190 SXR vs 1/4" steel plate @ 1/2 mile

[elkaholic]

Hi guys....I recently built a longe range steel target to practice at 880 yards and beyond. It looks like BEYOND is the operative word! It is a 20" round steel piece 1/4" thick. I got thinking about the ballistics of the whole setup and started doubting whether 1/4" would suffice even with my thin skinned SXR bullets. Before I took it out, I decided to shoot at close range with a known reduced load that duplicated my 300 Sherman at 880 yards which is around 1953'/second with a muzzle velocity of 3015'. I bored a 1/2" hole clear through it! Good expansion huh!
So my question is; what do you guys use for steel long range work? It looks like 3/8" minimun, or maybe even 1/2"? I know it also depends on the hardness of the steel.
Thanks in advance........Rich

[Oliveralan]

hardness of the steel is far more important than thickness. While both is needed, in the long run a mild steel plate will get really chewed up, and can make spotting exactly where your hit landed hard, because sharpnel from the bullet knock paint off all over the place.

AR400 will work for long range, but AR500 is best, 3/8" AR500 will take just about anything 200yards and out. I've shot a 6x6" plate of AR500 (free hanging) at 200yards with a 6.5mm 140 VLD at 3385fps MV and just given it the SLIGHTEST dimple, we're talking <1/32"...

[jsthntn247]

I've blasted my ar500 steel that I made from tank armor plenty of times with a 257 weatherby at 200 yards, 3700 fps and 100gr scirocco, just blows the paint off.

[jsthntn247]

Originally Posted by Oliveralan

hardness of the steel is far more important than thickness. While both is needed, in the long run a mild steel plate will get really chewed up, and can make spotting exactly where your hit landed hard, because sharpnel from the bullet knock paint off all over the place.

AR400 will work for long range, but AR500 is best, 3/8" AR500 will take just about anything 200yards and out. I've shot a 6x6" plate of AR500 (free hanging) at 200yards with a 6.5mm 140 VLD at 3385fps MV and just given it the SLIGHTEST dimple, we're talking <1/32"...

What kind of gun shoots a 6.5mm 140gr at 3385??? I got to get one of those. 6.5 allan magnum???

[angus-5024]

6.5 Voodoo!! Yeah... Awsome!

Back to OP. I use a 1-1/4" mild steel plate and it holds up OK outside of 400 yards. the bullets usually get lodged in it but I just paint over it and its good as new. I would get a peice of AR500 if my budget allowed.

[Outlaw6.0]

I use a 12" blind flange, mild steel about 2" thick, shots usually go from 500 yards out. Down side is, that pig is heavy... getting up there near 100lbs w/stand.... but i've beat the crap out of it w/ a 338RUM & 300SMK... good so far. They do dimple but they can be found pretty darn cheap.

[elkaholic]

Thanks for the help guys! I will check at our local steel supplier. Sounds like I may not be able to afford much ar500.........Rich