Steel targets

[Scott-ak]

We have our own action steel target range at the house that only see pistol caliber rounds. We use some of these targets at an adhoc range for longer range using 556, 308, 6.5 etc at 400 - 600 yds . The trouble is setup and retrieval. They have to be packed in and packed out by hand. We are in a WWII slot style coal mine. We have room to go 800 and maybe 900. The mine is public land and used by a fair number of shooters. We want to setup at max distances and leave the targets but I do not want to leave my AR500 plates out there. Not for fear of someone taking them, they just cost too much to 'donate' for the cause.
We'd are thinking about packing in some A36 plate and leaving it set up. I'm sure some of the 50cal shooters will tear it up but what's the crowds opinion, will it hold up long enough to make it worth while?

 

[SKWERLZ]

Not sure of the hardness but a buddy uses welded up railroad tie plates and they hold up to my 7mm pretty well, I’d think if thick enough A36 should be fine at 500+.
In situations like that I don’t paint them and make them a bit obscure.

 

[powderbrake]

Having worked in the target manufacturing business, I strongly recommend you do NOT use A36 targets.
They will crater at the hit, and then they will ricochet back at the shooter. They are DANGEROUS !!

 

[Scott-ak]

Having worked in the target manufacturing business, I strongly recommend you do NOT use A36 targets.
They will crater at the hit, and then they will ricochet back at the shooter. They are DANGEROUS !!

I understand what you are saying and have seen it and been hit at close range. But ricochet 800 yards? Even AR500 craters. We eventually have to turn them around. My thought is that as long as the bullet fragments it will have lost it's energy before it travels too far. I don't know how hard the rock is in the mine but I'm sure it's causing ricochets too

 

[Scott-ak]

Not sure of the hardness but a buddy uses welded up railroad tie plates and they hold up to my 7mm pretty well, I’d think if thick enough A36 should be fine at 500+.
In situations like that I don’t paint them and make them a bit obscure.

I've used those for other things like grinder stands. It's pretty soft steel

yeah natural or green would help