Hey guys, I'm looking into getting some steel targets for the range. I'm not too familiar with it at all.

 

I've read up a little but it seems vast and I was wondering if some of you can help.

 

I'm not sure what type of steel is needing for .22lr, 9mm and .40 cal. Is AR500 the correct strength or could I go lighter?

 

Nich

That seems to be the standard that I'm seeing these days. Www.shootsteel.com has some good serious depending on what you're looking for.

This may help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c9G4hJv9qM&feature=related

 

And this: http://www.arntzentargets.com/videos1.htm

This is what I did. http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/39475-shooting-steel-is-addictive/

This is what I did. http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/39475-shooting-steel-is-addictive/

 

Yeah I saw your post earlier.. Did you build that stand?

Yeah I saw your post earlier.. Did you build that stand?

 

Yep, I had most of the steel from other projects just lying around.

Big dog steel is having a labor day sale right now.

That seems to be the standard that I'm seeing these days. Www.shootsteel.com has some good serious depending on what you're looking for.

 

I know a guy who makes his living working w. metal and he highly recommends shootsteel.com. This link explains why either laser cutting or waterjet cutting is preferred because it cuts down on the annealing which softens the areas adjacent to the cut: http://www.shootsteel.com/cutting-ar500-steel-plate/

Arntzentargets - awesome company, where I get all my fun steel from.

 

Go AR500 or go home. That way you never have to worry about 'oh no I only have mild steel, I can't shoot **** at it', you know? It's thicker, stronger, and better than milder steel but will last 10 times better and longer.

BlueLine, is there a code to enter at big dog? I don't see any sale prices listed.

BlueLine, is there a code to enter at big dog? I don't see any sale prices listed.

 

Code is laborday. It's 5% off and as always shipping is included in their prices

If you are not going to be shooting rifle rounds at the steel, there are lesser grades than AR500 that would save you money and can handle handgun rounds with no problem. That said, I would still go with the AR500 since you never know when you might start getting interested in rifle shooting.

Regular old 1/4 steel will take anything up to at least .41 mag (biggest I've shot at it) no problem. Of course .223 will go through like a hot knife through butter. Just be sure to hang it or mount it in a way that allows it some movement.

 

sheets of 1/4 can be had pretty cheaply and you can cut it or have it cut to any shape you like

I've got full 1/2 inch thick mild steel plates 10" circles.

 

Shoot them with anything but .22 rimfire and the face gets a crater. Even .38 wadcutters will leave a dimple. The plates don't bend, just the face gets cratered.

 

Now I happen to have a decent supply of 1/2 mild steel laying around. If I had to buy steel specifically to shoot at I would spend the money for the ar500. Well worth it.

I mush have the most baller 1/4 sheet steel in the world then becuase it takes hits from a .41 mag and just laughes it off. Of course it is mounted hanging so it can move with the hits.

Hanging might have something to do with it -- mine are mounted with u - bolts welded to the back then fit into a mount on top of a 4x4 - just like the plates used at the steel matches at old bridge

 

I was kinda disappointed when I found the cratering -- I 1st noticed it with my .38 super but the .38 special leaves a welt also. Haven't tried anything else besides .22 rimfire.

 

Maybe you have hardened plate and just don't know it

Possibly, Found it laying around in the garage at work. Boss said it was left over from some he bought to patch the fame on an older mobile home. He said it was just regular old 1/4 from fazzio's.

 

its a 12x8 piece (almost like a sheet of paper)

 

so far it's taken hits from,..

.22lr - no prob

.38spl - no prob

9x18 (steel jacketed) no prob

9x19 - no prob

.45acp - no prob

.41 mag - perhappps the slightest indentation but very very barely noticeable..hardly what I would call a crater.

.223 - right through

.243 - right through

30-06 - right through

7.62x54. - right through

 

All shots from approx 25 yards

AR500 and do it right the 1st time.

AR500 and do it right the 1st time.

 

This. Especially if the target is not large, the cost difference is relatively small.