Trying to set up a steel target

[ericbc7]

I have 2 rifles I want to set up for long (810 meters/ 880yds or 1/2 mile). one is a Tikka Hunter stainless 30-06 and the other is a Tikka Sporter .223.

Both are capable of sub 1/2 moa.

so i go to the local scrap yard and find some clean steel 12"X24" plates about 3/8 inch thick and they turned out to be asme se 240 steel (stainless steel heat resistant).

I tried to cut holes in the plates and melted the drill bit after 2 holes. tried to burn holes with torch and no go. Welded some nuts on edge and thought .. cool got tough steel and will last forever lol.

btw I looked up the code after we wrecked the bits etc.

anyway, I am thinking that this steel is impervious and set up one of the plates at 100 yds.

my .223 cuts through this plate like butter. what the hell? I had my bud shoot it with his 30-30 and same result.

I hit it with a varmit bullet (60 gr vmax) and bullet nearly passed through (2910 fps from crono)

My question is: what the hell? how much steel do i need to make a proper silhouette target?

that said i hung a piece of nearly 1/2 inch steel channel next to the ss plate and it did accept high powered rounds without penetration (two of wich landed on top of each other) without failing.

to be clear, what should i be looking for at my local scrap yard for making long range targets?

 

[ericbc7]

FyI I have clear line of site for up to 1.5k meters and would be happy if i could set up a 300 meter range with cheap steel.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

3/8 non AR 500 steel wont stop much at 100

 

[ericbc7]

Yea i get that better steel will do better at short range, maybe i can use my steel at 400 meters?
is there a calculation available that tells me what scrap will stay intact at a given distance?

 

[Immike]

Making stuff yourself is a lot of fun but in this case I doubt that you find what you need digging through scrap piles. Call Travis Frazier of Custom Mfg (Alloy Targets) 214-428-5173 and let a pro tell you.

 

[crankythunder]

Dear Eric:

My local ALRO Steel supplier has 12 inch discs of AR 500 steel for sale with hooks that you thread through a chain.

I got one and at 100 yards they are tuff but the bullet is stopped by them. Oh they pucker and crater but looks like they will last a bit.

Cranky

 

[MarkS]

AR 500 would be best. My club uses AR 400, but you need to keep it 300yds or more. I use bailer rubber belt bolted to the back of plate, hook on back work also. The belt will take many hit without being replaced, chains can brake with one hit.

Mark Schronce

 

[KenO]

The target you made should work fine at 880 yards that you said you wanted to use it at. For 100 yards your going to need AR500 or better.

For mounting, I put them on posts. Go to your local Alro steel co., most have a "drops room" which are left over pieces, or stuff they cut up in short sizes, sold by the pound. You should be able to find square tube steel that will fit snuggly over a 4X4, or 2X4 post. Weld it to the back of the target, and either make a stand for the post, or dig a post hole. The post is easily replaced if shot up, or rots.

The drops room only has popular steel angels, tube, mesh etc, you wont find AR plate there.


That said, you are not going to be able to buy AR 500 plate cheap enough to be able to beat what you can buy a steel target from one of the many target suppliers mentioned above. Steel is heavily discounted for larger users.

 

[Nomad47]

3/8 AR500. It has been hit a few times at 100 yards, but most hits are 500 to 1000 yards. Repainting is all that is necessary. Occasionally the steel hanger straps need replacing.

 

[Nomad47]

It is also very portable.

 

[Nomad47]

After a few "hits" at 510 yards. You can run your finger over the "hits" and not even feel a dimple.

 

[Trapper243]

I managed to scrounge up some steel pipe caps, the type of plates like you see on propane trucks. Probably an inch thick and holes drilled all the way around. They hang easy enough but after just a little high power use they looked like the moon. Also heavy and hard to pack around. I sent them to the recycle pile and bought a couple of targets from these guys. www.rogueshootingtargets.com/ They are a much better solution and really not that expensive when you consider how long they will last, and how well they work. I use a hanger frame similar to Nomad47 , but just hang them off of heavy chain.

 

[dreever]

www.bigdogsteel.com I have a couple of thier AR500 1/2 inch steel targets and they are super nice and affordable.

Danny

 

[Road_Clam]

I tried the standard 3/8" steel plate and they will get quickly destroyed at 100 yds, they last "ok" at 200. I ended up purchasing two 4" AR500 gongs off Ebay for $29 shipped. The key to gong sucess is how you mount them. I cut a single 2" wide X24" long .125" thick rubber strap. Works awesome, the straps repel many shots without breaking. The gongs will also spin 360 degrees around the mount after a strike so there is no damage to the gongs. Heck even my buddy shot my 4" gong with his .50 BMG, the only problem was the .50 blew the gong completely off the strap and drove it 4" deep into the backstop dirt, took some digging to find it !

 

[wwbrown]

my .223 cuts through this plate like butter. what the hell? I had my bud shoot it with his 30-30 and same result.

I hit it with a varmit bullet (60 gr vmax) and bullet nearly passed through (2910 fps from crono)

One positive at least now you can make holes in it without destroying bits.