AR500 Steel Targets

[Sigfan220]

Please PM me for info on the steel targets.

[PhilaBOR]

How do you use them? Hang from the holes?

3/8" steel...presumably they won't stand up to .308 or 30-06....?

Thanks,

Phil

[Sigfan220]

I used logging chain and two clevis rings to hang the target. Other than that you would just need something to hang them from. I was going to weld something up but got lazy and just used some 2x4's which worked fine. I wish I had a 308 to test on them, unfortunaly 223 is the closet I have.

[Dick Unger]

I've got this setup for rifles. Brinnel 450. I put 4 inch bolts in the holes and hung with chanin. The bolts make it slope down and the spray hit the ground. The spray from high power is really strong, slope it down and protect the sides with timbers if you don't want damage or injury. Also, don't build a stand that has posts parallel to the plate. The spray will cut them up.

It will stop 30 cal rifles no problem. I was told after thousands of rounds it might concave the plate, so reverse it once in awhile. Don't have a 223, but do have a hot 6mm. It'll rough the surface, but the plate will hast for thousands of rounds. But I shoot bolt guns. If you shoot AR's, a thousand rounds a weekend, you might have to change targets once in awhile, just as you need to buy new gun barrels when they burn out.

It's velocity that hurts it, not power. A 44 Mag does zero damage at 20 yards, my 6mm roughs it a bit at 100. Farther out, nothing.

This 500 stuff is tougher than what I have. I also have 1/2 inch regualr steel targets. Pistols are fine but any rifle will melt a big bubble in those. The 500 targets are well worth the money, and hard to find. i'm gonna buy these.

[farmerj]

guess I would want to see pictures of the plate that was actually shot. I just struggle to believe that it would have just shrugged off a .223 round.

[Sigfan220]

I have pics from the testing. Keep in mind in addition to the 223 we used HOT 22-250 and 243 loads for South Dakota prairie dogs. My 243 was loaded with 75gr HP's loaded for SD dogs and cyotes. These loads will scuff the plate a bit. We sent about 200rds down range with the rifles. I would say if you want to shoot 243's and 22-250's back the target up another 50-100 yards. Bullet spray is a concern with steel - the snow was gray for 4-5 feet and jacket fragments were found much further.

The first picture is a single 223 round, the target only shows lead and copper deposits. The other two include the 22-250 and 243 shots. They rough up the surface a bit but the integrity of the target remains.

[Sigfan220]

I had one out again today, man are they a blast!!

[LarryFlew]

Have done an AR500 6 inch round target with about 500 rounds of .223 at 100-200 yards with virtually no damage at all in 3/8. Lost it since then but would certainly think these will do just as well.

Larry

[mnglocker]

Sigfan, Can you PM some contact info and local? I'm going to bring this up a tthe next club meeting at Delano Sportmens Club, perhaps you'd even like to come out with a sample. The only thing they'll likely contest is the head on it. They don't allow silloettes. However plates would be a hoot.

[Bessy]

The only thing they'll likely contest is the head on it. They don't allow silloettes. However plates would be a hoot.

Drill a hole in the bottom and hang them upside down, they are no longer silhouette targets... they are now popsicle targets. EVERYONE LOVES POPSICLES!

[Sigfan220]

Drill a hole in the bottom and hang them upside down, they are no longer silhouette targets... they are now popsicle targets. EVERYONE LOVES POPSICLES!

I like the idea! I may have to paint them in lime green too.

[mnglocker]

Drill a hole in the bottom and hang them upside down, they are no longer silhouette targets... they are now popsicle targets. EVERYONE LOVES POPSICLES!

They will be 40% IPSC and 1000% popsicle scale I like the idea! I may have to paint them in lime green too.

Works for me.

[Rem700]

Paint them orange and call them pumpkins.

[Pinnacle]

guess I would want to see pictures of the plate that was actually shot. I just struggle to believe that it would have just shrugged off a .223 round.

Believe it

BUT remember that AR500 while commonly used for armoring - IS NOT ARMOR STEEL. There is a difference - Armox 500 is a better choice. 0.375 is acceptable for 223 FMJ's even in AR500 but it iwll not hold up like real armor steel. I have access to 677Bhn 0.50 plate that will amaze you.

AR500 is made for the mining industry as an abrasion resistant steel. It is not hard throughout. Soft in the middle.

Armor steel is hard throughout.

[farmerj]

and I have had a couple shown to me that claim to be "AR500" brinell. Yet when you hit them with a .40 S&W you will pock mark it. AR500 steel as you pointed out is just that. Abrasion resistant. It's used for cutting edges for heavy equipment and farm implements as well as bed surfaces for dump trucks. Does a nice job of holding up, but it will still not perform like armor plate.

I have shot steel armor plate in the army. I have also gone to ranges that claim to have Armor plate targets and had jacket returns from ranges that put up simple steel and the pock marks send ricochets back to the firing line.

My safety and those around me are worth knowing more than someones word. I just want to leave the range with the same number of holes that I went with.