Steel targets for 338 lapua

[DrDeath]

What’ is the best steel
To use for a target gong/ swinger for a 338 lapua?

 

[Huskydriver]

Ar500

 

[DrDeath]

Anything AR500. Thanks

 

[6.5SH]

Shooting Targets 7 - Target Selection Guide

Don't Pay Too Much - Easily pick the right thickness of AR500 targets for your needs. Read on to save money and grab the targets that are best for you.

shootingtargets7.com

 

[Broncovan]

A stated already. AR500.
3/8" or 1/2" preferably for a 338. Distance is your friend, I ask guys shooting something that big to stay away from anything under 500 yards. Depending on your mounting system, 300 yards is doable, but it's hell on the hardware and shortens the life of your steel.
I use 1/2" grade 8 bolts and blue 3/8" rigging chain hung from drill stem pipe.

 

[GAl08]

I have basicly the choice of regular steel at work from 1/4'' to almost 1'' thick, or hardened steel to the same thickness. I'm thinking the regular would be alot better then the hardened stuff. What do you guys think?

 

[sinister]

You'll want the hardened steel. T-1 (for armor) or Abrasion Resistant (AR) 500.

At least 5/8-inch inside of 500 yards.

 

[Broncovan]

With something like a 338, you're going to punch right through 1/2" mild at 500 yards. Thicker stuff is going to get hammered and have massive craters if it doesn't go all the way through. When stuff gets pockmarked like that it gets dangerous with all kinds of ricochets coming off of it.
Hell, 223 will punch right through 1/4" mild steel at over 100 yards.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

I just replaced a 10" x 1/2" AR 550 steel plate which was showing pretty bad damage from 338+ at 200 - 500 yards. I replaced it with an SR500 10" x 3/4" plate and it showing great promise. I would suggest you run either AR550 or even better an SR500 at least 3/4" thick. 1/2" didn't last 1 year for me.

 

[Shoots 700's]

AR 500 hung from conveyor belt or fire hose

 

[fpgt72]

AR 500 hung from conveyor belt or fire hose

I like to use chain, it seems to swing more.

 

[fpgt72]

I will add this as we are talking steel. I suggest getting everything the same, or at least marking it so you know what is what. Really sucks to blow a hole clean through one of your hand gun targets thinking it was good for rifles. On swingers the pistol targets get a chunk of wire run through the links of the chain used to hang it. This way I know if it has wire on it, that is only a hand gun target. It will stay fairly well if the wire is woven through the links of the chain then tied to itself again. I usually do it at the top where it hangs, not much danger up there.