i have seen pictures of stands that stack the 10 animals; 5 on top and 5 on the bottom. A couple of the members of our club don't think they would be stable, and a shot that hit the stand may topple a wrong animal.

Anyone have experience with this type of stand, i see it as a great space saver. More shooters on the line at the same time. I have never seen any plans or material list. just a couple of pictures.

You got some information for me?

Joe Haller

I do not have any plans or material list- but having been at matches using both...

The stacked stands - for the size of metal used- are LESS prone to loose animals due to stand hits. Because the individual peices of metal the rails are made of are shorter, they are stiffer, and tend to vibrate less and at a higher frequency- which is less likley to vibrate the animals off.

I made a single level pig stand out of angle iron, and happened to put the two vertical legs at a nodal point. It would "ring" with a hit and you could watch the animals "walk" off. I went back and welded on more angle to make the middle in a "box" form, and this reduced it a lot- but the ends still have more vibration than I like. I was lucky it was for the pigs where the animal/rail hit is high...

Joe,
I do not have any plans but I have shot on a number of different range set ups.
Yes, the stacked versions take up less space and allow for more shooters, but I have shot a range where the shooters have less than three feet between rifle stands...not much room for a shooter to line up with the targets. Yes, I am aware that the rules call for greater distances between rifle stands but sometimes real estate is at a premium and the fact that the range even hosts matches is great.

If built properly the stacked stands work well, biggest issue that I have seen with them is ricochets knocking down another target, depending on how the stand is angled this can be compensated for by shooting one bank before the other, this frequently causes grumbling as to which bank is supposed to be shot first. Shooters tend to not like 'their' routine broken by shooting a different bank first.

I know that Alan McCullough (Pensacola FL) has built some very good stands (he does not get on SC often), the Gateway R&P (home of the Sunshine Classic, Jacksonville FL, cwdgun on SC), that I think Grit Preston built, and that Winnsboro GC ( home of the Southern Nationals, duckgumbo on SC), all have some excellent stacked stands, each being a slightly different design.

I'll see if I can get Alan "Mongo" to produce a set of drawings.

Innocent Mary

Joe

Check out the pics at this link

http://www.pbase.com/hardcase/smallbore ... tte&page=2

Our club uses double stack stands, and we have never had a problem with critters walking off. They are box type construction, and each can hold 4 banks. Don't have plans, sorry

Chris C

If you want to put a bit more into it, advise me and I'll get information to you on building resettable stands.

We've been using them here for years. They add significantly to down-range safety, reduce the length of the practice/sight-in period and allow you to run 60 shot matches in less time than you can run 40s with free-standing targets.

Target response is a bit different than what you see with free-standing animals but that IMO is a small price to pay for more safety and additional 'active' range time.

Nomad:

I would be interested in the information you have on building resettable stands.

Joe Haller

Joe,

They were designed and built by TXCharlie...who reads this forum (and posts on it) infrequently.

I'll phone him and find out if the website he set up is still operational or if he would prefer to contact you directly.

Some one awhile ago posted about a set that folds down to the ground for use on a multi purpose range. It also helps in keeping the mindless, that every club has, from destroying your stands by shooing HP rounds into them.

Thanks Bob, these are the ones Ralph designed for our club, and so far so good. The wings on the sides fold out to lay flat, so we can shoot prone matches over them. We used to use wood racks. (like the pistol rack on the right)

If you have stacked stands, you have to make them heavy so they don't vibrate. The ones at Raton arn't heavy enough and you can knock many animals off with ine shot.

Railroad rail is just about the best material you can use for stands. It will not vibrate. But you will have to weld pads to the rail to set the animals on.

I think I have pictures of the Pe Ell range where the Concard Cup is shot that show the railroad rails with pads welded onto them. I'm sure I'm not the only one with pictures of that range, but I'll try to dig them up tonight anyway.

Here are some Pe Ell pics...and I live in NH!









If fares are low...I hope to be there this year but it is a long haul!

Jud,
Remember to put your rifle in the car this time.

Innocent

The StLouis club used to have SB Silhouette matches on 2-level stands similar to those shown above. The stands were semi-portable (had to be moved with a tractor) so the range could be used for other purposes.

However, we have since moved to a different range at the club, which has permanent single level stands installed.

I don't know what has happened to the old stands, but my guess is that they are still stacked next to the clubhouse. I can get a contact name at the club if you are interested.

SteveM

Thanks Mary for the kind reminder! Actually, this time I will pack the car before I head to work....so there is no chance it gets left behind. But somehow, I don't think she would forget it either In fact, I getting the distinct impression they are going to let me go by myself this year due to the general chaos involved with moving 3 kids and two adults across the country....with family stuff and silhouette stuff. My luggage fees would be worth a 6th seat!

I should just leave everything at home and give Ernie ammo money. That would be cheaper (and likely hit more animals) than paying for checked luggage.