Steel Targets

[WV Sendero]

How thick of steel do I need to use to make a hanging steel target? I will be shooting 300 & 338 RUM and 338 Edge @ 300 yards and out. Also what size does everyone typically use?

[azsugarbear]

I tend to use targets slightly smaller than the size of the "kill zone" of the animals I hunt. Mostly squares and circles in the 12" & 10" range. Perhaps more important than size is the type of steel used. Mild steel will get beat up real quick. Those calibers will punch a hole i 3/8" steel even at 800 yds. Your best bet would be to order targets made from AR500 steel - the same steel used for armor plating by the military. There are sponsors on this site that sell them. Every now and then, a group buy is available on Snipershide, where they are a real bargain. Money well spent.

[SBruce]

I've been told that the hardness or grade of steel is more important than the thickness. I've seen a 338 Edge shooting 300 SMK go clean through 1/2" steel plate at 400 yds, but I believe it to be fairly mild steel.?

[webs]

That would be A36 steel. We run some Mil-A-46100 and some similar armor at work every now and then. I shot a plate at 100, 200, and 300 yds with 165 grain Barnes Bullet out of a 30.06 and there wasn't even a mark in the material. Draw back is that it sucks to machine.

[houston]

We use a 20" manhole cover painted white. works most excellant.
Jeff~

[nddodd]

I've got a 12"x12" piece of ar 500 3/8" thick and at 250 yds with my 300 rum shooting 210 smk's at 3175 fps it doesnt leave a mark. All it does is knock the paint off.

Go with the ar 500 and you won't be disappointed


Nathan

[trapperluke]

There is a group buy on ar500 targets over on 6mmbr.com, pretty good deals. All shapes and sizes.