Questions about shooting steel targets

LeviSS

LeviSS

New member
I'm looking to get some steel targets for some long distance shooting.

Ebay has some AR500 steel targets. The 3/8" targets aren't too expensive. I'm curious what calibers this thickness will withstand. For now, it will only be shot with .223rem, .243win, and maybe a buddy's .308win, if it will take it. What calibers would you not shoot it with?

They have thicker, but the price goes up pretty fast.

I'm trying to get some Canadian BMC armour plates - 3/8" thick 10" X 10", but the guy is being pretty slow to respond. They claim it's held up to calibers up to .338 Lapua.

I know they suggest you don't shoot it closer than 100yds.

What's the best way to hang it? Chains? Straps? Any creative or light stands. I was going to pretty much make a tall saw-horse and hang it in the middle, so it's portable.

I think I've read that some bullets are better for shooting steel without tearing it up. I know not to use steel core or jackets. Are balistic tips, hp's, or soft points better or worse than the other?

Any other miscellaneous tips/pics would be appreciated.
 
It will really depend on the quality/make up of the steel used...Evil Lurker is pretty much up on the different grades,,, You might send him a PM with the question..

I know some of the metal targets are like warm butter with a .223, regardless of the bullet type..

I had some portable target racks made for handgun practice and they hold up pretty good at those velocities, but a rifle will punch right through the frames with no problem..
 
Levi,
Do you have a steel supply business near you?
The one we have does fabrication work. They have circular, square and rectangle pieces of scrap metal that are the cut-outs (waste) of the real project. I've seen them in sizes from 2" dia to 20" dia. Same with the square and rectangles. Thicknesses have ranged from 1/4" to 2" thick. I buy it here for scrap steel prices of 25 cents a pound. I have about 16 targets of various sizes and thicknesses, depending on intended use. At those prices, you can afford to replace a target after it is shot up in a year or two.
Have fun with this, I love the sound of ringing steel!!!
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The main thing that ruins steel is velocity. High velocity is by far the most damaging. Caliber, weight of bullet, energy, all are distant seconds to velocity.

Jack
 
Check on Snipershide, there is a few people selling some AR500 steel targets at a fair price.


I picked up some steel targets about 3 weeks ago from the hide, I don't recall the steel, but they're around 3/8" thick.

Edit, I see we're talking about the same seller. He was VERY quick in responding to me. I think I picked up 5 with holes in them.

I also have two AR500 steel plates that I take a long to the g/f farm to plink on. They have held up great. .223/223ai doesn't even leave a mark.

I wouldn't suggest shooting AR500 with a .243/243ai @ 100yds. I had a few buddies who turned their AR500 targets into swiss cheese.
 
Far as hanging. I usually hang steel plates off of two T-post with chains. I try to make sure the plates are angled a little downward for safety. Have seen a lot of different ways to hang them. Usually some good pictures on the Hide.
 
No personal experience but read recently of a steel target seller whose AR500 wasn't. AR500-like ain't AR500.

I bought my steel at a local seller, not AR500 but 1/2" plate..hang with chain and shoot at 100 yards...223 pock marks a little. It will outlast this old man.
 
Its true that velocity is what does the damage. I found a round steel plate out in the sticks. 30-06 shooting 180gr from around 40 yards just splatted against the target. 45 gr. .22-250 made some nasty craters.
DaFUnk
For your own safety never shoot rifles on steel that close. I was young and DUMB
 
Here is a link to the guys I bought mine from.

http://www.metaltargets.com/SpinningTargets.htm

I am by no means a steel expert, actually I know very little about it. All I know is I have bought a half dozen or so off these guys over the last 7 or 8 years. All are still fine, and working well. But I am careful with them.

However I will admit that I use them mostly for 22LR and big bore shooting cast bullets. I shot some high velocity rounds at them. But nothing less than 300 yards in distance. Tom.
 
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http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1869012&page=1

I bought some steel from this guy. The price was pretty good. I couldn't find anything locally.

Superseal - have you shot this stuff yet? I hope it's as durable as he said. The guy got back to me and I'm sending the money order tomorrow. He didn't have any more with holes, so I had to get hole-less. I might try to drill holes and if that doesn't work, my uncle can cut holes in it with a torch. If I tried, it wouldn't be pretty...he's a pro.

I can't find anything on snipershide on this topic. Their search works about as well as the one on here. I haven't been hanging around over there very long.

I'm looking forward to it. I've never shot steel, or really long distance targets. I might try to cut a piece or two of this down for some smaller targets at closer ranges, and leave a couple 10"X10" for long range.

Truthfully, I'll probably be shooting them with a .22lr most of the time, and occaisionally break out the .223, .17hmr, etc.
 
If its armor plate or AR plate don't waste a second or a bit drilling. Either use a torch to make a hole, or on my AR targets, I weld 2 bolts a little down from the top. I usually use a 5/16" bolt as this will accept most chains. And by welding bolts to the back and using chain, you get a natural downward slant that helps sent jackets and lead down, not back at ya.
 
Here what i did for my hanging target. I went over board on my plate its all most 5 in thick but. it works like a charm and i can move it to where ever i want.
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Evil Cant recall right off the top of my head on the DIA its 16 or 18 in in DIA. i have a 440 lb winch over head and its all it wanted to lift it to mount on the frame. It would not lift it unless i started up from the ground and held the button down. If i stopped and tried to lift again it would not do it. She is built for life that's for sure.
 
You might want to weld a couple 1/4" plate deflectors over the tires before you put a piece of jacket through the sidewall.
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Just an idea.

18" diameter would be 360 pounds. Now you're talking.
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Don't take the corners too fast.
 
Funny you say that evil about covering the tires. I keep my spray paint beside the inside tire. Well the other day i was shooting the 223 at 200yrds and all the sudden the orange mist started spraying. Took me a second to realize what had happened. your right piece of jacket popped my paint can. I never thought about it when i was putting it together. But it was a spare of the moment deal any way. the little hook at the bottom is for a smaller 3 in plate for 400yrds and closer shooting. I just haven't got the smaller on on yet. the big one is for my 1000yrd shooting once i get everything all set up for it. You can sure hear the bullets blow up when they hit it. heres my back stop for papper punching its 1 inch thick back stop.
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