shooting steel targets question

brentsurace

brentsurace

Private
Minuteman
Aug 1, 2011
53
0
43
Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA
underwater-vertigo.blogspot.com
#1
Happy Saturday All,

I want to get some steel for targets but since I work at a bank I have no idea of what type or thickness or hardness or whatever I would need to try to find, to prevent for example a rifle round plowing right through the steel. Is there a gauge or thickness that can take both pistol and rifle rounds? if so what are the specs that I would need to relay to someone in a steel shop?
I am looking for a few circle targets to hang by rope or chain for basically all normal calibers of hanggun and longgun.
Also is there a minimum safe shooting distance for shooting steel?

Any help you all could offer would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.
 
#4
Re: shooting steel targets question

AR 500 steel, 1/4 or 3/8 thickness

Rifle - 100 yards away
Hand gun - 15 minimum as long as the target is angled downwards or swings to stop ricochet.
 
#5
Re: shooting steel targets question

AR 500 is your friend.

There are several vendors here that offer pre cut targets for a modest price. A local steel shop may be required to purchase an entire SHEET of AR500 if it's not something they normally carry and the cutting of AR500 is best left to those that have the right tools as opposed to just a plasma cutter.

Cheers,

Doc
 
#6
Re: shooting steel targets question

MGM targets has monthly specials and free shipping, might take a look at them and AR500 @ 3/8in is the standard, 50cal targets are 1/2in, I have a few of there targets that I shoot with 5.56 at 50+yds and 300winmag at 200+yds haven't shot them any closer than that, but no dents no dings... like em a lot
 
#7
Re: shooting steel targets question

Rifle or pistol, I use ar500 steel that is 3/8 thick that hangs on a swinging platform. I shoot my 308 at 100yards and doesnt make a mark hardly, and pistol doesnt stand a chance.

Dunno about your area, but I can get a 30x30 sheet of it for around $15 bucks...
 
#8
Re: shooting steel targets question

For swinging targets, 3/8" AR500 will work fine for rifle and pistol. If you are hard mounting them (bolting them down) then you will get longer life out of thicket plates before they warp. You also want to make sure the design will allow you to flip the plates backwards.

AR400 is cheaper but WILL NOT work for rifle. I have a plate with holes blown through it from a .308.

Mild steel works for pistol, but will get chewed up over time. Our pistol training targets are mild steel and look like ass after years of use.
 
#11
Re: shooting steel targets question

I have some 3/8" AR500 that have stood up to 30 rounds of a .50bmg and hundreds of round from my .308 at 600 yards and is still doing well. i say that should be sufficent for anything .308 or under
 
#14
Re: shooting steel targets question

Sorry to hyjack the thread, I have a question regarding 50bmg and steel targets.

Will AR500 withstand a 50bmg? And what's the closest distance I could shoot at it. 300, 500 yards? I'll be shooting 650gr fmj and 750gr Amax.
 
#16
Re: shooting steel targets question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outlaw45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry to hyjack the thread, I have a question regarding 50bmg and steel targets.

Will AR500 withstand a 50bmg? And what's the closest distance I could shoot at it. 300, 500 yards? I'll be shooting 650gr fmj and 750gr Amax. </div></div>

Outlaw,
Look on big dog steel's web site. He has a video of a guy blasing one of his Ar500 targets with a .50 BMG @ 600 yards and it don't do sh%t to the steel. Not sure about closer shot. Contact them- I'm sure he will know what a .50 will do to it at what ranges.
 
#19
Re: shooting steel targets question

For the .50BMG you would need 5/8" AR500 for about 800 to 900 yards and closer. You can use 1/2" but it will start bending.
1/2" would be good for 900 yards and further. 3/8" for 1 mile and further.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outlaw45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry to hyjack the thread, I have a question regarding 50bmg and steel targets.

Will AR500 withstand a 50bmg? And what's the closest distance I could shoot at it. 300, 500 yards? I'll be shooting 650gr fmj and 750gr Amax. </div></div>
 
#22
Re: shooting steel targets question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: inalabama</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ARNTZEN CORPORATION

1025 SCHOOL ST
ROCKFORD, IL 61101
(800)821-3475

</div></div>

Do they sell/make targets?
 
#23
Re: shooting steel targets question

3/8" AR500 suspended by chain takes a 130gr VLD @ 3000fps from a 260 Rem at 100yd with not so much as a dimple on the steel.

Wouldn't try it with anything 300 RUM or larger that close, of course...

jcvibby here on the 'Hide is who I bought my steel from and he's GTG! http://www.jcsteeltargets.com
 
#28
Re: shooting steel targets question

Mild steel works fine for 500+ yards. It holds up to a ton of abuse from 308, 223, 6.5 CM, 6.5x47, 270s and similar rounds. Inside 500, I wouldnt advise it. Best thing about mild steel is that its a hell of a lot cheaper. 100% ispc in 3/8" for $60, 1/2" for $75.
 
#29
Re: shooting steel targets question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: okrebel92</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Best thing about mild steel is that its a hell of a lot cheaper. 100% ispc in 3/8" for $60, 1/2" for $75.</div></div>

Where? I'm needing some steel for 1000yds and beyond. Thanks.
 
#30
Re: shooting steel targets question

Local steel yard here in oklahoma. I know there used to be a good steel yard just south of the AFB there in abq. (I used to live in rio rancho west of their new high school) Steel prices vary by area but I cant see it being too different. Roughly $12 a square foot for 3/8" and roughly 14 a square foot for 1/2"
 
#32
Re: shooting steel targets question

You absolutely want AR500 steel, cut with a plasma cutter. When you cut with a torch, it kills the hardness of the steel. MGM makes 50BMG targets and they make nothing buy quality targets. The guys and gals at MGM are very good people and offer deals every month, just give them a call.
 
#33
Re: shooting steel targets question

I asked a few places in Australia for AR 500 steel and they said they have never heard of it.

The strongest they said they have is high tensile 350 at 20mm thick.

Does anyone know how good the high tensile 350 is?
 
#34
Re: shooting steel targets question

Ask for steel with a hardness of BHN (Brinell Hardness Number) 500. Otherwise, just ask them for the hardest steel they have and try it out. I'm not sure how easy it would be to have a US company ship you some steel, but that would probably be quite costly.
 
#35
Re: shooting steel targets question

I looked into postage and it is 3 times more expensive then the item itself. I'm being hit up for $200.00 for mild steel without any mount or holes drilled and am considering canceling my order if the steel is just going to have deep pits in it.
 
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