targets for unmatched durability and precision. Perfect for shooting practice, our AR500 targets withstand repeated impact, offering long-lasting performance. Elevate your shooting experience today!

dragontargets.com

Was going to post the same link.
Hard to find much cheaper.