Steel Targets??

[TGoody]

So I might know a guy who's knows somebody that's related to this guy who has a bunch of extra scrap pieces of steel laying around....

If I were to want some pieces to use on our range at the farm, what would be the ideal size and thickness.....

We'd be shooting everything from .22 to 7mm Rem Mag from 50 out to 500 yards...

This would be all free scrapes, but I don't wanna just go grab a bunch of stuff and it not even be worth the trip if I grab the wrong pieces when I should've gotten the others... Know what I mean???

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

[JakeGraves]

Chances are it is regular A36 steel and not hardened. A 7 mag will poke a hole through 1/2" plate due to cratering. Most targets are made with A500 or A550 hardened steel. They will still make a target but make sure of your backstop.

[TGoody]

Hmmm... Good to know!
I think this stuff may come from a steel mill somewhere so I don't know how thick it is till I see it.

Would a 1/2" stop .223?

[bear]

Hmmm... Good to know!
I think this stuff may come from a steel mill somewhere so I don't know how thick it is till I see it.

Would a 1/2" stop .223?

It doesn't stop mine at 100 or 200 yds..... burns right through it

[Coach W]

In my opinion you'd be wasting your time if you're trying to get it to last.. However, it will be fun. Lol.
7mm and 30.06 will rip right through 1" steel at 100.

223 runs through 1/4-1/2" like it never touched it.

22lr, pistol calibers, and subsonics you can shoot em as long as they are movable. If they can take some recoil by moving, falling, spinning then they won't crater in with the slow stuff. Cratering is bad. . If they crater they start shooting back and that ain't cool. I took a 55 gr 223 to the shoulder.. back from 100 yards. Be careful and wear your ppe. Don't shoot it if it ain't flat or angled down. Lol.

FWIW a 50 cal will blow right through 10" of steel... 30.06 makes it over halfway through. Lol.

Have fun but be safe.

You will be able to shoot your steel longer if it's angled toward you (bullet deflects down) and your smart about how close you shoot the targets with what calibers.

It's a good way to show newbies the destructive power of the weapons they are handling. Just be smart and use your head.

I've moved on to the AR steel. Really fun.

[RJH1]

3/8 mild is ok for pistols (9mm, 45, etc.) Make falling plates and poppers. We shoot them thousands of times in USPSA matches. Stay at least 8 yards back though. For rifles increase the distance to 55 yards or so and use ar 500 steel (you probably are not getting that for free though).

[Maui-diver]

In my opinion you'd be wasting your time if you're trying to get it to last.. However, it will be fun. Lol.
7mm and 30.06 will rip right through 1" steel at 100.

223 runs through 1/4-1/2" like it never touched it.

22lr, pistol calibers, and subsonics you can shoot em as long as they are movable. If they can take some recoil by moving, falling, spinning then they won't crater in with the slow stuff. Cratering is bad. . If they crater they start shooting back and that ain't cool. I took a 55 gr 223 to the shoulder.. back from 100 yards. Be careful and wear your ppe. Don't shoot it if it ain't flat or angled down. Lol.

FWIW a 50 cal will blow right through 10" of steel... 30.06 makes it over halfway through. Lol.

Have fun but be safe.

You will be able to shoot your steel longer if it's angled toward you (bullet deflects down) and your smart about how close you shoot the targets with what calibers.

It's a good way to show newbies the destructive power of the weapons they are handling. Just be smart and use your head.

I've moved on to the AR steel. Really fun.

What a great set-up!!

[gusman]

About like this

[gusman]

Or you end up with this

[TGoody]

Great info guys! Thanks!

Coach - we use those exact "behind cover" training barricades. They are great!

Gusman - hopefully I can find a few pieces as thick as that for targets out around 200-400 yards! Can you hear a solid "TING" when the round hits it!?

[trophy8]

Buy AR500. It's much safer and stronger. It's not as expensive as you think either.

[gusman]

Great info guys! Thanks!

Coach - we use those exact "behind cover" training barricades. They are great!

Gusman - hopefully I can find a few pieces as thick as that for targets out around 200-400 yards! Can you hear a solid "TING" when the round hits it!?

At 300 you can but that is as far as I can go here.
if you have to buy steel then take advice noted above. .