What are some other suitable steels for targets besides AR 500? I've got plenty of 12" and down targets, more than I need; but would like some of larger size for longer range. They wouldn't be shot closer than 600 yards, so wouldn't need to be the ultimate in toughness. Any ideas?
Steel targets other than AR 500
- Thread starter Dogleg
- Start date
What are you planning on shooting them with? Might be able to get away with just some 3/4 or 1" mild steel plate, it's usually easy enough to find and shouldn't cost you a fortune.....won't last forever but I guess it depends on how much shooting you do...
I built a set of Rams from 3/4 plate steel. Got it for free off a salvaged dredge hull from work. Faster rounds still make quite a crater at ranges of 500 meters but I have no round that will shoot through it. That would include rounds from a hot 7STW. The deepest hole was from my .240 Weatherby shooting 95gr Bergers at 3400fps. I also used a hardened 1/2 piece of steel to make 5 of each of the other silhouette animals. I believe it was called QT1 or 100. Bought it back in 1998 or 1999. A 4x8 sheet cost me around 800.00 then. Stops rounds readily used for NRA metallic silhouette just fine with no target damage at 200, 300, 385, meters.
We were out in the field shooting at this thing. It was a 6" 150lb blind flange, maybe 3/4" thick and 8-9" outside diameter. I couldn't tell you what the material is off the top of my head, but the marks in it are from 30-06, 7.62x54R and 270 from between 150 to 200 yards. I sometimes get my hands on material like this from the dumpster at work.
The 7.62x54R made a nice spark show when it hit, but I was quite surprised that it didn't make any deeper dents.
The 7.62x54R made a nice spark show when it hit, but I was quite surprised that it didn't make any deeper dents.
Being around the oilfield I shoot my fair share of flanges as well 
Ask around the welding shops as well, they're usually willing to cut up scrap for decent prices.
I had a bunch of half inch mild steel cut into 4"-12" squares for under $100.
308 at 400yds and no issues
Ask around the welding shops as well, they're usually willing to cut up scrap for decent prices.
I had a bunch of half inch mild steel cut into 4"-12" squares for under $100.
308 at 400yds and no issues
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
I am beating on an AR400 plate with a 50 cal from as little as 200 yards away, no issues. Hardly marks it at all at 650 meters (just feel some abrasion with your finger tips)
This Picture is from 1"mild steel at 200 yards. The craters are from 7mm Rem Mag with 154 SST, the projectile sticking out was a 50bmg- XM-33 ball. We just wanted to see what would happen.
This Picture is from 1"mild steel at 200 yards. The craters are from 7mm Rem Mag with 154 SST, the projectile sticking out was a 50bmg- XM-33 ball. We just wanted to see what would happen.
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Dogleg,
Plenty of fab shops in Saskatoon have stacks of cut down wear plate kicking around. Somebody mentioned half inch QT100 worked well. QT100 is common as well as QT400 and T21, both of which are harder than QT100. Look around and you will find some. Because of the value of wear plate, most shops keep small pieces that would be scrap if it was mild.
Plenty of fab shops in Saskatoon have stacks of cut down wear plate kicking around. Somebody mentioned half inch QT100 worked well. QT100 is common as well as QT400 and T21, both of which are harder than QT100. Look around and you will find some. Because of the value of wear plate, most shops keep small pieces that would be scrap if it was mild.
