Use a target like that ... better watch out for ricochet.

Gotta love the steel targets. But damn I thought my head threw some reflection

When steve shoots that target...is it suicide or murder?

Mercy killing.

Mmmmhmmmm. Noted.

Love my JC steel targets. They ring so very nicely.

Vern Fonk lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like some fun shooting. I am not a fan of the 2x4 being directly in line with the plate, but I can see the draw for simplicity.

Agreed. My biggest concern is that it will limit the motion of the plate; it swings back a few inches, but then hits the 2x4.

I'm considering trying to rig a cross-bar at the top and hanging two targets, one out to each side. However, that adds another level of complexity . . . and by "complexity" I mean a lot more to haul to the 200-yard line during a cold range. :(

Which is where the steel toed boots will be needed. On that long walk to the 200-yard line. ;)

Wah Wah

I have built a couple several more than two hanging steel plate targets... I kind of do it on the cheap, so none of them has been perfect. I use what I have laying around in the shop.
My suggestion is amateurish and adds something new, therefore more complexity and possibly heavy, but it -might- solve the issue of falling your timber with the occasional low shot.
Generally, the errant shot is going to be within a foot or so of the bottom of the plate, I think. Close, anyway.
So... a piece of angle iron about 18" long with the base of the angle facing the shooter would deflect low shots sideways. Where I shoot, 45 degree deflection wouldn't endanger anything, but something to think about there in the big city.
The angle iron will eventually wear out, especially if shooting steel core stuff, but welding fixes holes so easy. Shooting the hell out of it in one session still likely wouldn't make it collapse.
Picture an 18" piece of angle iron with two 6" allthread pieces welded an inch in from each end, and corresponding holes drilled through the 2x4, nuts and washers attached at the back of the 2x4.
Could drill holes through the angle, but then the heads of the bolts are exposed. They make a nice target, those bolt heads.
This Bitch'll weld one up and bring it up north when I make my trip near the end of next month if you'll drill the holes through the 2x4's. Or if that's a bit too much for a city dweller, I'll bring my cordless yellow tool and an appropriate sized bit... or heck, maybe easier just to bring a 2x4 up with the test angle iron already attached.

See, cmica? This is why.

The wood WILL get shot. Even with angle iron, some yayhoo will try to take it down.

lets sight in my 308