Steel targets

[Scratch]

Woo hoo! Finally got some real man steel targets! No more shooting at that scary mild steel. 3/8" AR500 here baby! Now to get some stands made....

[jonahk]

Whoa! Pings for days!

[PHATSPEED7x]

I need a new steel gong... mine is holy from 5.56mm and rifled slugs.

Sent from LG G2

[photogpat]

forcefed and sigfan220 had a TON of blemish AR500 gongs, IDPA targets and other fun in the wearhouse the other day when I stopped in. I basically had to throw money a t them to let me leave.

Shootsteel.com

Nuff said!

[JJ]

I might have to get myself a couple of these from ShootSteel.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx_Pbz5OLnE

stupid forum will not let me embed for some reason.

[LarryFlew]

My original Shootsteel target (from way before he started shootsteel actually) has had thousands of rounds fired at it and only has one pock mark from a roufus round and it isn't even bad enough to worry about. And beautiful ball of fire it was.

[goatroper]

+1 on the shoot steel.com steel. Only thing better than the bang, is the ping and the ring that follows.

[Strativarius]

I still have my original 3/8 inch AR500 plate from shootsteel.com
Probably need to get around to buying a couple more.
Great guy, great prices, great product.

[Scratch]

Finally got a chance to test these suckers out today.
Tons of fun!

This picture is of a 2/3 torso, shot with 9mm FMJ at about 7 yards, but I did shoot another target with one .308 A-Max at 100 yards, and it's very hard to see where the hit is, once repainted. Unlike the A36 steel plate I've shot at before, that went right through...
I've heard now though, that I should be shooting a little further away away with the .308, and even further with .223 (which I'm not 100% sure why BTW...) but I'll do it from now on. I mostly shoot for distance on paper targets anyways, I got these more for handgun and shotgun work.

I have them angled downward, and I shoot standing on a big tarp to make it easier to save my brass. When I shoot the steel, after it rings, I can hear all the little bits of lead and jacketing falling on the tarp about 7-8 yards back. Sounds like a soft rain for about 2-3 seconds.

My mounting bracket forces them to be mounted at a downwards angle, but if I were to change it, and mount them vertical, maybe I wouldn't get as much spall falling back towards me...?

Not that it really matters, I never felt one piece hit me, although I'm sure it did. They were light and had no force behind them. I could see what looked like silver "instant potato" flakes on the ground by me, and I always wear eye pro, so I'm not too concerned about it.
Just wondering if by angling them downwards, I'm getting more spall back at me, if that's even possible...

[xd ED]

Maybe angle them down even more. This should drive more of the round down. Shots hitting square (vertical plate) will likely spatter in all directions. Sounds like you're shooting cast lead? Beware of copper jacket shrapnel at close distances.

[PRS]

Arnzen Arms has Shootsteel products in there showroom.

[Rem700]

Downward slope helps direct splatter into the ground, If the bullet strikes that carriage bolt used for mounting all bets are off in which direction the splatter is headed.

Also makes the plate slightly thicker amount of steel in relation to the bullets flight path, Think how sloped armor works.

[LarryFlew]

and even further with .223..............................

Although I have heard that b4 also, many if my shots on my original are 100 yard 223 without leaving a pock mark other than the one I mentioned.

[MNGunGuy]

I bought various 3/8" gongs and poppers from Shootsteel, The Target Man and MGM this year. I hadn't planned on going with three different vendors but each had something I wanted that the others didn't. What I gathered from talking to each vendor is that while they all use AR-500 steel they each use steel with different minimum hardness levels. How that'll play out over time for recreational use will be interesting. So far I've put about 100 rounds of 5.56/.223 on each piece from 100-220 yards and they all seem to be performing equally. Softer shooting .223 doesn't leave a mark for the most part but hotter XM193 style 5.56 does on all 3. Edge hits on each will remove a small piece of steel. I figured I'd post a mini review with pictures at the end of the year when they've had more abuse. You should do the same Steve.

[Scratch]

I bought various 3/8" gongs and poppers from Shootsteel, The Target Man and MGM this year. I hadn't planned on going with three different vendors but each had something I wanted that the others didn't. What I gathered from talking to each vendor is that while they all use AR-500 steel they each use steel with different minimum hardness levels. How that'll play out over time for recreational use will be interesting. So far I've put about 100 rounds of 5.56/.223 on each piece from 100-220 yards and they all seem to be performing equally. Softer shooting .223 doesn't leave a mark for the most part but hotter XM193 style 5.56 does on all 3. Edge hits on each will remove a small piece of steel. I figured I'd post a mini review with pictures at the end of the year when they've had more abuse. You should do the same Steve.

I will, especially since the steel I'm using has been CNC plasma cut, and not by a laser or water jet table. I'm curious to see the difference, if any... I've heard that in order for it to qualify for AR500 steel, it has to rate on the BNH scale between 504 and 519, according to my supplier, mine was rated at 509 but is stamped at 500.... Hmmmm... Maybe that was just a classification at the steel mill...

I've also talked with a rep from Hypertherm plasma cutters (Jim Colt) who told me that the HAZ of my torch should only be affecting about 0.1 inch of the edge and therefore should have no effect on the hardness of the steel.

I guess we'll find out as they get shot but so far, I'm happy with it!