Steel Target Question "Gong"

[scsims]

How thick of a steel target do you need for not to pass through at 600-1000 yards.

I have a piece of rusted steel that's about 16"x24" that's about 1/8" thick. Will this work for a gong? Or will my 175gr SMK go through it?

 

[webs]

You will blow right through that. With a .308 at 600-1000 You probably would be best served with 3/8 AR 400 minimum. A36 steel would work but you are going to pocket mark it pretty good. between AR400, AR500 and mil spec armor you won't even notice a mark besides paint removal.

 

[sniperjwt]

You will blow right through that. With a .308 at 600-1000 You probably would be best served with 3/8 AR 400 minimum. A36 steel would work but you are going to pocket mark it pretty good. between AR400, AR500 and mil spec armor you won't even notice a mark besides paint removal.

+ 1 to ^^^
1/8" plate is only good for maybe a 22

 

[SidecarFlip]

It's not the thickness but rather the toughness of the steel and toughness and hardness are 2 different animals.

Conversely, there are around 50 grades of 'Mil Spec' armor plate depending on application.

Your old rusty chunk of hot rolled won't stop anything of consequence because it lacks the toughness.

 

[scsims]

Just measured the thickness with a caliper, it's closer to 1/4". But pitted and rusty.

Where does one find a peice that would work.

 

[dirtking]

Might try and find a construction company that has loaders or motor graders. See if you can get the old cutting edges off of one of there machines. I work for a construction company and have a few that are holding up well even up to my 338 edge.

 

[bigry26]

I have a piece of 1/4 a36 that my 338 lapua will blow thru with 300 gr bergers but the 300 gr smk's put a dent in. I switched to 1/2 ar500 with no problems at all Ryan

 

[WildRose]

Find an impliment dealer or construction company that has to replace worn out discs on disc plows.

You can find some that will definitely do the trick.

How you secure your target makes a big difference two. If it is free swinging on chains a lot of the energy is used up just moving the target on impact rather than on trying to go through it.

There are also some manufacturers that make plate targets specifically for this purpose but they are a lot more expensive than raiding the local junk pile.

 

[retiredcpo]

Get some AR 500 3/8 thick
Ar400 will dimple the ar500 will last for ever several suppliers on the internet
MGM targets is the biggest
Retiredcpo

 

[scsims]

Find an impliment dealer or construction company that has to replace worn out discs on disc plows.

You can find some that will definitely do the trick.

How you secure your target makes a big difference two. If it is free swinging on chains a lot of the energy is used up just moving the target on impact rather than on trying to go through it.

There are also some manufacturers that make plate targets specifically for this purpose but they are a lot more expensive than raiding the local junk pile.

Do you meen the discs off a disc harrow? Or somthing different?

 

[SidecarFlip]

This thread reminds me of a You-Tube video I saw a while back where some guy shoots his 50 cal Browning machine Gun at a steel plate about 75 yards downrange and one bullet comes back along an almost identical path to when it left the muzzle and lops the guy's ear lobe right off.........

Shooting steel is fun but keep in mind that there is always the richochet issue.

No point in removing any extremities, even if by accident.....

 

[dirtking]

Yes shooting steel has its dangers but i feel if you are shooting a 50cal at a steel target 75 yards away you shouldnt be operating a firearm. I know i sure wouldnt do it. I shoot my steel targets at a minimum of 300 yards.

 

[Sauer 150]

I'm not a mechanic or a welder but you can usually on a salvage yard find plates of Hardox(I believe this is same quality as your AR)

You need plasmacutter or similar to cut them. This is usually fairly expensive, but the steel itself you usually pay for by weight.

Our standard 8x8's, and 12x12"'s are all cut from large plates of Hardox 400, drilled in the upper corner, free hanging and suspended in stainless meathooks attched to chains

Ring well when you connect - and is almost indistructable regardless of caliber

 

[Boom]

Just finished this set up. 1/2 inch steel from a local scrap dealer. 1" pipe a-frame. Using the bolts to hang the plate gives it a slight cant so you get the benefit of the plate swinging to reduce wear on the target and it deflects the round toward the ground. Sorry the picture is not better, PM me if you need a better shot.