Tom's target(ry)

bowji john

Well-Known Member
Just received and set up some of Tom's Targets

A Fallow, a Red deer and a Roe.

Additionally two torso targets with the 'head of a terr' off to one side

They are cracking bits of kit

Now I've got to work out how to make best use of them on the range

j

 
Out of curiosity I set up a 6mm mild steel target at 100m

The kind of target I reserve for .22LR

I shot a single .223 40 grain homemade ELDx round at it

Now I know, from past experience what GGG will do, but I was curious to see what a hunting round might do

hmmm

Back to hardox 500

The 6mm plate might has well have been a piece of A4 paper
 
Just received and set up some of Tom's Targets

A Fallow, a Red deer and a Roe.

Additionally two torso targets with the 'head of a terr' off to one side

They are cracking bits of kit

Now I've got to work out how to make best use of them on the range

j

"cracking" is what I found alright, huge chips blown off on first use with mild .222 loads the 2nd time i purchased from him.

Response was to shoot them from further away, no offer of return, no offer of replacement, just suck it up.

The previous batch I bought from him were great, no problems the 2nd batch were clearly not the correct BN hardness, he explained he now has better QC and sends a slip with minimum ranges for respective calibres. I certainly wont buy from him again. If I'd bought with a credit card I'd have lodged a claim, lesson learnt.
 
even hardox 500 can be damaged obviously , speed kills steel targets so a 223 could do more damage than say a 45/70

keep your ranges sensible and you should get loads of use from them

the biggest issue used to be hanging them but there is dedicated systems now
 
Just noticed cracks emanating from the outer of the upper suspension holes on a circular gong I only mount using the central rectangular hole with his stand (if you understand that). Gong has had less than 20 hits and none near the cracks. Typically used at approx 175m with .243, .270 and occasionally .308 - all copper. Pictures appended below.

Disappointing............

IMG_6308.jpegIMG_6309.jpeg

Like @Loler UK 's experience, the Stalking Show tilting muntjac "special show deal" is perfect and has taken far more shots without issues. Seems to be issues with certain batches perhaps.
 
Does copper do more damage because it (possibly) deforms more slowly than jacketed lead, so concentrates the point of impact more? Probably rubbish?

David.
 
Just noticed cracks emanating from the outer of the upper suspension holes on a circular gong I only mount using the central rectangular hole with his stand (if you understand that). Gong has had less than 20 hits and none near the cracks. Typically used at approx 175m with .243, .270 and occasionally .308 - all copper. Pictures appended below.

Disappointing............

View attachment 409550View attachment 409551

Like @Loler UK 's experience, the Stalking Show tilting muntjac "special show deal" is perfect and has taken far more shots without issues. Seems to be issues with certain batches perhaps.
The sharp corners are stress raisers. A few radii would have helped there.
 
The sharp corners are stress raisers. A few radii would have helped there.
Agreed, but there should be minimal strain at those points due to the way it's suspended and the plate's dissipation of the energy. I'm strongly suspecting these are locked in stress from the plasma cutting of the holes............... :-|
 
Just noticed cracks emanating from the outer of the upper suspension holes on a circular gong I only mount using the central rectangular hole with his stand (if you understand that). Gong has had less than 20 hits and none near the cracks. Typically used at approx 175m with .243, .270 and occasionally .308 - all copper. Pictures appended below.

Disappointing............

View attachment 409550View attachment 409551

Like @Loler UK 's experience, the Stalking Show tilting muntjac "special show deal" is perfect and has taken far more shots without issues. Seems to be issues with certain batches perhaps.

I’d say that whatever cutting method they’ve used for the hanging holes has caused the material around there to become brittle. Either that or the batch of hardox they’ve used for that has had a dodgy heat treatment (unlikely). Sharp corners with no rads can also propagate cracks. One for a metallurgist.
 
Just noticed cracks emanating from the outer of the upper suspension holes on a circular gong I only mount using the central rectangular hole with his stand (if you understand that). Gong has had less than 20 hits and none near the cracks. Typically used at approx 175m with .243, .270 and occasionally .308 - all copper. Pictures appended below.

Disappointing............

View attachment 409550View attachment 409551

Like @Loler UK 's experience, the Stalking Show tilting muntjac "special show deal" is perfect and has taken far more shots without issues. Seems to be issues with certain batches perhaps.
Mine has chips in the centre of the target, no wear near the mounting holes

Shame he's not got the scruples to own up to it and take it up with his suppliers instead of passing it down the chain.

Id guess the operating under multiple trading names on multiple platforms should have been a giveaway as to the type of trader he is.

Perhaps he was financially restricted at the time and might choose to right those wrongs when he has the means? I assume he's on SD?
 
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