STEEL STANDS

[Bob R]

The Clubs VP and I are going after another round of Angle Iron to build Five more Steel Plate Target Frames for the Rifle Range. This is round two of replacements of the Frames. The First Round was last month. Four of the Five will be 5' X 5' with 5' feet. Our NEW Normal Size. The replacement for the 600 yard Frame will be 7' x 7' with 6' Feet. The New 600 yard target is larger needing more air space around it. ( 7 + 7 + 6 = 20' ) The steel comes in 20 foot lengths so 2 sticks for the 600 yard Frame. For the 5 x 5 Frames: (5 + 5 + 5+ 5 = 20' ) The 5 x 5 Frames will need 1.5 Sticks for each Frame.
In the past we have built the Frames mostly 4' x 4' from Scrap and or Lite Angle Iron. They have been shot to doll rags over time. This round of replacements we are going with 2.5" Heavy Angle Iron. The Steel Targets will be held in place with 3/8" Weld on Chain Hooks like you would weld on a Tractor Bucket. Making the Frames a little larger will cut down on Bullet Strikes on the Frames. Making them heavier cuts down on the Damage when hit. The new frames should last for several years.

NOTE: We made the Long Range Steel Frames larger on the Carbine Course Steel a few years ago. More room around the Steel Targets has cut down on bullet strikes a lot.

We have started to use 3/8 Transport Chain to hold the Steel Plate Targets. So far they have held up well. I am reasonably sure that the Transport Chain compared to Standard Chain is like comparing Soft Steel Plate Targets to AR500 Armor Plate Targets. Much different results when hit by a bullet. The Chain Hung from Weld On Chain Hooks has held up well. No vibration issue other than Bolts on the Steel Targets, which are easily replaced. FYI do not tighten the bolts snug on the plates. Leave them loose to slow down vibration damage to the bolts. NOTE: We have a battery Angle Grinder to cut bolts if needed during repairs. With a Chain Hook on the Target Frame, and Bolts on the Target Plates, keeping repairs made to the targets is much easier.

We have almost all Commercial AR 500 Steel Targets now. We have been replacing them when they start to show signs of failure, and selling the old targets off. The targets showing damage will hold up for ever on someones private range.

Nice Targets and nice Facilities keeps the Club Members happy.

Bob R

 

[Downhill]

I used to do all the target maintainence at our club. The metal ones where a pain. The frames would be destroyed and replaced annually. Best solution I found was to build the frames out of 1/2"×3" flat steel. With the narrow sides facing the firing line (effectively giving a smaller surface to avoid frame impacts). Now we only have to replace them at 2 to 3 years.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I wonder how long utility poles out of an old transmission line would last for something like this. Would be a pain to set up, but you could more than likely get them donated.

 

[moondog]

These work for me

 

[moondog]

Square or round sections that fit over the T posts. Drill a hole for rebar.

 

[charlie b]

Our range uses old railroad rails for posts. They welded sockets on the back for 10 or 12ft 2x4's. Then they nail 4ftx8ft siding panels (the black fiber looking stuff) on the 2x4's. Shooters bring their own targets to staple to the panels. The 2x4's and panels are replaced as needed. The city does maintenance once a week. Some of the panels last a year or more, especially the longer ranges. The 100 and 200 yd get replaced quite often.

Those rails have been there for more than 20 years.

 

[Bob R]

We got the steel all cut up. It is ready to go next week when our welder has a minute after work.
We assembled THREE Viking Simulators today. We made these a little different than the old ones. These are made with 12 Inches of clearance under them to work as an under vehicle simulator. (SWAT, City PD, Sheriff's Dept and Church Security all train on our Range). The first shooting ledge is 36" off the ground, the second ledge is around 48", and we also have two Holes in the plywood 5.5" Wide x 7" High to shoot through.

We also made THREE new Wall Simulators. They are 48" wide X 36 Tall, again 12 inches off the ground to the bottom. This is a new Simulator that we have never made before.

We rebuilt several of the Six foot tall x Two foot wide Wall Simulators a couple months back. We also rebuilt lots of 2' x 4' Range Tables, as well as Gun Racks for the Handgun and Carbine Bays. The wooden simulators and tables that are out in the weather need attention once in a while.

Over the Winter we rebuilt all 20 of the 4' X 4' Target Frames at 600 yards used for the 600 Yard F Class Match. These are all set up for Shot Markers. We also rebuilt an additional 20 of the 4' x 4' Target Frames used on the rest of the Ranges. We have 40 of the 4' x 4' target's total.

The good part is we have most everything in great shape ready to go now that the weather is getting nice. This is the nicest that we have had everything in the last 45 years that I have been on the Board. I was elected on the Board to take care of the Rifle Range in 1981. In 1981 the Club was a Trap Club with a modest Archery Range, and ONE Wooden Shooting Bench with no impact berms. Now we have one of the nicest Rifle Ranges in the State.

We picked up Oil and an Oil Filter for the Club's 35HP SKAG Zero Turn Mower this morning. I need to do an oil change on our 2440 John Deer Tractor as well. Check the Gear Box's on the 10 foot mower, etc. It will be time to start mowing grass before you know it. We keep around 15 acres mowed like a Golf Course. We probably mow another 10 acres with the tractor.

Tomorrow we will be painting the Six Simulators that we built today.

Bob R