May 18, 2024

MGM Targets: Steel Challenge 2 Target Combo

Perfect for starting up (or adding to) your home range!


About MGM Targets:

MGM Targets has been creating world class targets since 1994. Their experience in both the shooting industry and steel fabrication enables application of this unique combination of knowledge to create products that are practical, affordable, and exceptionally durable.

They specialize in building targets, target systems, and structures to accommodate all calibers. They take hits from rimfire, up to 50 BMG Machine Guns, and everything in between! MGM Targets proudly manufacturers their products in the United States of America!


Professional Targets:

Hat Creek Rifle Plate Rack

MGM Targets see use by Military Units and Law Enforcement agencies across the US, and around the world. Constantly taking hits from 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges, and up to 50 BMG, MGM Targets are capable, durable, practical, and affordable targets for any training day in the field.

Many of their cataloged products are in constant use by the most demanding professionals and organizations on the planet. In addition, they have designed and built many custom targets to suit several customer’s specialized training needs.


Competition Targets:

Steel Challenge – Full Set of all 8 Stages

Competitors around the world use MGM Targets to hone their skills. When match day comes, many step up to the line and engage with MGM Targets during their runs. Their Poppers, Spinners, Whirley-Gigs, Plate Racks, and other targets are popular at many shooting ranges, both public and private.


Recreational Targets:

MLS Creatures and Shapes

Shooting is a lifetime activity and your steel targets should be there for you. That’s why MGM Targets are built to last a lifetime. Whether it’s a solo trip to the desert, or a group outing to the forest, MGM Targets accompany many shooters wherever they go. Great for training rifles, MGM Rimfire Targets are durable and will challenge and entertain the young and old alike!


Structures:

Live Fire Shoot House

MGM builds structures, which have see use by several of their Professional and Military customers. Multi-lane shooting ranges with all electric resetting, wirelessly controlled targets? Check! Need to practice breeching skills? No problem! Bullet traps for up to 50 BMG? Bring it! Don’t forget the completely modular SIMS house for force on force training! From the affordable Shoot House in a Box, to a seven story Training/Rappel Tower, MGM can consult, design, and build the perfect training structure for you.


What makes MGM Targets so Durable?

Know Your Limits Target System

Every MGM Center Fire Rifle Rated target is made from 3/8″ premium 550 Brinell steel, aka AR550. The equivalent of Armor Plate! Rim Fire series can have a thickness of 3/8″ or 5/16″ AR550 steel, and some Rim Fire targets are 3/16″ AR400 steel. The hardness ratings are required to be certified to insure the longevity of every target that leaves their facility.

For over 20 years, MGM Targets has grown to be one of the most well known brand of steel targets in the world by setting new industry standards in quality and innovation. They are preferred by every branch of the US Military, many Law Enforcement agencies, various State Governments, several US Government Departments, and top tier sport and competitive shooters internationally.


Steel Challenge 2 Target Combo – 10″ Hex With MLS 2″x4″ Cap & Base + Sportsmans Auto-Popper Colt Speed Plate Set:

10″ Hex + Auto-Popper

Perfect for starting up (or adding to) your home range! After moving onto a piece of land just big enough to allow me to build my own range – you can bet your last brick of primers that’s exactly what I did! I wanted some variety and the ability to have something portable. This allows me to re-arrange my targets as I add more steel and further develop the back yard shooting galley.

Breaking in the 10″ Hex Plate

At the time of acquiring this set of steel, my only target was an 8″ gong from Birchwood Casey. It was a great start, but, it was only one. It has a rating of AR500 steel, which is sufficient for most rifle cartridges, moving at your standard “ball ammo” type velocities. That being said, there was some small cratering being cause by fairly mild 223 reloads. I thought that was silly, and wanted some better targets that I could keep on my range for many years to come.


A Great Addition To Any Range

This 2 Target Set comes with a very sturdy base and mounting system that use a 2″x4″ board of a length of your choosing. The 10″ Hex Plate shape is a signature of MGM Targets. They are made of AR550 steel and can withstand everything I have tried to shoot at it(when hit at specified distances and velocities).

They’re great for pistol practice, and allow for a quick target picture when painted in contrast to your environment. Once you have a few of these, you can have multiple heights set up at different distances to allow for different points of aim and target acquisitions. Set up one behind the first and practice “hostage” drills.

Auto-Popper vs 45 Colt

The Auto-Popper

The Auto-Popper has quickly become a favorite of mine, as well as many of my friends and viewers. This one requires staking into the ground, whereas the 2″x4″ base could stand firmly on its own. It is a very short target, just over 12″ in height at the peak of the target face.

It doesn’t quite “ring” as loud as a normal steel target, but seeing it get knocked over when delivering the perfectly placed shot is something to see. A very clear visual indication of making a hit!

With pistols, you have to have a hot enough load, and hit it very precisely, to get the knock down and pop up action. Hitting these with a rifle will get a pretty decent reaction out of them as well!

300 Blackout 150gr FMJ vs MGM Targets at 50 yards

Durable AR550 Steel

These are very durable when used as specified. I have fired 22 Long Rifle, 9mm, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 223 Remington, 300 Blackout, 308 Winchester, 350 Legend, 35 Remington, 40 Smith & Wesson, 450 Bushmaster, 20 Gauge, 12 Gauge, and probably a hand full of other cartridges at these targets over a 4 month span (and still going strong) since receiving them.

You have a high chance to pierce them with steel core penetrator silly ammo, since that is what that ammunition is made to do. High velocity rifle ammo also has a chance to penetrate or ricochet, so they recommend a maximum 2800fps muzzle velocity inside of 200 yards.

Pistol Cartridges can safely be fired at 15 or more yards. Any closer, and you run the risk of causing indentations, and in turn, potentially dangerous ricochets to the shooter, surrounding range goers, or nearby property.

They have held up better than other brand targets rated at AR500 hardness (thinking of you, Birchwood Casey). Overall, I will highly recommend MGM Targets to anybody interested in building or upgrading their range. These are sure to impress!

Initial Review and First Impressions