How to tell if target is AR500 steel?

[loose noose]

I do thank all the responses in regards to this post, I believe I'll be going out
Friday Morning to try it out on the .223/5.56 using 69grn HP/SP ammo.

 

[Walkalong]

My targets do show pitting after a few thousand rounds and even some holes with .223 (55 gn FMJ) at 50-100 yards.

It is recommended not to shoot steel at less than 100 yards with a rifle. Some is the velocity and some is the energy. A .223 can blow holes in 1/4" AR 500 at 75 yards.Plus the danger of splatter coming back with targets at less than 100 yards.

 

[jmorris]

.223 Norinco FMJ will do more damage (not bad but more) to AR500 at 100 than a 300 win mag with SP bullets.

 

[loose noose]

I plan on setting the steel out at 200 yards. and then bring it in from there.

 

[gbw]

Unless you already know, you may want to check to be sure your bullets are not magnetic (do not contain steel). Normal copper jacketed lead rifle bullets, standard ball, jhp, jsp, etc., have not damaged my AR targets but I’ve not tried steel jackets or penetrator / armor piercing on them.

Be careful.

 

[sigp6]

Shoot it.

 

[doubleh]

An easy test for hardened steel is to whack it sharply on an edge with a piece of mild steel. If your mild steel piece dents and the other doesn't you have your answer. That doesn't necessarily mean it's AR500 but it is something that will take heat treatment which also doesn't mean that it will stand up to being shot with jacketed ammo.

I would just shoot it at a safe distance and see what happens. Get a hole? Like previously stated welding up a hole in mild steel is easy.

 

[loose noose]

I finally managed to get out and test fire that target, at 0 wind, which is unusual for this area, I placed the target out at 200 yards according to my range finder, and using my son's .308 hand loaded with 150 grain spitzer soft point right at 2850fps and let it rip. Well as you can see the bullets nearly penetrated the hard steel silhouette, after 3 rounds using a telescopic uni-pod for a rest, I decided, that due to the damage incurred by the .308, I'd continue to use that heavy target for pistols and revolvers at under 50 yards rather than destroy it.

.

 

[loose noose]

Not the best group but, I am not the most steady person with a uni-pod lucky I even got three rounds on target at that range. I do believe any closer they would have gone clear thru that steel. I do know that the 45-70 shot using a Sharps 1874 model using black powder and a 405 Grain flat nose bullet, as well as my Springfield Trap door at 500 yards would not even faze the steel.

Definitely not R500. but it sure did destroy a bunch of drill bits.