Wasn’t really sure where to post this but I am looking for some steel target recommendations. What companies should I be looking at?
My buddy has bought many targets from these guys & I have bought a couple sets myself. Mostly Gongs but they do have other styles. Never had a problem with any & they get used alot. There are others out there but we have had good luck with these !
https://shootingtargets7.com/
I mostly use old blind flanges (it’s a pipe thing) I pick up off of my jobs.
But I’m in to see other options. Big blind flanges are HEAVY, and I’m old and puny.
https://shootsteel.com/
Ive had good luck with the two gongs I bought from them. They discount regularly via email or the clearance section of the site.
Al
I had my neighbor order a 4’x4’ sheet of 1/2” AR500 and we cut it on a laser at his workshop. I’d call around to local shops and see if anybody can do something like that. We cut a few big 18x12, a few 6x6 and some others. I think we got the sheet for 300 delivered to his shop with another steel order.
I have some stuff from Defense Targets…The RSR, an Econo Gong, and a couple of bases.
I honestly haven’t shot them too much due to life and work and my range being a pain in the ass about steel, but they seem well made and are pretty easy to transport and set up.
I’ve used Arntzen- now out of business I believe, in the past.
These days I have a client that works in a Heavy Equipment repair shop. They use AR500 to repair equipment- graders, dozers, track hoes… He has programs saved in their Plasma Cutting Table for various targets. He takes the scrap pieces and makes targets for me on his lunch hour… I haven’t bought a target in years. Every couple of months he shows up with 3-4 full size and 1/3 size IPSCS, various squares and discs etc…I probably have 50 or more steel targets. Just keep stacking them away in the Conex, some day he will retire, quit, get fired… whatever, but until then I’m building a “reserve” to last the rest of my life.
I have some from AR500 Target Solutions that I got from Amazon. Seem to be holding up fine.
Good suggestions above for sure, but also if there is a Steel Shop/Fabricator near by call them up or swing by and see what they have. There is a steel place not far from my one shooting buddies house and he has gone there and they will cut any steel in any shape you want. They have AR450/500 etc. He gets pretty fair deals also,no shipping although some places like above have Free shipping over a certain amount,guess you’ll pay tax on your order depending on where you are.
One thing to add on the idea of having them cut for you. If they’re cut using plasma and are exposed to a lot of heat, the edges can be softened. I think many manufacturers use water jet or some type of submerged plasma cutter.
Yea, the company my guy works for has a HUGE submerged plasma cutting table- they can put a full 4’x8’ sheet of AR500 on it. I shudder to think what that thing cost-but it’s their business and they do a lot of work, always busy… Pretty friggen cool really…
Yeah, that’s the ticket. I’ve never had any experience with punching holes on the edge of targets, but I would imagine it could create a potentially dangerous situation.
You must be a better shot than I am! Lol…
Tier One Targets is a disabled-vet owned company started by two Rangers. The targets are currently cut by another Ranger. Disclosure: I crash on these dudes’ couches routinely.
I never said I don’t HIT the edge of the target, just never had a round go through it! Lol!
Anyone know how critical this is? I have a nice plasma cutter (to 1" sever) some 3/8" AR500, and obviously I can buy more or different thicknesses. I’ve made mild steel targets for pistol but not rifle. Like I said earlier, I use blind flanges, equipment teeth, etc.
ETA: We weld AR500 a lot as wear edges, bucket reinforcement/rebuild, etc. Without noticeable impact from heat. That is cut with the plasma as well.
Thank you for all of the recommendations
Try an experiment. Shoot as close to the edge as you can, and let us know what happens. A wear edge on equipment probably doesn’t experience anything like a projectile moving 3000 FPS.
FWIW, I don’t think I’ve seen targets, from any quality brand, get disproportionately effed up near the edges.
The longer the range to your target, the thinner metal you want. Nothing sucks more than a 3/8" long range (1000 plus yards) target that’s too heavy to move on impact.
My best targets are 1/4" thick ones. 3/8" is good for 25-300 or so yards. Our 500 yard target is 3/8" too, but it’s a little too heavy for .223/5.56.