Caldwell Magnum Rifle Gong?

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loose noose

loose noose

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Anyone have any experience with the above named steel target? Is the set-up simple or does it take an engineering degree to set it up? How about the steel gong will it hold up to pistol rounds at closer than 100 yards such as the advertisement states? (100 yards pistol/rifle) Interested in getting one here before long, will mostly shoot at 100 yards to 500 yards with center fire rifles from .222-45-70. and just about every thing in between.
 
I looked into that product prior to purchasing targets from JC Steel targets (http://www.jcsteeltargets.com/80-2/). I ended up buying 2 of the JC rebar stand kits. Very easy assembly and teardown as I dont have my own range, not to mention cheap to replace the legs if you happen to hit one (its just rebar, available at any lowes, menards, etc). Plus, you have the flexibility to hang an additional target if you want. Even if you just want to replicate the Caldwell product (abt $125 online) you could do it cheaper through JC.

Rebar stand kit: $24
10" 3/8" AR500 gong: $31
Flat rate shipping: $20

5 x 48" pieces of rebar from Lowes: ~$20
1 can cheapo spray paint from walmart: $1

Buying piecemeal from JC Steel: ~$96

I've been very happy with setup, I bought 2 of the rebar frames and a 12" gong, a 40% IPSC, a 25" IPSC and a 3x5" diamond as I like being able to vary the challenge given the range and tools used. Shipping from JC was quick and I think the value they provide is great. I've shot the targets at 25yards with .22, .22wmr and .45. At 100+ I've shot them with .223, 7.62x39, and .308. The targets have help up great, no visible deformation to date.
 
Sounds like a great deal, reckon I just might go with that. Although I just found out I can get the Caldwell from Optic Planet for $99.00 including shipping, decisions, decisions,. Won't be long and it'll be too hot to do any shooting out here.
 
I hesitate to call it a "gong" because whether it is the size or thickness, you can barely hear the thud with ear protection on . . . it does not ring.

Shooting with .308 or more powerful the stand will not stay upright without putting sandbags on the legs, esp if you cannot find perfectly level ground. The tent stakes are nearly worthless in soft ground and will bend in hard ground.

Mine has held up very well and I just repaint it when it gets really dirty.

Mike
 
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When shooting steel you want ar500 3/8 thick to give that good ring sound. I shoot steel all the time. I have 11 steel targets and 2 dueling trees in my backyard range. I have a 20" gong that I use for pistols at 75yds. I got most of them from here: http://metaltargets.com/SpinningTargets.htm Down at the bottom of that page he has gongs with simple stands. I have 2 of his tall boy stands with bases. I like them. You want the HV models, the handle everything, I shoot 44mag and 50ae full metal jackets at them at 10yds, not a single dent or ding. 223 needs to be over 100yds. Also this site http://www.arntzentargets.com is where hickock45 from youtube got alot of his stuff from.
 
Hey Arizona Mike, which one did you get? JC Steel or the Caldwell?
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I think he was talking about the Caldwell. Ive never had a problem with stability with the JC stands, as they have 4 points of contact with the ground, rather than 2 "skis" on the caldwell. I've sent the 25% IPSC target all the way up and around the bar (when hit with .308 at 200 yards) and the stand still didnt move. Sorry if Im pushing JC too hard.... Im just a very happy customer, and the "good cause" part doesnt hurt, either.
 
Thanks Zero, however, I believe I'm going with JC Steel, with the 10" gong, and the Pepper Popper, once I get the dimensions of the popper, that is. benatilstate, I do believe the best bang for the buck is thru JC Steel, there prices are really low. I already have a large Pepper Popper, and the old cowboy swinging targets (spade, club, heart, diamond) a shooting tree, and a couple of swinging 5" targets, and some reactive (4) 5" but they only have been shot at by hand guns. Other than the large popper I've shot at it with the 45-70 with the Marlin 1895 guide gun, as well as the Sharps, and Springfield Trap Door using BP loads. Definitely need some R500 steel to shoot the .556-06
 
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I have the Caldwell gong along with a few other steel targets. I've have the Caldwell over two years and it has held up very well. I've shot it quite a bit with it, including a .308 inside 100 yards.

If you want something easily broken down for transport back and forth from the range it works great.

I also HIGHLY recommend all of JC Steels offering. My other targets are all from him.
 
Well I was looking at reviews for the Caldwell and I like how easy it is to take down and transport. I could take it the the range and shoot it at 500yds, then put it back at my range and blast away at it with pistols. So I did an impulse buy and bought it. Walmart has it for $99 and free shipping.
 
benatilstate, do you know the dimensions of the pepper popper? I just measured my large pepper popper and it 1/4" thick by 33" tall by 12" wide at it 's widest point and 8" along the narrow points up to the head. Note it weighs a ton, with the base and everything attached.
 
benatilstate, do you know the dimensions of the pepper popper?
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From their site (further down the product page):
Spring Back Pepper Popper
Our custom made Spring back pepper popper is an awesome target unit. We love the idea of having a target that gives audible report but also visual report.

The spring back target is 15.5 inches tall and 4-6 inches wide. It makes for a great pistol or rifle target. Our standard shooting recommendations apply.

We include a base with this target that is 23 inches long and 6 inches wide, Providing a great foundation. Our students weld super strong brackets on the backer plate which is 3/8″ mile steel. A great attribute of the spring back target is all the mild steel is hidden behind the AR500 front plate. Giving a very long lasting target system.

For the low price point on these spring back targets, we are sure you will love them!!! Some assembly required. But if you get stumped, call and we will walk you through it….

Spring Back Pepper Popper, a must have target!
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Thanks, loose, now you've got me thinking I should add a pepper popper ;). That thing looks like fun.
 
zerobarrier said:
Well I was looking at reviews for the Caldwell and I like how easy it is to take down and transport. I could take it the the range and shoot it at 500yds, then put it back at my range and blast away at it with pistols. So I did an impulse buy and bought it. Walmart has it for $99 and free shipping.
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You may want to get a bag of some kind. It won't be long before the frame, esp. the upper bar is covered with a thick layer of lead that marks on almost everything it comes in contact with.
 
Arizona_Mike said:
You may want to get a bag of some kind. It won't be long before the frame, esp. the upper bar is covered with a thick layer of lead that marks on almost everything it comes in contact with.
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Gotcha, thanks for the advice. Its specs show it is alot lighter then my other ar500 targets but also alot smaller to, which is what I want. I figure will be fun to shoot at 500yds along with paper
 
I noticed that the gong on the Caldwell sits fairly close to the cross bar, what if you added a few links to the chain to lower it a bit?

BTW I ordered the Caldwell from Optics, but had to pass on the Pepper Popper, as I recently bought a Model 97 Winchester, will order one a little bit later, as it's too dang hot out here to do to much shooting.
 
I noticed that the gong on the Caldwell sits fairly close to the cross bar, what if you added a few links to the chain to lower it a bit?
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I don't see why that would be a problem, it will just swing more.
 
Well I just got mine today and set it up. I like it. Worth the $99.95 with free shipping from walmart. Easy to put together, pretty light so it should be easy to move around. The stand it kind of weak but as long as it doesn't get shot it should be just fine. I shot it today with a 44mag with hot handloads and my 50ae with hot hot handloads from 15yds and no dents, handled it just fine. So it has found a place along with my other AR500 steel.
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Man Zero barrier, that is some beautiful background scenery you've got there, not to mention your targets. If it ever cools off out here I'll put some pictures of my steel targets, needless to say I can't leave them out cause bubba will definitely shoot them full of holes.
 
Thanks, I have more off to the left of those, including a 20" gong set at 75yds for pistols, another dueling tree for rimfire, and a few more knock down targets, plus a 100yrd rifle range with a big ole backstop behind. I found some older pics. I am always moving targets around so it doesn't get boring. I know the tree with the plywood on it looks kind of hillbilly but it serves its purpose. I will probably cut it down in a year or too. The tree was dying so I figured I would shoot it.

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MtnCreek, I got almost all of them including the cat at metal spinning targets. Here is the link, scroll down to the bottom and you will see it next to the bowling pin and woodchuck under NRA knockdown targets. There are no pics of it though, All of the targets are HV models = AR500 the magnum models are AR230 I think, I got one of the magnum version and my 44mag dented it up pretty good. I told him about it and he replaced it with the HV model. Great guy. I really want one of the hostage targets under the law enforcement section

http://metaltargets.com/SpecialtyTargets.htm

PS that is an actual target not a real cat :)
 
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