sks steel target question

X2. The amount of energy needed to crater that plate is huge. I wouldn't shoot 7.62x54 at mild steel plate that's for sure.
This mild steel plate didn't really produce sharp crater edges, except for the hits along the gong edge as you can see. The craters had round-ish dull edges. Material was obviously missing from the gong surface, that material went somewhere. It's extremely important the gong can swing freely deflecting exploding material down to the ground. I also made the gongs hang at an angle pointing down to help control the shrapnel deflection. Our setup was effective in directing shrapnel down to the ground. The ground was completely shredded.
Another note, the gongs I made are small, 5" square. I used rebar as a hanger material... I do not recommend this. Rebar is cast steel. Cast steel shatters and cracks. Some of the gong hangers were cracked and snapped from indirect impact That's how much energy a 7.62x39 round produces. We were really surprised at the damage. The plate I posted is actually bent from direct impact.
 
Kevin M. said:
I use either 5/8" or 3/4" D shackles, the type you can buy at any hardware store. Big and strong, and will survive a few direct bullet hits or thousands of rounds of shrapnel before giving way.

For chain I went overkill and used grade 70 5/16", the gold coloured stuff used for transport trucks and tow chains. 4700lb strength and very durable. They have been tit plenty of times with bad shots, and barely even nicks the stuff, never had one break yet.

To get that stuff will probably be $25- 40 bucks of hardware per target, but you won't have to replace the in a long time, and forget about constantly going downrange to rehang the target when the wire or rope get cut.
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Thanks for the info, I've been using 3/16 S hooks and they have been bending so I started to double them up but I will try the thicker shackles next. I've also been using thick chain but it breaks after direct hit. Will get my hands on some hardened stuff next.
 
I need thicker shackles or harder steel chains for my gong.
Mine get destroyed after every outing.
Half due to my bad aim when offhand shooting, other half due to the quality of the chain.
 
4307 said:
... It's extremely important the gong can swing freely deflecting exploding material down to the ground. I also made the gongs hang at an angle pointing down to help control the shrapnel deflection.
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The rebound happens pretty much instantaneously, before the gong even starts to swing. It's the angle that's important. Swinging is nice because is soaks up the energy that would be directed to your frame, but to emphasis: its the downward angle that is important to prevent ricochet.

As was recommended to me by another CGNr, I now use seatbelts from wrecked cars instead of chain. I keep busting the chain, the seatbelts take a LOT of bullets, plus they are essentially free. They also make a cool zing sound when you hole them.

EDIT: I just picked up two gongs from http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1128193-1-2-quot-Thick-AR500-Steel-Gong last night. I haven't fired at them yet but the trader was flexible on pickup and they look good.
 
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Why isn't someone making steel target in Canada.....sounds like there is some money to be made. And a whole lot of fun to be had, or..... We can call, it R&D work :)
 
quinnbrian said:
Why isn't someone making steel target in Canada.....sounds like there is some money to be made. And a whole lot of fun to be had, or..... We can call, it R&D work :)
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I think a site sponsor started recently, forget who....prices with shipping were exorbitant though.
 
Pm member sevensixtwo or search his EE ad. I got one of his 12x12x3/8" AR500 targets. Chain is welded to the back so it angles down. Czech surplus just takes the paint off, surface is smooth. It was $126 to my door but I think the price of the gong went up a little since.
 
This is my 30mm thick chrome steel gong.

It has stood up to 7.62x39 steel core at 75m without a scratch.

PA250374.jpg
 
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