In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Built a swinging pistol target

Discussion in 'The Game Room' started by foragefarmer, Mar 10, 2014.

  1. foragefarmer

    foragefarmer

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    Out of mostly scrap.

    What do you do with some old bush hog blades? Turn em into a swinging target.

    I had a couple sizes of steel tubing hanging around as well. The only things I bought were the 4 pieces of rebar and a couple carriage bolts and wing nuts. $10 total at the most.

    Getting there

    [​IMG]

    Done

    [​IMG]

    Let the fun begin

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Cool… good idea. I can hear the clanking all the way up here…
     
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  3. NortheastAl

    NortheastAl

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    Yeah, I like that! :thumbs: Haven't done that kind of plinking in years.
     
  4. foragefarmer

    foragefarmer

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    Yeah, rings pretty good with a .22 as well. We gave it a workout with 9, 40, and 45 and it held up like a champ.
     
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  5. tfdchief

    tfdchief

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    Nice!. I have some commercial ones that aren't near as nice as those!
     
  6. NortheastAl

    NortheastAl

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    Surprised the .40 and .45 didn't beat them up a bit. Tough steel in those blades.
     
  7. BrianK

    BrianK

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    I was getting a bit worried about your backstop in the first two photos. Definite improvement with the third. :p
     
  8. foragefarmer

    foragefarmer

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    Pistol calibers are fine. .223 puts a pea sized divot in them at 50 yards. They are 1/2" thick.
     
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  9. bocefus78

    bocefus78

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    Glad you Posted this. I've got a cpl questions. I bought one to shoot my pistols at. 9 40 and 44mag to be specific. I have never shot at metal. Its still in the box. What's the safe distance for shooting at swinging metal? How bad do the projectile fragments ricochet? I have this vision of a hit right on the edge and causing a 90 degree ricochet.
     
  10. NortheastAl

    NortheastAl

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    Ah, didn't know they were that thick. Great idea for targets, and a repurpose for those blades.
     
  11. foragefarmer

    foragefarmer

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    Wear eye protection at all times. Most posted distances for pistol are 10-15 yards for 9 and 40. I have seen 20-25 yards for magnum calibers.
     
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  12. NortheastAl

    NortheastAl

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    I can tell you that I've shot at steel target plates, and the splatter was considerable. You don't need to hit on the edge, either. Our club had to erect a fence off to the side to keep the shrapnel from getting to a parking area. Definitely treat ricochets and splatter with serious consideration.
     
  13. Certified106

    Certified106

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    Sweet, I love it! I keep saying I am going to build some of those out back for myself
     
  14. bocefus78

    bocefus78

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    That's what I was afraid of. I have a great backstop but not so much in the side to side areas. I also have neighbors with distant structures on both sides but the rear is clear. Guess I will give it away since the box got rained on.
     
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  15. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Most Hoarders are too quick to worry about bullets coming at us...
     
  16. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Awesome use of scrap. Plink away!
     
  17. Fanatical1

    Fanatical1

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    Yep. We were shooting at steel out in the snow and you can see from the pattern in the snow just how much splatter there is and how far it goes.

    I like the target though! :)

    Reminds me of Hickok 45 on youtube.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2014
  18. BrianK

    BrianK

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  19. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Hoarders move quicker… like a cat… when we hear the round comin… o_O
     
  20. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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