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Hanging steel targets are ideal when looking for a way to add excitement to your shooting range. Not only do they provide a great way to train and have fun, but they also have numerous safety benefits when used properly. Steel targets offer an exciting experience that can help you become a better shooter by giving you instant feedback on each shot. They’re safer than traditional paper targets and offer a more realistic shooting experience, making them perfect for anyone from the beginner to the advanced shooter.
Hanging steel targets are designed with several layers of metal which when hit correctly will make an audible ring that helps shooters identify successful hits quickly. Steel targets also provide excellent durability, reducing the need for frequent target replacement due to wear and tear or weather conditions like rain, snow, or wind. Hanging steel targets are typically made of hardened steel which allows them to be used with all common rifle calibers and pistol calibers ranging from .22LR up to high-powered rifles. The thicker the steel target is, the more resistant it’ll be during use and less prone to damage caused by bullet impacts over time.
These versatile steel targets come in various shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and other interesting designs that bring added pleasure and challenge when shooting in different positions. Because of their weather resistance and overall quality construction, there’s no worry about having them rusting or corroding over time; just mount them securely at your range so you can start practicing right away! To keep things safe however it’s important to remember that a proper backstop should always be put into place before using any kind of hanging steel target system. A properly placed backstop will ensure protection against possible ricochets and reduce strain on the target itself by reducing the number of impacts coming from multiple directions at once.
So if you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to improve your skills while adding some exciting elements to your training exercises then look no further – hanging steel targets are just what you need! With these sturdy yet affordable targets, you’ll be able to practice safely while getting immediate results on how well you can shoot as well as greatly improve your accuracy in no time!
Best Hanging Steel Target Hangers
FULLBOW AR500 Steel Target Hangers and Gong Targets Combo Pack, Gong Target Hanging Kit, DIY Target Kit for 1 Inch OD EMT Conduit, Sold Separately 4"&4" Steel Targets,4 Hooks and 2 Brackets
Fullbow steel targets are designed to be used repeatedly, which is necessary if you're practicing with them regularly. That's because they're made from high-quality steel, and don't warp or bend as easily as other targets.
The Fullbow 4" x 4" target comes in at 3/8 inch thick, which is more than enough to withstand even the most powerful shots. The paint finish looks good against the matte black that protects it from the elements when not in use. And despite being coated for protection, it won't rust or corrode like other metals would over time.
The only downsides we found were that there aren't any holes drilled into them for easy hanging, and their size means it's harder to accurately line up your next shot when using this target indoors.
Best Budget Buy
AR500 Steel Target Hanger Shooting Target Hook Metal Gong Target Hanging Pipe Target Holders DIY Assembly Stand Kit
The AZOART 4 Hook Target Stand is another budget option that still manages to impress, with its sturdy steel construction and four 1/4-inch thickness hangers.
Like the other stands we looked at, the AZOART model has a black powder coating for added durability and aesthetics. It also comes with an extra pack of hangers in case you lose any, although these are not very good quality so it's worth buying a new pack if this happens.
The only real downside of this stand is that it does not hold up as well to abuse from heavy users, such as younger children who may have played with it or slammed into it too hard over time.
Best 2x4 Target Hanger
Highwild 2x4 Target Hanger | Target Stand Base | Adjustable Height Steel Post | AR500 Steel Gong Targets Conversion Adapter A- 2x4 Target Hanger(1 Pack)
Our favorite target hanger is the Highwild 2x4 Target Hanger. It's easily the most versatile, and that makes it our top pick overall.
It can hang up to six different targets of your choosing, which gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to hanging different types of targets for varying shooting experiences. The steel post is powder coated for durability, and each stake comes with an included hex wrench so you can quickly tighten or loosen any of your staked targets without having to reach for another tool.
The only real downside is that the angle at which you can hang your target isn't adjustable. But if you're looking for something that will let you mount multiple targets at once in a way that doesn't require much adjustment, this is the best target hanger on our list.
Best To Hang Steel Targets With Conduit
Steel Target Hanger DIY Target Stand Kit | TOAAOT Hang and Hook Target System for 1 Inch EMT Conduit 6 Hangers
If you're looking for a high-quality hanging target stand, then the Toaaot Hang and Hook Target Stand is the best option for you. Its steel construction means it can handle even the most forceful shots, while its laser-cut hangars ensure that it's easy to assemble.
The stand itself has six 1/4" thick AR500 steel hangars, which is more than enough to support your rifle or shotgun at any angle you need it. This makes this target stand ideal for shooting from above or below, as well as straight on. As such, it will withstand continual use without suffering damage.
Easy to make using items that you can get at your local hardware store.
Make It Ring Targets AR500 Target Hanger T Post Topper Hook
The Make It Ring Target 3/8-inch steel hanger topper hook is a solid, simple and effective way to hang your targets from a tree or other sturdy object. The black finish allows you to easily find the right target for your next training session, and it's made of high-quality steel that will last for years of use.
The black finish on this hanger makes it ideal for finding a target in the grass or undergrowth at close range, but if you're hanging further away then you may need some sort of reflective paint or similar to make it easier to spot. The precision-cut edges mean that the holes line up perfectly between all three plates making this an incredibly accurate piece of equipment - even when hung upside down or at an angle.
If you're looking for a super efficient way to hang targets then this is probably the best option out there. If only they sold them in sets - we'd recommend adding one of these into your collection even if you already own several different types of targets so that you can quickly and efficiently train without wasting time fiddling with pre-cut pieces.
D-ICE - AR500 Steel Target Hangers Hanging Hook Target Kit - Pipe Target Holders Assembly Stands - DIY Target Kit for 1" OD EMT Conduit - Complete with Silicone Corded Shooting Earplugs 6 Hooks
Our personal favorite for hanging targets is the D-ICE 6-Hook Target Hangers. These steel hangers have a solid and sturdy design, making them perfect for holding heavy targets like cans or bottles. They're designed to hang from 1-1/4 inches in diameter conduit, so your target will be suspended at an ideal height.
Because they're made of steel, these hangers are built to last – no need to worry about rusting or breaking over time. We also really like their simple and minimalist design which makes them look great on display when not in use. The only downside is that they don't come with any earplugs, so you'll need to include those yourself if you want protection from a loud gunshot blast.
Best T Post Target Hanger
Steel Target Hanger, T Post AR500 / A36 Plate Mount
The Dire Systems HexHanger Target Plate and T-Post System is the top choice for those who want to get serious about shooting at their target. This is because it comes with an incredibly sturdy design that can withstand even heavy gunfire. It's made from high-quality steel, making it super durable and rust-resistant.
The HexHanger also has a great mounting system thanks to its set of hex bolts and washers, so you don't have to worry about finding the right hardware or spending extra on a bolt gun accessory kit. This means you can start shooting straight away without having to do any additional fitting or adjustment.
We found this was easy to mount onto our test T-posts, but you'll need some thin-walled metal tubing for outdoor use if you're using this on concrete or other hard surfaces. The included carriage bolts are also quite short, so we recommend picking up longer ones separately if needed.
Best 2x4 Base For Steel Targets
Birchwood Casey 2x4 Nested Steel Shooting Target Stand for Hanging Gong Targets
If you're looking for a gong target stand that can be used outdoors without worrying about weather conditions, then look no further than the Birchwood Casey nested steel target stand. This is a great choice if you want to practice your shooting skills away from the usual indoor ranges and prefer to do so in some form of open-air setting.
This stands out in terms of price too compared to many other gong target stands on the market today. It's also easy to set up and doesn't need any tools for assembly meaning you can get started right away.
Best Chain Steel Hanging Kit
ShootingTargets7 Chain and Rubber Target Hanging Straps with Hardware Kit for Mounting AR500 Steel Shooting Targets | Use with Most Target Stands 12" Chain
If you want to go all out and strap a steel target to the wall, then our pick for the best chain and rubber straps is the ShootingTargets7 Steel Target Hanging Straps. These are designed for hanging targets with 1/4-inch holes so they can be used on most of the AR500 steel shooting targets sold by ShootingTargets7.
The angle these chains have is set at 40 degrees to help ensure that lead deflection is at a downward angle so it doesn't cause damage to your walls or windows, while also making it safer for you. The 3/16-inch chain has been zinc plated, which helps keep it from rusting even in wet conditions. If you're using this outdoors, remember that it's not weatherproofed or water-resistant like some other options we tested. That said, this does hold up well against rain and snow regardless of its construction methods.
Even though these straps are designed for hanging steel targets with 1/4-inch holes, we found them easy enough to use on our gongs with 2-inch holes as well since they don't rely on specific attachment points inside the target itself. They were simple enough to install but did come with two spare sets of rubber straps in case you misplace one or break one during installation - just something worth noting if your target doesn't already come bundled with extras like ours did.
