toddyboman Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 (edited) I really would like to make some steal targets to shoot...... Yeah I googled and found where I can buy some nice ones....but I can't /don't wanna pay those prices. Surely I can make something...... So has anyone does this with any success, have tips or plans?? Yes I know I typed the title wrong.......proof reading would have been a good idea:1eye: Edited June 1, 2010 by toddyboman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Yes my brother and I have some steel targets that we made. They are made from some old steel plate we found thats about 3/8'' thick or maybe 5/16''. They are probably 8'' X 8" squares. We welded them onto 3 foot sticks of rebar at an angle and hung them up. The angle deflects the bullets straight down into the ground and they make a nice ping so you know when you hit them. We have shot them with a .357 with no problems. I might go down there later and take a pic for you so you can see what they look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted June 2, 2010 Report Share Posted June 2, 2010 You can make steel targets but the ones made of mild steel will eventually crater the they will start to bounce pieces back at the shooter. If you make them with a flat base of some sort welded to the bottom so you can set them up and knock them off a stand of some sort you can help eliminate this problem. Wear safety glasses for sure. Bowling pins work well too and they catch the bullets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted June 2, 2010 Report Share Posted June 2, 2010 This is what I do just about every other weekend in the summer. http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59285 We create all of our own targets. If you are shooting lead cast bullets like we are (Required by SASS rules) then all you will need 3/8" steel. If you are shooting jacketed bullets you will need something much thicker. Now I know some of you are saying that 3/8" will handle most calibers but when jackets bullets start to put dents in the steel you will have bullet fragments coming straight back at you. Find someone who has a water jet cutter and make them your friend. Buy the steel yourself and have them cut your target shapes. You can use a torch if you are in a pinch. Another option is hit the scrap yards. Buy the steel cheap and have someone cut the shapes for you. Another option is find a sportsmans club that is going out of business. Sometimes you can buy their old target dirt cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted June 2, 2010 Report Share Posted June 2, 2010 Here is a thread from another forum that may help. http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=145838 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted June 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 I think I have an idea for a base.....just need to find some cheap thick steal. Thanks for the input everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted June 4, 2010 Report Share Posted June 4, 2010 We've made quite a few at the shop, and found out that by hanging them from heavy log chain they are ALOT more durable. The chain allows them to twist on off center shots, where a solid strap eventually twists and breaks. We use 10" circles cut from 1" plate and 1/2" chain. They hold up pretty well. Working in a metal shop has it's advantages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted June 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2010 how about you cut me some plates and send my way..... :D I don't think I need full 1" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted June 5, 2010 Report Share Posted June 5, 2010 No problem at all. I'll use 3/4 plate and even attach the chains so all you have to do is hang them. They'll be $50.00 each + shpping. How many do you need? :D:D:D:D:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted June 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 No problem at all. I'll use 3/4 plate and even attach the chains so all you have to do is hang them. They'll be $50.00 each + shpping. How many do you need? :D:D:D:D:D:D $50 a plate....wow making a bit of profit on them eh ..... I guess that guy that priced me scrap metal for $0.30 a lbs was giving me a good deal. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 What kind of plate would you use for shooting 22lr? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 Usually 1/4 " will do for 22's. eBay has lots of them. http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=steel+targets&_sacat=0&_odkw=steel+targets&_osacat=0&bkBtn=&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterbobb Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 I bought some metal silloutes for 22's a few years ago. Those are a blast to shoot. The chickens at 25 yards are really quite a challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 What kind of plate would you use for shooting 22lr? As said, 1/4" is the way to go. You can buy a 12 in. square of 1/4" plate at Lowes or Home Depot for $20-30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 If you want knock over targets you can buy old pieces of angle iron and cut appropriate size pieces off it. A 3 inch piece of 1/4 or 3/8 angle cut 3 inches long makes a good target at 20 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterbobb Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 If you want knock over targets you can buy old pieces of angle iron and cut appropriate size pieces off it. A 3 inch piece of 1/4 or 3/8 angle cut 3 inches long makes a good target at 20 yards. This sounds interesting but I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Do yoou mean just a plain piece of three inch angle iron cut to three inch lengths to basiically form a 3" square target. Nothing attached to it. Plus will a 22 really knock that over. Seems it would be kind of heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 (edited) The side profile will be L-shaped and I believe if you set them up on a stand they will fall over. Set them with the "foot" facing you. If they won't go over just set them further back hanging off the stand until they do. You can use a piece of steel supported by some blocks for a stand. Edited June 9, 2010 by m gardner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 What kind of plate would you use for shooting 22lr? Hey John. Go see what your school shop teacher can do for you. He might be able to weld something up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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