AR500 steel.. How close? Angle down? FMJ?

[taymag]

I got a AR500 torso target.. I know it will handle .45, 9mm, 223 and I reload my 9mm and 45 with powder coated cast so I assume those are fine but I remember seeing something about FMJ and steel plates.

If the target has a 20-30 degree angle down should I be good? Just going off the angle I should be good 15-20 yards back I would assume (might take a toe off [BD])

Anyone have any experience? Negative in particular so I know what to look out for or change?

 

[bearcreek]

FMJ in any pistol caliber barely dents regular mild steel shot at a flat 90. I wouldn't worry about angling it for the pistol rounds.

 

[briansmithwins]

I've got some AR400 plates that I shoot with full power 9mmP from fiveish yards on out. The plates aren't dented at all.

BSW

 

[Sour Kraut]

You are more concerned about rounds coming back at you not the wear and tear in the target correct?

That's my question.....what is a safe distance?

 

[243winxb]

Steel

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=807429 Ask a few weeks ago. http://energy.gov/ea/downloads/use-bullet-traps-and-steel-targets-june-4-2012 See link on page.

Use of 5.56mm/.223 caliber and handgun ammunition requirements. (See
Attachment 4 for the NTC’s evaluation report.) Analysis identifying the
suitability of any ammunition should be forwarded to the Office of Security
Policy for subsequent revisions of this document.
(1) Placement of secondary surfaces (e.g., other targets, range fixtures) in an
area exceeding 35 degrees relative to the surface of the target.
(2) Exposed target apparatus beneath the target must be sandbagged and range
surface area in the splatter zone inside 35 degrees relative to the surface of
the target must be “soft” (soil, fine gravel, sand, grass or concrete with
appropriate coating).
(3) The use of jacketed frangible rifle ammunition.
(4) The use of non-jacketed frangible rifle ammunition is prohibited until
analysis of new non-jacketed frangible rifle ammunition technology
documents it can be used safely.
(5) Minimum distances for non-jacketed frangible, jacketed frangible and
jacketed ball or duty handgun ammunition is 7 yards.
(6) Minimum distances for jacketed frangible rifle ammunition on steel is 7
yards if the particular ammunition item passes the DOE NTC test protocol
(See Attachment 4).
(7) Minimum distances for 5.56/.223 ball, duty, or untested jacketed frangible
on steel is 50 yards.

7.62x51mm.
(1) Use of jacketed frangible rifle ammunition is not authorized until further
analysis is completed.
(2) Use of non-jacketed frangible rifle ammunition is not authorized until
further analysis is completed.
d. The minimum distance for use of 7.62x51 is 50 yards.
e. Note: Use of other calibers of ammunition requires site specific safety analysis
and approval by site safety and the Official Designated Federal Security
Authority (ODFSA).

Hats with brims should be worn
in addition to approved eye and hearing protection unless wearing approved goggles or
night vision goggles and/or tactical helmets. Use of long sleeves and pants is required.

Participants (other than the shooter
and one/instructor/controller),
observers, and bystanders may be no
closer to target than 30 feet, more
than 50 feet either side of the gun to
target line, and not forward of the
weapon’s muzzle.

 

[taymag]

You are more concerned about rounds coming back at you not the wear and tear in the target correct?

That's my question.....what is a safe distance?

Ya, the targets are kind of expensive but I could care less if I wear it down over time, that the least of my money wasting problems hah. I've just seen those few bogus youtube videos where it comes right back at them.

I assume my cast loads will just smash and angle off the bottom but I though I heard not to shoot FMJ close

 

[Sour Kraut]

Ya, the targets are kind of expensive but I could care less if I wear it down over time, that the least of my money wasting problems hah. I've just seen those few bogus youtube videos where it comes right back at them.

I assume my cast loads will just smash and angle off the bottom but I though I heard not to shoot FMJ close

Hope to get responses regarding the safety aspect!

 

[Welding Rod]

I have AR 500 plates and they start show marks with 223/556 M193 at 50 yards.

I shoot pistol, mostly 9mm at them at 15 yards and they don't mark.

This is with free hanging targets at a slight angle.

Assuming copper and lead bullets and proper hanging of the targets, velocity is what is supposed to eat up AR500. I believe 2,700 FPS at impact is supposed to be the point where damage is likely to occur.

 

[jakk280rem]

Velocity kills AR500. M193 out my 18" AR occasionally penetrates my 3/8 plates.

There really is no correct answer except to say distance is your friend. I've safely shot rifles at plates at 15 yards without incident and had jacket fragments from a 357 come back and cut my knuckle at 25 yards.

General rule of thumb is to not mount plates solidly. Allow then some swing and they will soak up alot of energy. Also worn pitted plates spit more lead and jackets back at you than new plates. Relegate heavily pitted plates to 100+ yds.

 

[243winxb]

When targets are as specified.

Info ,quotes added above.. depending on ammo/cartridge/firearm, 7 to 50 yards minimum. More if 338 , 50 cal.?

 

[Walkalong]

Minimum of 100 yards with rifle. Minimum, and wear eye protection. Minimum of 10 yards (I prefer further) for pistols, and wear eye protection.

Hang steel loose and angled down.

1/2" for rifle. 3/8" or 1/4" for centerfire pistol, depending on how close and what caliber. 3/8" is best. 1/4" for .22 LR.

Some good info in the thread 243winxb linked to in post #5.

 

[gazpacho]

Put the biggest diameter 3" bolts through the mounting holes that will fit. Secure them with 2 lock nuts on the back. Slip on at least 1 foot of thick chain on each bolt and secure that with another lock nut. Hang the torso plates from bolts mounted in a 2x4. The plate will hang at just enough angle to deflect most of the splattering lead downward. Hanging from chain will help absorb impact and preserve your plates longer.

I second 100 yards for rifle and 10 yards for pistol minimum. All shooting safety practices still apply.

 

[zeke]

At our local range, no closer than 100 yards for rifle, 25 yards for pistol. We use the hardened steel bolts for mounting.

Normal pistol rounds will not dent up a 500 brinnel plate, but the heavier large caliber rounds will "cup" them over time from stress.

All our targets are meant to swing back, and mounted using old conveyor belts and hardened steel bolts.