Steel wagon reinforced with AR500 steel ?

[NDAR15MAN]

Folks... I cannot remember if I ran this idea to you folks in a post before. Sorry if I did. It is heck to get old.
Right now I do most of my target shooting on public ranges. Going to retire in a couple years and spend a lot of time in the States of NV , UT , ND.
We have a store here in Iowa called Northen tool. They have nice steel wagons for sale under $100.00. Different sizes but very stout and excellent quality. Some of these wagons have all 4 sides that fold down all the way to bottom of the nice tires.
I was thinking about using one of these wagons as a steel gong target holder. I was thinking about welding AR500 steel plates to one face of the wagon. AR500 steel plate from the TIP of wagon tung all the way to the end of wagon and all the way to very bottom of the weeks. Then I can place my gong target holder inside the wagon. This wagon would only be used for this purpose as a gong target holder. I am Thinking this type of modification on wagon will work great for long range shooting in states I plant to spend a lot of time in target shooting on public land. My idea is to use this for 1000 plus yard shooting.
Question ....Finally... ha ha ha.
Do you think this is a good idea or am in re-inventing the wheel so of speak ? Keep in mind I have had both knees replaced , bad shoulders from torn rotator cuff surgeries , arthritis in hands and age 62 at the time I retire soon. I just don’t want to drive 2 stakes in ground and pulling them out every time and putting them in my wagon anyway every time I go shooting.
thinking this target wagon would be best option. Just pull out and drop it off and pull it back to truck when done shooting.
Your thoughts on this mobile target holder wagon and if better options let me know and explain why you like your new opinion. Thanks. Marty

 

[Arcticshooter]

I can see two possible issues.

1st is the spall coming off of the gong. This will chew on the deck of the wagon and could work it's way through over time. You might want to put an extra layer here to mitigate that wear.

2nd is the weight of the modified wagon. If you have issues already, this thing could be a real bear to get in and out of the truck bed. Might want to set up a ramp and maybe a cheap winch anchored to the headwall of the truck bed, so you can just winch it into and out of the truck without beating yourself up.

If you were to weld some tube sockets to the deck of the wagon, it would offer a target frame that was anchored to the wagon and you wouldn't have to do anything but hang the gong and roll the wagon out with your winch.

 

[alf]

Lotsa ideas on the WWW for do-it-yourself target hangers w/o blowing a nut getting them set up.

I built 4 of these last year:

Built some doubles too:

 

[luckeeshot]

unless you can guarantee no fliers I would not use the wagon , instead use 3/4" EMT a little cheaper and easier to repair , here's one i found https://www.shootsteel.com/products/emt-gong-stand-kit

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Use the t-post targets @Field & Cave makes and be done with it

 

[david kieffer]

Folks... I cannot remember if I ran this idea to you folks in a post before. Sorry if I did. It is heck to get old.
Right now I do most of my target shooting on public ranges. Going to retire in a couple years and spend a lot of time in the States of NV , UT , ND.
We have a store here in Iowa called Northen tool. They have nice steel wagons for sale under $100.00. Different sizes but very stout and excellent quality. Some of these wagons have all 4 sides that fold down all the way to bottom of the nice tires.
I was thinking about using one of these wagons as a steel gong target holder. I was thinking about welding AR500 steel plates to one face of the wagon. AR500 steel plate from the TIP of wagon tung all the way to the end of wagon and all the way to very bottom of the weeks. Then I can place my gong target holder inside the wagon. This wagon would only be used for this purpose as a gong target holder. I am Thinking this type of modification on wagon will work great for long range shooting in states I plant to spend a lot of time in target shooting on public land. My idea is to use this for 1000 plus yard shooting.
Question ....Finally... ha ha ha.
Do you think this is a good idea or am in re-inventing the wheel so of speak ? Keep in mind I have had both knees replaced , bad shoulders from torn rotator cuff surgeries , arthritis in hands and age 62 at the time I retire soon. I just don’t want to drive 2 stakes in ground and pulling them out every time and putting them in my wagon anyway every time I go shooting.
thinking this target wagon would be best option. Just pull out and drop it off and pull it back to truck when done shooting.
Your thoughts on this mobile target holder wagon and if better options let me know and explain why you like your new opinion. Thanks. Marty

sounds great, might want to have a few spare tires on hand . good shooting. dave

 

[ryanjay11]

The title of the thread made me think of the scene from Tremors where they were pulling the semi tanker that was cut in half.



I doubt this will help you much, but it got my attention enough to click in this thread and post some nonsense.......

 

[DaveTooley]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JVX4JB8/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[JayHHI6818]

I have 4 T post targets from Hangfast and they’re great. Ring like a bell when hit since one bolt holding it. Bullet splash is directed downward into the ground. Couple years ago they took a pounding at of WV. 223,243,25-06 and no marks on them.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Will guys you are right I can see a issue of getting the little wagon in bed of truck but I was thinking that I would haul it in one of the hitch carriers. They are low to the ground. The ramp up to the hitch carrier is not very steep and I think even with my knee replaced I could pull it up. But you guys are correct I need to look at weight 3/8 AR500 steel would add to the wagon. Tires getting hit could happen off a reckashay off the ground under under the plates that are welded to the sides of wagon that fold down. Still not convinced the bolted wood 2x4’s is the answer for me on speed and ease of physical putting up a target gong.
With 4 wheeler just pull in out on desert floor or picked wheat field or what ever.
I guess I will have to pay the $75.00
For wagon and the AR500 plate and see if it was a big waste of money. Ha ha ha.
Still looking for down falls in this and alternative solutions. Keep the ideas coming. Thanks. Marty

 

[ED3]

Will guys you are right I can see a issue of getting the little wagon in bed of truck but I was thinking that I would haul it in one of the hitch carriers. They are low to the ground. The ramp up to the hitch carrier is not very steep and I think even with my knee replaced I could pull it up. But you guys are correct I need to look at weight 3/8 AR500 steel would add to the wagon. Tires getting hit could happen off a reckashay off the ground under under the plates that are welded to the sides of wagon that fold down. Still not convinced the bolted wood 2x4’s is the answer for me on speed and ease of physical putting up a target gong.
With 4 wheeler just pull in out on desert floor or picked wheat field or what ever.
I guess I will have to pay the $75.00
For wagon and the AR500 plate and see if it was a big waste of money. Ha ha ha.
Still looking for down falls in this and alternative solutions. Keep the ideas coming. Thanks. Marty

I have what I suspect is a similar wagon. They work great for what they're designed...gardening, firewood, etc...I used mine to move some heavy tools down a long gravel driveway.. had the bed of a 36" lathe on mine....with the squishy pneumatic wheels they get real tippy with any high center of gravity load

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Field & Cave Outfitters is a sponsor here, and they will treat you right.
Travis will go out of his way to make sure your taken care of.

 

[Shawnba67]

Will guys you are right I can see a issue of getting the little wagon in bed of truck but I was thinking that I would haul it in one of the hitch carriers. They are low to the ground. The ramp up to the hitch carrier is not very steep and I think even with my knee replaced I could pull it up. But you guys are correct I need to look at weight 3/8 AR500 steel would add to the wagon. Tires getting hit could happen off a reckashay off the ground under under the plates that are welded to the sides of wagon that fold down. Still not convinced the bolted wood 2x4’s is the answer for me on speed and ease of physical putting up a target gong.
With 4 wheeler just pull in out on desert floor or picked wheat field or what ever.
I guess I will have to pay the $75.00
For wagon and the AR500 plate and see if it was a big waste of money. Ha ha ha.
Still looking for down falls in this and alternative solutions. Keep the ideas coming. Thanks. Marty

Buy the wagon and test the feasabilty of pulling it full of cinder blocks or such. Then go for the plate. Tires are likely held on with cotter pins, swap for hairpin and take tites off while shooting at it

 

[NDAR15MAN]

ED3.... that is the same wagon I am wanting to buy and modify for my wagon target holder. Sides fold down so I thought I would weld some cross bars on the sides then weld the AR500 steel to cross bars on just side I am shooting at. Might has well do both sides why I am it.
Thanks for posting picture. Marty

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Shawnba67.... like the idea of taking tires off of wagon if I can do it by my self. I can experiment in back yard when it warms up. I can also put that foam stuff in tires to keep from punching holes in tires and loosing air while going over bad ground. It will no stop a bullet though. Ha ha. Marty

 

[1611]

I used those foldable sawhorse brackets with some 2x4s. Then hang the steel off it. Not including the steel target, it cost like $16. Also I can on the fly make the target stand taller (tall grass) with longer 2x4s. Keep. Keep a few extra in the truck. I have considered the little wagon for transportation from the truck to the line, but I’m still humping it out there.

 

[ED3]

ED3.... that is the same wagon I am wanting to buy and modify for my wagon target holder. Sides fold down so I thought I would weld some cross bars on the sides then weld the AR500 steel to cross bars on just side I am shooting at. Might has well do both sides why I am it.
Thanks for posting picture. Marty

I think if you just added steel to one side, it would be tough moving it around without it tipping over...keep in mind most ranges/ impact areas are not smooth, level terrain. As I said, it's a handy wagon for many things, but they are relatively light weight, with high center of gravity, wheels are squishy when loaded, and the wheel base is only 24" wide, and with the pivoting front axle steering, unstable as heck when turning with a heavy load. I've made hanging target stands out of aluminum railing couplings and aluminum conduit...light weight, cheap, versatile and easy to replace if they get shot...

 

[NDAR15MAN]

I can see maybe too too heavy. I want to go with 4x 4 foot square frame Incase I want to put a piece of ply wood on it and paper target. I am going to do some serious thinking. Might have to go with a small little garden trailer I have seen at garage sales etc. Marty

 

[powderbrake]

I suggest a gong frame that is easy to assemble with no tools and comes in a 6" square X 36" box. Pieces are light enough to handle. The legs slide into the end plates, which slide on the crossbar. The gongs and frames are available in 6" to 48" gongs. The larger gongs have larger frames. They will fit in your car or pickup. Here is an assembly manual so you can see how it works. The manufacturer is CMP and their contact data is in the manual.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Here's a simple gong I made in the shop out of scrap material. I've had a piece of AR500 laying about for a while, so put it to good use. This thing comes apart via two push-pins and lays flat for storage and transport.





Best part was the cost...under $20 for the chains and hardware. Cheap can be good.