I've got an 8" AR500 steel target hung on chains that rings great. Bought an 18" AR500 (both are 3/8") thinking it would be louder, but it just thudded when hung on chains. Other than the difference in size, the 8" has holes 1/2" or so within the outer diameter. The 18" has "ears" with the mounting holes. I took the 18" down, and experimented with different hanging methods. Any bolt secured tightly in the ears seemed to really dampen the vibration. Ended up hanging it off of one ear, loosely suspended, on a fixed eye bolt. It is better, but still doesn't seem as loud as it should. I didn't have a shepard's hook to try, but I imagine it would allow the gong to vibrate nicely. I was tempted to cut the ears off, and drill a new mounting hole, but drilling AR500 can't be easy, and didn't want to toast the drill bits unless I had at least a little evidence that it would make a difference. Any thoughts?