As a followup to my recent article, “Why You Should Be Shooting Steel Targets and Some Guidelines“, I wanted to give you a review of the Rogue Shooting Target Kit – 3/8″ AR500 Steel Gong 10″ Target & Tension-Mount Stand.
I want to thank Rogue Shooting Targets in Oregon for sending me their AR500 Steel 3/8″x10” Target and Stand Kit for this review. They are a respected AR500 Steel target manufacturer, and I wanted to see their target firsthand and try it for myself.
I bought and added my 2x4x8 wood support and shot the steel target with about 200 rounds using a variety of pistols with various barrel lengths and calibers. I shot my Sig Sauer Elite P226 SAO 9mm, my Glock 17 Gen5 9mm, my Sig Sauer 1911 C3 SAO .45ACP, my Walther PPQ M2 full-size 9mm, and my Smith-Wesson M&P Pro full-size 9mm. Rogue Shooting Products offer a variety of shooting products and here are some of them below. This Rogue Target Tension Mount with Spring shown below softens impact and is angled down.
Types Of Rogue Shooting Targets And Products
- AR500 Steel 3/8″ Gong Targets
- AR500 Steel 1/2″ Gong Targets
- Round and Square Targets
- Silhouette Targets
- Reactive Popper Targets
- Steel Challenge Sets
- Plate Rack Targets
- Swinging Targets and Stands
- Tension Mount Targets and Stands – soften impact due to spring; quicker followup shots
- Separate Tension Holders, T-Post Brackets, etc.
- Separate Various-Sized AR500 Steel Plates
- AR500 Steel Target and Stand Kits
- Custom AR500 Targets and Stands
Rogue Shooting Target Kit – 3/8″ AR500 Steel Gong 10″ Target & Tension-Mount Stand Specifications:
| Ninja Column 1 | Ninja Column 2 |
|---|---|
| MSRP - Kit As Tested | $164.95 - Limited Time Website Price |
| Other | Made in U.S.A.; Custom Targets Made; Buy Target Plate Only or Stand, Holder, or Kit Only |
| Weight- Shipping | 32 Pounds Kit as Tested - Free U.S. Shipping |
| Use - Per Manufacturer | 3/8" Tension Mount Plates for use with Pistols and Rifles; Up to 3,000 f.p.s. Velocity & 3,500 ft.lbs. Energy Impact |
| Target Hanger - Holder | Tension Mount Holder Tested; "T" Post Hanger Available; Heavy Duty Metal; 1.330"x1.190"; Designed to Fit Steel Targets with .530 Square Hole Cut for Carriage Bolt |
| Target And Stand Finish | Durable Powder-Coated |
| Stand Dimensions | 27" x 29.5 "; Strong Supportive Base |
| Stand Material | Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Tension Stand and Holder; Powder Coated for Protection |
| Target Mounting | Tension Mount with Spring Allows Fast Target Changes; Aids Disassembly; Enhances 'Ring' |
| Target Height | Height Set by Customer's 2"x4" Wood |
| Target Material | AR500 Heavy Duty Steel; 3/8" Thick Tested; Heat Treated for Through Hardening & Severe Impact; Certified Laser Cut; Abrasion Resistant Steel for High-Wear Applications |
| Targets Shapes - Styles Available | Round Gong Tested; Available: Silhouette; Round; Square; Gong; Reactive Poppers; Plate Rack Targets (for pistols AND rifles) |
| Target Plate - Sizes Available | Reactive Steel Plate- 3/8"x10" Tested; Available: 4" to 24" Diameters; 3/8" and 1/2" |
| Description - Target Size Tested | AR500 Steel Round Gong Target & Stand - 10 Inch Target Size; Tension-Mount Target |
Rogue Shooting Target Kit Key Features:
- Steel Target Hardness – High-Grade Hardness of 470-550 Brinell Hardness (BRN); the Harder the Target – the safer and the more the bullet vaporizes upon impact (not typical 265 BRN)
- Instant and quality target hit feedback both audio and visual confirmation
- Steel targets can be shot on both sides because of no bracket welds
- Smaller 2″ width front edge of wood faces shooter, not 4″ width, so less chance of damage
- FREE U.S. Shipping
Conclusions & Recommendations
I was not disappointed in the Rogue Shooting AR500 Steel Round Gong 3/8″x10″ Target and Stand Kit. Overall I shot about 200 rounds with my 9mm and .45 ACP handguns at 13 to 15 yards and had no craters and no pitting. The face of the gong was smooth, with its hits. I was impressed, especially compared to some other milder steel targets I have shot.
Also, I had no spatter hitting me at my 13 yards shooting distance. I was safe. The base of the stand did have a lot of spatter, and the base’s paint was chipped a lot. Better there than dings in my body. Ha!
I like shooting AR500 hardened-steel targets for my handguns, primarily because of the instant audio feedback and I like that “ring” sound. And it saves me from frequent trips down range to change and paste targets. When I am ready for a new target after a lot of hits, I simply get my white, or bright orange spray paint can and quickly spray over the hits.
After shooting at the end of the day, I again just pull out my 11-ounce can of gloss Rust-Oleum Bright-Orange Fluorescent or white enamel spray paint and spray the steel to cover up my previous hits. Only about $3.00 a spray can, also protects against rust, and as Sherlock says “Elementary my dear Watson.”
This Rogue Shooting Kit was excellent and met all my expectations. Nothing beats the sound of 100 “ringing” hits in a row… well, make that 8 or 10. I look forward to more “ringing” and Practice.
The Rogue Steel AR500 heat-treated, hardened targets are very sturdy, quality made and certainly will last a very long time, especially if shooting only pistols at them, like my 9mms up to 1,500 fps and .45s up to 1,000 fps.
Using their fine target, I experienced no pittings and no craters so far shooting about 200 rounds of my 9mm and .45 ACP handguns straight-on at 13 yards with this Rogue 3/8″ AR500 Steel 10″ target and Steel Tension Mount with Spring Stand. The 3/8″ thickness steel target works for both pistol and rifle rounds.
I do not regularly shoot rifles, so did not use this Rogue Kit for my rifles yet, but it should work for velocities less than 3,000 fps for rifles up to 7.62. This AR500 Steel Rogue Shooting Target and Stand Kit for my pistol practice is excellent, durable, easy to assemble, and is portable. My wife had trouble lifting it, and it was a little heavy, but I was able to put it in my SUV without problems. I just removed the 2×4 wood support. It is very reasonably priced on the Rogue Shooting Targets website at about $165., made in the U.S.A., and you get FREE shipping. Some similar Kits sell for up to $200 or a little more.
Special Discount Code
Rogue Shooting Targets has offered a 10% Special Discount through July 31, 2018, for their products. When ordering online or by phone (see contact info below), mention Col Ben or use the following discount code to receive 10% off of your purchase.
Discount Code: ColBen10
Without a doubt, I recommend this Rogue 3/8″ AR500 Steel Round 10″ Gong Target and Tension-Mount Stand Kit. Consider getting this reasonably-priced steel target system for your handgun practicing.
Just be sure to follow recommended distances, velocities, and guidelines for your safety, target durability and reduced pitting. Ensure the target face is angled downward to help deflect splatter toward the ground. And do not shoot steel-core hardened bullets. Always wear your ANSI Z87.1 Certified Eye Protection when shooting steel or any targets, along with your ear protection and appropriate clothing to avoid injuries. BE SAFE!
Continued Success and SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS!
Contact
Rogue Shooting Targets, LLC
541-840-3981
Medford, OR 97501
Photos: By Author and Rogue Shooting Targets, LLC.
* This personal opinion article is meant for general information & educational purposes only, and the author strongly recommends that you seek counsel from an attorney for legal advice and your own personal certified weapons trainer for proper guidance about shooting & using YOUR firearms, self-defense and concealed carry. It should not be relied upon as accurate for all shooters & the author assumes no responsibility for anyone’s use of the information and shall not be liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information or any damages or injuries incurred whatsoever.
© 2018 Col Benjamin Findley. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part by mechanical means, photocopying, electronic reproduction, scanning, or any other means without prior written permission. For copyright information, contact Col Ben Findley at [email protected].
