Train Rails
- Another Dang 9
- Master Poster
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:24 pm
- Location: The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
Train Rails
I'm looking to build a silhouette range in the North East but I'm having a hard time finding train rail for making stands. Does anyone have any info on where to find it. None of the rail lines will sell the used stuff.
Its a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milk bone underwear.
NRA Endowment Member
NRA Endowment Member
- acorneau
- AAA Poster
- Posts: 889
- Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2015 12:12 pm
- Location: Houston
Re: Train Rails
If railroad rail is too hard to obtain there are other options out there. Some of the more common versions I've used and/or seen:
- common angle iron used to build multi-level stands with integrated backstops.
- individual stands of rebar/pipe with a plate welded on top.
I'm sure others will pipe up with things they've used and/or seen.
Good luck building your range.
- common angle iron used to build multi-level stands with integrated backstops.
- individual stands of rebar/pipe with a plate welded on top.
I'm sure others will pipe up with things they've used and/or seen.
Good luck building your range.
Allen Corneau
-
- AAA Poster
- Posts: 863
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:37 pm
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Train Rails
Tomorrow I'll post the name of a used rail supplier we use. In the past we used 'grader blades'. Thet were used for both the stem and the plate cut to size of course. Anything less than hardened steel just doesn't last with high power or lever gun rounds. If possible look for siding as opposed to main line rail. Main line weighs 120lbs or more per yard.....siding rail is about 90 lbs. And its sold by the pound , starting at 10 cents per and up!!! And then shipping!
- Another Dang 9
- Master Poster
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:24 pm
- Location: The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
Re: Train Rails
Currently the club is using plow blades but we need a more sturdy stand. Train rail seems to be the preferred method.
Its a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milk bone underwear.
NRA Endowment Member
NRA Endowment Member
-
- Distinguished Master Poster w/Palms
- Posts: 2324
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2011 3:06 pm
Re: Train Rails
I'll second the rail. The rail is held up with regular pipe/steel and it's shot to hell, the rail is fine...
Emmett Dibble, Houston, Texas. Where's my buddy Jason? Keeper of electronic records and banisher of little pieces of paper?
- SteveD
- AA Poster
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:33 pm
- Location: Dayton, OH
- Contact:
Re: Train Rails
High Power, Smallbore or both?
-
- AAA Poster
- Posts: 863
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:37 pm
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Train Rails
Our rails use pieces of rails welded on for the supports and then set in concrete. The rails are upside down with the flange up They take a lot of pounding from high power, BPCR, and cowboy lever. Smaller hardened steel pads the size of the target feet are welded to the rail . For small bore mild steel is used....but that's on a dedicated smallbore range lest the boneheads take their high powers to them........yes boneheads ...they're everywhere. BTW...rail is hard stuff and requires preheating to get a good weld
- Another Dang 9
- Master Poster
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:24 pm
- Location: The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
Re: Train Rails
I'm setting up for HP.
Its a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milk bone underwear.
NRA Endowment Member
NRA Endowment Member
- SteveD
- AA Poster
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:33 pm
- Location: Dayton, OH
- Contact:
Re: Train Rails
Nice!!!Another Dang 9 wrote:I'm setting up for HP.
-
- Uber Master Poster
- Posts: 2746
- Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:34 pm
- Location: Casa Grande, AZ
Re: Train Rails
Rail for highpower with the rail head down.
When you make stands out of angle iron or plate, make sure they are solid enough so they don't vibrate and knock the other animals off. We made 3 level stands so we could shoot 40 0r 60 shot matched using the same firing points at TRC. Our stands were made out of material that was too light so we had to make another bullet deflector in front of the stands to take the initial shock of a bullet strike.
I also made a falling plate stand out of 2 pieces of 1/4 x 2 flat bar and welded the 2 together to form a V and not an L. The top is level and the leg going down deflects the low shots back into the berm behind the stand. It seems to cut down on the vibrations and the plates only fall when they are hit, not vibrate off. I made it for 22 rifle but it works for 9mm pistol as well.
When you make stands out of angle iron or plate, make sure they are solid enough so they don't vibrate and knock the other animals off. We made 3 level stands so we could shoot 40 0r 60 shot matched using the same firing points at TRC. Our stands were made out of material that was too light so we had to make another bullet deflector in front of the stands to take the initial shock of a bullet strike.
I also made a falling plate stand out of 2 pieces of 1/4 x 2 flat bar and welded the 2 together to form a V and not an L. The top is level and the leg going down deflects the low shots back into the berm behind the stand. It seems to cut down on the vibrations and the plates only fall when they are hit, not vibrate off. I made it for 22 rifle but it works for 9mm pistol as well.
-
- AAA Poster
- Posts: 863
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:37 pm
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Train Rails
A&K Railroad Materials.......they are on the web. Look at crane rail 104 lb etc. and we made a local contact through the Kansas city office.......
- Hotrodrockets
- A Poster
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2013 5:25 am
- Location: In a pasture with a donkey.
- Contact:
Re: Train Rails
Where? In Mass? I might have to arrange a trip.
If the Attorney General of the Comiewealth has not banned me also.
If the Attorney General of the Comiewealth has not banned me also.
Tennessee Sports Foundation President / Metallic Silhouette Society
-
- AAA Poster
- Posts: 863
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:37 pm
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Train Rails
MASS? Really.....KC is in MissouriHotrodrockets wrote:Where? In Mass? I might have to arrange a trip.
If the Attorney General of the Comiewealth has not banned me also.
-
- AAA Poster
- Posts: 684
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:07 pm
- Location: West Monroe, LA
Re: Train Rails
The OP is in Mass so I think Horodrockets may have been referring to Another Dang 9.Snake wrote:MASS? Really.....KC is in MissouriHotrodrockets wrote:Where? In Mass? I might have to arrange a trip.
If the Attorney General of the Comiewealth has not banned me also.
I am NOT Danny Hatch.
- Hotrodrockets
- A Poster
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2013 5:25 am
- Location: In a pasture with a donkey.
- Contact:
Re: Train Rails
yes OP's info says MA.
No such thing as High power Silhouette up there. It would be a breakthrough. Wether it is Ma, Nh, Me or VT. it will be a novel thing up there.
Otherwise you have to drive to Rigway.
I still get there back there from time to time. Makes me like Tn. even more every time.
No such thing as High power Silhouette up there. It would be a breakthrough. Wether it is Ma, Nh, Me or VT. it will be a novel thing up there.
Otherwise you have to drive to Rigway.
I still get there back there from time to time. Makes me like Tn. even more every time.
Tennessee Sports Foundation President / Metallic Silhouette Society