Dumb question maybe.

ShadeTree

Handloader
Mar 6, 2017
3,515
3,019
Is there a standard or typical size for a 200 yard gong? Was shooting my 98 Mauser 8x57 today, iron sights at 200 yds, and just curious if I'd of hit the gong every time.
 
No standard size that I know of. I've often thought about a 4 MOA target at any given range was pretty decent for sitting & prone, so 8" at 200 yards. But nothing wrong with a 12" gong at that range either - particularly if you're going to do some shooting from standing.

Some varmint at my old gun club put a 4" target up at 440 yards... That thing was tough!

Hmm, the PRS competitions probably have a standard target gong dimension for various ranges. They shoot gongs!

Guy
 
Good question , ask 10 people get 10 answers. Guy’s answer is probably the best. I prefer 2 MOA targets for given distance.
 
No standard size that I know of. I've often thought about a 4 MOA target at any given range was pretty decent for sitting & prone, so 8" at 200 yards. But nothing wrong with a 12" gong at that range either - particularly if you're going to do some shooting from standing.

Some varmint at my old gun club put a 4" target up at 440 yards... That thing was tough!

Hmm, the PRS competitions probably have a standard target gong dimension for various ranges. They shoot gongs!

Guy
Cool. Then I'd of hit it 5 out of 8. First 2 shots were within an inch of each other (probably dumb luck) but way low. About 12". Adjusted my hold up and the next 2 were 2" apart, still low about 5". Came up again on hold and had one higher but still under target, and one left that would've missed an 8" gong. Last two I finally put both on the plate I was shooting at, but by that time I was out of what I had loaded. :LOL:

I noticed before with I believe my 1920 savage that when I went to 200 I was way low. I think to keep the sight picture of your target everything is so scaled down at that distance you're holding low to see what's sitting above the sight. A simple adjustable leaf sight would be easier as you could jump up 2 or 3 notches for distance, then put it right back to where it was. Could do it with the receiver peep sight that's on this rifle, but would require some tools.

Fun sometimes to just shoot and not be worrying about tack driving results......isn't gonna happen at 200 with iron sight, at least not with me. Ha. Still fun.
 
I think my gong is 10 inches. To my eye a hit on the plate is in the kill zone of a deer. Doesn’t matter if its 100 or 400 yards. Hit the plate you hit the deer.

I use 8" or 9" paper plates for the same reason. If I can hit the paper plate, I can make a kill. With my traditional muzzle loader, from standing, it's about 80 yards. With my 25-06 it's about 400 yards from a decent rest.

Guy
 
The only problem Ive had lately is knocking my plate over. I’ve a great stand, 2x4 holds the plate 2 feet above the stand. 06; 338 Jarrett; 300wm every thing is fine. 375 keeps knocking the thing over. I find that interesting given the energy of the 338 jarrett compared to 300 or even 260 grain 375HH. Always somebody there wants to know what I’m shooting and can they shoot the plate with their gun. I get a kick out of their reaction when the 375 “kills“ the plate.
 
My first trip to Alaska, I was camped with friends near Brooks Falls, 1979 or so. One little store.

Me: "Why is a case of beer so expensive here."

Which was met with a tired look... LOL! Everything came in by air. Doh! Oh, had my first close encounter with a brown bear while walking back to camp with that case of beer towards dusk... He didn't mind me being around, but I won't forget it. Ha!

Guy
 
A steel range I shoot at a lot, has 5" and 10" steel starting at 200 yards and going to 1000 yards, with targets being every 100 yards.
A few caveats: There is also a bigger target at 500 yards, 750 yards, and at a grand, there is the 5" and a 12" or 14", then a bigger target.
Shoot what you have...
If you are training, use a smaller one, especially for cold bore shots when you don't have your wind figured out. It will teach you and humble you, as you go further out in distance.
 
The only problem Ive had lately is knocking my plate over. I’ve a great stand, 2x4 holds the plate 2 feet above the stand. 06; 338 Jarrett; 300wm every thing is fine. 375 keeps knocking the thing over. I find that interesting given the energy of the 338 jarrett compared to 300 or even 260 grain 375HH. Always somebody there wants to know what I’m shooting and can they shoot the plate with their gun. I get a kick out of their reaction when the 375 “kills“ the plate.
I killed a 100 yard gong with the 338 RUM 250 gr PT at 3100 fps and the 416 Weatherby 350 gr Mag Tip at 2984 fps.

JD338
 

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I killed a 100 yard gong with the 338 RUM 250 gr PT at 3100 fps and the 416 Weatherby 350 gr Mag Tip at 2984 fps.

JD338
3/8" or 1/2" AR-500 steel?
I usually start with steel at 200 yards, and more often at 300 yards
 
3/8" or 1/2" AR-500 steel?
I usually start with steel at 200 yards, and more often at 300 yards
3/8" AR500
They hold up to even the 338 RUM 250 gr AB at 100 yards but I typically just take a shot at 100 yards to check a zero. Most of my shots are at the 200 and 250 yard gongs which is about as far as I can shoot on my wooded property.
I'm fortunate to live 2 miles from the gun club where I can shoot 300 and 400 yards. I also have access to my buddy's farm where we shoot 525, 600 and 800 yards. That's pretty good shooting for Michigan.

JD338

JD338
 
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