Setting up a range...target size, etc

[KPK]

Ok I'm setting up a range and will have about 1000 yards that's easily accessible and about 1350 that's tougher to get to.

I have a large 4x4 piece I was thinking about setting up at 1300, but that big nice piece may be pointless if I can't get to it easily.

What size are all of your targets? Thinking about building stands for 500 though 1000 every 100 yds and one at 1300.

Would 18-24" work up to the 1000 mark? Using 2-3/8 pipe for the stands.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Barney88PDC]

AR-500 steel is the way to fly. 3/8" thick should work fine at those distances. 2 MOA size targets should work well up to 1K. If you can hang them so they swing or set them up to react in some way it will really help as past 800 it can be tough to call impacts especially on days with heavy mirage.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Your targets need to be challenging to hit. 18"-24" targets are not much of a challenge, even at 1000yds unless you have a decent wind to factor in and account for. On my stands I set up from 500yds to 1000yds I try to have a ~1MOA target and a ~2MOA target on each stand side by side. To each their own, but I don't see the point when people set up 24"x24" pieces of steel inside 1000yds and shoot it......yeah your going to hit it, who the hell couldn't?

 

[Powermac]

The 18-24 targets will work fine for all ranges mentioned. but as mentioned they're not very hard to hit if conditions are decent, and 24 at 500 is way too big. What i would do is make stands large enough or several stands at each yardage, to have different sized targets on.
If using steel plates get a setup so they can swing for more easily identifying hits, and 2 3/8 should be plenty sturdy for stands.
Then just add some sturdy chains or similar for them to swing from, as most AR targets sold have attachment points cut or welded.
I generally use larger targets then 1-2 moa, but that's simply from the environmental conditions.
Last month the wind speed has averaged above 20 meters pr second, in very gusting and unstable winds.
If someone can reliably hit 1 moa targets at 1000, in that condition my hats off to them.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

If you are hitting it everytime, there is no challenge. Get a smaller target or move out further.....otherwise you are just being complacent.

 

[colson]

I'm a fan of challenging targets, too. In the Army we often shot pop up E-Types, or "Iron Maidens" of the same size, which are just too "fat."

I've used Pepper Poppers, which are much more realistic sized for sniper training. They also have a humanoid appearance, which I think is important for military training.

If I had the land I think that I would use head plates out to 300 or so and Pepper Poppers past that.

 

[rjacobs]

2moa is what I heard and what I setup. 3/8" AR500. Got targets at ~100(8x8) and ~400(10x10) currently. Going to cut some trees down in the spring for a shooting lane to get to a little over 600. Ill probably move the 8x8 to the 400 yard area and get something smaller for the 100 yard target and move the 10x10 out to the 600. 10x10 at 400 is EASY to hit.

The way I set my stands since I dont move them at all is 2 pieces of 2" diameter, 8' long galvanized fence post driven into the ground. Then I drilled into them and used eye bolts and hung my chain between them with carabiner type clips I got from farm and fleet. Has worked well so far except when you shoot the chain!

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Easy to setup/takedown and cheap to build. You can get 10-12 sets in the back of a polaris ranger pretty easy. No bolts/No tools needed to setup on the range.

 

[KPK]

I think I'll do it about like Trevor is saying with 1 and 2 Moa targets on each stand. Maybe even an 8" or so at 900 and 1000 too.

Got a truck load of metal today for stands and targets. Ar500 is ideal but for close to free it's hard not it use junk plate.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Free is always the best and for shootin 500yds and beyond, you won't hurt mild steel until you get up to 7mag calibers.

 

[KPK]

My only thoughts on the larger target was not only to hit the steel but paint a target also on the steel to shoot for.

Maybe 24" at 1000, but with a 5-6" painted bullseye. I have some 8" ar500 I could mount as well.

 

[KPK]

As a side note. It's ways windy here! If that should affect my target size.

32mph North wind today!

 

[Barney88PDC]

I'm ALL for challenging target size but if you do not have something behind a hanging target for the bullet to impact and you do not see any splash then you get zero feed back from the shot and learn nothing from it. I have a full size IPSC with a 7.5" reactive circle in the center. Depending on distance and shooting position if I miss the center but hit the target I call that a "miss" but the shot wasn't wasted as I get feed back and know how to correct for a follow up shot. A 2 MOA target at say 400 from the prone is an easy shot but stand up and try it free hand. Target size is not always dictated by distance but also shooting position.

Sounds like you have a good handle on things, good luck.

 

[KPK]

How about a 2x4 piece at 1000 with a 5" and 8" hole cut on either side with on of the ar500 plates mounted behind for a distinctive ring when you connect?

Just throwing out ideas

 

[KPK]

Well a buddy and I built a few stands tonight. Need about 3 more and should be set.

Going to hang some smaller targets from the larger ones and paint both 1 and 2 Moa targets on the large one.

 

[KPK]

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[mcfred]

I'll throw my 2¢ in here since I just did about the same thing with setting up a range a couple weeks ago.

Things to consider:
1. Type of shooting (pistol/rifle, bench, prone, off-hand or something wierd).
2. Caliber and general BCs of cartridges used.
3. Local wind conditions (calm, consistent wind, variable winds, highly variable winds).
4. Other equipment considerations.

Some types of shooting are easier and target size should be challenging. Some calibers buck the wind much easier than others. Just today I had a .308 Win having to dial a little less thant6 MOA wind for a 10" target at 900 yards, where a 7mm wildcat only required 3 MOA. If the wind's consistent then lots of additional wind's not a big deal. If blows one way, then the next in a short period of time, then you either need a bigger target, better bullet BC, or to move the target closer. I suppose you could just learn to read the wind better, but that takes more time and ringing steel is more fun than watching dirt fly.

Minor considerations may include whether or not you can actually put crosshairs on something at extreme range. If you need 75 MOA of elevation and your scope/reticle only get you 65 MOA then the target's useless. If your gun/load won't hold the level of accuracy required at range then it's not a good target either.

Hope that makes sense. Have fun.

 

[Danley]

How thick is that plate?

 

[JGorski]

Ok I'm setting up a range and will have about 1000 yards that's easily accessible and about 1350 that's tougher to get to.

I have a large 4x4 piece I was thinking about setting up at 1300, but that big nice piece may be pointless if I can't get to it easily.

What size are all of your targets? Thinking about building stands for 500 though 1000 every 100 yds and one at 1300.

Would 18-24" work up to the 1000 mark? Using 2-3/8 pipe for the stands.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

When I shoot at 300yds I use this target, the 1/4min dot in my Sightron fits just right in the 1" circle.

 

[KPK]

How thick is that plate?

That plate is 1/4". A buddy of mine bought some ar500 targets as well to set up. Been busy building today.

Built 5 more large stands and three smaller stands that will mount directly on t-post. The top is for a few swingers for the house for 22 etc.



We'll ahbe them out to about 1250

 

[Pinecone]

I'm ALL for challenging target size but if you do not have something behind a hanging target for the bullet to impact and you do not see any splash then you get zero feed back from the shot and learn nothing from it. I have a full size IPSC with a 7.5" reactive circle in the center. Depending on distance and shooting position if I miss the center but hit the target I call that a "miss" but the shot wasn't wasted as I get feed back and know how to correct for a follow up shot. A 2 MOA target at say 400 from the prone is an easy shot but stand up and try it free hand. Target size is not always dictated by distance but also shooting position.

I like this idea for targets.

And maybe even half size for closer ranges.

One thing I would do, is not set up targets every 100 yards, but at random distances. And to move them around. Then have to range and dope and shoot.

 

[steelringer]

For gathering dope and data i like generous targets once you have all the information needed then its an easy switch out. I havent shot mild in a long time but ive put a hole in 3/8 mild at 550 with my .243 shooting a 115 dtac. But when i want to start shooting targets for a challenge i try to hang 1 moa and 2 moa squares and circles at random distances use a range finder and start plinking.

 

[TRTAC]

My turn for what its worth...... 2moa will work. It doesnt have to be exact for each range either. The important thing is that you get out and shoot and learn your rifles. I have a range set up from 300 to 1k and find it works well with less than 2moa sized targets. The target sizes range from 6" at 300, 10" at 600 and 18"x18" at a grand and what ever in between in size. I have a 24"x24" that I have used out to 1400, but I figure its pointless to shoot at anything much bigger unless I plan on going on an elephant hunt. I have them spaced in even 100 yard increment and find it helps with establishing my rifles dope. Sure a program gets you close, but shooting is where its at. When I want to shoot 668 yards I just move where I'm shooting from. For my targets its pretty low budget. Scrap steel circles or squares, whatever is free, and hang it from two metal fence posts with chain. Works great, its easy to pack into a place to set up and is cheap. I saw you already made some beefy targets and they look great, just thought I would throw some ideas out. Good luck.

 

[Notso]

I'm so jealous that you have that kind of range that you can leave set up and have easy access to. Easy access = lots of shooting time = learning curve very steep. You are a lucky man.

So, I take it the next SH cup will be held here? (LOL)

Edit: Spring Loaded Steel Targets See attached pics.

For target shapes and sizes - I routinely shoot the 25'x15" steel torso plate at 1K and find it challenging on a windy day and so, so on a calm day. A challenging target down to 500 yds is the small one (11.5"x7"). Once you get bored with the static steel targets, look into something like the hostage targets and poppers.

Enjoy! What rifles are you shooting on this new range?

 

[KPK]

Lol Notso! It's pretty cool to have a place for sure.

Well me, my boy, and buddy Casey (cmiller5) did some work today. Got 300 and 400 setup with 10" gongs, skipped 500 because we need a taller stand, and put 12" gongs at 600 and 700 yds. Also a stand at 800. Put 900-1100 on New Year's Day, and need another stand stand for 1200 yds.

Here's some pics of the 400, 1000, 1100, and random at 345 or so.
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[Trevor300wsm]

Let me know when to come over for a range day.

 

[clayne_b]

Big steel will work fine, Just paint a MOA size dot on it and shoot for that....

 

[KPK]

1200 and 1100 yd targets. Painted back up and changed out straps for fire hose.

 

[KPK]

1100


Back towards the cabin/shooting area.

Getting ready to rock.

 

[Genin]

Fantastic range you set up there. I wish I had such a wide open expanse like that to set up a range. Congrats and enjoy.

 

[MEANS42]

1100


Back towards the cabin/shooting area.

Getting ready to rock.

Thanks everyone for the ideas on this thread. We're looking at setting up a range at my uncle's ranch in NE Wyoming. You're range and targets look great.

 

[JC Steel]

As stated before,
We like to set up a 1 MOA target, and a 2 MOA target at each shooting distance. Provides a "bigger" target to get the rifle on, then you can have some fun with the smaller target!! Shooting steel is so much fun! Careful, its addicting.