Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting How far to hang gong?

Built a large gong. This thing might be overkill. We had a cutting edge from a loader bucket, and welded two chains on it to hang it. It is 12" wide, and 20" tall. Seems rather large for medium range. Think 600 is too close for something that size?

Thanks. Hoping to blast it this weekend.

If you had the room I'd go 1K and call it a day. Too bad it's not 20" wide and 12 tall...grin

Dober

When it's windy, you might be wishing it was wider.

I don't think 600 is too close, as long as you're not just satisfied with hitting, but more interested in where you hit.

I can go all the way to 1000 or so. I have to carry it to where ever I hang it though, and it is heavy. Thinking packframe...

I like to paint them white with a spot of red paint in the center....easy to see the hits and easy to cover them up with another shot of paint..that thing should last forever.

Vitals-size is nice out to 600; keeps one from getting false confidence.

I'm with Dober, I'd go 1000 on something that big. Its not that it'll be easy to hit there at 1000, but that you should be thinking of being able to hit clay pigeons or scare the heck out of them at 500-600 yards IMHO. Hence its too big for 600 and would give false sense of security.

This is assuming you have weaponry capable of 1000 yards supersonic.... OTOH 800 could be a good compromise.

Paint a red 6" circle and shoot from hunting positions: kneeling, sitting and standing. Only a sling allowed. Great practice. For that I'd set it no further than whatever you estimate your longest shot to be.

On second thought you could cover it with 6" circles and shot with your buds. Fun competition.

None of my guns are set up for 1000yds. Only running turrets on varmint guns, and light bullets. Cannot imagine a 40-55gr could withstand any wind at that range.

The good news is, since I have to pack it in, it is doubtful anyone will steal it. Not to mention, seems like I am the only one that actually shoots anymore in my area.

or assed sized to 20 yards.....

Hang it where you'll do most of your shooting! A gong can't be too big. Look at it like a target backer you'll never shoot out! Spray paint makes everything work out just fine.

If your 223 is set up for bullets that light, I'll rethink my answer... those tiny bullets suck really bad in winds at 300 already...

And there is no way in hell they'll make 1000 supersonic.

Nix that idea. I'd either cut that into smaller targets and go say 300,400 and 500 to make it challenging, or hang it no more than 500 out IMHO. And then as noted paint red dots and shoot for groups at each dot.

And you'll get a great workout going back & forth to spray it.....

Yeah, my plates are mostly packed in and maintaining them is a real pain.

packed out a few elk myself, cannot imagine packing spraypaint will be a problem...haha.

You will see your hits on paint without a spotting scope. No paper targets blowing in the wind, no staples to run out. NO paper mess to clean up when you are done. Make your plate large enough to catch the near misses too. Instant feed back on wind guesses. Be aware of the shrapnel blowing off the plate. Don't leave the paint can down there.

It's good exercise but where my plates are, it's a solid hour plus down and back, and if I'm up there to shoot, that means I'm leaving 3-4-5 rifles in the truck on BLM land... always gives me the willies.

Jeff_O ,sorry to hear you are in a wheelchair. get well soon

Lol, they are across this canyon... I get to them through timber over to the left of the picture. Usually, that road there is gated shut.

How far is that?

The place I have in mind is a large sage filled draw. I just discovered it a couple weeks ago. It was like I found utopia. Already had the place set up to shoot out to 300 with my portable bench. I went over the hill and discovered the draw, and a pefect vantage point.