AR500 vs AR550 Steel for Target Gongs - Your Opinions

Carbon12

Carbon12

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Hello

I am looking for opinions and input from the high power rifle shooting community on steel target gongs

- AR500 vs AR550 steel

- 3/8" vs 1/2" gong thickness

- Size? 10", 12" or 16" for 100 yard to 400 yard shooting.

- Shape? Circular? Square? Other?

- Best mounting method ... Steel chain and posts/trees? Heavy saw horses? Direct mount on pole?
 
Yes.

Generally speaking a 1/2” plate is the de facto standard for a rifle target. However at extended ranges the rounds bleed off enough energy that 3/8” is plenty viable. Hardness reduces putting and dimpling effects. Speed kills targets, a .223 or .22-250 nicks up targets far faster than just about anything else. Rounds traveling under 3000fps don’t seem to do as much surface damage.

The rest is just details. The smaller the target, the herder it is to hit, and bigger targets are easier. Hang it however you want, but a direct hit to the mounting solution will likely bring the target down regardless. Steel bolts and chains will be nearly impervious to spalling but are bulky and heavy. Shepherds hook target stands are light and effective, but vulnerable to direct hits. Saw horses are incredibly bulky, but wood construction makes them easily repairable, and somewhat bullet absorbent. Don’t mount it to a tree you pillock, that’s just stupid.
 
Blastattack said:
Yes.

Generally speaking a 1/2” plate is the de facto standard for a rifle target. However at extended ranges the rounds bleed off enough energy that 3/8” is plenty viable. Hardness reduces putting and dimpling effects. Speed kills targets, a .223 or .22-250 nicks up targets far faster than just about anything else. Rounds traveling under 3000fps don’t seem to do as much surface damage.

The rest is just details. The smaller the target, the herder it is to hit, and bigger targets are easier. Hang it however you want, but a direct hit to the mounting solution will likely bring the target down regardless. Steel bolts and chains will be nearly impervious to spalling but are bulky and heavy. Shepherds hook target stands are light and effective, but vulnerable to direct hits. Saw horses are incredibly bulky, but wood construction makes them easily repairable, and somewhat bullet absorbent. Don’t mount it to a tree you pillock, that’s just stupid.
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Thank you for all that good info. I will utilize a proper mounting method for sure. I anticipate that these targets will be permanently situated since I own the Northern Ontario rural 300 acre property that I will be shooting on. I have access to a complete onsite workshop with tools and materials as well as a tractor with frontend loader.
 
Carbon12 said:
Thank you for all that good info. I will utilize a proper mounting method for sure. I anticipate that these targets will be permanently situated since I own the Northern Ontario rural 300 acre property that I will be shooting on. I have access to a complete onsite workshop with tools and materials as well as a tractor with frontend loader.
Click to expand...

I am coming to play in your yard!
 
.... 3/8" Titanium Carbide Targets T21 .... harder than AR500 steel .... now I am getting excited ... thanks sask378

3/8 Titanium Carbide T21 vs AR550 steel ... which one to choose? or just 1/2" AR500
 
Some testing I did with 3/8" AR500...300 yrds with.223 at 3600 fps PSP & HP(at the muzzle) and not a mark on the steel just a paint splash...at 40 yrds with the above round as well as a 30-06, 150 gr factory PSP at probably around 2800 fps left a slight pock mark about the size of a pin head. There was no warp or bend to the steel after being hit at 40 yards, just the very slight pock...I was a small life-sized gopher target with a welded base that it stands on so basically unsupported and when hit with the 30-06 it tumbled prob 10 ft high and 30 yrds distant.
 
fingers284 said:
Some testing I did with 3/8" AR500...300 yrds with.223 at 3600 fps PSP & HP(at the muzzle) and not a mark on the steel just a paint splash...at 40 yrds with the above round as well as a 30-06, 150 gr factory PSP at probably around 2800 fps left a slight pock mark about the size of a pin head. There was no warp or bend to the steel after being hit at 40 yards, just the very slight pock...I was a small life-sized gopher target with a welded base that it stands on so basically unsupported and when hit with the 30-06 it tumbled prob 10 ft high and 30 yrds distant.
Click to expand...

Thank You for the info ... so AR500 in 1/2” or 3/8 would be fine for my use. I read that AR550 is that bit harder and leaves virtually no marks with any high speed cartridge at any distance. Cost wise AR550 is quite a bit more than AR500. Seems AR550 is new and/or currently uncommon.
 
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