Homemade steel targets

[mtngerry59]

Anybody make steel targets, for .25 or 30 cal??? ideas, patterns?

 

[Hynzie]

i have a mother in law goes to estate sales brings me home all the spoons which i bend around threaded rod for spinners and heavy cooking ,frying pans that can be painted over and over or have targets stuck to them 

 

[T3PRanch]

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/pre-owned/blast-back-auto-reset-target-9mm-30.06/

Thurmond

 

[NTSOG]

I cut round steel rod of various diameters into 1/4" thick discs, drill a hole close to the edge and thread thin wire through to make hooks. I have them hanging from trees. There is no backstop to these if I miss, but I live on a farm and there is nothing for miles behind them so it's safe to shoot. I also found some heavy gauge [4" square] reinforcing 'mesh' and hang a number of discs [also some old spoons] in each square. By cutting off the bottom [horizontal] length of steel I can simply push the 'legs' into the ground and it stands freely. I re-spray them every so often with livestock marker in a bright colour that makes it easy to see each hit through a scope. These discs, when hit dead-centre, give off a very satisfying sound. Another metal target I use is the domed part of domestic taps - they ring like a bell when hit if hung on a string. However pellets will ricochet of the rounded surface in any direction so be careful about where and when you might use such targets unless you hang them in an enclosed 'target box' or have acres of 'empty' space as do I.

Jim
Via Ballarat
Australia

 

[crittahitta]

Mtngerry59 I just made some animal targets from 16 gauge sheet steel and glued and screwed some 3/4 oak to the back to stiffen it up. I haven't used it yet but I have a 25 condor ss and want to see if they hold up. Thurmond told me it will probably get beat up. (and probably right) But that was the thickest Lowes had and I had to cut them out with an angle grinder. Not fun! Let me know what you make. Im always looking for a new reactive target.

 

[ironlion269]

Pretty cool targets for having to use an angle grinder. I like that you can tell immediately the difference between the corvid and the pigeon/dove. Also like the two different aspects you provided for the rabbit targets. Thurmond is pretty savvy on this stuff so don't fall in love with these guys... just shoot 'em up and save the templates!

 

[Guest]

I know they aren't a sponsor here but this is the answer to your question http://www.steelplinkers.com/
I may be mistaken but I think theses are the targets used at the EBR's American Field Target event. Either way I've shot targets made by Ben, both field targets and dueling tree's. They are high quality no worry targets for sure.

 

[Guest]

Oh, you could also talk to a member here, strikefast. He makes steels target of all sorts as well, built to order.

 

[Tonyl]

Might be me but that link does not work

 

[Imold]

Steelplinkers is interesting,85.00 a pop gets expensive,also like the fact you can pick your kill zone size.

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately you have to pay to play. The higher the power the higher the cost to keep it from destroying your targets.

 

[Goodtogo]

I have used the local high school welding shop to make a number of steel targets for me. The money I pay them goes into the shop fund. And it gives them something to make that someone will use. And there are a number of steel supply stores in my area when I want sheet steel for backstops.

 

[gonzav71]

http://www.qualitytargets.com/animal-silhouettes/
​They have animal silhouettes 1/4" thick plates AR36 steel made for rimfire ammo (100 foot-pounds). $12-$18 per plate.

 

[crittahitta]

Thanks gonzav71 i wish i had that site before i bought that sheet steel and grinded away driving the neighbors crazy. Gonna order some from there and it is free shipping. nice

 

[LDM]

My hillbilly spinners hold up to 32 foot pound .22's. Might have to make them extra beefy for .25/.30. Just need some stout flat steel stock and a vice to bend the stock around a lag bolt (making sure it is loose enough to spin), then bolt on washers. I use 3/8" X 5" lag bolts, but you could go up to 1/2" lags. I put these out at 35-50 yards on trees on our property. Great smack and spin targets... and cheep!

 

[rrdstarr]

These are much more fun and you don't have to worry about ricochets!
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Ground-Pounder-Target/2348963.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dtargets%26CQ_page%3D20