View Full Version : 1000 yard targets...
islandermyk
08-04-2012, 21:03
Today we used a 20 or 30 pound AR500 20X20 inch plate, painted white, hung by chains... and couldn't figure out if we were hitting it at the 1K mark...
The next route is trying something lighter... hopefully will swing like a mutha when it gets hit...
What do you guys use for targets going out that far???
You should have been able to hear them hit. No bullet marks on the plate?
What do you guys use for targets going out that far???
Paper.
The guy working the target in the pit spots for me and marks my shots with a marker or calls it to me over a two way radio. [Beer]
islandermyk
08-04-2012, 21:30
You should have been able to hear them hit. No bullet marks on the plate?
To much wind... to much mirage to see any hits...
islandermyk
08-04-2012, 21:32
Paper.
The guy working the target in the pit spots for me and marks my shots with a marker or calls it to me over a two way radio. [Beer]
I wish we had the man power and money for radios... we cheap shooters [Coffee]
Hearing a ring from a plate at 1,000 is not always possible (especially if you were shooting in the wind). Also, seeing any shots on the steel can be quite challenging because, regardless of how clear your scope may be or how good your eyes are, the mirage will hide any shots on target.
When my buddy and I shoot steel at anything past 600 yards, we hang the target 6 to 8 inches off the ground and watch for any dust that would indicate a miss. In this case no observable dust is a good thing...
The MGM's "Flash Target" offers a good amount of movement which is easy to see through the spotting scope.
http://mgmtargets.com/tstore/images/large/mgmtargets/flash_lrg.jpg
http://mgmtargets.com/tstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=11
islandermyk
08-04-2012, 22:53
Seeing hits at 800 yards and inside of that is pretty clear and audible... but going to a thousand and beyond that is guess work if hearing it hit is depended on...
Sh*t... That MGM looks fly... but damn... I can't afford to buy something like that... [BooHoo]
Not trying to find or go super cheap on this, but I would like to see more ideas out there and what you guys have used to get good shot results via visual or audible.... I have and can get steel to shoot at, but almost seems like a science (Steel thickness (for audible and amount of swing.. etc..), what color paint, etc....) to getting a good reactive target shooting out to a 1K and beyond...
Thanks for chiming in fellas [Beer]
Where I can shoot to steel targets? I bought a couple of steel targets and now I don't find a place to use it.
Thanks in advance for any help :-)
islandermyk
08-04-2012, 23:26
Where I can shoot to steel targets? I bought a couple of steel targets and now I don't find a place to use it.
Thanks in advance for any help :-)
Aww man... you should start another thread on this one [Coffee]
.. but to be nice [Tooth]
I shoot up at Pawnee Grasslands.... kinda a long ways from you... I really can't say where can you shoot down south/in your area, but I'm pretty sure if you have your thread up here : http://www.ar-15.co/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=115 someone will chime in for you [Beer]
Have you shot at the steel you have yet? How big and heavy are one of'em? Kinda curious.. that's all... [Pepsi]
I'm sorry, my intentions is not hi-hack this thread, I'm just a little bit desesperate because I don't find a place and I create a topic in July 26 about that and no one respond yet (http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=58258)
I just buy a 6" and 8" steel targets and I can't not used yet because in the range's that I visit they not accepted, of course I want to shoot my Rem 700 308 in more than 500+ but the same, I don't find a place and I'm not lucky with the "places to shoot" forum here.
OK, Mike. I have a solution for you.
Balloons.
Blow up several balloons and attach them to a cheap wooden frame of some sort. You can even use multiple colors and "call your shot". You'll know if you hit it because it will pop and disappear from sight. And they are cheap. Of course you will have to run down every now and then and replace them.
[Beer]
hammer03
08-05-2012, 09:17
Attach a piece of plywood (like 4" deep and as wide as the target) to the top at 90* to the metal, and paint it orange. When the target swings back, the orange will come up and you'll be able to spot it.
Can't find a picture of it, but I know someone makes them out of metal, but the orange is just and indicator.
I'm sorry, my intentions is not hi-hack this thread, I'm just a little bit desesperate because I don't find a place and I create a topic in July 26 about that and no one respond yet (http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=58258)
I just buy a 6" and 8" steel targets and I can't not used yet because in the range's that I visit they not accepted, of course I want to shoot my Rem 700 308 in more than 500+ but the same, I don't find a place and I'm not lucky with the "places to shoot" forum here.
Did you contact the NRA's Whittington Center Range down in Raton? I've never shot there, don't know what they'll allow, but I've heard they do have a 1000 yd. range. It's a drive from CLSP, but not that bad. Only other bet is to go out and meet local ranchers and beg/kiss ass for permission to shoot on their land.
Myself, I'm too old and blind to even worry about 1000 yards, let alone 600! I look at the big targets on the 600 yd. line at BLGC and say "WTF", I can't even see that sumbitch.
islandermyk
08-05-2012, 10:14
OK, Mike. I have a solution for you.
Balloons.
Blow up several balloons and attach them to a cheap wooden frame of some sort. You can even use multiple colors and "call your shot". You'll know if you hit it because it will pop and disappear from sight. And they are cheap. Of course you will have to run down every now and then and replace them.
[Beer]
I think blowing them up would be the hardest part [ROFL1]
I like the idea... I wonder how'd they hold up against the winds in Pawnee though... I'll try some next time out [Beer]
islandermyk
08-05-2012, 10:25
i dont shoot AR500 at 1000. I shoot AR500, usually to about 800. After that I switch to my 1/4" and 5/16" mild steel. The faces are white and the backs black. When you hit they swing. So, if you stop seeing white, you hit. No, I cant exactly tell where. But, how it swings is kind of a tell. If it really swings, I hit low, etc.
Yeah... I tried the white, florescent green/orange paint jobs in the front and still was unable to visibly see that hits that far...
That's what we were thinking as well... going with lighter and milder steel...... keeping the different colors on each side is an idea that never crossed my mind
But, how it swings is kind of a tell. If it really swings, I hit low, etc. along with this too [Beer]
islandermyk
08-05-2012, 10:26
Attach a piece of plywood (like 4" deep and as wide as the target) to the top at 90* to the metal, and paint it orange. When the target swings back, the orange will come up and you'll be able to spot it.
Can't find a picture of it, but I know someone makes them out of metal, but the orange is just and indicator.
I would love to see this set up.... pics please [Tooth][Beer]
Just an FYI, balloons are a cool idea and I have actually used them before, but they are not an "approved" target material. Targets technically need to be paper or the like so the "scraps" and "remnants" are biodegradable.
I know this first hand as we were "educated" of this by a ranger out at Pawnee. Just a heads up. Its to bad because its a cool idea and its a "reactive" target, I used to fill them with baby powder also so you could really see them when they pop!
How thick is the plate ? AR500 rings nicely when hit if hung properly , from the description it sounds like it was . 3/8 inch plate is enough that far out , the thicker the plate is the less it rings but you still get the smack when hit .
The problem with the thinner plates and mild steel even at those distances is the steel gets dished pretty fast . Dished plates can send rounds in weird directions because of the curve . Reversing the plate to shoot The dish out will cause the plate to crack .
With practice you can tell the difference between splash on steel from the bullet and dirt getting kicked up on a miss by eye .
hammer03
08-05-2012, 11:32
I would love to see this set up.... pics please [Tooth][Beer]
Not easy to find this damn pic haha.
http://www.shootingusa.com/TV_SCHEDULE/SHOW_31-05/31-05-11.jpg
http://www.nevcotargets.com/catalog.html
The Nevco Long Range Flasher Target - $150
Not to sound like an idiot, but what is "AR500" steel? And where can you get it? Can it be cut and welded like regular steel?
AR stands for abrasion resistant and the number is the brinell hardness .
It is a grade of steel that is typically used in mining / earth moving applications . Its hardness makes it work real well for centerfire rifle targets . It can be cut and welded like normal steel but applying heat to it screws up the temper so it isn't recommended for target applications as it leads to premature wear and holes . Quality steel targets are cut with a water jet or laser .
I'm sorry, my intentions is not hi-hack this thread, I'm just a little bit desesperate because I don't find a place and I create a topic in July 26 about that and no one respond yet (http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=58258)
I just buy a 6" and 8" steel targets and I can't not used yet because in the range's that I visit they not accepted, of course I want to shoot my Rem 700 308 in more than 500+ but the same, I don't find a place and I'm not lucky with the "places to shoot" forum here.
i have the capability for a 800/1000 yard range at my property just need a backhoe if your interested pm me
sorry to go ot in your thread islander
i vote big ass balloons you could just ducttape them to a plywood board that way there not dancing around
islandermyk
08-05-2012, 14:26
i have the capability for a 800/1000 yard range at my property just need a backhoe if your interested pm me
sorry to go ot in your thread islander
i vote big ass balloons you could just ducttape them to a plywood board that way there not dancing around
Don't apologize... it's all good info we're all after...
...well, for me to accept your apology... I'd need to shoot on your land at least once a month [Coffee]
i'll be shooting you a PM in a minute [Tooth]
JMBD2112
08-05-2012, 19:46
http://i.imgur.com/VTyJS.jpg
we had it hung by two chains from a saw horse about 5 feet tall
hammer03
08-05-2012, 21:01
Hang it with the chains closer together (at the target, if you can put a new hole in it) and it might spin more when it gets hit?
islandermyk
08-05-2012, 21:17
http://i.imgur.com/VTyJS.jpg
we had it hung by two chains from a saw horse about 5 feet tall
Mmmm... those were hits at 760 plus or minus 10 yards [Pepsi]
Hang it with the chains closer together (at the target, if you can put a new hole in it) and it might spin more when it gets hit?
Tha's gonna be a bitch to drill through [Coffee]
Ha! That's what he said? [ROFL1]
How bout hanging one end a couple of chain links lower and positioning the chains on the saw horse closer...?
http://i.imgur.com/VTyJS.jpg
we had it hung by two chains from a saw horse about 5 feet tall
Man, that thing oughta ring like a church bell!
jerrymrc
08-06-2012, 06:21
The NRA center has a Steel Silhouette range that goes out to 1123 yards. No magnums and larger than .223 They also have the 1000Y HP range.
Do call to find out if the range is available first.
Not to sound like an idiot, but what is "AR500" steel? And where can you get it? Can it be cut and welded like regular steel?
The AR does stand for abrasion resistance and so doe the 500. The number, in reality, has nothing to do with impact resistance. Most AR500 is good for 3000 fps impact velocity on down. At 1000 yards, most steel will be fine.
MGM makes good targets, In fact, I know of a set of 10 for sale for $1000, that is $100 each!
Best targets out to about 600, IMHO, are the MetalMans. Add a piece of 14 guage steel in between the hanger and the target face to get visual indication. Less $ than the MGMs too.
Once you step out past that, you will probably want a bigger target, and the best indicators are the flash strobes. MGM carries them for about $135 per, and you just affix them to the back of a piece of static steel. Hit the target, the strobe flashes.
The NRA center has a Steel Silhouette range that goes out to 1123 yards. No magnums and larger than .223 They also have the 1000Y HP range.
Do call to find out if the range is available first.
Actually, the unknown distacen range, where they shoot the .50 competitions, goes out past 2000 on huge targtets. You need a good spotter on a good optic to see hits.
Once you step out past that, you will probably want a bigger target, and the best indicators are the flash strobes. MGM carries them for about $135 per, and you just affix them to the back of a piece of static steel. Hit the target, the strobe flashes.
I had forgotten about those... These target hit indicators work really well and you can see hits even in broad daylight.
It can also be used on hanging steel but, if the wind is strong enough to move target, you might get a false-positive. For this reason, using it on static targets works best.
I have one that I made myself for under $40 (the most expensive part was the flash). All that is needed is a mercury tilt switch (~$3 from Amazon), a flash with a PC connector (I paid $25 for mine but I am sure you can get them even cheaper on eBay) and a PC cable ($$$ depends on the length; you can find them for less than $10).
jerrymrc
08-06-2012, 11:42
Actually, the unknown distacen range, where they shoot the .50 competitions, goes out past 2000 on huge targtets. You need a good spotter on a good optic to see hits.
I may be wrong but is that not open to the general public on non match days?
At the last match I had down there I remember the gate was locked to it when we went to look at it. [Flower]
I may be wrong but is that not open to the general public on non match days?
At the last match I had down there I remember the gate was locked to it when we went to look at it. [Flower]
The Tubb (1,000 yard range) is open on most days. The range just east of it where Barrett used to run their classes and the 338 match is held is not open to the public.
This may sound kind of hokie, but what about a long range baby monitor? You'd be able to hear the gong ring anyway over the monitor if the wind didn't garble the mic up too much. They make them in 2.4 GHz which should be good for at least a couple thousand feet (3000 ft maybe since you'll have line of sight). It may be worth borrowing one to see if it would work.
Not to sound like an idiot, but what is "AR500" steel? And where can you get it? Can it be cut and welded like regular steel?
AR 500 steel is an abrasion resistant steel as somebody already said. It has high strength and toughness that gives it excellent impact resistance. It was designed for use in a lot of earth moving and heavy construction equipment for excavating and hauling rocks, gravel, mining, etc. You can buy it at a lot of metal suppliers and online. It's nothing special really but there are some other materials that would work and are somewhat cheaper for targets.
Mechanical cutting and drilling would be a pain for the same reason that it resists wear. Laser or water jet cutting would be the way to go. Plasma cutting would work but you don't want to overheat it since it's a tempered material. They quench the plate and then temper it at the mill to reduce hardness and give it the high toughness that it has.
Yep, you can weld it too but not like regular steel. You would probably want to use a hardfacing consumable, like what's used to repair endloader buckets, dozer blades... If you used a more standard weld consumable you could break the welds if your bullet had too much energy and hit the welds.
Bentsight
08-17-2012, 07:30
We use similar targets here but they are hung from the cross pieces with heavy conveyor belting. The belting is cut in the shape of a capital "I" and bolted to the back of the target with grade 8 bolts. Any impact on the plate makes the target move easily and if someone hits the belting the bullet passes right through w/o any movement vs. striking a chain support that will move the target or break when hit. We have also found that if the target mounting holes are placed down from the top of the steel a small amount it makes the target hang at a slight down angle and deflects the bullet/fragments downward instead of direct splatter on the target stands.
losttrail
05-01-2013, 16:12
Today we used a 20 or 30 pound AR500 20X20 inch plate, painted white, hung by chains... and couldn't figure out if we were hitting it at the 1K mark...
The next route is trying something lighter... hopefully will swing like a mutha when it gets hit...
What do you guys use for targets going out that far???
Walkie-Talkies, zip tie and duct tape.
Zip tie the transmit button down on one W-T. Duct tape it to the back of the target. Turn it on.
Take the other W-T back to the firing line, turn it on.
Shoot at the target. When you hit it, the 'gong' sound will be transmitted from the W-T on the target to the W-T with you.
http://www.discovercircuits.com/dc-mag/2012/01-Jan-2012/pg-7.htm
For those electronically inclined, you could make a low powered laser indicator to flash on the target when it is struck.
Try a Pensacola blue paint. The color stands out good against any backdrop and shows hit remarkably well. I was sure we wouldn't see hits from 1000 but we could see them better than on white paint.
Great-Kazoo
05-31-2013, 10:26
Try a Pensacola blue paint. The color stands out good against any backdrop and shows hit remarkably well. I was sure we wouldn't see hits from 1000 but we could see them better than on white paint.
Fluorescent orange paint with a black border and center
HoneyBadger
05-31-2013, 15:13
[zombie1] [zombie1][zombie1]
Look no further - can't beat the prices, and the money goes to a great cause:
http://www.jcsteeltargets.com/purchase.php
Look no further - can't beat the prices, and the money goes to a great cause:
http://www.jcsteeltargets.com/purchase.php
+1.
$20 shipping no matter how much steel you buy also. I just received a 1/2" thick 12" round, a 3/8" thick 8" round, and a 3/8" thick 3" triangle and paid $105 with shipping. My brother ordered about triple that and paid the same shipping.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/22/3ynamazy.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/22/qe7u9upy.jpg
islandermyk
02-22-2014, 19:54
+1.
$20 shipping no matter how much steel you buy also. I just received a 1/2" thick 12" round, a 3/8" thick 8" round, and a 3/8" thick 3" triangle and paid $105 with shipping. My brother ordered about triple that and paid the same shipping.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/22/3ynamazy.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/22/qe7u9upy.jpg
Very cool!
Get rid of the chains! I started cutting up radiator hoses and they work fricken great so far. [Beer]
My friend uses old fire hose. I guess it's near indestructible.
islandermyk
02-22-2014, 20:41
My friend uses old fire hose. I guess it's near indestructible.
Many options out there that are way better than chains. Fire hose.... now that sounds bad ass!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/22/qe7u9upy.jpg
I have a bunch of steel plates that make excellent targets, but never came up with a good way to hang them. But, the wooden target stands and frames that I build and use with paper targets and cardboard backers are very similar to these, only beefier. I think I'm having an epiphany.....
Rebar made into a sawhorse type arrangement is best. I did the wood ones for a while but the bullet frag sticks in the wood. It can really turn your hands into something that resembles hamburger if you are not careful.
I also use Conveyer belt.
Rebar frames and fire hose for me.
mrfish83
02-23-2014, 13:50
Rebar frames and conveyor belt for me.
I'm sure it's been mentioned already but check out AA targets (forum industry partner) - Support local business!
So where does an unwashed peon such as I obtain conveyor belt material?
mrfish83
02-23-2014, 17:48
I bought 10 or so feet (4' wide) from http://www.repurposedmaterialsinc.com/ a few years ago.
So where does an unwashed peon such as I obtain conveyor belt material?
Come down to a Pueblo match. I can send you home with some.
The local FD may have old hoses lying around that no longer pass the tests. That's how I got mine. I have a lifetime supply from one hose.
We highly recommend conveyor belt strapping! (and not just because we sell it) It last's really well. It is almost self sealing when you shoot it. It takes a lot of abuse typically to tear one up beyond use. We sell pre cut and drilled strapping for $8 each. (Our website isn't updated with the new pricing yet.)
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