Best choices for portable steel targets?

[HCM]

I currently have access to a members only portion of an outdoor shooting range. Members can bring their own targets and target stands for use in the members only bays.

I'm looking to pick up some reasonably portable steel targets for handgun and possible 5.56 rifle use. These will need to be stored in my garage transported to the range set up and broken down every time they are used. So portability and ease of assembly are highly desirable.

I'm looking at the tax strike steel targets but I'm open to other suggestions.

http://tacstrike.com/STEEL-TARGETS-and-STANDS/

[GJM]

I travel with my targets to the range. For steel, I am now exclusively using MGM steel challenge targets, mostly eight inch circles. They are reasonably priced, very portable, and use an easily replaced 2x4 as the vertical part.

[GJM]

http://mgmtargets.com/steel-challenge


Sent from my iPhone

[John Hearne]

There seem to be two groups these days - those chasing the bottom of the market price wise and those that build very high quality at a higher price.

My all around favorite target is the MGM Lolli-Popper. First, it will take anything - pistol, rifle, or shotgun. It's the only steel target I'd fire slugs at for instance. I'd shoot rifle on one side of the plates and pistol on the other:
http://mgmtargets.com/bmz_cache/6/63add7ce5bee1fee8c22e27e41b39339.image.550x550.jpg

The plates are available in different sizes as well - 4", 6" or 8". If I were doing a lot of rifle work, I'd consider the ones made from all AR-500.

Second, you can add the BC Zone target it to it for more rifle-centric work. The BC is fairly unique in that you can shoot conventional rifle ammunition at ranges way closer than anything else - like 15 yards.
http://mgmtargets.com/images/large/mgmtargets/dlpbcczc_lrg.jpg

The target breaks down very easily, it literally slips together and if very compact when stored. It is not cheap but it is my gold standard for portable steel targets. www.mgmtargets.com/

Beside the Tac Strike, I'd also look at the Ready Ship Target from RSR. It's priced very reasonably but requires a greater stand-off distance when used with rifle ammo. https://www.rsrsteeltargets.com/product/000-RST.html
https://www.rsrsteeltargets.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/rsr002-1_2_540x540.jpg

My other favorite, unappreciated target is the Rotator from Safe Direction. It looks deceptively easy but it isn't. It's one of the few designs out there that forces a shooter to break a shot in a time frame dictated by the target instead of themselves.
http://safedirection.com/images/556_Rotator.jpg
www.safedirection.com

If you want to go really inexpensive, there are a number of targets that will ship in a flat rate box that use rebar you supply for legs. This is one of the MGM models:
http://mgmtargets.com/bmz_cache/2/2386b8b2302847071f7304dc1561f8b7.image.135x135.jpg

[HCM]

John,

What's the difference between the Lolli- Popper and the Lolli-popper with AR shaft ?

[GJM]

I have two of the MGM lollipop targets. They are great for rifle, up close, but a nuisance for pistol. They are relatively heavy, expensive and awkward to move (combination of weight, squiggly legs, edges). Worst part is the wands need replacement, and as they wear put off shards, necessitating gloves while handling them.

[BobM]

We have a couple of the Evil Roy targets from Action Target. It has a tripod base and a built in handle. The top rotates down, cutting the height on half.

[ST911]

My other favorite, unappreciated target is the Rotator from Safe Direction. It looks deceptively easy but it isn't. It's one of the few designs out there that forces a shooter to break a shot in a time frame dictated by the target instead of themselves.

www.safedirection.com

Echoing John. That is an excellent target, with plenty of learning and fun.

http://ravelingroup.com/wordpress1/tag/rotator-reactive-steel-handgun-and-shotgun-target/

[EricM]

Any thoughts on gong-style targets vs. the supported-by-a-post style? MGM's steel challenge target looked good but it doesn't seem to be offered with an 8" plate anymore. Looking through John's links I noticed RSR's 8" Econo Gong (https://www.rsrsteeltargets.com/product/031-ECONOGONG.html) which looks like it would work with target stand bases I already have. Just looking for a basic 6" or 8" target for pistol right now.

[GJM]

Any thoughts on gong-style targets vs. the supported-by-a-post style? MGM's steel challenge target looked good but it doesn't seem to be offered with an 8" plate anymore. Looking through John's links I noticed RSR's 8" Econo Gong (https://www.rsrsteeltargets.com/product/031-ECONOGONG.html) which looks like it would work with target stand bases I already have. Just looking for a basic 6" or 8" target for pistol right now.

MGM makes 8", you just need to request them by phone.

[gringop]

This is the steel target that I use the most.

http://www.letargets.com/content/f1-hv-kit-let-28-steel-pivot-popper.asp

Easy to transport and setup, good feedback when hit with rifle or pistol. The only down side is with multiple rapid hits, it is leaning back and can deflect shots upward.

Gringop

[dsa]

MGM is the way to go. They used to offer discounts for stuff used in big matches, i.e. Iron man and stuff not painted.

[backtrail540]

I use 3 tacstrike 1/4 scales(1 regular and 2 ultra lite) and two of their 8" plates(I don't think they make them anymore). I use the plates on a steel challenge cap from mgm. I'm happy with them, have used rifle and pistol closer than recommended and they are still in good shape. If you go 1/4 scale I think the ultra lite is the way to go. Much lighter, hence easier to transport, and 2x4s are easy to replace when necessary. I find myself grabbing them over the regular 1/4 unless I'm running all 3 for some reason. I also recommend their arch frame carriers.

[John Hearne]

What's the difference between the Lolli- Popper and the Lolli-popper with AR shaft ?

This is the Lolli-Popper with the AR shaft:
http://mgmtargets.com/images/dlpb8ARBLU_500.jpg

The target and shaft are cut from one piece of AR-500. They don't move as much as the fiberglass mounted shafts. I've never fired slugs at the AR shaft models and don't know if they'd move enough to make me comfortable (but I suspect they would). I've got some of these mounted on the moving target we use and it is an awesome combination.

[BobM]

This thread prompted me to check out MGM again. I'm pretty sure I'm going to order the Lollipopper next week. We ordered a plate rack last year. It's good quality and they're easy to work with

[dkv]

I'm looking at the tax strike steel targets but I'm open to other suggestions.

I have two of the "BMI" swinger targets and their CPaSS target stands. They have held up to 556 at 100 yards and 9/40 at <10 yards.
My range uses 1x2 supports for paper target stands; the tac strike swinger cross bar uses 2x2 supports, as does the CPaSS.
I leave my 2x2 supports at the range and bring everything else home. It is compact but heavy.
My range specifies "free hanging" steel targets so I have not tried things like the lollipop.

[HCM]

This is the Lolli-Popper with the AR shaft:
http://mgmtargets.com/images/dlpb8ARBLU_500.jpg

The target and shaft are cut from one piece of AR-500. They don't move as much as the fiberglass mounted shafts. I've never fired slugs at the AR shaft models and don't know if they'd move enough to make me comfortable (but I suspect they would). I've got some of these mounted on the moving target we use and it is an awesome combination.
Thanks. That seems to address GJM's concerns regarding the fiberglass shafts.

[John Hearne]

Thanks. That seems to address GJM's concerns regarding the fiberglass shafts.

Also, the fiberglass shafts come standard with split loom like thst used for wiring. The split loom pretty much eliminates fiberglass splinters.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[GJM]

Also, the fiberglass shafts come standard with split loom like thst used for wiring. The split loom pretty much eliminates fiberglass splinters.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Having learned this the hard way, I think gloves are mandatory for handling the fiberglass wands. If you use them hard, that covering comes off, leaving the wands. Those fiberglass splinters are very unhappy in your hands.

One of those lollipops seems to weigh about the same as six of the steel challenge bases. We have stopped bringing the lollipop, on account of weight and handling, even if planning to shoot some rifle. We just designate one side of an eight inch steel for rifle, and if there are some small pocks from closer hits, they stay on one side.

It would have to be a rifle or slug intensive session for us to drag out the lollipop base anymore.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/image.jpg1_zpseybbftjr.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/image.jpg1_zpseybbftjr.jpg.html)

[nalesq]

The MGM FAQ has a bolded disclaimer which says not to use M193 5.56mm on their steel, because "such ammunition is designed to penetrate steel and will cause severe damage." Is this true? I know M193 of course has higher velocity than say, M855, and faster bullets seem to wear out steel faster than slower ones, but is M193 really a no-go?

[HCM]

The MGM FAQ has a bolded disclaimer which says not to use M193 5.56mm on their steel, because "such ammunition is designed to penetrate steel and will cause severe damage." Is this true? I know M193 of course has higher velocity than say, M855, and faster bullets seem to wear out steel faster than slower ones, but is M193 really a no-go?

Is this for the standard or the AR 500?

[Coyotesfan97]

I have to recommend http://www.shooterselement.com Taylor makes his targets out of AR500 and they take all kinds of punishment. He's in the Phoenix area but he'll ship for free on orders of $80 or more. He's a vendor on a Arizona gun forum I help moderate.

[nalesq]

Is this for the standard or the AR 500?

It's under the FAQ for "Can I shoot my rifle at your targets," so I assume AR500.

[JTPHD]

I've been pleased with the RSR ready to ship A/B target. It is a robust setup and the steel tonality is nice and loud.
https://www.rsrsteeltargets.com/product/000-RST.html

[rwa]

I made hundreds of steel targets before retiring (welding teacher). I am fortunate enough to live about 100 miles from one of the world's largest manufacturers of haul truck beds for mining. I have used SSAB/Hardox by the tons. There is a difference between hardness and toughness.

"It’s not that hard to make hard plate. But it’s really tough to keep it tough through the process." That is a quote from SSAB's website. I still have a couple of tons of AR440 Hardox 3/8" thick. It tested at 485 Brinell so I keep it around. FWIW, I have seen 500AR from other sources that tested as low as 475 Brinell. I suppose that is neither here nor there. As far as M193 ammo, just don't use it on steel plate, problem solved. The amount of heat generated when striking a plate will really put the plate's ability to resist cratering to the test. Repeated shooting can also limit the life before the plate loses the ability to resist deformation in the form of cupping. Remember to turn the plate around frequently. Short answer, if you don't want to take chances with your dollars, go with one of the well known makers like MGM, Action Target, etc.

[cjb1911]

Sorry for the necro post, but does anyone have experience with the Sportsman T-Post targets (https://mgmtargets.com/sportsman-series/sportsman-t-post-target-4-to-12?products_id=299:1d4d403a8c7a18ae6be7bfdc8765e98 8) from MGM? My club stipulates that steel targets must be swinging.