DIY Steel Targets

[WillD]

There is a gravel pit on the ranch where we do most of our plinking/target shooting. I'd like to build a steel gong for longer range/ rifle shooting. In the past I've built pistol silhouettes out of mild steel and while fairly inexpensive and durable for non-magnum calibers, magnum calibers would dimple them. I know rifle calibers will perforate them. My question is what material do you suggest for non-magnum rifle calibers up to say .308 at ranges not less than 100 yards? Price and availability are prime considerations. I'd thought about trying steel flywheels possibly doubled?

What are your suggestions and experiences?

TIA, Will

[LRRPF52]

It has to be hardened steel to stay intact for high power rifle. AR500 or better.

[gophernuts]

AR500 is the only way to go. If you want to buy the last targets you will ever need. Those evil roy targets are absolutely great. They will last you forever. http://Www.actiontarget.com I have shot ar500 from 15 feet away with a .308 and it leaves a simple so small you barely notice it.

[Longshot_34]

These guys have them too.

http://wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=1020|1022

[WillD]

So in your opinions there is no other less expensive way to DIY? Remember they will be shot at a minimum range of 100 yards?

[WillD]

The Widener's price of $55 seems too good to be true but exactly what I'm looking for and $40 less than I'd found.
Thanks Longshot!

[bwaites]

I paid $17 for a 1x1 foot 1/2" AR 500 plate, cut and walked to the car.

Some of that was cost of cutting.

If you are hanging the plate, it isn't terribly expensive.

If you buy it local, you don't have to pay shipping cost, either!

[Longshot_34]

Bill, if you got that at the local place you must have a hook up! I never get out of there for less than $50

[bwaites]

I bought 3 pieces, 1 AR, 2 regular 1/2" for $50. Maybe he did give me a deal! The AR was only $1 or $2 more than the regular stuff.

[stanc]

I bought 3 pieces, 1 AR, 2 regular 1/2" for $50.

It'd be interesting to see some 1/2" mild steel shot with a variety of 6.5 loads, similar to what one of the 6.8 guys did:

http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.ph...post219935

[munchie3409]

Not sure what is better than AR500 since it's the industry standard for steel targets. Guy on SH and THR had two group buys and his prices couldn't be matched. He was offering circles and squares in various sizes. The steel I bought from him are holding up to 338Lapua Mag. I don't waste my time shooting less than 300 yards on steel, but the 3/8' and 1/2" plates have worked very well.

If you get scrap steel, just know it won't last as long as harden steel. I know some folks that used old disc and have gone to the RR for RR ties.

[Mutt]

I'm a dive master and had several old unservicable dive tanks. I've been shooting at them for years. They are aluminum, but they make great targets. They gong really loud when you hit them and can shoot at them with anything you want. Sure, the bullets go through at least one side depending on the caliber. But, who cares they were scrap anyway. I used to shoot with a bunch of guys from Beoing and they used to bring large (4 foot tall) unserviceable oxygen, acetalene, etc tanks. They work just as well. Usually, you can go to dive shops or welding supply stores and ask them if they have unserviceable tanks. If they are a little nervous about you trying to reuse them, bring a cordless drill along with a 3/8 drill and drill a whole in the tank right there in front of them. Usually, if you let them know up front what you are using them for they understand. When they get shot up to the point where they aren't much good, you just drop them off at the scrap yard or recycler. They might even pay you for the scrap weight of the metal.

Luckily, I live in Bremerton Washington and we have three navy bases, one of which is a ship yard. They cut up old navy ships and send out the scrap on rail cars to be shipped to steel manufacturers for re-melting. Some of the scrap finds its way to the local scrap metal yard. I can go in there and find some really nice pieces of old water tanks, ship hull, old excavating buckets etc. There is usually some kind of nice plate in there you can pick up for just a few bucks. They will usually cut it for you for a few bucks more.

Now, I can understand where a rifle range or someone with high volume of shooting would want AR500 (so it will hold up and last). But, you can pick up some mild steel for alot less. It will last the average shooter many years. Hell, those aluminum dive tanks have been shoot up many hundereds of times and are still holding up fairly well. Plus, I don't have to worry about ricochete with the aluminum.

[bwaites]

It'd be interesting to see some 1/2" mild steel shot with a variety of 6.5 loads, similar to what one of the 6.8 guys did:

http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.ph...post219935

Did that a while back, but it might have been when you were gone?

None of the Grendel loads penetrated 1/2" plate, but none of the non AP .308 rounds did either.

My 7mm WSM blew through it.



110 grain Barnes banded solids, at around 2600 FPS.



Nosler 100 BT's.



.308 with AP projectile.



Various different Grendel, including 123 Lapua, 120 Ballistic Tip, 100 Ballistic tip. Top left 4 shots are 2 Beowulf hollowpoints and 2 .308 Milsurp shots from an M1A.

[bwaites]

The 4 large through penetration holes are 7mm WSM, with holes nearly twice the diameter of the projectiles.

[txgunner00]

Stop by a construction site where they are doing tiltwall work. If you are a smooth talker you might be able to walk away with some leftover embed plates. I've used many for targets and they have never cost me a dime. Shoot em up and toss em.

[ss355]

Before the old Grendel board went down, I bought some AR500 plates of various sizes from another board member. I have his name but not his screen name, so I don't know if he still posts here or not. The price certainly seemed reasonable. Sadly, I haven't had the opportunity to shoot them, yet. They're just sitting the garage.

[Overwatcher]

AR500 can be incredibly hard to find local. At least for me anyway.
I made several calls to various places and most everybody found it real tough to get AR500
I was quoted $1200 for 500 and $800 for AR400(4' x 8' sheet)3/8"
They also had to special order it.
I ended up going with the AR400 and gettin various size targets lazer cut,it works great for pistol and the rifles at 300+
I was shooting it with a 5.56 55g FMJ and it leaves the tinyiest dimple at 300.
The Grendel with a soft point..no dimple.
Weidners has a very good deal on AR plate,because after finding it,hauling it in to get cut,etc... can be cumbersome.
Bill getting a 1/2 piece of AR500 for $17 is just a steal!
Doubt you will find that anywhere.

[bwaites]

AR500 isn't very tough to find in most places, so I'm surprised at your difficulty. It is what is used for any rock/gravel/coal operation for the bed liners of the trucks, and for conveyor walling, etc.

In some parts of the country, (especially coal country) it can sometimes even be had as scrap, with all the coal operations that have been shut down.

The piece I got was a piece of scrap from a steel place, then cut to my specs. The cutting was most of the cost.

CAUTION: If you are getting AR 400 or 500 cut, it needs to be cut with a laser or water jet. Cutting with a torch will cause the edges to become soft, and when struck at the edges they will react like soft steel, making razor sharp areas along the edges!

[Overwatcher]

AR500 isn't very tough to find in most places, so I'm surprised at your difficulty. It is what is used for any rock/gravel/coal operation for the bed liners of the trucks, and for conveyor walling, etc.

In some parts of the country, (especially coal country) it can sometimes even be had as scrap, with all the coal operations that have been shut down.

The piece I got was a piece of scrap from a steel place, then cut to my specs. The cutting was most of the cost.

CAUTION: If you are getting AR 400 or 500 cut, it needs to be cut with a laser or water jet. Cutting with a torch will cause the edges to become soft, and when struck at the edges they will react like soft steel, making razor sharp areas along the edges!

I kind of thought the same thing,I was really surprised on how tough it was to get.
I probably should have done more scrounging around for pieces here and there,but the only problem with that is when you go to get it lazer cut,they are going to hit you hard with setting this or that piece up. Having a nice big sheet is a one stop chop and being able to nest all your plates and get the most bang for your buck. Lucky enough I split the sheet with a coworker,who's brother had the hookup,and ending up getting it cut for free.Whereas the lazer is around $250 an hour.
+1 to having it either lazer cut or jetted.make sure you also get your holes/way your going to hang it.Almost impossible to drill it.
For what I paid to DIY..it was worth it.
For the time and effort..it was a little more then what I wanted.
I dunno just my experience.

[bwaites]

I kind of thought the same thing,I was really surprised on how tough it was to get.
I probably should have done more scrounging around for pieces here and there,but the only problem with that is when you go to get it lazer cut,they are going to hit you hard with setting this or that piece up. Having a nice big sheet is a one stop chop and being able to nest all your plates and get the most bang for your buck. Lucky enough I split the sheet with a coworker,who's brother had the hookup,and ending up getting it cut for free.Whereas the lazer is around $250 an hour.
+1 to having it either lazer cut or jetted.make sure you also get your holes/way your going to hang it.Almost impossible to drill it.
For what I paid to DIY..it was worth it.
For the time and effort..it was a little more then what I wanted.
I dunno just my experience.

Understand. I do know that buying whole sheets gets spendy really fast!

That said, I've shot my 1/2" piece at 80 yards with the WSM 7mm and you can see the impact, but just barely. Spray paint and the mark is almost impossible to see.