I am finally getting around to starting to put together my steel target setup for training, so that I wont have to borrow from a friend anymore. I’ve been looking at Salute, MGM, etc. Anyone have any other/good recommendations on who to go with? They must be made from AR500 steel.
Someone asked this quesiton on G&R’s forum, with Grant highly recommending the Salute targets.
I actually just placed my order with them today. I’d looked at Salute and MGM as well. I liked what I saw with Salute and after the feedback that I’ve read on their targets I went with them. It probably won’t help you much, but I’ll update this thread as soon as I get back from the range with it.
We use MGM. Good workmanship, great customer service. They have AR500 targets in stock usually.
Something I’ve been thinking of lately as well. Thanks for the names. Here are some links for others;
The new MGM website looks good. I purchased one of their Colt speed plate auto poppers about three years ago. A very good training aid for public ranges that rarely go cold.
I am looking forward to trying out the Salute targets. While the auto popper bases are nowhere near as stable as the MGM sniper base, they appear to be more portable and quicker to disassemble. I do wonder how secure the pin is, though. The static target setup seems pretty nice. Hope the steel (and the shooter :D) holds up to rifle NSRs at pistol distances.
I went with MGM. They didn’t stock what I wanted and they were more than willing to make it for me. The other good thing about them is that most of their prices includes shipping.
I recently had a chance to try out the Salute target at a Rob Haught
shotgun class. We shot everything from bird shot to slugs at a very
close range. The targets took the punishment with no ill effects.
I’d say Salute targets are good to go.
[b]Shucks, it’s deja vu. 
Started this shop in 1980, we entered the tactical business back in the early '90s making our LaRue Auto-resetting Sniper Targets … they helped put us on the map … but our’s are more well-known with the long-gun folks. 
FYI, like all things electro-mechanical, they need an occasional going-over. If you know of any of our targets sitting in-op in a corner somewhere…then police them up and send them back to us and we’ll service them and get them back out on the range…most of the time for no-charge. The occasional shot-to-hell by a mini-gun unit requires a few purchased parts, but all in all, the cost is nil to keep them running forever.
You can see 'em on our website or on the GSA-Advantage store - (search LaRue).
M. LaRue[/b]
I’ve bought from http://www.themetalman.com/targetindex.html and have been very happy with my purchase.
I’ve also used targets from http://www.gttargets.com The owner is a great guy an supports a lot of competitive shooting.
Joe Mamma
Ive used MGM, LaRue, PortaTarget and Salute products over the years and have been happy with all of them. The Salute targets are my current take to class brand due to the portability and versatility of the designs. Also one of the principals in the company is a great guy, active duty Marine who puts his butt on the line to support his troops even when its not popular with the brass, so Im happy to support his products.
Hey Rob, its good to see you here.
I have a Salute target in the back of my rig for personal training. It is both a high quality product for the price, and very portable.
My agency has been using LaRue targets for many years. They aren’t cheap, but they have held up exceptionally well and are used in alot of sniper schools that we host. They are very convenient for long range field exercises where having a self reseting target is much better than trudging across several 100 yards of dense brush to tape or reset targets.
Nyeti;
I have six of the LaRues that have been in outdoor use year round for the last several years in the mountains of WV. They have been used at several of the Allegheny Sniper Challenge events and other that the occaisional small maintenence that any mechanical thing sometimes needs they are still chugging along. Mark will handle anything that requires shop time gladly and is a great guy to deal with. My Porta Targets are still doing fine after a zillion rounds and the MGMs are basically sniper type lolipoppers and flash targets and I have no complaints. After being introduced to Salute Targets on the Left Coast by Freddie I bought half a dozen to T&E and they have been outstanding for both shotgun and carbine. If I ever get my dream piece of property I can outfit one hell of a range!
Hope to see you at SHOT
Rob
I would go with LaRue if I weren’t at the mercy of the taxpayers. As I am, I do without or have it made locally. Another name I haven’t seen mentioned is Action Target.
Rob,
Thanks for the kind comments about me and Salute Product targets.
All of the target companies mentioned thus far are excellent sources and run by fine people. LaRue targets are exceptional for sniper work as well as other forms of rifle training.
Depending upon what is the intended use this would be my recommendation:
For all center fire rifle, pistol and shotgun I recommend AR500 3/8" or thicker steel. This will allow for better durability, thus longer life of your target. For light cowboy loads etc. 1/4" AR500 will work fine, but that is a niche use.
For carbine work inside of 50 yards the Salute Products DoD MilSpec base with a 2/3 IPSC or 10-8 target is ideal. Both Porta and MGM make similar target systems with the target slanting towards the shooter to deflect splatter. Salute has eliminated bolts and brackets thus minimizing potentially harmful splatter. This target is also excellent for shotgun and handgun training as well. Salute will be adding an FBI/DEA Q shaped target to the line shortly. Of course custom shapes can also be produced. You can watch the video clip of a 10-8 Consulting Instructor shooting NSRs with a Kimber Warrior and Noveske N-4, as well as John Noveske shooting full auto on a DoD MilSpec target system if you to go to FAQ on www.saluteproducts.com and then click on the “Training Day” video in the upper right corner box.
For shotgun work, the Salute Products 2/3 Pepper Popper (aka Mini-Popper) with the self-resetting reactive large base is excellent with both target loads and 00B at 10 yards and slug at 50yards or more. Again Salute has eliminated the bolts as they have found that they tend to loosen, as well as get damaged during extensive training. This target works great with rifles at intermediate distances of 50 -300 yards and with handguns at 10 yards. The video clip mentioned previously shows a 10-8 Consulting Instructor shooting accelerate pairs on the Mini-Popper with a Noveske 7.62 AR10 at 15 yards. Salute and MGM both make a smaller versions that work well with rifles at intermediate distances and handguns at 10 yards as well. Salute of course has numerous other shapes with the Large Practical Plinger being one that works well and is proving popular with LE designated marksmen even out to 600 yards for head shots. For big game hunters Salute is now making North American and African big game like Elk, Brown Bear, Bison, Cape Buffalo, and Lions.
As mentioned the target systems above work well with handguns, another option is Salutes self-resetting reactive plate rack system. This target system can be used with rifles as well. The 8" round tall plate works best on the plate rack.
Salute recently started building .50 BMG target systems and are available for order although they haven’t been posted on the website yet. Their website will be updated soon with both pictures and more video clips of the new products mentioned, but they are available for order if you call them.
S/F
Whats the 10-8 target look like? I couldnt find it on the Salute site.
I’m guessing you mean this one
http://www.eagtactical.com/prd_detail.asp?ProdID=3
Rob S.,
You are correct. The Salute Products EAG/10-8 Steel Target is the same size and shape as the camo portion of the EAG/10-8 paper target. After a few rounds are shot on to the steel target it actually mimics the grayish Crye camo pattern on the paper target. That was not by our design, but by how well designed Crye’s pattern blends with surroundings.
Unfortunately it is not up on the Salute website yet, but if you call or email sales@saluteproducts.com you can order it. It is the same price as the 2/3 IPSC $129.95.
Once I figure out how to insert pictures I’ll post some of the new targets. Am better with butcher paper and large crayons, but have a Power Point Ranger Tab laying around my house some where.
S/F
I am familiar with the 10-8/EAG paper targets. I was referring to the 10-8/EAG steel target.
Here is a picture of the EAG/10-8 Steel Target in a DoD MilSpec base with Tim Lau and Ben Lenett from 10-8 Consulting. To their left is the Large Practical Plinger in a DoD MilSpec base.
S/F
Here is the .50 BMG Target System with a custom cut Bison target.