We mostly used 1/2" steel plate for a gong. Burned two holes on one edge and hung them from a frame using # 11 wire. Left a coil of wire laying on the ground out there by the gong, so anyone could rehang it if it was shot down. We replaced them quite often, because we shot them with .300 Weatherby and such. Our gong was located 330 yard out, and usually we painted them orange. It is indeed fun to shoot at such things and hear the bullet hit through the ear muffs. It is quite an impact.

We started out with two gongs; one 1' square, and the other 2' square. As time went by we ended up only having a 1' gong. Once we salvaged a chunk of steel 1" thick and around 8" square off the job, and this one lasted for a long long time. It seems to me if one was shooting only muzzle loader at the gong it would last awhile.

It was fun to repaint the gong upon arrival, and be able to see the exact point of impact through a spotting scope. It was also fun to shoot at the gong with .44 hand guns; was good instruction for long range shooting.