Steel targets

[gunsandjeeps]

I would like to make 2 steel targets about 8 to 10 inches square. How thick do I need to go? I only use PMC 55 grs fmj-bt 223 in my Sport. The targets will be hanging low to the ground, from supports I made to hang paper and my Do-All ball from. My shooting lane is 40 yards.Thanks Steve

 

[Rocket-scientist]

40 yards with 223 FMJ? That's well inside the 150-200 meters most manufacturers and the military state as the minimum range. Not to say I haven't done it and have some scars to prove it.

But as to your question, thickness is less important than hardness. US Army and Marine regs state that AR400 steel is the minimum hardness and 3/8 thickness as a minimum. Most target manufacturers use AR500. Thick mild steel will just get tunnels through it, no matter how thick it is.

The splatter angle is 20 degrees from the target face in all directions so ensure nothing that will get eaten up (plastic, wood, etc) lies in that cone. And don't rigidly mount your target. That doesn't allow it to absorb energy and causes worse damage to your target. Our targets (Marines) are free swinging at a 20 degree forward angle to absorb energy and deflect splatter into the ground at the base of the target.

For the record I shoot 8 inch plates with 5.56 at 50-200 meters, but I load HP, soft point, or frangible for use on steel at close range.

 

[gunsandjeeps]

Thanks Rs. Sounds like a bad idea. I'll just stick to my paper and self healing ball. Steve

 

[SW Gun Guy]

Not to say it is a great idea, but I shoot a 3 inch hanging gong at 50 yards all the time. Mine is a commercial gong and it is 3/8" AR500 steel and handles my 223 FMJ or JSP just fine. Just a repaint after each use. If you put holes in the top corners and use carriage bolts to mount to the hanging chain the bottom of the target will tilt backward toward the ground as suggested is a good idea. Gongs are a hoot to shoot compared to paper, so just proceed with caution with regard to splatter or things near the target.

 

[oneyeopn]

I am building a 20" gong for 400 yards using an old farm implement disc. They are hardened steel and concave or convex however you turn them and hanging it off of a pair of chains. I plan on shooting it with more than just the AR and am not particularly worried about ricochets with it. I also have the little metal rimfire targets that we shoot at with the 22's and I dont have a problem with those, I do believe that the target has to be free to move, having seen people shoot at metal fixed items and seeing them ricochet has led me to believe a metal gong has to be able to swing front to back. This is my opinion and YMMV

 

[storeyteller]

I made some 6" plates out of 1/2" steel that I have hanging from a frame with chains. When I shoot .223 varmit tipped rounds they disintegrate on impact. I only shoot them at 300yds or more though.
They don't make a 'gong' noise but do give a satisfactory 'thwack' when hit.
The old harrow disc is a good idea though, will try that one myself.

 

[colt22man]

Here's a link to Bobcat steel. Bobcat Steel | AR500 Steel Targets
Great steel targets at reasonable prices.

 

[Martimus]

Here's a decent target vendor in the northern part of Illinois:

Products

I've bought from them before and am satisfied with their pricing and quality.

 

[Hayden]

+1 on the farm implement Disc. I have a few we are making up for targets.

Hayden.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

These guys at QualityTargets on ebay are really good. The nice thing is that they figure what amount of targets will fit in the standard USPS box, so you don't pay crazy shipping charges by weight. I have several of their targets are they are very good quality.

Gong Target - 5" Diameter 3/8" AR500 Steel Plate | eBay

 

[Erno86]

Here's a link to The Metal Man in Tucson, Arizona. The steel spinners--- give off a twack sound.


http://themetalman.com

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

gunsandjeeps I'm not 100% sure but I think when you set up steel target plates the angle you set the plates matters as well. I believe the bottm of the plate should be pitched inward.... Somebody correct me if I'm wrong here.

 

[gunsandjeeps]

Thanks for all the links and advice gentlemen! If you think 40 yards is to close, I can clear more yardage, I've got 13 acres to play with.

 

[bobbyd3]

Im in the process of making some steel targets myself.

Bought some 1/2" and 3/8" AR500 Plates/Gongs to use 5.56 on
and some 5" circular ar200 plates to make spinner type for .22.

What is a safe distance to shoot these from? I hear 100 yards alot for the 5.56 but is that far enough to be safe? Is there a magic number where bullet splatter cant reach you, or is there always a risk even if you put it 200 yards back.

I dont want to hurt anyone or myself so I want to be sure.
I know that they need to be angled down, and to shoot them straight on. But as to bullet splatter Im unsure.

 

[oneyeopn]

50 yards is a good safe distance, just make sure your targets can swing or spin just not locked into place. If they are locked into place you run a good risk of a ricochet, but if they can give it absorbs a lot of the energy.

 

[windypoint]

Ok, here's my AR15 story. While sighting in new, more accurate ammuntion on the 25 yard pistol range (paper target) we decided to get rid of the old Wolfe .223. Loaded the magazines and started plunking the steel targets. My friend chose one about twenty yards out and fired. The bullet knocked over the steel and then the jacket came off the bullet and returned exactly 180 degrees and went through his jacket around his chin (cold that day) and hit him in the jaw (next to the rifle butt stock) and traveled almost an inch under the skin. I could not believe what happened. It very easily could have killed him or at least put out an eye. I WILL NEVER SHOOT A HIGH VELOCITY ROUND AT STEEL at any close range. I hope you can learn from my stupid mistake.

 

[bobbyd3]

Yikes.

Minimum im gonna go is 100 yards.

Is using FMJ rounds a bad idea with metal targets?

Has anyonen gotten any shrapnel coming back at them from 100
Yards +

 

[oneyeopn]

20 yards is close, I have seen ricochets come back at that close of range, but I havent at 50 or 100 on non-fixed targets, I have seen it when shooting like at old engine blocks and such but they couldnt give and if the angle is just right. Always make sure your targets can swing. We shoot at steel spinners at 25 yards with 22's but if we are going to shoot with bigger they have to be at least 50 yards out.

 

[bobbyd3]

Welded together a simple take down frame today for the targets, use rebar as legs and hanging bar.

Bought angle iron, figure bolt that to back of target and attach chain to that to get a good downward angle.

Im thinking of using plain rope to hang them, as even if I get the super thick looking $3 a foot chain, one bullet hits gonna break it so might as well use cheap rope. Maybe a bike tube cut into strip would work to as would take a few hits to sever it.

 

[bobbyd3]

Well finally took the steel targets to the range today.

The AR200 3/8" targets all were fine using my .22 at about 50 yards

Problems is with the AR500.
I had a 12 X 13 that was 1/2" thick hanging at an angle about 100 yards out. I shot 50 or so rounds and then went to get the target and found it had pot marks in it, Actual chips out of it.

There were also some hits that didnt have "potholes"

So Im assuming its the ammo, I used
PMC .223 bronze 55 grain FMJ
PMC X-TAC 5.56 Green tip 62 grain M855, Steel core Light AP.

So im assuming Its the X-tac Steel core that is reason and not that its isnt ar500 as there are some hits that didnt penetrate.

Now I gotta throw that target out