Found awesome, cheap steel targets local in Toronto!

Kevin M.

Kevin M.

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Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Picked up three ODPL style AR500 steel targets today. Just need to get them painted up and get some bolts and chain to hang them.

Them suckers are HEAVY!

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They are 1/2" AR500 plate, and the seller had tested them with calibers up to .338 Lapua and .50 BMG with nothing more then superficial damage to the plates.

This works perfectly for me, as that is what I intend to launch down at them from long range, so I need somthing that would hold up. They are very close to the ODPL targets in size, within about 3/4" or so when you lay the target right overtop of the steel. Close enough for some informal long range plinking with .50 BMG. :D

I have looked around, and seen various prices online for similar styles of targets, ranging from $300 a target to $650 a target.

The total with this guy for ALL three targets came to under $500.

The seller is "MattMoser" on CGN, who is an all around great guy to deal with. I highly reccomend dealing with him.

I will post some pics of the heavy and light caliber hits on them after the shoot next weekend.

Cheers. :cool:
 
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Nice targets ,and X2 on dealing with Matt , I was going to buy some from him but I picked up some round AR500 targets in Ottawa becuase it was closer for me.
Very durable and I went with bright orange paint and used the large chain connectors to hang them.

What I really want to know is who or what did you have handcuffed near your tool box :confused:
 
chalkriver said:
Nice targets ,and X2 on dealing with Matt , I was going to buy some from him but I picked up some round AR500 targets in Ottawa becuase it was closer for me.
Very durable and I went with bright orange paint and used the large chain connectors to hang them.

What I really want to know is who or what did you have handcuffed near your tool box :confused:
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LOL. I knew when I was uploading those that that would get mentioned. I could make up some exciting ### story, but in reality they are an old set we were given from a police officer friend of ours, and they hang off our grandfathers antique drill press just out of camera shot.
 
Did some work and shopping today, these targets are turning out really nice.

Splurging on the hanging materials, but I know I will not need to replace them any time soon.

Throw on a bit of paint...

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Some super heavy duty hardware. Going to pick up a pail of 3/8" chain to stretch from tree to tree horizontally.

The 1/2" anchor shackle will hook permanently to the steel, run through the 5/8" High impact 5800lb chain, and be quick detachable from the main line via the quick detach snap up top. Lots of adjustment for whatever the location gives us, and they should be darn near indestructable.

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Throw on an angry face and your good to go minus the top chain that will hold it aloft..

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A suggestion - salvaged auto seatbelts are good to hang targets with. Hit a chain, it gets cut. The nylon strap can take some hits without parting.
 
++ for MattMoser, great guy to deal with, straight up Gun Nut!

I picked up three round 1/2" AR500 targets from him just before Christmas.

I already prep'd and painted both sides and recently purchased hardened chain to hang them with. I can't wait to get out to the range to try them out!

When I get a few spare $$$ I'm going to pick up two of the above targets from Matt to add to the collection.
 
blackacres said:
++ for MattMoser, great guy to deal with, straight up Gun Nut!

I picked up three round 1/2" AR500 targets from him just before Christmas.

I already prep'd and painted both sides and recently purchased hardened chain to hang them with. I can't wait to get out to the range to try them out!

When I get a few spare $$$ I'm going to pick up two of the above targets from Matt to add to the collection.
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Just shot these same targets with Matt yesterday, saw 50 BMG hits at 300 and 600 yards with little more then a dimple, 338 barely scratched the paint lol.
 
Im in the construction industry and have seen tonnes (litteraly) of metal go to waste that could be used for this same purpose

Ill post up next time i see a score as i have no where to put it (live in a condo) and dont own a property to shoot at yet
 
Poof said:
Im in the construction industry and have seen tonnes (litteraly) of metal go to waste that could be used for this same purpose

Ill post up next time i see a score as i have no where to put it (live in a condo) and dont own a property to shoot at yet
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the steel being discussed is AR500, armour plate. Normal steel wont take the hits. Normal steel is still fun to shoot, but i've heard the richochets get a little dangerous once the steel gets too shot up.
 
Kevin M. said:
I was planning on neon orange, but green is probably a very good winter colour with all the snow. Good thinking.

Got to pick up some cans of orange and green high visibility marking paint and hanging hardware tomorrow.
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As far as hanging hardware goes, have you thought of using steel cable instead of chain? If you hit the cable, it'll damage, but won't break. You can also (this is a little tough to explain, but easy to do) unbraid a section of cable, and pull half through the mounting hole. Then you rebraid the cable around the hole. If I was any good at drawing, I could draw you a picture. Best bet is try it with a piece of rope. Or, easier but not a classy, use clamps:D. Anyhow, it will be a lot more resistant to bullet impacts than chain or clevises.
 
Aircraft cable with plastic coating works best compared to uncoated cable. Even better use thick braided hose to shield the cable. That said good hardened chain like Kevin M. has will stand up better the weekest link in his set up is the attachment hardware the .50 and the .338 will throw the most shrapnel that will shorten the life of the hardware. I will make up some attachment hardware outta scarp stainless and make it available for whoever wants some. Matt's AR500 is the way to go and the IDPA AR500 cuts are a great size for LR and it will last a long long time money well spent and great prices.
 
bolts

Guys, the other site that sells similiar targets goes into some detail on the method of hanging... they talk about bolts through the holes of varying lengths, then attached to the hanging device such that the target is at somewhat of an angle and the energy and shrapnel of the bullet is deflected down, ie. the target itself does not have to absorb all the energy (rather than at +-90 deg to impact)...any thoughts?
 
SteveM said:
$500? that seems a little steep. do you know what type of steel they used? and what annealing/heat treating they do to the steel?
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It's actually quite cheap. The steel is called AR 500, do a google search. Not only is it really hard to find (depending on your location) but it is expensive. I phoned pretty much every steel supplier in Calgary and not a single one had it.
 
SteveM said:
$500? that seems a little steep. do you know what type of steel they used? and what annealing/heat treating they do to the steel?
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AR-500 is the same armor plate found on Light Armored Vehicles, and is easily capable of stopping 50bmg at a 90 degree angle with barely a scratch, and will stop 20mm as well provided it is not AP.

I have shot 1/2" handgun rated steel targets (fairly soft steel) with centerfire 223 and 30-06 before.

The 223 bulged the backside out 1/2" but didn't penetrate, and the 30-06 passed through it as if it was paper, leaving a clean hole. I have the target in my shop to show the difference good steel makes.
 
hmmm interesting. Got me thinkin about getting one now. I welded up a little swinging target at work out of 3/8 mild steel one time. needless to say it didnt work out too well lol. It barely moved when i shot it with the .308 i thought my scope was off but the rounds were just sailin right through it.
 
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