Shooting gong?

[Questor]

How can I get the materials to make a 12 inch shooting gong and an 8 inch shooting gong? I don't have any metal cutting torches or other special tools for metal work. What's the best way to acquire these gongs at a reasonable price?

Most of the use will be for .22 rimfire at about 100 yards.

Ideally I'd like one that could take a .44 magnum.

[SHOOTALL]

Check a metal scrap yard . also most metal suppy yards have drop piles you can go thru. and most will cut what you want . I have found it less expensive to have them cut alot of the metal we use in hanging pipe than to cut it in the field if we use alot of the same length cuts .

[95Road King]

Our gun club uses those steel plates that hold a railroad track down. Somebody scrounges them up from somewhere?? Put up a frame made out of pipe or wood and attach a chain to the plate some how. Ours are welded on.

[gypsyman]

Questor, thru much experience, try this. Shootall is right on the scrapyard. Most of them will cut a piece for you. As long as your not going to shoot it with a high velocity round,(.223,.243,'06,etc.) mild steel will work out for you. At 100yds., a .44 will have lost enough energy to not dimple the surface. This might happen if you shoot it at say 25yds.
When you have them cut it, have them blow a couple holes in it with their torch. Couple inch's from the corners, and a couple inch's down from the edge. Say about 3/8'' holes. Go to your local hardware store, and get a couple carraige bolts 2'' long, with heads big enough to keep them from going thru the holes. Then get 2 sections of 3/8'' chain, about 1' long each.(make sure they are even numbered links. About 8 or 10 on each side) Then bolt the chain to the back side of the targets. This is do to the fact, if you weld the chain on, and hit the chain just above the weld, you can blow it off. Even with a .44.(I can attest to that from experience!!) If your going to drive in nails and hang the targets, make the chains an odd number.
If you can find it, and it'll cost more, a Hardox400 or AR400 or 500 steel will hold up even for high power rifle at say 100-200yds.  Good Luck!! gypsyman

[SHOOTALL]

I would add to use angle iron with the corner facing the shooter for legs and flat bar stock angled to guide bullets down making it so stray bullets don't destory it and don't go over berm or back stop .

[Rustyinfla]

   If you scrounge a piece of metal from some place and there's no torch handy you can always get a metal cutting blade for your skill saw.

[mirage1988]

It would be cheaper to go to a metal supply house and have them cut you a piece rather than wreck a skilsaw that way. Questor, try discount steel and aluminum in minneapolis off of washington and dowling,  ( I think dowling is the exit off 94)

[CannonKrazy]

I have worked in many metal fabrication shops in the past. Check your local area for these shops and more than likely the owner will give you the peaces you are looking for out of the scrap bin. If they charge a fee it won't be much.

[Cheesehead]

This is what I use. The #4 10"x6" on the spring loaded base. You can shoot it with 22 rim fire or ANY center fire magnum.

http://www.lvsteeltargets.com/main.htm

Cheese

[Slowhanddd]

Find a farm salvage.Look for some old discs.The thing that farmers use to cultivate the ground.Can be had in various sizes and lasts along time.Have some out at a farm I hunt.Been there for years.Hanging in a tree by a piece of chain.After the first shot you have a moving target.Slow