I made some target stands for steel plates. This guy told me that 1/2 thick should be good up to 9mm. Im hoping it will take .45 also as I couldnt find any scrap thicker then what I got. These pieces were scrap and already cut, around $6 each. Im planning to use them at 25 yards and beyond. I made up a simple stand and im hanging them from a chain. Im concerned about ricochets, and I thought if it was on a chain it would give and possibly help control the ricochets? Ive seen types that are rigid mount but ive heard about placing steel at an angle. Do I need to do that on my setup? I have no idea what type of steel it is but I plan on mostly shooting it with .22lr and the occasional 9mm and .45


So what do you think, will it work ok.

Half inch is more than enough for pistol rounds. The only thing I would have done different was to tip the top forward and the bottom rearward slighty so the bullets would be less likely to send splatter back at you. I have several homemade targets done that way and have never had anything come back at me.

Yeah thats what I am concerned with, I figured the chain would let the plate tilt back when hit and deflect the round at the opposite angle down. I copied a design I saw online but I never used them yet to see how they work. If needed I can run a string from the bottom of the plate back to the top of the bar to tilt it down.

nice job! let us know how they work..

Hopefully we are still going shooting on blm land on fri, and im bringing my video camera, and I can get vids on you tube at the end of the week.

anyone ever try old rotors from disc brakes instead of plate steel?

Might try that.  I want to make something I can place at 300 yards for shooting with a .30-'06 and .308, but want it a little bigger than a brake disc.

Finally got to go shooting, the plates held up well except for the chains breaking. ALl survived the 223, even at 50 yards. It didnt penetrate the 1/2 plate at 50 yards or further. Put big holes in them though but that was expected. I mainly used it for .22lr but they were so thick it was hard hearing the ping with other guns around firing. I may get some thinner type for the .22lr

Here are the pics

50 yards



75 yards



100 yards


22lr 100 yards video
223 100 yards video

If you have access to a welder, have a larger chain link attached about 1/3 the way down on the back of your targets.  Then use snap links to attach to the hanging chain (same size).  I'd use 3/8" Grade 30 HD/Lowe's stuff.

Another source for cheap steel targets are railroad tie plates.  You'll have to have a welder fill in the spike holes.  Keep in mind that picking them up along the railroad ROW is technically stealing, but it's an idea.

Good luck.

Merlin

I've made a LOT of steel targets from 3/8" mild steel.Never a problem with pistol rounds but a .223 will drill nice little holes in it.