Homemade Steel Target Help

[HuXXXford]

I ordered a heavy duty steel target online and built a mount using spare 2x4s and $2 sawhorse brackets.

Using the sawhorse legs holding a 2x4 with two holes drilled, I attached the steal target first using zip ties thinking that if they got shot, they would be cheap and easy to replace. These would only last a few hits from a 5.56 before breaking.

Next we tried some heavy duty wire wrapped through the holes a few times. This lasted much longer, but no more than a couple mags.

Does anyone use or have any suggestions of anything else I could use that would be more durable? I hesitate to use chains because I feel like if those get shot they will be expensive to replace.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Hux

[65hunter]

maybe a wire coat hanger? cheap and strong

[HuXXXford]

That's what we used the second time around that held a little better. It was spooled wire that was just about as thick as a coat hanger.

I'm starting to think maybe some redundancy would work better. Maybe two additional holes on the 2x4 placed wider than the current two holes for a total of four.

[Drifter]

Perhaps a wide and thick leather strap, or a section from a conveyor belt, would work.

[LRRPF52]

Tire rubber or heavy duty neoprene will take hits all day long, and self-heal to some extent-moreso with the neoprene. Bolt that onto the back of the target, and you'll not have to repair the target hangar.

[bwaites]

Conveyor belt strips are the hanger of choice for us. Cheap, easily found, and work great. I have also seen fan belts used. They are really cheap if you have a friend at a mechanics shop!

Some guys use chain, but as you have seen, metal tends to break pretty easily under these conditions.

[JohnOD]

Heavy chain will survive for a long time with all but a direct hit. That’s what I’m currently using. A section of fire hose or as mentioned conveyer belt is best.

Even with direct hits on the steel the bullet splatter will chew up wire, rope, etc.

[txgunner00]

I've used just about everything on the targets I have made. Even 1/2" chain can only take one good hit. The best and cheapest so far is 3"+ wide strips of old tires.

[terrywick4]

I ordered a heavy duty steel target online and built a mount using spare 2x4s and $2 sawhorse brackets.

Using the sawhorse legs holding a 2x4 with two holes drilled, I attached the steal target first using zip ties thinking that if they got shot, they would be cheap and easy to replace. These would only last a few hits from a 5.56 before breaking.

Next we tried some heavy duty wire wrapped through the holes a few times. This lasted much longer, but no more than a couple mags.

Does anyone use or have any suggestions of anything else I could use that would be more durable? I hesitate to use chains because I feel like if those get shot they will be expensive to replace.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Hux

Mine came using rubber tow straps, the hooks bent to hold when target swings. They take the swing of target when hit and will take a stray bullet or two

[ricsmall]

I have 3 steel targets, with two swinging, they probably have 1000-1500 rounds each of 5.56, .308, 22-250 with several "flyers", I use 3/8 DOT approved transport chain which unless im mistaken is grade70?, I havent had to replace yet. But we only shoot the steel from 300yds and out so that could make a difference. Thats just my experience, sure most of these guys have shot a hell of a lot more than me!