Author Topic: Long range targets (Read 1710 times)

Singleshotsam · « **on:** October 26, 2011, 04:47:22 AM »

Thought you guys might be interested in my latest project.

We have an area on my dad's land where we are able to shoot about 650 yards safely. So as my friend and I have an intrest in precision rifles, we thought we'd take advantage of the opprotunity and build some swining metal gongs to shoot. Using mostly salvage materials we constructed 4 hangng targets out of t-posts, disk blades, rubber animal mats, a few nuts and bolts and some spray paint. We have about 60 dollars total tied up in materials.

Why not just hang paper? The hanging metal acts as a bell essentially so you have immediate confimation of a hit at long range rather than having to continually travel the entire distance of the range twice to see if you hit the target.

The opening ceremony will be Sunday afternoon so were excited. We have targets set at 300, 400, 550 and 650 yards. I'm looking forward to honing my long range skills and hopefully start participating in a sniper cometition early next year.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2011, 05:03:04 AM »

Lucky dog! I'd love to have a range like that. I'm sure you'll enjoy it for many years.

powderman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:11:12 AM »

We call it ringing the gong. POWDERMAN.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:22:20 AM »

Those disc blades are bad about richocets, and won't last terribly long if you're whackin em with higpower stuff. But it's fun while it lasts.

Old Syko · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:24:12 AM »

I walk the railroad tracks and pick up discarded tie plates since I don't have old discs. With the tie plates I doubt you get the resonance you get from a disc but they have their advantages. Seems no mater how you hang them they tilt forward at the top a bit which helps deflect the slugs downward and they are heavy enough not much penetrates them so they last a long time.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:31:28 AM »

The thicker and harder the steel the better the ring.

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:34:36 AM »

We used disk blades because they were free lol. I have about 10 more laid off to the side if they need replacing, and the location is remote enough and in enough of a valley that any ricochets will hit dirt pretty quick. I didn't even think about tie plates... That's a great idea.

Old Syko · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:42:06 AM »

Since they're free hanging it takes a serious piece of equipment to penetrate them. Be sure to hang them so the flat side faces you. The two alignment bars on the other side will send slug pieces where you wouldn't expect. Guess how I know.

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2011, 09:40:49 AM »

How close were those targets you were shooting if you dont mind me asking? The closest one we have is 300 yards.

Old Syko · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2011, 10:37:24 AM »

The closest is at 250. If penetration or bounce back is your concern, the combination of the free swinging attachment and the angle at which they hang seem to be the important factors. I assure you they are quite tough.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2011, 10:59:00 AM »

How about some pics after the targets take a few hits.

Nice range and good idea.

Cheese

powderman · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2011, 05:56:42 PM »

The one I use is about 9 in dia and hung from some bent rebar by welded chains. It sits accross the holler about 130 yds. We mostly use it for pistols. The plate is about 3/8 in thick. I tried my 3030 with some cast from ww bullets. 3 out of 4 punched all the way through with the 4th sticking out the other side. A lot of fun with 22s too. POWDERMAN.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2011, 06:45:38 PM »

Funny how a mere 30-30 with lead bullets can penetrate a 3/8" steel plate at over 100 yds yet many people won't use it on a deer at that range!

LONGTOM

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2011, 06:46:18 AM »

I'll post some pics of the targets after we've worked them over for you guys.

A 30/30 shouldn't be considered a lightwieght. It's the most used caliber for harvesting deer by far. I've always laughed at the guys that claim that they're a 100 yard gun as well. A person with a quality rifle who has the practice and confidence in his skills can easily harvest an animal at 2 or 3 times that distance with one. One thing I have learned with building my precision rifle is that the guys who claim they need more power are often the poorest shots. They use excessive firepower to havest a deer at close range to compensate for their lack of marksmanship. Yes, a 300 win mag will take a deer a loooong ways away... if your a marksman. Otherwise it just makes a big splat.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2011, 06:51:08 AM »

I made myself an armor plate 8" disk for shooting 22 pistol at 100 yards. Seemed like a great idea until I started shooting and realized that the 22 isn't powerful enough to move the plate much and my ear protection keeps me from hearing the slight 'tink' sound when I score a hit.

Have you tried this and found a good workable target that reacts to 22 and has enough size for iron sight pistol shooting at 100 yards?

Old Fart · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2011, 06:55:22 AM »

Quote from: Singleshotsam on October 27, 2011, 06:46:18 AM

Yes, a 300 win mag will take a deer a loooong ways away... if your a marksman. Otherwise it just makes a big splat.

And the real scary thing is they'll take a human down along way also by the same poor shooter.

powderman · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2011, 08:08:03 AM »

SSS. I'm glad I never got bit by the magnumitis. The term mangum sells, no matter the cal or ga, so do hi brass shells. To hear some folks talk I'm amazed that our ancestors were ever able to feed or protect themselves without these magnums. Seems like the poorer the shot the bigger the gun. POWDERMAN.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2011, 08:51:38 AM »

I was surprised to experience that my rifle, which happens to be a 375H-ity-H, recoils less that the 300 magnums I've shot. I don't consider myself an Elmer Keith disciple, but I just like this particular rifle because it feels great and shoots great. I'd like it just as well if it were a 30-06, I suppose.

The thing about the magnums is that you still need to be able to shoot well to use them. Like trajectory and windage beyod 300 yards is still very significant to good shooting. I've talked to a few 300 mag owners and some are truly knowledgeable of the round and prefer it because they have learned to use it well and it is effective. Others just seem to take for granted that you can shoot out to 500 yards without knowing much about wind or trajectory.

Some magnums I like are:
1) 44 magnum in a revolver, and would probably like it in a carbine too.
2) 22 magnum. Nice round. Kind of expensive to shoot, but if you just hunt with it, it's not bad at all. It would be my choice if I did a lot of fur trapping or fur hunting.
3) 375H-ity-H. Very versatile in a rifle. Kind of heavy, but overall a very good combination when you consider the rifles and bullets that are available for it. That's the only thing I use for big game. I definitely would want something lighter if I hunted a lot in the mountains or did a great deal of walking while hunting.

handirandy · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:05:34 PM »

I had one tie plate on my set up @ 200 yards and hit the holes in the plate regularly. you could tell by the way the bullets impacted the dirt behind the plate. No, I am not that good it just happens more than you would expect shooting open sight milsurp rifles. Never had ricochet problems with any free swinging plate. Did have problems shooting holes in the plates though with full metal jacket bullets but most plates were 3/8 mild steel.

Shu · « **Reply #19 on:** October 29, 2011, 01:24:12 AM »

Reactive targets are the best, in my opinion. Keeps new shooters more interested than just watching holes on paper.
Try the good old 22lr at that distance. That is a real hoot.

handirandy · « **Reply #20 on:** October 29, 2011, 02:12:14 PM »

We used to shoot at tin cans @100, 150, 200 and 250 with 22's. Kids loved it and could use dirt to walk them in. Brought lots of laughs and slaps on the back when hit. With suitable backstop of course. As a kid me and the cousins would shoot at butterflies on the opposite bank of the creek. Usually about 15 - 20 yds. Talk about reactive targets. I will try to check it out someday Sam. Not a promise. Time is pretty limited on MO trips for now.

powderman · « **Reply #21 on:** October 30, 2011, 11:29:04 AM »

A few years ago some friends came over to shoot. I had several milk jugs accross the holler. Dan was a darn good shot, we were shooting pistols. Rick and I kept getting hits rolling our respective jugs, Dans never moved, I'd driven a stake through it anchoring it. When we walked down there his jug was full of holes. He was not happy then but laughed later. POWDERMAN.

DANNY-L · « **Reply #22 on:** October 30, 2011, 01:18:11 PM »

Now thats a good one PM

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #23 on:** October 30, 2011, 02:01:44 PM »

Just got back home from trying out the new range. Hit all the targets consistantly. 300,400,550,650 yards. For whats it's worth, a .308 will rip a hole in a disc blade at 650 yards. Fun times had by all

Cheesehead · « **Reply #24 on:** October 30, 2011, 03:22:42 PM »

Do not underestimate the 308 Winchester. It is the original short magnum.

Cheese

powderman · « **Reply #25 on:** October 30, 2011, 04:11:28 PM »

The 308 is a great do it all cal. Bullet wts from 100-220 gr, only 200 ft slower than a 3006 and ammo is available everywhere. POWDERMAN.

Tommyt · « **Reply #26 on:** October 31, 2011, 01:12:16 AM »

Quote from: powderman on October 30, 2011, 04:11:28 PM

The 308 is a great do it all cal. Bullet wts from 100-220 gr, only 200 ft slower than a 3006 and ammo is available everywhere. POWDERMAN.

I got a 308 by luck,I had a 06,& 30/30 and was getting tired of the 06 no real reason
I settled on a CZ in 308 its a tack driver
I never looked back,Deer hogs and Coyote all fall
Elk is next on my list
I have killed 2 deer in the 400yd range with it
reading

Quote

will rip a hole in a disc blade at 650 yards.

puts a grin on my face
The o8 is a great round IMHO

Ranch13 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 31, 2011, 03:04:22 AM »

Quote from: Singleshotsam on October 30, 2011, 02:01:44 PM

Just got back home from trying out the new range. Hit all the targets consistantly. 300,400,550,650 yards. For whats it's worth, a .308 will rip a hole in a disc blade at 650 yards. Fun times had by all

If you have some plow lathes in the scrap pile you can weld a few of those together, and if your welds are good, they'll soak up alot of punishment.
Disc blades are just to thin to stand up to much other than cast bullets at mild to moderate velocity, and then they'll crack or start loosing big chunks.

Sourdough · « **Reply #28 on:** November 22, 2011, 12:34:31 PM »

Missed this due to my being in Canada while this was on top. I did want to make a commit on the use of reactive targets.

I have used pieces of Boiler plate in the past, hanging from a rack, for shots out at 500 yards or farther. Did not use under 500 yards, due to flybacks. Made lots of noise and we knew we had a hit. Lots of fun, and really impressed some folks when I could make a hit at the range. Thing is I knew the range and was easy to make a hit, just they did not understand that.

Today, I use gallon and half gallon milk jugs, filled with water. Really responsive results as well.