Dueling Tree

I put one of these together for centerfire pistol and it was a blast to shoot. So I build one for rimfire. I used a lot of scrap, otherwise it would run ~ $175, plus $40 more for rimfire paddles. If there's any interest, Ill post how I did it.

Game is to clear your side first.

This was a draw. https://youtu.be/1hvFPF8i0pA Stock up on ammo. Please no comments on my poor marksmanship.

Great Karma!

Make a Texas Star next.

And yes tell us how you made it.

I would love to know how to make one cheap. My buddy and I shoot at the house all the time and would have a blast with this.

I would be interested. I am about to build one, and still engineering the over center deal. Did you use a positive stop, to keep the paddles from bouncing back?

I bought this kit on eBay, six 6" paddles, 3/8" thick AR500 steel. $100. Includes six 4" pieces of DOM pipe. (DOM pipe doesn't have a seam in it). You could buy the pipe yourself, but enough to make the tree is ~$22. Pipe is 1.25" x 1/8". The seller's paddles were symmetric and fairly smooth. I was happy with the quality. http://www.ebay.com/itm/181945627491?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I came back and bought paddles for .22 rimfire, $40. http://www.ebay.com/itm/181950736972?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Material list: Prices are approximate from the Metal Supermarket, others may be cheaper. I used a lot of on-hand material. Most of my measurements were driven by scrap pieces.

Welder or friend with one required.

For the upright: a 6' piece of 1.5" x 1.5" x .25" angle iron, $29. 1.5" is best. I built the first one from 2" angle, it sweeps the paddles back farther.

The base can be built many ways (most less expensive). You could get a longer upright and pound it into the ground. Here's one that's solid and the upright is removable:
A 10" piece of 2" square tube 3/16" thick. $20
A 1/8" thick piece of steel bar 4" x 8". $12
An 8' treated 2x8 board $9, eight 1.5" x .25" lag screws $4, six 2.5" x .25" lag screws $3.

Total cost $172, plus $40 more for the .22 rimfire kit. There's a no-weld kit on eBay for $199 that might be okay.

With a sander or grinder, smooth the top end of each piece of pipe. With a grinder, round over the square edges on the bottoms of the paddles. Otherwise they'll dig in when hit and gouge the pipe making it harder for the paddles to swing. I had to go back and resmooth the pipe after I figured this out.

Starting 2" from the top of the angle iron I welded the tubes with 4" spacing. Leaves 22" at the base. The kit says you need 6" spacing, you don't, but lay it out and make sure you can get the paddles in/out before welding.
https://www.mdshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=204873&stc=1&d=1494463713
I cut the 2" square tube so it holds the upright at a 15˚ angle. That worked well. You can always raise/lower the back of the platform if 15˚ isn't right. You want the angle for two reasons. 1) It deflects the bullets down. 2) It will keep the paddle from swinging to the other side and bouncing back. But, with the rimfire tree, I needed the upright almost vertical to work, maybe 5˚ lean. You cut the square tube corner to corner, not side to side. Prop it up on edge.

https://www.mdshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=204874&stc=1&d=1494463721

Weld the 2" square tube to the center of the 4" x 10" plate. Drill eight 5/16" holes in the base plate to attach it to the 2x8 with lag screws.

https://www.mdshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=204875&stc=1&d=1494463730

Cut the 2x8 into 3 pieces. Approximate measurements in the pictures.

https://www.mdshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=204876&stc=1&d=1494463752

I cleaned the steel (acetone) and painted with Rustoleum flat black. I paint and touch up the paddles. Rustoleum flat white works best, fluorescent colors don't seem to cover well.

Shooting distance is at your own risk. For handguns, I've seen 10, 15, and 20 yards listed as minimum distance. Rifles usually say 100 yards. Search around and decide what's right for you. We were 10 yds, probably less. I did not try the 3/8" paddles with AR-15s, but I plan to. Will report back

BossmanPJ said:

I would love to know how to make one cheap. My buddy and I shoot at the house all the time and would have a blast with this.

Click to expand...

By the end of the weekend the ground was covered with brass. Everyone was inspired.

Thanks a lot CSHS

Just what I needed; another bill, another toy, and another project all in one fell swoop

Seller accepted my offer of $73 http://www.ebay.com/itm/252909791500

This is great!! Thanks so much, I will definitely have to give this a try. I even have a buddy welds so that'll make less work for me haha.

Super cool and I think I can handle those welds. I may have to make one!

Well done, those are awesome! Thanks for sharing.