Steel for 2300 yards ?

[t_brooks]

Need some input on steel for 2300 yards. I was hoping mild steel may be able to be used at that range to help keep our cost down but weight is also a priority for transportation. Would something like 1/4 AR500 be the best option or do I need 3/8. Main rifle used on it will be a 375 Snipetac with solids.

 

[Mooncake]

338 Lapua bounces off of 1/4" AR500 at 1000yds without any pitting so I think at that range your bullet will be slow enough to not damage it.

 

[jasent]

At 2300 1/4” mild will be good. It will dent pretty good which helps spot impact as it knocks off more paint than ar500 will.

 

[Lynn Jr]

We are using AR500 gongs for our 2000 yard matches about 3/8 inch thick
With over 1000 hits from 6 Dasher to 50BMG we have zero dents or cratering.
The gongs weigh right at 118 pounds each

 

[t_brooks]

We are using AR500 gongs for our 2000 yard matches about 3/8 inch thick
With over 1000 hits from 6 Dasher to 50BMG we have zero dents or cratering.
The gongs weigh right at 118 pounds each

I figured 3/8" woul be a safe bet. Do you have or know anybody that has tried 1/4" at that range with the bigger toys?

 

[Lynn Jr]

We have a shooter who posts here as WhiteMamba who uses a thinner gong for practice. I don't remember the thickness.
Kurt from www.lvsteeltargets.com posts here and he shoots his big 50 at all the long-range matches maybe he will post.

 

[Bravo6niner]

I figured 3/8" woul be a safe bet. Do you have or know anybody that has tried 1/4" at that range with the bigger toys?

1/4” ar500 is working perfect at 1580-2000 yds for me with 33xc, 338 lapua, and 300NM. No dents or cupping at all

 

[jaybigboy34]

1/4” ar500 is working perfect at 1580-2000 yds for me with 33xc, 338 lapua, and 300NM. No dents or cupping at all

How does the 33xc compare to the 338 lapua so far?

 

[acudaowner]

get a thicker version of one of these metal plates



and you could really be playing some music while shooting just an idea

 

[Bravo6niner]

How does the 33xc compare to the 338 lapua so far?

So far I’m liking it. Pretty substantial gain in velocity over the lapua. Still working on load development but I’m getting close. Waiting for a decent day to send a few 285 flatline at 2000yds. 300 Berger’s hit with authority at 1580-2010 yds !!!!

 

[Mooncake]

I spoke to a vendor here on the Hide via email today from whom I get my steel about at what targets I can throw 50BMG. He thought that 1/4” AR500 would not do well against 50 at 1000yds but would probably be fine past 1200 or so, fwiw. I would be surprised if anything is harder on steel than that. Although I guess it’s velocity that defeats steel so maybe I’m wrong.

I’ll be upgrading my 1000 yd target to 3/8”, which he thought adequate, putting the existing 1/4” at 1400 or thereabouts.

 

[Diver160651]

Spend the money on 1/4” AR500.

The much lighter weight is far more reactive than using 3/8 - so seeing the shimmer of the plate impact is easier in the scope unless the mirage is running high. It also produces a better frag signature in the dirt. I am not sure itvitvthe combination of the hard surface and movement but it does especially with solids- solids have a crappy frag signatures as it is.

Hang the plate so it swings freely and you can even use it closer with a 375.