Shooting at steel plates

one2hutn

If I want to set up targets at ranges farther than I care to walk to check my target I would like to set up steel plates so I can register a hit audibly. Can someone tell me if there is a correct way to set these up as I do not want to incur ricochets or a potentially hazardous environment because I didn't ask. Is there a standard size and thickness of teel that is standard? I have access to scrap and a buddy who's a welder who can cut for me.>CHRIS

shoff14

You want to use AR500 steel. Either set up at a long distances and swing able, or set up at an angle to force the bullet into the dirt below it.

one2hutn

Thats what i thought but just needed to be sure. Thanks

Mobuck

I hang my steel plates from 3/8" log chain from two points at the upper corners(2&10 oclock on rounds) between posts. Smaller handgun targets are hung by a strap on the back and 1/2" rerod crosspiece above. In both cases the mounting gives the plate face a slight tilt toward the ground. This diverts spatter down. Common steel plate will not stand up to rifle hits if held firlmly and not much better when suspended from the chains. Even the 223 will do significant damage under 200 yards and 308 beats the heck out of them at 300 meters. I've welded up holes and swapped sides with some a couple of times but punch throughs are now frequent.

shoff14

Let me tell you why I said to use AR500 plate. Yes it is armor plate, but it doesn't tend to deform under impact that other steels will. I am sure you can get away with using some heat treated steel, D1 or A2 maybe, maybe something tougher like CMV, ect. However when you get a bullet impact divot your creating a place for another bullet to ricochet. Your trying to control the ricochet's and if there are a bunch of large divots from being shot, your not controlling it very good.

v35

Hanging plates at a greater angle should reduce divots and rebounds.
You can also weld doubler plates in back of impact areas to reduce overall weight of your backstop.

Mobuck

Occasionally, you might shoot your chain in two. Remember to include a disconnect in your hangers somewhere. I had one of my pistol swingers set next to the target where I was sighting in an 8mm Mauser. I had bore sighted it but the first shot was off a little and the 8mm FMJ cut that 1/2" rerod support like a knife. OOOOPS!

Skeedaddy

AR500 plates......where can you find this steel?

guntech59

Try hanging with the rubber conveyor belt material. It is wide enough to be forgiving of some not so well placed shots.