3/8" steel popper target

[loose noose]

I have a 3/8" steel popper that I've had for 10-15 years, in which I had a friend cut it and weld it and virtually design it. It has 2 heavy duty springs that cause it to rebound after being hit. I'm not sure of the type of steel whether it is R-5 or whatever. I do know I've shot it with a variety of hand guns at close range and it doesn't even dent it. I've also shot it with MilSpec 45-70 ammo that I loaded, from 100 yards all the way out to 500 yards, and again it didn't even phase it (no dings etc).

My question is if I set it up at say 200 yards or so, and shot it with my AR-15, using varmint loads (HP, or SP) if It would penetrate the steel? Now I'm not talking about using full metal jackets, just varmint loads. Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Archaic Weapon]

I do not have any numbers to throw out at you, but I would bet on a buffalo gun hurting worse than a gopher gun. My 2 cents.

 

[Jim Watson]

Velocity = penetration on steel, bullet type short of AP doesn't matter much.
A varmint rifle will penetrate what a buffalo rifle won't.
Our BPCR group has to lock up the mild steel targets that the .45-70s just flatten out on so the smokeless plinkers don't perforate them.

If you don't know the material, the only way to know is to risk it.
Shoot it someplace off the main target area where one small hole won't matter much.

 

[loose noose]

Naw, Jim, I think I'll pass on putting a hole in that popper, sure wish there was some way of telling if that was the R-5 Armored Steel though.:banghead: