Gongzilla! Giant 72×72? Three-Element Steel Gong

Rick, a Forum member from Louisiana (aka RMulhern), set up a great target for long-range shooting a few seasons ago. Rick, a long-time competitive Palma shooter, had a large 72?x72? Steel target with two separate center rings, which are equivalent to the official Palma/Creedmoor paper target. He claims that he has “shot a lot Palma on that target, along with lots of Black Powder Cartridges (BPCR) rounds”. Rick shoots his Sharps 45/110 BPCR at 800-1000 yards using the big steel target. Rick can see and hear his hits thanks to the large steel background (painted in white). You will be able to see the high-arching trajectory of 500+ grain projectiles shot out of a 45/110. It can take several rounds to get Point of Impact dialed. Rick reports: “These two rifles are my favourites to shoot: A M1874 Shiloh Sharps, caliber 45/110 (2/7/8), made in Big Timber by Kirk Bryan and his family. The other is a 6.5×47 Lapua mounted on a blue-printed, M700 action with a 1:8.5?-twist Krieger bar and F5 McMillan tactical stock. Many shooters who take up BPCR tend to abandon their smokeless powder rifles and switch to blackpowder. I find that I have the best of both worlds, as I enjoy both smokeless and BPCR shooting. However, I must admit that I spend most of my time at the range with Sharps rifles these day. Rick is quite proficient with his Sharps, having recently shot a 95 (clean), 96 (clean), and 100 (clean) for 3×10 shots at 800 meters. Gongzilla: $1000 worth of Steel with Three Layers
Rick says to us, “Here’s the deal! Everything is steel!” The large plate measures 72×72 The large plate measures 72×72 inches, while the black bull measures 44 inches. The diameter of the black bull is 44? The 20-inch diameter central white bull is made of AR400 bull-dozer plating. This is the same size as the regulation Palma/Creedmoor target paper. The black bull and white square are made of 3/8-thick mildsteel. Plates are offset 2? From each other. I welded a 2. Attach the length of square tubing to both plates. The bolt slides through the plate and is attached to it. I used 2/3/8? upset tubing (oilfield pipe) was used for the holder framing. Rick claims that he spent about $1000.00 on metal to make the target, but that was 15-years ago. Today, the steel would be more expensive. Rick claims that the AR400 armor plate in a center bull is very strong. “You can shoot a 200-yard.338 Lapua Magnum and it won’t damage the bull.” The mild steel is suitable for Rick’s Sharps 45/110 cast bullets. Rick also said that the mild steel is strong enough to withstand 6.5mm and match bullets made of.308 hollowpoint match ammunition, provided you are at least 500 yards away. Rick said that he would make the black bull AR400 if he could make it again. This way, you don’t have to worry about making big dents or beating up the plate at any distance. The AR400 is a very tough steel. The AR400 can be shot with a Sierra or Lapua HHP bullet and it will just splatter. Rick explained to us that he built the target using off-set clanger plates. AR400 is the white clanger. Bullets just splatter!” He doesn’t worry about hitting the bolt head. Not at all. Rick said, “When I hit a bolt head, I break the arm patting myself on my back!” “.