Quick answer: a dueling tree is a steel target with six paddles that flip from one side of a center post to the other when you hit them. Two shooters stand side by side on the same firing line, each "owns" one side, and the first one to send every paddle to the other shooter's side wins. With a non-magnum pistol, stand at least 10–15 yards back (25 yards for magnums, on the 3/8" rifle tree only), wear eye and ear protection, and use a shot timer or a range officer to start each round.
Our Dueling Tree is one of the most fun pieces of steel you can bring to the range. It turns ordinary practice into a head-to-head game, and it keeps scoring honest: every paddle is either on your side or it isn't. Here are the games we like best, plus the setup and safety rules that make them work.
Dueling tree games at a glance
| Game or drill | Shooters | Rounds (typical) | Skill trained | Target needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic duel | 2 | 6+ each | Speed under pressure, follow-up shots | Dueling tree |
| Best of five | 2 | Varies (several duels) | Consistency, managing nerves | Dueling tree |
| Reload duel | 2 | 6+ each, two magazines | Fast, clean reloads | Dueling tree |
| Steel-then-tree | 2 | 7+ each | Transitions between targets | Dueling tree + one gong per shooter |
| Solo clear | 1 | 6+ | Raw speed, target-to-target movement | Dueling tree + shot timer |
| Ping-pong | 1–2 | As many as you like | Accuracy on small targets | Dueling tree |
How a dueling tree works
Our tree stands 5 feet tall and carries six 6" round paddles on a vertical post. When a paddle is hit, it swings over the top of the post and comes to rest on the opposite side. There's nothing to reset between rounds. Whatever lands on your side is the next thing you have to shoot.
That's the whole trick. If your partner hits a paddle you just sent over, it comes right back to you. A match can swing back and forth for a while, and that pressure is exactly what makes the tree such a good trainer. You have to shoot fast, but every miss gives your opponent time to catch up.
We build two versions, both in SR500 ballistic steel made for targets:
- Pistol Dueling Tree: six 6" paddles in 1/4" SR500, made for non-magnum handguns and .22 LR only.
- Rifle Dueling Tree: six 6" paddles in 3/8" SR500, built to handle rifle rounds at proper distance.
The base is heavy and stable (the whole tree weighs about 85 pounds), but it still breaks down for transport. When paddles finally wear, you can swap them with our replacement dueling tree paddles instead of replacing the whole target.
Setting up for two shooters safely
"Dueling" is about the paddles, not the people. Both shooters stand next to each other on the same firing line, facing the same direction, with the tree centered in front of them. Nobody ever stands on the "other side" of the target.
- Distance: non-magnum pistol shooters stay at least 10–15 yards from the tree. Magnum handguns (.357 Mag, .44 Mag) go on the 3/8" Rifle Dueling Tree only, at 25 yards or more. Rifles need at least 100 yards on 3/8" steel (200 yards for loads over 3,000 fps at the muzzle, including many 55-grain 5.56 loads, and more for very fast varmint rounds). Magnum rifles (.300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, .50 BMG) aren't recommended on 3/8" steel. The post is rated for non-magnum handguns only, so keep rifle and magnum handgun shots on the paddles. See our guide on how far away to shoot steel targets.
- Ammo: standard lead or jacketed only. Never steel-core, armor-piercing, green tip, tracer, incendiary or steel shot.
- Spacing on the line: give each shooter a few feet of elbow room so ejected brass and muzzles stay out of each other's space.
- Backstop: set the tree in front of a dirt berm, on level ground, with no rocks or hard surfaces around it.
- Protection: eye and ear protection for both shooters and everyone watching.
- A clear start and stop: use a shot timer's start beep or have a third person act as range officer. Everyone unloads and shows clear before anyone walks downrange.
Our safety information page covers the full list.
The games
1. Classic duel
Set three paddles on each side. Both shooters start at the low ready, or holstered if your range allows it. On the beep, each shooter tries to push all six paddles to the other side. The first shooter with an empty side wins. Run it with a full magazine so nobody runs dry in the middle of a close round.
2. Best of five
Same rules as the classic duel, but the first shooter to win three rounds takes the match. Switch sides of the line between rounds so nobody gets a permanent advantage from the sun, wind or a sticky paddle. Longer matches show who stays accurate once the adrenaline wears off.
3. Reload duel
Load only two or three rounds in your first magazine and keep a full one on your belt. You're forced to reload in the middle of the race, under pressure, with your opponent still shooting. It's one of the fastest ways to find out whether your reloads hold up when it counts.
4. Steel-then-tree
Set one gong or popper for each shooter, downrange on that shooter's own side of the tree, so neither shooter ever swings a muzzle across the other's lane. On the beep, each shooter must ring their own gong before they're allowed to shoot the tree. This adds a target transition and a little movement of the eyes and gun. An Elite Series Gong or an Elite Series Popper works well here.
5. Solo clear
No partner? Put all six paddles on one side and clear them against the clock. Write down your time and try to beat it. A timer's split times also show you where you lose time: usually on the first shot or on a miss and recovery.
6. Ping-pong
Slow it down. Pick one paddle and send it back and forth, taking turns. Each shooter gets one shot per turn. Whoever misses first loses the point. It's a relaxed accuracy game that's great for newer shooters and for warming up.
Common mistakes
- Standing too close. Being closer feels faster, but it's the quickest way to take fragment splash. Stay at least 10–15 yards back with a non-magnum pistol, and 25 yards with a magnum.
- Chasing the swing. Shooting at a paddle while it's still flipping wastes rounds. Let it settle, then hit it.
- Starting with no clear signal. "Ready, go" with no timer or range officer leads to false starts and arguments. Use a beep.
- Using the wrong tree for the gun. The pistol tree is 1/4" steel for non-magnum handguns and .22 LR only. Bring the rifle tree for rifle and magnum handgun days.
- Shooting worn paddles. Check paddles before each session and replace any that are pitted, cracked or bent.
What to buy
Start with the Dueling Tree and keep a set of replacement paddles or a replacement post on hand for high-volume use.
To build out a two-shooter bay, add an Elite Series Gong for transition drills, the Texas Star for moving-target practice, or a Speed Rack with six 8" plates for side-by-side races. Mark your hits and refresh faces with target paint.
Browse everything in our steel target collection.
FAQ
How many paddles are on a dueling tree?
Ours has six 6" round paddles, three per side at the start of a classic duel.
How far away should you shoot a dueling tree with a pistol?
At least 10–15 yards for non-magnum handguns with standard lead or jacketed ammo. Magnum handguns need 25 yards and the 3/8" rifle tree. Closer than that, switch to paper.
Can you shoot a dueling tree with a rifle?
Yes, our Rifle Dueling Tree uses 3/8" SR500 paddles. Stay at least 100 yards back (200 yards for loads over 3,000 fps at the muzzle, and more for very fast varmint rounds), skip magnum rifles like .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua and .50 BMG, and keep your shots on the paddles, since the post isn't rifle rated.
Do the two shooters stand on opposite sides?
No. Both shooters stand side by side on the same firing line. Each one shoots the paddles on their own half of the tree.
Do I need to reset a dueling tree?
No. Paddles just flip to the other side, so you can keep shooting round after round.
Planning a two-shooter setup? Contact us and we'll help you pick the right tree and targets for your range.