Shooting steel at longer ranges, still audible?

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SKS-Stu

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I'm looking to get some steel targets and try some longer range shooting and was wondering how fare away can you still hear the impact with a 308W. My home range has steel plates set up at 200m but I want to try some thing farther, at least 600m and beyond. If I can't hear or see the impact at that range I might as well save my money and shoot paper. BTW I will be using electronic earmuffs.
 
As long as the steel isn't too thick you'll hear it well past 1,000m. Wouldn't go any thicker than 3/8. You will still probably hear it thicker but it will just be a "thwack" instead of a "bonggggg". ;)
 
I've seen video of .22LR hitting a gong at 800 metres or yards, I forget which. Probably pretty thin; but still clearly audible in the recording.
 
It can depends on the wind and atmospheric conditions on the days you shoot, some days the sound carries well, other days you have to strain to hear it. Out steel is suspended 3/4" AR-500, and it rings well, a steel plate that is attached to a rigid frame or is set against a dirt bank might absorb the sound.
 
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Boomer said:
It can depends on the wind and atmospheric conditions on the days you shoot, some days the sound carries well, other days you have to strain to hear it. Out steel is suspended 3/4" AR-500, and it rings well, a steel plate that is attached to a rigid frame or is set against a dirt bank might absorb the sound.
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Boomer has it right.

Some day you will hear the 308 hits at 1000+ yards and others you can hardly hear them at 500.

If you paint the target with orange marking paint you should be able to see your hits as well. Keep in mind the better the paint sticks the harder the mark will be to see.
 
I use Canadian tire armour coat on my steel. It's an epoxy paint that sticks very well but flakes easily when hit. Even from long distances. Cheap too!
 
Longshot said:
I use Canadian tire armour coat on my steel. It's an epoxy paint that sticks very well but flakes easily when hit. Even from long distances. Cheap too!
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I think this is what the problem was with my paint - not flaky enough :] I think I'll pick some up this weekend and give it a spray down.
 
At 900 yards, I can hear .223 smack 3/8 mild steel.
I can also see the gong move.

You'll do well with .308 at 600, in almost any conditions.
 
Yup, even turns up on audio equipment and can be heard over my voice narration with the shooting audio levels turned lower.

Approx 15:30 and 17:10 if you don't want to watch the whole review ;)


All plates seen in the video can be purchased here;

https://www.hoplitetacticalsupplies.com/store/targets/steel-targets

Although the lowest priced are;

https://www.hoplitetacticalsupplies...gets/8-diameter-3-8-thick-steel-target-detail

Or a 4 pack for even better pricing ;)

https://www.hoplitetacticalsupplies...eter-3-8-thick-steel-target-combo-deal-detail
 
We shoot lots of steel out to 910 (that's as far as we can set up).
You won't have a problem hearing it. But you should actually be able to see the hit long before you hear it.
Another thing we do is paint the gong with marking paint usually fluorescent oarnge with a white circle about the size of a coffee can.
Makes it nice to see the hits. And you can see what kind of a group you are shooting.
 
You can hear 1/2" AR500 at a mile with .338LM quite nicely as long as there is not too much wind noise, and the same steel is insanely loud at 1km with .50BMG, as I shall demonstrate with a video.

 
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