deflection?

kropsbone · #1 01-12-2012, 10:25 PM

just wondering, shooting at metal gongs , where does the bullet deflect?

7mm08 · #2 01-12-2012, 10:36 PM

Depends. Some bullets "splatter" on impact. Some will punch through. Others will make the "whining" sound of a ricochet. Depends on distance, bullet weight/make-up, type and thickness of the gong, velocity, style of gong...(spinner or fixed)...the list goes on. Sorry I couldnt give you a hard , fast answer.

kropsbone · #3 01-12-2012, 10:41 PM

thanks, chain hung 3/4'' to 1'' thick plate, does a guy have to worry about the bullet hitting somthing else after. dirt hill back drop, shooting ditance 100 yards or greater,243 to a 7mm rem mag

catnthehat · #4 01-12-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropsbone

thanks, chain hung 3/4'' to 1'' thick plate, does a guy have to worry about the bullet hitting somthing else after. dirt hill back drop, shooting ditance 100 yards or greater,243 to a 7mm rem mag

We set up our gongs slightly off center, so they are angled down towards the shooter.
What happens when a bullet hits them is that it is deflected down and into the ground.
Gongs that are hung vertically, can deflect right back at the shooter from a great distance if the gong is heavy with some bullets. it also greatly increases the life of the gong....
Cat

7mm08 · #5 01-12-2012, 10:49 PM

Ok, In my experience, the 7mm or .243 ...with a soid jacket construction is going to punch clean through....depending on the grade of steel you have for a gong. If its a softer bullet, it may splatter, but, it may hit on just the right angel and travel 3 miles and kill a lonely widow , sipping tea in her kitchen.
No one can give you definite answers on this question. Why a gong? I like to hear the "ring of bullet hitting steel" as much as any shooter, but if you have any doubts of a bullet leaving your shooting area, shoot a different target with a positive backstop. Due diligence and erring on the side of caution , my friend.

Cowtown guy · #6 01-12-2012, 10:49 PM

My guess is that the gong will be in terrible shape at 100 yards. Make sure you get the proper steel for those close shots or you will be seeing daylight rather quickly.

kropsbone · #7 01-12-2012, 11:40 PM

true true, you got me on the sound thing, but its mostly for bullet placement, without going that 300 yards to see where your hitting ( no spotting scope) cat that offsetting the gong to face down sounds good to, but with my sh#t luck i'll probably send an errant bullet towards my cousins and kill him, so maybe i''l try those orange rubber squares or balls that bounce aroung instead! Thannks guys!

260 Rem · #8 01-13-2012, 12:39 AM

SPFGA steel gongs are set with a 30 degree down slope but with any type of gong that is set at an angle, bullets will hit the top angle and deflect upward (or the gong hanger)...so gongs are set in "pockets" to control side deflections and within 1M of the backstop to catch vertical richocettes. Most gongs are made of hardened steel to reduce "divots" which are potentially dangerous at close range.

nicholal · #9 01-13-2012, 10:38 PM

you tube vid on 50 cal ricochet to head

If done like Cat says this would not happen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLpx3yYvAi0

AL

209x50 · #10 01-13-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropsbone

thanks, chain hung 3/4'' to 1'' thick plate, does a guy have to worry about the bullet hitting somthing else after. dirt hill back drop, shooting ditance 100 yards or greater,243 to a 7mm rem mag

Yes, no question especially if you shoot heavier mono metal bullets like the TSX. The thicker the plate the worse the ricochet will be as the plate doesn't move as much.

sillyak · #11 01-13-2012, 11:09 PM

If you use the proper grade of steel the bullet should disintegreate upon impact. You're looking for AR 500 or AR 550, even 3/8" AR 500 will stop pretty much whatever at 100 yards and not even dimple.

Dick284 · #12 01-14-2012, 06:38 AM

Two main things that cause bullets to richochett badly off of gongs.

Too heavy of gong.. you know they got this smokin deal on plate but it's 2 inches thick.

The gong can't move. I's not on chains or a pivot, you might as well bulid it out of 2" thick stuff then.

The ability for the gong to move in a rearward motion only will really limit your sideways richochetts. This is done by affixing a welded single bar of material on edge to the rear of the gong and using it as the pivot arm.

Single chain hangers result in twisting and thus wild un predictable richochetts. Even double chain hangers will twist but not as bad.

Hord in your gongs with two simple piles of earth on each side, which are then tied into the rear back stop. The only thing that could leave the range would then be vertical richochetts, but if your fall out area is reasonable, the risk of this should be close to non existant.

A lot of inspected ranges are feeling the heat over gongs with the new range inspector actually looking at what they are templated for, a lot of creative solutions have come from this, as a result.