School me on steel targets

[Nephrology]

Not sure if this is the right subform... Mods should feel free move this at their discretion.

Anyway, after thinking about it, I am probably not going to be jumping into a new handgun platform anytime in the near future (excepting my, ah, late night gunbroker lowballing sessions). Instead I am going to double down on what I already have.

That brings me to shooting steel. I love steel targets. My last range had a plate rack that I could have easily spent all day shooting, clearing, and resetting. Looking around, those are both too expensive and too bulky to be practical, but there are some interesting looking static and reactive IDPA/IPSC target setups that seem like they might be a good addition to my training and can probably fit pretty easily in the back of my RAV4.

So - do people here like shooting steel targets? Any particular make/model? Reactive or static? Is one enough or should I try to pick up a few smaller targets instead of one big IPSC silhouette? Several half-sized IPSC silhouettes?

My current range setup comes with two target stand bases (metal piping) buried in the earth at the end of each berm (so room for 2 targets) and plenty of decent sized target stands for my use. From center to center, the targets are about 8 feet apart and more or less on the same longitudinal axis. I don't have a lot of width to set up more targets but I do have a lot of depth to work with if I want to set up mini courses of fire (berm is probably about 12x40 yards so) - trying to envision how to work steel targets into my existing setup for optimal training value.

thoughts?

[Luke]

I have (it's my buddies but he leaves it with me) a C zone uspsa steel target with a "hostage" reactive plate by the head that swivels. You can run it with or without the plate. The base doubles as a regular target stand for wooden sticks. It breaks down very nicely and rides in my trunk (Ford Fusion) because I'm too lazy to get it back out. I will find out the name of the manufacture and report back!

Edit to add steel is fun but gets kind of boring unless it's hard shots. I'm not looking for C hits, I'm looking for A's so the steel doesn't get used much really.

[bornandraisedlv]

I love shooting my steel! I currently only have 1 8" plate that's hanging by chain from a folding sawhorse. I plan on picking up a silhouette and a tree in the next month or so. I love the immediate, affirmative, and reassuring sound that you have a hit with steel!

It sounds like you have a little room to work with and a tree might work best for you?

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[Jay Cunningham]

https://tacstrike.com/product/quarter-scale-steel-target-system/

I have many, many thousands of rounds on TacStrike steel targets, and I highly recommend them.

[Mitch]

https://tacstrike.com/product/quarter-scale-steel-target-system/

I have many, many thousands of rounds on TacStrike steel targets, and I highly recommend them.

Thanks for the link, I think I'm going to grab some of those myself. Quick question from someone who's never shot a steel target, what's the minimum distance you need to be from those?

[CCT125US]

I picked up some steel from Sportsman Guide that I hang on a shepard's hooks.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/ar500-hardened-steel-plate-round-shooting-target-6-diam-3-8?a=1864891

Works well for my needs, is portable and fairly inexpensive.

[bornandraisedlv]

Thanks for the link, I think I'm going to grab some of those myself. Quick question from someone who's never shot a steel target, what's the minimum distance you need to be from those?

I stay 10 yards away with eye protection. Just this weekend I took a shot of shrapnel to the chest at 10 yards, did not hurt but I did feel it. It doesn't help that my plate is not angled at all, though it does swing.

[Leroy]

7 yards with service caliber centerfire on nice flat (not dented) plates. .22 lr on only lightweight spinner or angled. I have had full .22 lr bullets come back at 25 yards when shot at perpendicular plates.

[1slow]

I use MGM steel and like their BCC target a lot.

[backtrail540]

I second tacstrike. I've got three 1/4 scales and two of his older 8" plates. Good stuff.

[Mitch]

I picked up some steel from Sportsman Guide that I hang on a shepard's hooks.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/ar500-hardened-steel-plate-round-shooting-target-6-diam-3-8?a=1864891

Works well for my needs, is portable and fairly inexpensive.

How stable are the Shepards hooks? That seems like a really cost effective set up if it works for you.

[Cowtown44]

Check out Action Target's Evil Roy.

[SLG]

Check out Action Target's Evil Roy.

I have a bunch of those, and have used them for the last 8 years or so. Good variety of plates that aren't too big. TLG started using them after seeing mine, and I think he used them in every class for a few years. Very easy to pack in a vehicle and they set up and break down in seconds.

[lwt16]

https://magnumtarget.com/products/gong/12in-x-20in-23sc-idpaispc-steel-target-rated-for-h-p-rifle-shooting-1-piece-set/

This is the one I have. I love it.

This is the target stand build I use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqQyWLVIZA

I do shoot pretty close to it but use my kevlar vest from work and of course, good eye pro. I angle it down and have never had an issue. I also have a trauma kit on me at all times.

[GJM]

Strong recommendation for MGM eight inch steel challenge targets, which use a replaceable wood 2x4. I have these in multiple locations, and they are my single fav piece of range equipment.

[Nephrology]

Strong recommendation for MGM eight inch steel challenge targets, which use a replaceable wood 2x4. I have these in multiple locations, and they are my single fav piece of range equipment.

How many of them do you typically set up for a single course of fire (term used liberally of course)?


I have a bunch of those, and have used them for the last 8 years or so. Good variety of plates that aren't too big. TLG started using them after seeing mine, and I think he used them in every class for a few years. Very easy to pack in a vehicle and they set up and break down in seconds.

What plates do you typically use/think have the most utility for handgun training?

[GJM]

I typically have six available, but most often use fewer at a practice session. Taadski just got these and agrees with me as to their utility. He put me onto these phenomenal paper stands, too, that hopefully he will link.

[Aray]

Another vote for Tacstrike steel. Really good products.

[SteveB]

Strong recommendation for MGM eight inch steel challenge targets, which use a replaceable wood 2x4. I have these in multiple locations, and they are my single fav piece of range equipment.

I have several of the 8" as well as a 10" plate; they're great because you can easily vary the height with different lengths of 2X4, which are cheap to replace when they get chewed up. I also like their 1/2 size IPSC target and this auto-popper:

http://mgmtargets.com/auto-poppers-sup-reg-sup/auto-popper-sup-reg-sup-colt-speed-plate?cPath=40&

[taadski]

The paper stands GJM is referencing are Rob's also. Specifically his "arch frame" stands.

https://tacstrike.com/product/arch-frame-target-carrier/

[Little Creek]

www.rsrsteeltargets.com

Ready Ship Target is hard to beat: top quality, price, size,free shipping. I have 4 of them, 1 with hostage flipper.

[Cool Breeze]

I prefer steel targets with no exposed bolts as the bolts get chewed up pretty quickly and need replacing. Action target meets this requirement for me but I have not looked at others.

Just my experience.. Ymmv

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[JohnO]

www.rsrsteeltargets.com

Ready Ship Target is hard to beat: top quality, price, size,free shipping. I have 4 of them, 1 with hostage flipper.

I have been very impressed with my RSR Steel Targets. The Ready Ship Target is a great value and it rings really nicely.

[SLG]

How many of them do you typically set up for a single course of fire (term used liberally of course)?



What plates do you typically use/think have the most utility for handgun training?

I have the full set of MGM targets that GJM is talking about, as well as the ones I mentioned above. The MGM plates are best for steel challenge type stuff, as the smallest that I have seen is 8". They may make smaller now, IDK.

With the Action target ones, I have 6", 8", 10" and the half size (may be smaller than that actually) ISPC target. That range allows me to do a lot from 10 yards on out to 100 or more. I won't shoot steel with standard bullets closer than 10 yards.

[DEG]

Friends and I have been searching around for options as well, and decided to go a custom route.

We wanted a multi-purpose base capable of at least three configurations - dueling tree, plate hangers, and a paper target stand. Also supporting 15 and 20 degree angles for the middle post, with easy disassembly for transport and storage.

These are the scaled 3D printed models (GI Joe size), showing the different configurations.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/4e17dfdb2cea6acf12be2f2e48b0133a.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/eceb817fcad31f1bdf26b0facb7e73de.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/7d3ff34a8f4abef1fbbf3d778caf10f9.jpg

This afternoon, the first prototype was ready to view, and I think it's awesome. The friend that designed and fabricated is a welding wizard.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160519/b5ffba9bc280681f95909601ed221ce0.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160519/36401ac173ba9f4a2c08ae1e484abbe6.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160519/8ab718799e99426dbdd6102edd9fb3e5.jpg

We are getting the AR500 plates from Spartan Armor Systems, along with thinner plates for 22lr. We'll try this one out, make some tweaks where necessary, and fabricate version two in a few weeks.

[Little Creek]

Friends and I have been searching around for options as well, and decided to go a custom route.

We wanted a multi-purpose base capable of at least three configurations - dueling tree, plate hangers, and a paper target stand. Also supporting 15 and 20 degree angles for the middle post, with easy disassembly for transport and storage.

These are the scaled 3D printed models (GI Joe size), showing the different configurations.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/4e17dfdb2cea6acf12be2f2e48b0133a.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/eceb817fcad31f1bdf26b0facb7e73de.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/7d3ff34a8f4abef1fbbf3d778caf10f9.jpg

This afternoon, the first prototype was ready to view, and I think it's awesome. The friend that designed and fabricated is a welding wizard.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160519/b5ffba9bc280681f95909601ed221ce0.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160519/36401ac173ba9f4a2c08ae1e484abbe6.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160519/8ab718799e99426dbdd6102edd9fb3e5.jpg

We are getting the AR500 plates from Spartan Armor Systems, along with thinner plates for 22lr. We'll try this one out, make some tweaks where necessary, and fabricate version two in a few weeks.

Do you plan to sell them? If so keep us posted. PM me with details. I am a sucker for steel targets.

[HopetonBrown]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160519/8ab718799e99426dbdd6102edd9fb3e5.jpg

We are getting the AR500 plates from Spartan Armor Systems, along with thinner plates for 22lr. We'll try this one out, make some tweaks where necessary, and fabricate version two in a few weeks.

If I could make an unsolicited suggestion, I know a lot of guys who would find these of limited use, because there is no ability to use very common cardboard ISPA metric/IDPA targets, which are 18" wide. Also, on the ranges I frequent, 1x2 furring strips are used more than 2x4s, so I'd suggest making the slots in the base be able to hold those as well without them tilting.

[DEG]

Thank you for the suggestion, I appreciate it. I'm definitely tracking on the target size. It's hard to see in the pics, but a 1x2 works with the stand, sliding right behind the back pin.

[DEG]

I should have added this at the beginning - we are not making these to sell; just making a couple because it seemed like fun.

OP - apologies if this got your thread off track.