Experimental PVC stand for steel plate

[SA Friday]

So, I don't have a welder, and I didn't want to try wood. If this works, the legs are replaceable by simply cutting a new one. The same goes for the crossbeam, but new holes have to be drilled and new retainer screws put into the joints. Everything can be replaced even at the range with a few basic tools and pre-made replacement parts. PVC comes in 10' length, so I cut it into three equal parts of 3'4". The legs and cross beam are the same length. I glued the two parts to the leg/crossbeam joints together, and then put two screws into the crossbeam and joint connection. I haven't tested it yet at the range, but plan to hopefully in the next couple of weeks to see how it holds up and if it need modification. So far, it looks promising.

[Marlin]

Just don't hit it, and you should be fine. Though, not glueing the joints would make it easier to break down to transport. Plus when you do hit it, easier replacement also.

[SA Friday]

Just don't hit it, and you should be fine. Though, not glueing the joints would make it easier to break down to transport. Plus when you do hit it, easier replacement also.
Ya, PVC explodes pretty much when hit. That's why I only glued the two joint pieces. Everything else is pressed together and I put two small screws into the pressed joint where the crossbeam goes into the center joint. I also drilled holes into the bottom of the legs so it can be staked into the ground. I left enough room on the sides and top that hopefully it will take being off by a foot and a half to hit any of the PVC. I'm more concerned about hits on the steel having enough jolt to rattle it all apart.

[Marlin]

Cool.. It "shouldn't" rattle it enough, as long as the joints stay tight.

Put cross pieces on the legs, then you could lay sand bags on them.. Fairly sturdy that way..

[TFOGGER]

I built a cover lifter for the hot tub about 10 years ago using similar construction. The only thing I had to do was put wood dowels in the vertical pieces to help resist flex, and the thing is still together today, with almost daily use. PVC rox for oddball projects like this. [Beer]

[BigBear]

If you'd like to try it out, I may be hittin' DM's on teh 16th depending on weather. Won't be able to make it to your offered 12/13th due to work.

Yes, I'll bring some Tannerite and also teh clay thrower.

[HBARleatherneck]

It looks good, I think I will try one this week too, if I can get to the store. What about the gray plastic counduit? does that shatter too. It has alot more bend than pvc. anyone know? It was nice meeting you too. Sorry, I was so busy, but I was out there till almost midnight cutting cow.

[Hoser]

High speed frag will put a hurting on that PVC.

The light weight will be nice for moving around, but when you smack that plate with a 308, it might make the stand dance around a bit.

If it doesent work, maybe have Keith make you one from rebar.

Bring it to Pueblo Sunday. We can put a few rounds on it before the match.

[SA Friday]

It looks good, I think I will try one this week too, if I can get to the store. What about the gray plastic counduit? does that shatter too. It has alot more bend than pvc. anyone know? It was nice meeting you too. Sorry, I was so busy, but I was out there till almost midnight cutting cow.
Even that 8" plate is pretty heavy. I went with the stiffest PVC I could find and still get the right connectors to make the frame. It's 1 1/2" white PVC. The black stuff was more expensive and is just as brittle. I wanted the PVC to be stiff enough to widen and raise the frame to get it away from the steel more; less stray hits to the frame and less frag to it too.

It might work, though. I went cheap and didn't test the gray or black tubes. Just checked them out at the store.

Figured you might be all day and them some on the bovine. That's a lot a work, BTDT.

[Marlin]

Grey is electrical conduit. Flimsy as all get out. Heck, if it's cold enough, it'll break just stepping on it.. Ask how I know. [LOL]

Stay with the Plumbing type of PVC.. Much more durable.

[rondog]

Stick with wood, PVC sucks for target stands. Been there. First time a high-powered bullet hits that plate, it's likely to shatter that top tube where the eye bolts go through.

[patrick0685]

Grey is electrical conduit. Flimsy as all get out. Heck, if it's cold enough, it'll break just stepping on it.. Ask how I know. [LOL]


how do you know?

[SA Friday]

Stick with wood, PVC sucks for target stands. Been there. First time a high-powered bullet hits that plate, it's likely to shatter that top tube where the eye bolts go through.
Thought of that too. Hoping the chain takes out the shock before breaking the crossbeam.

Success is found through the door of failed experiments. I don't mind breakin a few cheap things to gain information. [Beer]

[Byte Stryke]

Stick with wood, PVC sucks for target stands. Been there. First time a high-powered bullet hits that plate, it's likely to shatter that top tube where the eye bolts go through.

and even quicker if its cold.
Might as well have mounted it to glass

[SideShow Bob]

Even that 8" plate is pretty heavy. I went with the stiffest PVC I could find and still get the right connectors to make the frame. It's 1 1/2" white PVC. The black stuff was more expensive and is just as brittle. I wanted the PVC to be stiff enough to widen and raise the frame to get it away from the steel more; less stray hits to the frame and less frag to it too.

It might work, though. I went cheap and didn't test the gray or black tubes. Just checked them out at the store.

Figured you might be all day and them some on the bovine. That's a lot a work, BTDT.

Try using the gray PVC for electrical wiring, get the sch 80 heavy walled, it is less flexible and thicker than the white water pipe PVC.
But like all PVC it will shatter if hit on a very cold day.

[Marlin]

Try using the gray PVC for electrical wiring, get the sch 80 heavy walled, it is less flexible and thicker than the white water pipe PVC.
But like all PVC it will shatter if hit on a very cold day.


High pressure pvc is just as durable as sch 80 and way cheaper..

[jerrymrc]

Your not going to like what happens when ya shoot it but you have made it so go out and see what happens. The result will give you the ideas to make the next one better. ;)

[rondog]

Video! We need video!

[2ndChildhood]

Here's another tip;
Don't use chain to support it, use 2" webbing.
Webbing will take a whole lot more rounds than chain.
Ask me how I know...

[Byte Stryke]

Here's another tip;
Don't use chain to support it, use 2" webbing.
Webbing will take a whole lot more rounds than chain.
Ask me how I know...


And just how is it that you know?
:D

[esaabye]

Old garden hose works well to, will take many shots before it gives up.

[HBARleatherneck]

if we get a nice weekend, we can weld up stands here. or jim also volunteered.

[gnihcraes]

eagerly waiting on the test results. I like the idea of it being lighter. I have a similar stand built out of rebar for the legs, .5 inch steel pipe for the cross beam. Heavy, but manageable.

[Hoser]

eagerly waiting on the test results. I like the idea of it being lighter. I have a similar stand built out of rebar for the legs, .5 inch steel pipe for the cross beam. Heavy, but manageable.

Heavy is good. Keeps the stand from moving around when the plate is hit.

[ChunkyMonkey]

That looks real great, SA.

[SA Friday]

So, tested the frame today. I shot the plate with my AR15 and Winchester 55gr ammo at 100 yds to initially test it, 2 rounds. The frame took the hit, minimal frag damage. At that range, the bullets left divits in the face of the plate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQcJbtXNJ_c

I then tested it at 300 yds with the 308; 175gr SMK at 2720fps, two rounds. That plate swung like it took a tyson punch. Frame stayed together and minimal frag damage. I did break one of the cheap carrage bolts I was using and the nuts were loose. I think I'm going to look for some of the hardened carrage bolts and blue loc-tite the bolts. I changed the carrage bolt with one of the back-ups I bought (though about that contingency).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgR0Nru_xA4

I then tested it at 600 yds with the 308, same ammo, two rounds. Clearly called the shots visually and from the ring. Minimal frag damage. What a fricken brutal shot to make. That 8" plate is challanging especially with a 10x scope, but it's doable and makes you AIM [Beer].

Initial results, Yep, the legs are taking some frag, but after a dozen shots I can see they are going to take quite a few rounds before frag damage is an issue. The stand works, the chain works, the carrage bolts are the weak link right now. No need to stake the legs to the ground. In fact it might actually work better without it being staked down. I wouldn't shoot the plates closer than about 200 yds. The 300+yd shots removed paint and that's it. Hanging the plate with an initial nut on the carrage bolt, the chain link, then a second nut causes the plate to angle downward at about 10-15 degrees. All the bullets completely fragged and it all went straight down into the ground. At about $1.50 for replacement legs, I just can't see this not being the way to go. The leg gets shot or fragged out, pull another pre-cut leg out of the back of the truck and replace it and keep shooting. It works.

Vids are from a camera that does video and my daughter needs some practice on the stability thing... The 600 yd ones move around enough to give motion sickness, so I'll spare your keyboards the puke damage. I wish the damn camera had more zoom for the 300 yard range video. That thing took a hell of a pounding and stayed together (except the carrage bolt).

[SA Friday]

55gr 223 at 100 yds.

[SA Friday]

308 at 300 yds. The second shot popped the head of the carrage bolt off.

[HBARleatherneck]

how deep is that? when we shot the plate the other day, it didnt leave a divit. it did leave a mark, but i cant decide if its just the piled up bullet or a dent. let me know.

im curious. the lvsteel ar500 target i have at the house divits with the .223 worse of course than the .308. but i wonder how much is dent and how much is the piled up bullet.

[SA Friday]

308 at 600 yds.

[SA Friday]

Frag in the worst of the 4 legs after about a dozen rounds. The front two legs took the brunt. The back two legs were frag free as was the crossbeam.

[rondog]

Very good! Glad your frame didn't die a hideous death, I hope you get many good sessions out of it! But you desperately need a tripod for the video camera. Sorry, pet peeve of mine.

And BLGC rocks!

[HBARleatherneck]

Ok, everyone who has bought steel targets, and has limited space and or tools, should make these.

Today SA Friday, came over, and we shot his new steel targets on this stand. It works. It holds up. Its cheap. Its light. Its easy to build. Every piece is replaceable in a minute for very little cost. We hung the 1/2" IPSC to this stand and hit it with the .308 and the .223. It worked just like it should.

I have several steel target stands that have been shot in half, legs shot off, etc. So, steel or pvc, it doesnt matter, it can all be destroyed.

But, the pvc is very cheap for the pipe and joints. Super light, and it comes apart for transport. This would work well for you guys in the city, who have limited space or small vehicles. And for you guys who have limited tools. You can cut this target by yourself in the parking lot of Home depot, if your car is too small to transport a whole 10 foot stick of pvc. All you need for the whole job is a hacksaw, or a recipricating saw. You could use a serrated steak knife if you had to.

Bottom line, this design should work fine for most of you.

[Limited GM]

I've used the type described below for a lot of shooting. They've held up well. The 2x4's will get eaten up, but last a lot of rds. Also balance pretty well carried across a shoulder.

I mounted the plate, 1/2 IPSC targets, onto a steel pipe with a carriage bolt through a valve spring. Pipe was threaded to a standard plate on bottom that was mounted over another carriage bolt that centered two 2x4's. the 2x4's were about 3' long. The valve spring took a lot of the umph out of the impact.

For my next ones, having left those with a buddy when I moved, Im going to make a simple stand from rebar and use a tent type stake on the forward legs.

[m4bangr]

Looks like a very nice range, where's it located?

[Byte Stryke]

Almost looks like Lead Valley
Unsure

[SA Friday]

Looks like a very nice range, where's it located?
Ben Lomand Gun Club

Www.blgc.org

[m4bangr]

Thanks, might need to take a closer look at this place.

[sniper7]

nice looking stand!

[gnihcraes]

My first attempt at experimental PVC/ABS stand. Base is full of sand, but not overly heavy to carry or large to pack.

http://www.dcandh.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=960&g2_serialNumber=1

Wood uprights for paper targets.


http://www.dcandh.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=963&g2_serialNumber=1

PVC Uprights to steel target.

http://www.dcandh.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=966&g2_serialNumber=1

[m4bangr]

I made one almost exactly like that. My base is PVC and I have wooden uprights for my steel plate. Haven't tried it out yet. I also filled the base with sand.
It looks to me like your base is not long enough where it sits on the ground. Might tip over.
Let us know how it works out.

[gnihcraes]

I made one almost exactly like that. My base is PVC and I have wooden uprights for my steel plate. Haven't tried it out yet. I also filled the base with sand.
It looks to me like your base is not long enough where it sits on the ground. Might tip over.
Let us know how it works out.

Yep, with the sand and the base, I can easily add extensions to help with tipping, so far it seems stable, can push it pretty well and swing the steel plate more than a shot would and it stays in place. Depends on the direction you've got the base too.

I did leave it out with the paper target uprights and let the wind play with it for a day or two, it will tip it over. If its that windy though, I'm probably not shooting outdoors.

Saw someone building and selling similar PVC stands on craigslist, thought to myself, I CAN MAKE THAT!. We'll see how it does.
[M2]