Bell Target Project

[rnabholz]

I was recently reading about bell targets and since I am always looking for a way to make plinking more fun "for the kids" ;^), thought I would see what I could put together.

Needed a bell to get started. I cruised eBay to see what was out there, and found a great old fire alarm bell that I was able to pick up for about $10 shipped.

Messed around in the garage for a couple of nights and came up with this so far. All hand tools, and not especially good ones at that, coupled with C grade skills on my part, but we have a working unit.

Still need to decide how to finish it - not sure if I want to put back and sides on it yet, probably will, but hate to dim that great clang.

Maybe some paint too.

Will probably add a pipe flange on the bottom so that I can make a stand for it from a pipe and base with a flange.

The aperture is 3/4" for now. I plan to make additional smaller apertures by welding smaller washers to the center washer - just need to find someone to do the welding. The center washer can be switched out with the two screws. The big one will make it more rewarding for the kids you know.... ;^)

The large washer on the front is 4 inches in diameter and quite stout, don't think pellets will touch it.

Made a great clang on the couple of test shots with 2 pumps in a Crosman 1377.

Looking forward to getting it in service and ringing the bell.

[Cptjbud]

Hey, nice idea - and good work from where I'm standing  

[wrnchbndr]

Thats a cool idea.The only thing that would concern me is pellets returning at the shooter. I've had 'em come straight back at me from things alot softer than those washers.

[rnabholz]

Always pays to be concerned with safety, and the point you raise is valid.

With that in mind, there is a long tradition of shooting bell targets, most of them with steel faces, in the pubs of England from 6 meters.  While one can never say never, the reports seem to indicate that the pellets pancake and fall to the floor when they strike the face plate.

Common sense can guide the day, Eye protection, moderate powered guns, lead only pellets and shooting distance of 6 meters minimum should substantially reduce or eliminate any risk of injury.

For what it is worth, I anticipate shooting at this target no closer than 10 meters and only with 400-650 fps pellet guns.

Thanks for the interest,

Rod

[gene_sc]

Great idea there. I love coming up with new ideas for targets. That is one of the best ones I have seen yet. When you have perfected please make me one.. hehe  Just kidding

That is something I may be able to work on for the upcoming SC Fun Shoot.   What outside diameter is the bell itself?

Thanks for sharing. I love it.

[rnabholz]

Thanks Gene.

The bell is 6" in diameter.

Some other measurements while I am at it.

The face is 6" square.

The base is 6' x 8".

The large washer on the front is 4" diameter (probably can't get this a the corner hardware store - try a farm supply store or Tractor Service Center store - just a couple of bucks)

The inner washer is 2" in diameter with a 3/4" hole.

Rod

[VINNY]

That is cool! Looks like a fun project!

[bcshooter]

 :Ingenious idea, looks like it will last a few thousand shots......Shoot Safe and Enjoy......Bill

[robbo1103]

Way cool project.  Need to work up something similar.

[dk1677]

Looks very good! Very clever!

[MichaelM]

Very Very cool!!! would make a fun feild target target!!!!!

[rnabholz]

Made some progress tonight.

Made the stand. - 2x4's, two pipe flanges and a piece of black pipe.

Added some feet to the target so that it can sit flat when off the stand (the pipe flange to attach it to the stand caused it to rock).

Ordered the reducers from SteelPlinkers.com.

I think it is ready for a test this weekend.

Rod

[eegarciajr]

Now that looks like a fun time right there!!!!!

Great job.

[Pete]

now that pretty kool....
way better that my bits of pipe on strings...
Build a box one with a diffrent size target on each side..

[rnabholz]

Took the bell target out this morning for the first field trial and am happy to report it performed with flying colors.

At 10 meters with a Crosman 1377 pistol and an Izzy 46m the careful shooter was rewarded with a great clang with each successful shot.  Shots impacting on the face pancaked and left no lasting evidence of their impact on the washers.

For the extreme trial, I moved the target back to 30 yards and shot at it with my scoped RWS 54 in .177 cal. With this gun, shooting JSP Exact Heavies, shots impacting on the face vaporized in a cloud. The target on the stand moved only the slightest bit, but most importantly there was no false clang from the bell.  Shots that hit true produced a clear, loud, obvious clang even from 30 yards away. Again, like with the lower powered guns, there was no damage from shots impacting on the face.

The ringer shows no signs of wear, just some remnant lead, that wiped right off.  The bell's finish is untouched by the ringer, so the impact force is not out of the range of bell's capabilities.

Couldn't be more pleased.  Ringing that bell is darn addicting, just one more shot, just one more shot......

Highly recommended!

Rod

[s10gto]

Gee Thanks Thats all I need is another project.

Just kidding Awesome Idea! I got to make me one!

If anyone needs me I'll be on e-bay.  

[belltarget]

Brilliant design

[redone1992]

Great idea

[SAADE]

Very Nice Work!

How about another one with a top and bottom bell? The Top bell is a high ocatve sound and the bottom Bell is a low ocatve sound? Dinng / Donng, Dinng / Donng, and see if you can shoot, reload and keep the sounds going before the first Bell sound dies?

Will look for your pics on Monday! LOL

[EJB]

I second the brilliant idea.