I use a bunch of different set ups. My input is based on the fact that we move our range locations all the time. Even if we shoot in the same area the plates are seldom in the same exact location. Usually we have 4-8 target distances set at the same time. I also want it easy for 1 person to set the targets.
T-post are my favorite for speed of setup in most locations -not all. They only cost a couple bucks more than a 4x4. But anytime you drive them in to deep they can become almost permanent. In hard rock areas you need “stands”.
With single T-posts you have two basic off the shelf attachment types; semi-ridge and reactive. Both have their place. With reactive targets, you “need” semi-rigid, but for the most part I prefer reactive mounts.
1- Non-reactive, the standard attachments like Jake’s V at JC Steel, are fast and do not use a chain. See the first few min of the video below with the reactive 45%, I think the flapper is 6" but
the target must remain relatively level for it to work. bracket link: http://www.jcsteeltargets.com 2-
Reactive Hangers like Hangfast. These allow the targets to move when hit and
will ring much loader, the angle makes for
better frag signature as well as let’s the plates
take a much higher caliber hit, closer without damage and lastly
the plates move more, so it is easier to see when far away.. These easily hold my 24” AR500 1/4” plate. Scrub, thru the video below to see how much a full sized plate moves compared to a rigid mount even when closer and much smaller. The left image, right target is a 24" plate easily controlled by the hangfast setup
bracket link: https://hangfasttargets.com This video shows both types of hangers in 1 and 2. The first is a small 45% at 400y, up close. You can see why you want to control the angle of the target so that the reactive of the target works well. Fast forward a bit and the next is at 900 more than 2x the distance and a heavy full sized silhouette. Both are being shot by a small 123gr projectile, one target directly after the other.
NOTE HOW THE STUPID Robert’s TARGET LIGHT IS - 2 flashes then it is NOT RECHARGING!! Those things are so problematic -
get the Magnetospeed if you need lights ~ used in matches all over - they recharge fast and work... just say’n.
Light Link: https://magnetospeed.com/collections/target-hit-indicator For hard ground or I use the same mounts shown in
@Lynn Jr ‘s middle image, with the red target brackets is actually in So cal used by Oscar. He asked me about how mine were holding when they first started the URSA. They where in service years before
and are still going strong. These are nice because they are solid and use 3/4” ridged pipe. Again, I use lighter 1/4” AR500 for even the bigger guns @ 2000+. Same idea as #2,
I want the most reactive plate so yes I use high quality chain. This lets the plate ring so that if the wind is blowing at you you can actually hear the plate with electronic ear pro well over a mile away. Below you can see it reacts well even at ELR distances.
bracket link: http://www.gongshot.com/target-stand-target-bracket/ FWIW I’ve used the rebar hangers and with the 24” plates even the light AR500, I’ve had the legs bend and collapse.
As a general rule for longer distance targets, if hearing the “impact” or getting a better visual of frag signatures or even getting a tiny movement of a plate is key to you, harder, thinner and more reactive hung targets are key. I am not saying a particular brand of hangers are the best, trying to give feedback on the "type" of hanger system you might want to consider --
There is no one right solution as we can see from the thread. Like a lot in here, I have seen all kinds of hanging systems traveling to matches including targets sitting on the dirt and leaning solidly up against a support (BTW that the worst ever)...
truth be told, my favorite target hangers are the ones bought, stored and hung by someone else Anyway that’s my take - it all depends on what you are doing and what you like.