Henry Rifle Forums

Up until now I've either punched holes in paper or shot tin cans but I'd like to get some gongs. My understanding is that one gong is not going to work correctly for all calibers, so here's what I shoot. (I'd rather not buy one for each caliber if I don't have to.)

.22LR (rifle & pistol) they will be used the most, would like 2 or 3 targets. I also plan to leave them up permanently.

9mm (pistol)

.223 (rifle)

45 ACP (pistol)

357 Magnum (pistol and rifle)

Targets for calibers other than .22 will be put up and taken down a couple of times a month. (i.e. not permanent.)

Which steel and sizes do I need? Any specific recommendations would be appreciated as well.

Thanks

Most of the places that sell metal targets that I've seen rate them for use as far as cartridge and minimum distances. You can stay safe with any cartridge/distance that is less than the recommendation, but you should not exceed it. For instance, we use a lot of 22 LR rated targets for our air guns.

Sorry I can't give more info than this, but do visit some of those websites.

Thanks for the reply NCG.
I've only contacted one company as they did not list one of the calibers but when I asked, instead of answering, they gave me a link where I needed to input my data (not available as they are reloads) to get calculations. I guess I didn't think it needed to be that difficult so thought I'd ask... I'll do some more reading.

beaverislander wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:09 am

Up until now I've either punched holes in paper or shot tin cans but I'd like to get some gongs. My understanding is that one gong is not going to work correctly for all calibers, so here's what I shoot. (I'd rather not buy one for each caliber if I don't have to.)

.22LR (rifle & pistol) they will be used the most, would like 2 or 3 targets. I also plan to leave them up permanently.

9mm (pistol)

.223 (rifle)

45 ACP (pistol)

357 Magnum (pistol and rifle)

Targets for calibers other than .22 will be put up and taken down a couple of times a month. (i.e. not permanent.)

Which steel and sizes do I need? Any specific recommendations would be appreciated as well.

Thanks

Try Shooing 7. They are veteran owned which I like and support. I have ordered from them and there service is great. I think their website has all the info you need. 3/8 AR 500 steel should fit your requirements. Although with 22 you probably wont see the results you will see with the larger calibers.

1/4 inch AR500 steel will work for .22LR and mild non Magnum handgun loads like 38 Special and .45 ACP.
I use 3/8ths AR500 for most of my gongs and targets for all handguns and rifles except 5.56 The 3/8ths thick AR500 gives a nice ring and for gongs rectangular shapes seem to give the most sound like a chime.

Thanks for the help. I am checking out ShootingTargets7.

I've thought of getting some gongs myself, but I have no experience with them. I usually just make my own targets out of corrugated stock. What, if any, are the drawbacks to using a gong? I'm concerned with ricochet.

Well with gongs you want to make sure they are free to swing when hit so I hang mine from hook. Shoot from 15 yds, or farther back and best to use cast lead bullets or plated bullets for less chance of anything coming back at you. The bullet will flatten completely out to about size of a nickel and be almost paper thin and will land within several feet around the gong area. There will also be a good deal of lead splatter shrapnel in a 360 degree pattern from around the steel target and you will see this imbedded in any wood support structure holding the target.

With a stationary steel target you want the target to lean forward at a 20 degree angle downward.
Once you start shooting steel you will love the feedback of sound and movement when making a hit!

I don't know of any drawbacks!

Cowboy Gun Fan wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:05 pm

I've thought of getting some gongs myself, but I have no experience with them. I usually just make my own targets out of corrugated stock. What, if any, are the drawbacks to using a gong? I'm concerned with ricochet.

Check out there site CGF they have a way to hang them to control that. They also have all of the supplies you need to hang your targets correctly. Veteran owned and I like supporting the vets. I think they also have a referral program but thats not important to me. Shooting Targets 7

Hey Al... did you get your buffalo order straightened out?

The gong in the picture below is 3/8” AR500 steel. As you can see it’s hanging from chains which are attached to hooks that also will swivel a bit. I have shot it at 100+ yards with 5.56 FMJ and had no problem. I am careful where I put it to add a bit of safety to the shooting. I have some clay target holders coming that I plan to add to the top of the stand. I take a pic when I get them added.

Reactive targets wether steel, clay or plastic spinners/bouncers are some of the most fun casual shooting you can do. The rifle club I belong to doesn’t allow any targets other than paper on their stands so to shoot reactive targets I have to go to public land to do so.

Here is a picture of the setup I use with steel targets. Everything is homemade from scrap or cheap store supplies. The legs for the target stand are made from 3/4" EMT (conduit), available at an electrical supply or home improvement store. Cost is about $6 for a 10 foot length and it makes 2 legs. I welded up some scrap bed frame to fit a 2x4 and welded some rebar to it, to go into the legs. The steel plates (AR500 3/8" X 8") hang from chain (scrap) on hooks screwed into the cross 2x4.

The big silhouette targets are mounted to the fence stake, from a bracket I made from some square metal tube. This bracket sits on to of the stake and the target hangs from one 1/2" bolt. The bolt is loose so the target sits at an angle and moves with each shot.

If you don't have a welder to fabricate stuff, you can buy complete target stand setups like this for about $35. Just check Amazon for steel target and stands.


Paul

Nice setup Paul!

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 14, 2021 9:14 am

Hey Al... did you get your buffalo order straightened out?

It took a while Forty but yes I finally got my Buffalo. I sold the Pig to my neighbor so I came out ok on the deal. The lady there Megan was really nice to deal with.

Hey, I want you all to know that I appreciate the feedback and I am pursuing your suggestions. We have to take a road trip so I'll be MIA for awhile, but I'll check back in when we return.

I'm late to the game BI, but I am on board with Forth S and Big Al, I use ST7 for all of my steel. I shoot AR500 in both 1/2inch for the long range high power rifles, and 3/8 inch for everything else. The 1/2 inch splats, the 3/8s gongs. The bigger the target, the bigger the gong.

They also have a great selection of various frames and mounting options. I sue the T-Post for quick set up and when I am shooting a 270 combat range and the framed hanger for long range.

Mark (owner) is a great guy and will answer all your questions, although his website is pretty detailed.

Bottom Line: LET FREEDOM RING !

Aint nothin like hearin that steel ring. Paper is boring

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:52 pm

Aint nothin like hearin that steel ring. Paper is boring

Yes it is. Paper is nice for fine tuning, but after a dozen rounds..... boring!