Shooting Steel, What kind and thickness is best

[the chemist]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to know what kind of steel/width people use for their reactive targets?
I am planning on using a 9mm at the closest range and then .223 and 7.62x39 at a 100yrds+.

The ultimate plan was to have a friend weld a few things together for me.

Thanks,

 

[canucklehead]

Anything other than AR500 steel and you're wasting your time. Centerfire rifle will punch through (or severely crater) any steel below that.

That being said, AR500 ain't great to work with or weld, since you'll screw with the hardness by heating. Use a laser or waterjet to cut out the shapes, and you'll have a minimal zone where hardness is affected.

 

[Stevo]

3/8" AR500 is what you want. 1/2" is unnecessary for regular rifle calibers.

 

[sunray]

"...what kind of steel/width..." Thickness perhaps? Boiler plate used to be used, but not for rifle cartridges. Any steel used for targets is expensive stuff. No jacketed bullets, of any kind, are safe to use. Especially, if you're thinking 9mm at close range.

 

[heavenIsAlie]

"...what kind of steel/width..." Thickness perhaps? Boiler plate used to be used, but not for rifle cartridges. Any steel used for targets is expensive stuff. No jacketed bullets, of any kind, are safe to use. Especially, if you're thinking 9mm at close range.

jacketed pistol ammo is fine all the way up till 7 yards, the steel at my range takes alot of rounds of all types at 7 yards with no ill effects (except steel jacket, that's a no no)

id want 1/2 AR500 for rifle targets, 3/8 really isnt enough IMO and you have to make sure you dont shoot it inside 100 yards or else you start getting craters or dimples, and any dimples means its more likely to deflect bits back at you and your targets are now useless for pistols at anything inside 20 yards.

 

[rodregier]

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/905076-Ar500-steel-Targets-in-Canada?highlight=AR500

 

[the chemist]

Thank you for all your input. Looks like it's 1/2 AR500.

 

[stevesummit]

I bought some ar 500 from zombie supply Canada and it is holding up really well to everything we have thrown at it ! Including 50bmg ap rounds

 

[kanada kidd]

No jacketed bullets, of any kind, are safe to use.

FMJ is just fine to shoot at steel plates.

 

[albertacoyotecaller]

Thickness really depends on usage in my opinion. We have both 3/8 and 1/2 AR & QT400 and 500 for targets. 3/8" is find but you start to find bending with heavy usage of magnum calibers over time. For personal use I would go with 3/8" and with heavy club use I would prefer 1/2" for longevity and low cost for replacement/down time.