I'm moving my rifle shooting to the desert. Had it with packed ranges I never go to anymore, espcially during the weekened- that's a no brainer to avoid and it made it only doable during the week here- which aint much of an option due to work. So I decided to make some swinging gong's. I ordered some plates in AR500 steel online, got some suppllies from the local hardware store and got the final versions done today, little flat black to stop the rust and viola! Gas can weighs 15 pounds w/ a lil less than 2 gals in it and I gave it a hard boot and it seems good to go. Short one is for 100y w/ cardboard 8" mock target, other two are for 200y (10") and beyond (12"). I'll have final pics this week with the plates installed and a list of materials is avail upon request- simple standard stuff (sans grade 8 bolts for plates) to make it splatter proof, key there, splatter proof- nothing is bullet proof per say while being cheap and super easy to take down and take home rolled up in a shooting mat/carpet. Since being a good steward includes taking our stuff home after we shoot it why not make it reusable and not fulla holes and burrs? I have a 4' duffel bag it all goes in for transport after rolling up the legs in the shooting mat and the shackels make it easy for quick chain fixes. Yet to find a chain that is bullet proof that aint for an anchor. So I just get the 30 grade 3/8" from the store cuz splatter wont hurt it. I've used fabric and rubber to hang them and that's fine but they frey fast from splatter. Funny thing is they take a bullet over and over but splatter cuts 'em up. Chain? Snap. Not too worried if my zero's good. Kinda hard to miss a 12" plate.

Whater you shootin' at???

I also gave up shooting at public ranges cuz of idiots that refuse to follow rules and litter the place all over. Buddy of mine has a 1500 acre farm here with 3 ranges that we built for 100, 250, and 500 yards with ample berms for them.

I like your idea with the swinging targets.

stovepipe wrote:

Gas can weighs 15 pounds w/ a lil less than 2 gals in it ... Chain? Snap. Not too worried if my zero's good. Kinda hard to miss a 12" plate.

Stovey, one shot from my 270 Win and your plastic gas can would be toast if you have any sand or water in it. Carry extra chain links because I will wager it will only last a couple of outings. Have fun!

Rebar for legs, great idea, cheap, easy to remove/replace and it gives the stand some weight. Expired out of date propane tanks work nicely too. They ring loud and collect lots of holes. Take'm to the recycler after they've become cheeze.

Thanks Omni. Swingers disapate the impact so the gongs last longer. AR500 is pretty hard stuff but....nothing is bullet proof cept big rocks.

Slim, shoot my can and you get a flat tire, automatically, weird how that works. Way ahead of ya on the extra chain. That's why I have the shackels at the top for easy swap- bolts for the gongs are grade 8, nuts and washers on back are standard stuff.

Suzanne wrote:

Expired out of date propane tanks work nicely too. They ring loud and collect lots of holes. Take'm to the recycler after they've become cheeze.

Gota 5gal with a pooched valve with a little left in it...stick a road flare in the ground behind it, haul butt back to the line and letter rip Merna!!!

stovepipe wrote:

Gota 5gal with a pooched valve with a little left in it...stick a road flare in the ground behind it, haul butt back to the line and letter rip Merna!!!

VIDEO!!!

better make sure you have fire extinguisher handy!!!!! sounds like fun shooting them up though.
I just staple a piece of paper on a board and wander over the road to the reserve. I can probly get 500yrds flat ground if I want to shoot that far.

I have built the swinging gongs in various sizes but I found that it is more challenging to get the smallest group I can on a paper target. I still use the gongs for instinctive fire practice but for the serious shooting I prefer a frame and paper target.

Paper is cool for groups and zero. I like ranging and hearing the steel sing. I hardly shoot rifles anymore. Changing that for sure, right now.

No gongs...No steel targets. I've been hit by too many "returning bullets" from other people shooting steel next to me. I do enjoy shooting steel pigs out at 200 yards though.

My range for handgun can be ran out to 25 yards. The picnic table is at 40 feet at this time. My neighbor allows me to use his property for up to 200 yard.

I did pink just for you, Stovey.

Wicked nice spot Bushboss. Don't let Suz see the pink, she'll proly take it as a sign- next thing's ya know it's doilies on the stumps and curtains in the trees!

What's nice is that it's just above the house.

You got a pretty damn nice spot there bossman!

It'll do.

Anytime you can have a FREE place to shoot it's great. Except for one thing. I sometimes like to compare notes with someone other than myself. I know I'm always correct, but it's nice to get another prospective.

I loved my public range and had been shooting there since I was a kid. But it's just too darn inconvenient now. No way I'll go during a weekend. Shame really- it's a wonderful range with hundreds of engagements out to 600y.