What Makes This Dueling Tree Different
Eight reasons it outperforms anything else on the range.
100% AR500 Steel
Abrasion-resistant hardened steel takes direct hits without flexing or denting.
100% Zinc Plated
Resists bullet strikes and spall, and protects the steel even when scratched — so it will never rust.
Proprietary Spring Paddle Toggles
Eliminate phantom hits and stuck paddles for clean, reliable scoring every time.
Adjustable Lean Angle
The adjustable front leg dials the lean from 5° to 30° to tune paddle action to your load.
Fits 3" to 8" Paddles
Run any combination of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 inch paddles for endless setups.
1/8" to 1/2" Thickness
Matches any weapon from rimfire pistol all the way up to centerfire rifle to 2,100 ft-lb.
Two Ways To Play
Go conventional with same-size paddles, or Know Your Limits style (8/7/6/5/4/3) for a tougher challenge.
Tool-Light Breakdown
Splits into two pieces with just two bolts — trunk to range in five minutes or less.
Read this if you're confused about what paddles to choose.
Common questions about dueling Tree Paddle Selection
Proper paddle selection is essential for dueling tree to work as intended.
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FPE stands for Foot Pounds of Energy. The higher this number, the heavier a paddle your bullet will be able to spin reliably.
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Five Most Popular Handgun Rounds
(with typical muzzle bullet energy)
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9mm Luger — 300 – 400 ft-lbs
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.45 ACP — 350 – 400 ft-lbs
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.22 LR — 80 – 135 ft-lbs (pistol / short range use)
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.380 ACP — 180 – 220 ft-lbs
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.38 Special — 200 – 300 ft-lbs
Five Most Popular Rifle Rounds
(with typical muzzle bullet energy)
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.22 LR — 120 – 145 ft-lbs (rifle / short range); drops to 70 – 100 ft-lbs at 100 yards (long range)
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.223 Remington / 5.56 NATO — 1,100 – 1,300 ft-lbs
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6.5 Creedmoor — 2,200 – 2,600 ft-lbs
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.308 Winchester — 2,400 – 2,800 ft-lbs
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.30-06 Springfield — 2,700 – 3,200 ft-lbs
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Yes—as long as you're far enough away that, at the point of impact, the bullet's energy is below 2,100 ft-lbs and its speed is below 2,850 fps.
The spine of this dueling tree is made from 3/8-inch AR500 steel, rated for a maximum impact energy of 2,100 ft-lbs. Exceeding either limit will damage it:
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Too much energy (over 2,100 ft-lbs) can dent or deform the steel.
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Too much speed (over 2,850 fps) generates enough heat at impact to pit the surface.
When shooting high-powered rifles, pick a distance where the bullet's remaining energy and velocity have both dropped below these thresholds.
The farther downrange you are, the more both values fall.
Staying within these limits protects the target and keeps it durable for the long haul.
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No, doing that is a recipe for disaster. As the table explains, you need to have a minimum energy to swing any given paddle. No amount of tuning can make a paddle weigh less.
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If bullet energy is over 1,200 ft-lb, it's a good idea to opt for 1/2 in thick paddles. They are heavier and will not swing over as violently when hit.
This is especially true for the smaller paddles that already have less mass.
This results in less shaking because the paddles swing slower and put less force into the tree when they reach the limit stops on the opposite side.
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Because tiny light paddles and high-powered rifles are incredibly hard on pivots, attachment points and mechanisms.
Forces on components are exponentially lower if we keep the minimum target weights where they are currently.
This ensures the targets will last a lifetime provided they are used within posted recommended use guidelines.
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It takes under 6 minutes to swap all paddles. Watch this video to see how easy it is to remove and install the paddles. https://shootingtargets7.com/products/dueling-tree-target#play-video
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That depends on what you're shooting, but you must not shoot any AR500 with a bullet moving faster than 2,850 ft/s or you will pit the steel.
If what you're shooting is faster than 2,850 ft/s, back up until it's not. This is your minimum safe distance.
Also ensure you are within the rated energy capacity of the targets you are shooting.
1/8" 150 fpe
1/4" 700 fpe
3/8" 2100 fpe
Because the spine of this dueling tree is 3/8 inch AR500, it is not recommended for you to shoot it with rifle rounds in excess of 2,100 ft-lb of energy.
Estimated Minimum Energy [FPE] to Reliably Flip Paddles
Foot-pounds (ft-lb) of energy required to reliably swing each steel paddle over.
| Paddle Size | 1/8" AR400Max 150 ft-lb | 1/4" AR500Max 700 ft-lb | 3/8" AR500Max 2,100 ft-lb | 1/2" AR500Max 2,100 ft-lb* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3" | 31 | 74 | Not Available | Not Available |
| 4" | 46 | 109 | Not Available | Not Available |
| 5" | 66 | 156 | 258 | 369 |
| 6" | 89 | 211 | 350 | 501 |
| 7" | 95 | 280 | 464 | 663 |
| 8" | 115 | 356 | 589 | 844 |
All values in ft-lb. Figures are minimums for reliable knockover and include a safety margin for off-center hits.
*The spine of this dueling tree is made from 3/8" AR500 steel and is rated to a maximum impact energy of 2,100 ft-lb. Rounds that exceed this limit will damage the target.
🎥 DUELING TREE VIDEOS 🎥
🙋♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
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I continually update our products based on customer feedback. It's something that I've always done and something I always will do.
Although the last version of this tree did perform well, in my opinion it was overly complex, had far too many pieces, and because of this was necessarily more expensive than I would have liked it to have been. I was getting a fair amount of pushback on the price that I had to charge for this product, and knew I had to come up with a better solution.
I recently developed our new Climb to Glory Challenge Target and came up with a new paddle mechanism (patent pending) that worked so well there that I had to move it over to this product as well. This change resulted in this tree having 60% fewer parts than the previous version.
Performance and durability are improved, and the cost is significantly lower as well.
I stand behind this Improved version of this dueling tree, just as I stand behind all of our products with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.
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TLDR: AR500 Steel Tree (Shooter Benefits)
AR500 costs three times more than A36 mild steel often used in cheap dueling trees. AR500 features 5 times the strength and every part of our dueling tree is constructed from it. Our tree offers unmatched shake-free free stability due to its superior rigidity.
The proprietary over center toggle spring assemblies eliminates paddle shake, phantom swinging and stuck paddles. No other tree at any price has this.
The spine withstands rifle hits up to 2100 ft-lbs., supports 4 inch up to to 8-inch paddles in any thickness for versatile training, and provides unmatched versatility. The portable, split-mast design simplifies transport and setup, making it a durable, high-value choice for serious shooters.
AR500 Steel Tree: Superior Strength Justifies the Premium
Our steel tree is crafted entirely from AR500 steel—mast, paddles, and legs—unlike budget trees using mild steel.
While AR500 costs three times more than mild steel, its exceptional benefits deliver unmatched performance and durability, fully justifying the investment.
Why AR500 Steel for Every Component?
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Unmatched Rigidity for Stability:
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The 3-1/2 inch wide, 70-inch long, 3/8-inch thick AR500 mast, paired with AR500 legs, boasts four times the tensile strength of mild steel. This eliminates shake, even with heavy paddles swinging at high speeds, ensuring a rock-steady shooting platform.
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AR500 legs enhance stability, preventing wobble or tipping on uneven ground, unlike weaker mild steel or aluminum supports.
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Exceptional Durability for Long-Term Savings:
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AR500’s superior strength withstands direct hits from centerfire rifles up to 2100 ft-lbs of energy (speed below 2850 fps at the steel). Every part—mast, paddles, and legs—is built to endure intense use without damage.
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Its abrasion-resistant properties resist wear from repeated impacts, reducing maintenance and replacement costs compared to mild steel, which deforms or fails faster.
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Versatility for Advanced Training:
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The AR500 structure supports up to 8-inch paddles, a feature no other tree offers, enabling diverse target setups for professional and competitive shooters.
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Precision Performance:
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The rigid AR500 framework, combined with overcenter paddle toggle spring assemblies, delivers crisp, responsive paddle movement, enhancing accuracy and feedback critical for skill development.
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Additional AR500-Driven Benefits
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Portable and Durable Design: The AR500 mast splits in half for easy transport, a first-in-class feature that balances portability with uncompromised strength. AR500 legs ensure quick, secure assembly.
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Uniform Excellence: Using AR500 for every part eliminates weak points, unlike trees with mixed materials, ensuring consistent performance across the entire structure.
Why the Higher Cost Pays Off
The threefold cost of AR500 steel over mild steel reflects its premium quality, delivering:
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Unrivaled stability for reliable shooting.
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Long-lasting durability that outlives cheaper alternatives.
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Versatility and precision for advanced training needs. This all-AR500 tree is an investment in performance, reliability, and longevity, offering unmatched value for serious shooters.
Choose the all-AR500 Steel Tree for a superior shooting experience.
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I poured my heart into perfecting this, and I’m beyond thrilled with the result!
I shoot my personal 4 and 6 paddle dueling trees on my range often and absolutely love them.
I’m so confident you will too, that I’m backing it up with my personal ironclad guarantee: Love it or I’ll buy it back, I'll even cover return shipping!
I'm super comfortable doing this because I honestly feel this is the best and most versatile dueling tree available at any price, and it's not even close.
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All parts are available separately and are priced reasonably. You should never need any parts, but if you do, you'll be taken care of.
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Since we don't know what paddles you might choose the weight will be given without them.
⚖️ Without paddles, the tree weighs 47 lbs and is (easily broken in half by loosening 2 bolts)
for weights with paddles, see the image above.
🙋♂️FAQ
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This target is easy to move, breaking down in 30 seconds into pieces under 35 inches—fits any car or truck. Lightweight when split, simple to store, and quick to assemble.
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The dueling tree includes a toggle spring for reliable paddle action across most uses.
Its front leg is adjustable for tuning the tree’s angle from 5° to 25° for perfect paddle swing.
Optional stiffer or softer springs can fine-tune action, but the standard spring suffices.
The spring toggle keeps paddles secure, preventing unwanted swings from nearby hits, unlike other designs.
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For reliable dueling tree action, tune paddle weight to your shooting setup.
Our tree is less angle-dependent than other designs, but it still needs proper tuning:
Issue 1: Paddles don’t swing when hit.
Cause: Paddle too heavy or lean angle too steep.
Fix: Use smaller/lighter paddle, weaker spring and or reduce lean angle.
Issue 2: Paddles swing too hard, shaking the spine.
Cause: Paddle too light or lean angle too shallow.
Fix: Use larger/heavier paddle, stronger spring and or increase lean angle.
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TL;DR: You can leave this tree outside forever and it will never rust.
Zinc plating outshines paint/powder coating for shooting targets: tougher against bullet hits, self-protects steel from rust even when scratched, low-maintenance, and cost-effective long-term.
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Durable: Zinc fuses to steel via electroplating, resisting chipping unlike paint/powder coating. Handles direct bullet hits without breaking down.
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Rust Protection: Scratches don’t expose steel; zinc sacrifices itself to prevent rust, unlike chipped coatings.
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Low-Maintenance: Withstands bullet/spall damage, needing minimal upkeep compared to frequent repainting.
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Cost-Effective: Higher initial cost but lasts longer, saving money on repairs, especially for outdoor/busy ranges.
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Estimated time: Under 30 minutes.
See assembly video for more info;
Bare minimum;
You can assemble it this way but it will take awhile
to tighten the nylock nuts.
Fortunately, you only have to assemble it once.
🔧 5/8" wrench
🔧 3/4" wrench
🔧 5/32" allen wrench
🎥 VIDEO GALLERY