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

[Bill Norris]

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.

Not to argue at all, but the holes in the plate have sharp edges so I'd have to fix that before hanging with rubber. Otherwise it will just cut right thru the rubber eventually.

 

[Fuj]

All my AR500 plates were cut with under water plasma. and
does not effect the temper.

 

[Fuj]

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.

We use Fire hose. The next best hanging material is old conveyor
belt.

 

[Rsadams]

Plates will only take so many hits , this is why hard plates in your body armor needs to be changed after a bad encounter.... It's not uncommon for plates to crack etc....

 

[Ranger188]

Usually cheaper steel will let the bullet put a small hole threw it.
That's a bigger failure. I'd replace the whole piece in case it does
it more and causes a ricochet.

 

[Geezedtee]

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.

Yes i have to agree with you, no indentation, just a clean break.

 

[std7mag]

If that happened, it sure was not AR500.

I'll disagree.
I've shot through AR500 at 200 yards with my 7mm Rem Mag & 130gr Speer Hotcor. Target was suspended.
Not suspended will go through at 300 yards.

Non suspended AR500 at 100 yards is susceptable to 243 Win with 100gr GameKing.

I'll agree, this target does not look like the ones i've shot through.

 

[Bill Norris]

Yes i have to agree with you, no indentation, just a clean break.

It is bolted loosely with about 3 inches play on the bolts at the top but I'm thinking that is not enough of swing. Yes, it did just break out a hunk rather than actually penetrate and burn thru. Wondering if I double the thickness if it would still eventually do this again ?

 

[std7mag]

If you let it free swing, probably not.
With just 3" of travel, i'd say likely.

 

[Buzz]

Not to argue at all, but the holes in the plate have sharp edges so I'd have to fix that before hanging with rubber. Otherwise it will just cut right thru the rubber eventually.

You still use bolts to attach the plate to the strap so I don’t think it would cut into it. Like others said, fire hose or conveyor belt work the best. You can find sections of both online with everything you need to mount it for pretty cheap. Heavy chain from the local hardware store works too, but doesn’t take impacts as well as the hose or belt do.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

Also keep in mind that steel like this isn't meant to repeatedly hit the same spot in succession... it has have time to "settle" from an impact ... weird to think about it but its heating up that spot on impact.... with the way your paper targets look I'd imagine a 10 shot string in the same spot in steel may have heated that section up and caused the failure.... ??? Along with the lack of free movement.

 

[Old Navy]

I'll disagree.
I've shot through AR500 at 200 yards with my 7mm Rem Mag & 130gr Speer Hotcor. Target was suspended.
Not suspended will go through at 300 yards.

Non suspended AR500 at 100 yards is susceptable to 243 Win with 100gr GameKing.

I'll agree, this target does not look like the ones i've shot through.

If that happened, it sure was not AR500.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Hooks made out of oilfield sucker rods can take most punishment put on them.

 

[Dub]

if the target can not swing on impact it will break

 

[4xforfun]

I had a 36 X 36 inch 3/8ths AR 500 hanging at 600 yards....my 600 yard sighter target. Someone put 5 craters and 1 hole in it last year. I can't figure out who or what did it, but it LAUGHES at everything I toss at it...including 338 Edge!!

Tod

 

[Bill Norris]

Must'a been a Creedmore that did it

LOL

 

[Old Navy]

if the target can not swing on impact it will break

Especially out on the edge.

 

[X-Caveman]

Curious about your target set up. Was there paper in front of the steel? How else would you know group size? Also, how fast was group shot?

 

[CT10ring]

From my very limited experience, I'd bet that is not AR500. pic w 6.5 X 284 @ 880 yds. there is no impact "crater". Target bullets, also. Maybe try a "new" supplier?

 

[Bill Norris]

Curious about your target set up. Was there paper in front of the steel? How else would you know group size? Also, how fast was group shot?

Yes, this steel is behind my actual target. The M V on this load is 3069 fps. I was taking my time as to not heat up my barrel. Probably over a 10 to 15 min. span I'd guess.