I built a dueling tree last week and was able to test it out this morning with a friend of mine. Neither of us had been to the range in over a year and I forgot how fun it is! We brought:
2x AKs - 7.62x39
Tavor X95 - .233
Russian M44 - 7.62x54R
Various Pistols - 9mm, .40, and .22
Here is the tree I built:
Here are some observations from today:
1. 100 yards is a lot further than I remember. The tree looks tiny out there and with irons sights we missed more than we hit. The tree took hits from 7.62x39, .223, and 7.62x54R at 100 yards and the plates held up great.
2. I bought a 75rd AK drum mag a few years ago on a whim and never used it. I had to watch a youtube video to figure out how to load it but it's worked great in both AKs. Will bring again for sure! First time shooting my VSKA AK and I have mixed feelings. The sights don't seem close to accurate and the rifle stock makes my cheek sit low, I need to investigate further when I have more time at the range. I have a MAK90 AK so I know this isn't anywhere near the quality of the MAK, but still fun. I put probably 350 rounds through it without any function issues at all, in fact the heat from the barrel was getting so hot that I had to put it down. haha
3. Here are the first couple hits with 7.62x39 at 100 yards. The plates are 3/8 AR500 steel, supposedly what they armor the humvees with. The stand I built is 3/8 cold roll steel which took a beating but didn't penetrate. We both decided that in a SHTF scenario we will both aim at arms and will probably hit dead center. haha.
4. Here is the tree on the 25 yard range after it had been hit with mostly everything. Still holding up well.
5. The center upright took some hits but nothing went through. I think that big crater is a 7.62x54R from 100 yards.
6. Here is worst looking plate at the end. This includes 7.62x39 and .223 at 25 yards.
I have some adjustments to make, those big bottom plates won't flip unless you hit them on the outer edges but other than that, it's fun! The pistol cartridges wouldn't move any of the plates at 25 yards. I'm going to try adding some oil where the steel goes into the brackets and see if that helps.
2x AKs - 7.62x39
Tavor X95 - .233
Russian M44 - 7.62x54R
Various Pistols - 9mm, .40, and .22
Here is the tree I built:
Here are some observations from today:
1. 100 yards is a lot further than I remember. The tree looks tiny out there and with irons sights we missed more than we hit. The tree took hits from 7.62x39, .223, and 7.62x54R at 100 yards and the plates held up great.
2. I bought a 75rd AK drum mag a few years ago on a whim and never used it. I had to watch a youtube video to figure out how to load it but it's worked great in both AKs. Will bring again for sure! First time shooting my VSKA AK and I have mixed feelings. The sights don't seem close to accurate and the rifle stock makes my cheek sit low, I need to investigate further when I have more time at the range. I have a MAK90 AK so I know this isn't anywhere near the quality of the MAK, but still fun. I put probably 350 rounds through it without any function issues at all, in fact the heat from the barrel was getting so hot that I had to put it down. haha
3. Here are the first couple hits with 7.62x39 at 100 yards. The plates are 3/8 AR500 steel, supposedly what they armor the humvees with. The stand I built is 3/8 cold roll steel which took a beating but didn't penetrate. We both decided that in a SHTF scenario we will both aim at arms and will probably hit dead center. haha.
4. Here is the tree on the 25 yard range after it had been hit with mostly everything. Still holding up well.
5. The center upright took some hits but nothing went through. I think that big crater is a 7.62x54R from 100 yards.
6. Here is worst looking plate at the end. This includes 7.62x39 and .223 at 25 yards.
I have some adjustments to make, those big bottom plates won't flip unless you hit them on the outer edges but other than that, it's fun! The pistol cartridges wouldn't move any of the plates at 25 yards. I'm going to try adding some oil where the steel goes into the brackets and see if that helps.
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