Home-built target stand

[Gene Rojas]

I was looking for a target stand that could hold 3 or 4 steel plates, assemble together in less than a minute, could fit in the back of a compact SUV, and had robust construction. Finding nothing that really thrilled me, I decided to build my own. I decided on 1 1/4" .095 steel tube, and a design that used 1/4" steel plates to hold the stand together. AR 500 Target Solutions 8" round, 1/2" thick steel target plates were used- I'm very happy with the quality of their products.


After cutting the plates, I fitted them to the tubes and drilled a hole to pass the main tube through both.


I had the steel tube cut at the supplier- good time saver. I was happy with how it turned out.

I didn't have the right tap for the 3/8-16 bolts used to hold the chain to the tube, so ended up using heli-coil inserts as a temporary fix. I'm welding 3/8" nuts on the main tube today to give a sturdier mount for the plates. But overall the stand did very well- we shot at it with both .223 and .308 calibers. The tube took a few hits, but overall wasn't really affected. It's a good idea to bring spare chain and bolts as well-lol.


Geno

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[2A2Dend]

I made something very similar.
Suggestion
Ditch the chains and use strips of conveyor belt

 

[AK0perator47]

I made something very similar.
Suggestion
Ditch the chains and use strips of conveyor belt

Great suggestion. I use strips of mud flaps.

 

[Stomper]

I made something very similar.
Suggestion
Ditch the chains and use strips of conveyor belt

Or lengths of old firehose.

 

[2A2Dend]

Or lengths of old firehose.

I've used that as well. Also another "better" choice IMO

 

[Gene Rojas]

Got a pic of that stuff?

 

[Certaindeaf]

If you can find a couple a Stretch Armstrongs they work really well also.




















heh, who knows.. lol

 

[AK0perator47]

I've used that as well. Also another "better" choice IMO

Please I have snowflakes hanging upside down holding mine.

 

[2A2Dend]

Got a pic of that stuff?

Probably the easiest, stop by the local fire department and ask if they have any old fire hose. They'll probably hand you 25/50 feet for free. The conveyor or rubber belting can be found at most processing or production plants

 

[2A2Dend]

Please I have snowflakes hanging upside down holding mine.

My snowflakes have faces

 

[AK0perator47]

My snowflakes have faces

Mine do too!

Weird! Such a small world!

 

[DirectDrive]

I use this guy's stuff.
Products | Shooting Targets | Price Design and Engineering
Very similar to the OP's.
Uses 1" EMT which is light, cheap and has the required stiffness. (electrical conduit)
His hangers are the best solution that I've seen.

I like his angle and splay so I've designed a similar end frame that accepts a 2x4 on edge as the cross member.
Then take a 1x6 and 2 screws...now you have a "shelf" to place 2 liters (soda bottles) or bowling pins on.

Just say no to rebar.
(heavy and no stiffness)

 

[Gene Rojas]

I have about $100 in tube,plate and hardware, $85 in target plates- my design may not be as bulletproof as PDE's design, but for less than $200, I'd say it's a good start. I have some 1/2" rebar lying around my backyard, so I may try to fab up some plate hangers that will take a bullet hit better than chain.

Geno

 

[Camelfilter]

I have about $100 in tube,plate and hardware, $85 in target plates- my design may not be as bulletproof as PDE's design, but for less than $200, I'd say it's a good start. I have some 1/2" rebar lying around my backyard, so I may try to fab up some plate hangers that will take a bullet hit better than chain.

Geno

Setup looks great Geno, nicely done & thanks for sharing!

 

[Cosmic Osmo]

For people without the equipment or inclination to make their own, you can buy basically the same thing from MOA Targets. It also comes in a version intended for a 2x4 as the top bar instead of pipe. These are AR500 steel so they'll take a hit or two.

MOA Targets A-Frame Brackets — MOA Targets AR500 Steel Targets

MOA Targets Steel A-Frame Brackets 2x4 — MOA Targets AR500 Steel Targets

 

[Gene Rojas]

Setup looks great Geno, nicely done & thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the kind words, Jon.

 

[R3dundantC]

The tube took a few hits, but overall wasn't really affected.
Geno

Since you're going to have some nuts welded anyways, grab a length of angle iron and have that welded to the front. It acts like sloped armor and will deflect the bullet a little better.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

My snowflakes have faces

Mine do too!

Weird! Such a small world!

A common, rookie mistake!!!
Not faces! Ambulatory chain and jewelry box's!

 

[2A2Dend]

This is the internet
What I post, can, or can not be
You'd have to know me

 

[ernurse]

I would buy that, great job, how much did you spend on it?