Small steel targets

One of the nice things about rimfire is you can use mild steel, at least I have. If you have the ability to work with metal or a friend, you can make whatever you want.

I can bubble gum weld, but how do you hang them so the hanger isn't bigger then the target?

WNYBill said:

I can bubble gum weld, but how do you hang them so the hanger isn't bigger then the target?

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I have used long grade 8 bolts, yes you can still hit them but they are strong enough for rimfire. On mine I tried to weld basically the cutouts of animals there. I got one of the super cheapo plasma cutters off of Amazon, it works fantastic and I have cut upto 1/4 mild steel with it. There just was not enough "meat" to have it hang below, so I welded the target to the length of the bolt. That worked fairly well.

This is the plasma cutter I used.

How does a grade 8 bolt compare to AR500 steel? I could attach a bolt to my conveyor belting. More good ideas.
Thank you.

WNYBill said:

How does a grade 8 bolt compare to AR500 steel? I could attach a bolt to my conveyor belting. More good ideas.
Thank you.

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It will hold up well to anything but centerfire rifle. A hit will kill it in my experience. But that is no different from chain, but a chain can twist a bit and get "out of the way" when hit. I generally like steel cable for hanging centerfire steel. Pistol calibers and rim fire you can use some heavy paracord, the targets really move and the energy impacted the paracord can take.

I hung my 2" plates off of closed "I" bolts. Just twisted the eye open with a wrench, then closed the eye back up with the wrench after hanging the plate on it. The plate recovers more quickly to a shooting position, i.e., facing the shooter. The plates also don't sway in the wind hanging off of the much more substantial bolts. I screwed the bolts into a frame composed of 2x2's salvaged from a snowblower pallet.

WNYBill said:

How does a grade 8 bolt compare to AR500 steel? I could attach a bolt to my conveyor belting. More good ideas.
Thank you.

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22 LR isn't going to break a grade 8 bolt. I'd suggest not using conveyor or bailer belting for small targets, cut belting thin enough, it will twist on you over time, needs some weight to remain straight. Especially if you leave it sit out.
If it was me looking to do what you want, I would buy 1 or 2 KYL racks, and get replacement paddles from the same company, in the sizes you want. Any hardware store will have materials to readjust the spacers. If the rack comes with 5 plates, by going smaller, you maybe could have 8 smaller targets.
A dueling tree at 100 is fun also.
My wife insists that a KYL rack is set at 100, I bought 2 to make one suitable for that distance, smallest is 5/8". I could go down to 1/2 or 3/8", but she wastes enough ammo as is.

Milo 2.5 said:

My wife insists that a KYL rack is set at 100, I bought 2 to make one suitable for that distance, smallest is 5/8". I could go down to 1/2 or 3/8", but she wastes enough ammo as is.

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Now that's just being a showoff!!! 😄

NETim said:

Now that's just being a showoff!!! 😄

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Not really, that 5/8" target costs me a lot of money. Add in the fact that she says a running a bolt gun is entirely too much work, it is Kidd only with Center X. She'll shoot 5 boxes of ammo before I can shoot one, lol
But she is deadly on it.

I am afraid the splatter may cut the belting. Have been looking at the KYL set, I can't build anything like it for $144.

To the guys and ladies shooting the KYL set. That 1/4" target has got to be tough at 100 yds.

On training kids. The girls listen and the boys all think they're Wyatt Erp/John Wayne. The girls smell better too!

WNYBill said:

I am afraid the splatter may cut the belting. Have been looking at the KYL set, I can't build anything like it for $144.

To the guys and ladies shooting the KYL set. That 1/4" target has got to be tough at 100 yds.

On training kids. The girls listen and the boys all think they're Wyatt Erp/John Wayne. The girls smell better too!

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Belting is a consumable, though 22LR won't shred belting like a centerfire rd will. I am sure 1/4" @ would be tough, if you look at posted 100 yards groups, they may tell the story. Most set the KYL with 1/4" small at 50 yards, where it is quite doable.
Good luck in your quest!

Mild steel is also fine for rimfire, makes it much more easy to make your own targets.

Using all your suggestions I made up some targets, A500 2 inch round hanging on a piece of belting, so far it is working great. For smaller targets I got some grade 8 bolts, 4 inches long in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, I fold up the belting and put the bolt through it and then double nut for the target. The targets end up being 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4, easy at 50 but hard at 100 yards. Target carrier is a tee post with belting attached to a 2X2. Happy to send pictures to your e-mail or phone. A set of KYL targets for $144 would be easier and not much more expensive. AND portable.

Bill

WNYBill said:

Using all your suggestions I made up some targets, A500 2 inch round hanging on a piece of belting, so far it is working great. For smaller targets I got some grade 8 bolts, 4 inches long in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, I fold up the belting and put the bolt through it and then double nut for the target. The targets end up being 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4, easy at 50 but hard at 100 yards. Target carrier is a tee post with belting attached to a 2X2. Happy to send pictures to your e-mail or phone. A set of KYL targets for $144 would be easier and not much more expensive. AND portable.

Bill

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I have some rebar stands that are easily portable if you want pics

WNYBill said:

Looking for steel targets for "OLD GUY BR". Being old, we want instant gratification and are too old/lazy to walk to the targets and too blind to score them. Walking 100 yards and we might forget where we are going and why!

So, anybody got any suggestions for steel 1/2-1" targets, I've seen 1" piano keys, but they are 1x4", LifeSavers, lollypops or Neco wafers have to be replaced during the match. I am looking to make a bank of 5- 1/2", 5- 1" and 5- 2". at 50 and 100 yards.

I posted in the BR section too.

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I bit of creative thinking and some shop time .

Topstrap

Question for the guys using the KYL targets. I use a hanging double nuted grade 8 bolt for my small targets and have heard some ricochets with the 1/4 and 1/2 inch targets. Anybody else having that problem?

I would think if they are not free to swing....you would get some ricochets. Also if the steel is fairly thick it may not swing easily.