WOW! 1/2 inch AR-500 STEEL COULD NOT STAND THE 260AI W/140 GR. BERGERS

[Bill Norris]

Was trying a new load today with my 260AI and fired a 10 shot group @ 100 yds. Load was Lapua brass, Berger 140 gr. L R Target on top of a new load I just was working up. 47.5 gr. H-4831 CCI BR-2 Primer. Load was outstanding measuring .373 with E C Tuner/Brake set on 2 BUT, as the pic shows apparently the 1/2 inch AR-500 steel plate simply could not handle the pressure of 10 shots. Has anyone else had a issue similar to this with AR-500 steel ?

 

[rijndael]

I've had 155 Scenars leave circular (small) dents on 1/2" AR500 @ 100Y, but nothing like that. My dents were the size of the meplat and very shallow.

With damage at the edge like that, I wonder how that steel was cut and whether it impacted the hardness.

 

[Bill Norris]

I've had 155 Scenars leave circular (small) dents on 1/2" AR500 @ 100Y, but nothing like that. My dents were the size of the meplat and very shallow.

With damage at the edge like that, I wonder how that steel was cut and whether it impacted the hardness.

Yep this is 1/2 inch as well.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

I have quite a few steel targets and all of it was sold as AR-500 but you can tell pretty quickly which are really the AR-500 steel targets and which are not. I am guessing your steel fell into the "NOT" category

 

[Bill Norris]

I have quite a few steel and all of it was sold as AR-500 but you can tell pretty quickly which are really the AR-500 steel targets and which are not. I am guessing your steel fell into the "NOT" category

Probably so cause my bullets have been ripping at it pretty hard from day one.

 

[STOMP442]

From what I have been told AR500 is only rated for impacts at 2800fps or less at 100 yards. You may be asking a bit much from the steel at that range AR500 or not. I know for a fact that a 7mm mag with 120s will punch through like a knife through butter out to 200 yards.

 

[Riesel]

These are Target bullets?

 

[morpheus]

At our local range we are not allowed to shoot at the 100-yard AR-500 steel with any bullets that leave the muzzle at greater than 3000 fps. We were told that the design, caliber, shape, etc. of the bullet does not matter as much as the speed.

 

[Bill Norris]

These are Target bullets?

Yea, 140 Gr. Berger L R Target

 

[Bill Norris]

At our local range we are not allowed to shoot at the 100-yard AR-500 steel with any bullets that leave the muzzle at greater than 3000 fps. We were told that the design, caliber, shape, etc. of the bullet does not matter as much as the speed.

My average M V 2969 on these.

 

[fatelvis]

I've had 155 Scenars leave circular (small) dents on 1/2" AR500 @ 100Y, but nothing like that. My dents were the size of the meplat and very shallow.

With damage at the edge like that, I wonder how that steel was cut and whether it impacted the hardness.

I agree with Rij, I bet that target was cut with a torch or plasma, affecting it’s hardness at the edge.

 

[358WCF]

Beyond my pay grade, but is AR500 surface hardened or hard thru & thru? Could it be that the 1st few shots cracked the surface hardening & the rest just nipped away at the softer center?

I've shot 3/8" AR500 at 100 yds with a 22-250 Ackley with 53gr hollow points at c.3950fps MV. It showed slightly concave dimples on the front & slight convex dimples on the rear, but I didn't keep hammering it in the same location. A 280 Rem with 150 Ball. Tips at c2950fps left more noticeable dimples & dents but still not what I'd call penetrations.

FWIW... In his 1962 Handbook, PO Ackley surmised bullet spin may play a part in such penetration. In Vol. 1 p.83 there's a picture of 1/2" armor plate from a 1/2 track that was penetrated completely by the 48gr 220 Swift factory soft point load leaving 3/8" diameter holes. The 100 gr. 270 splashed with no penetration, & GI 30-06 AP left only shallow craters .070 & .098" deep. 2 shots with each rifle at 30 feet.

 

[tmwinds]

It doesn’t look shot through, more like it was brittle on the edges and shattered like like glass. Leads me to believe it was over heated. Plus it’s bolted down and can’t swing.

 

[Erich]

Shot a 3/8 thick 1 foot square AR500 at 275 yds with a bolt 50bmg. 660 grain military surplus ammo. The plate was ever so slightly concaved but you had to look close. Other than that……not a scratch.

 

[Fuj]

Is the Plate bolted down. They are suppose to pivot or swing. Lessening the shock of the impact. Randy

Looks like it is not mounted to swing. Not good......

 

[dhagerty40]

AR500 has a high tendency to Crack over time and is common. on average, we weld up 6-10 cracks per year on our AR500 silhouette targets. since it is bolted down, it is taking the full force of the impact.

Based on what I see, it had a crack which you irritated and the piece broke off. There is no sign of cratering in the steel.

Edit: if you look closely, a crack has started to develop around that right side mounting bolt.

 

[PigButtons]

Obviously cut using the wrong technology. Water or Laser, else the temper is destroyed, and the target will soon follow suit.

 

[Fuj]

I know for a fact that a 7mm mag with 120s will punch through like a knife through butter out to 200 yards.

If that happened, it sure was not AR500.

 

[Bill Norris]

Is the Plate bolted down. They are suppose to pivot or swing. Lessening the shock of the impact. Randy

It actually swings out away from the target. The bolts are not headed up at all. App. half of the 6 inch lag bolt is left out for the plate to swing on. But it may not be enough.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

I'd replace the bolts with rubber straps and allow target to move freely upon impact. And resistance or pressure of it not swinging will shorten steel target life at any distance. We have used bicycle tubes as hangers as well with good results. An errant shot won't break the rubber strap like chains can do.