Cranky CJ
Member
If one were to make their own steel gong target, what type of steel plate would you use? How thick etc?
Making a steel target
- Thread starter Cranky CJ
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jerkface11
Member
What do you plan on shooting it with?
.338Sako
Member
I have made several targets not the gong style but silhouettes style. I used 1/2" hot rolled. The .338 tears um up pretty good though. For standard pistol rounds 1/2" would hold up fine.
myFRAGisFUBAR
Member
Look for ar500 steel. Given enough range it will stand up to the most powerful rifle rounds. Handguns dont even dent it. I own aboyt 6 gongs and they are a year old. The surfaces are still smooth.
If you want it to last, AR500.
If you don't mind buying a pre made target, vs buying and cutting AR 500 plate (Plasma cutter), you would have a hard time wearing this one out, unless you abuse it.
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8800&dir=1020|1022
If you don't mind buying a pre made target, vs buying and cutting AR 500 plate (Plasma cutter), you would have a hard time wearing this one out, unless you abuse it.
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8800&dir=1020|1022
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OP
Cranky CJ
Member
shooting everything from pistol (45 acp, 357mag) to high powered rifle, 30-06 etc...
what is ar500 steel?
what is ar500 steel?
OP
OP
Cranky CJ
Member
quick search of ar500 answers all the questions. I guess I could have done that easy enough. thanks.
.338Sako
Member
these guys are correct in using ar500 plate, I just have access to free steel scrape plate from my work.
For rifles I use 1/2 steel plate as a minimum...... for pistols even as thin as 1/4 will work but it does bend. I just get whet ever scrap steel that I can get cheep. I weld a steel chain loop into the plate and a loop onto a piece of bent rebar and then use an S hook to hang the steel.
I have had others shoot holes in a few of my steel plates with AR pistols but the plates still hold up to my magnums.
I have had others shoot holes in a few of my steel plates with AR pistols but the plates still hold up to my magnums.
Jim Watson
Member
Depends on what you are shooting.
High velocity rifles need hard plate, AR500 if buying new.
For pistols and cast rifle bullets, you can get away with mild steel if and only if you have complete control. Your best bud will crater up a cheap target until it spits lead back at you and it is ruined.
High velocity rifles need hard plate, AR500 if buying new.
For pistols and cast rifle bullets, you can get away with mild steel if and only if you have complete control. Your best bud will crater up a cheap target until it spits lead back at you and it is ruined.
jerkface11
Member
I bought a plate from www.themetalman.com
No there are no craters and it is easy enough to turn the hunk of steel around and spray paint the otherside white or orange and bang the back the other way. As long as yo are the proper distance away from the steel and it is free to swing on impact you will not have problems.
zerobarrier
Contributing Member
You want 3/8" ar500 to give that nice gong sound when the bullet hits.
ColtPythonElite
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My 3/8 AR500 gongs have been shot thousands of times and show next to no wear.
32_d3gr33s
Member
I brought a large piece of steel home from work the other day. Hung it next to my ar500 plate. Ar500 is 1/2" thick and weighs probably less than 1/4 of the steel i brought home. That steel is over 1" thick. Shot it 4 times with ar15 at 100 yards and now it has 4x 1/4" deep holes in it. I stopped shooting it with my rifle at that point. Ar500 doesn't even get a ding at that distance.
Try getting ahold of AA Targets in Greeley, they make and sell AR500 targets and frames. They did anyway, don't know if they're still around. Call and see. http://aatargets.com/products.php
Plenty of testimony as to desirability of AR500, and all absolutely correct.
A friend has a computerized cutting table in his personal shop. He cut me a full-size old-style IPSC silhouette from 3/8" AR500.
Test firing from 100 yards with jacketed 7.62 NATO(21" FAL) and 5.56mm (20" AR15) did nothing at all except remove the black paint at points of impact.
The IPSC target is a rather practical size for "tactical" exercises at any range; in AR500 I believe it's a "lifetime target".
A friend has a computerized cutting table in his personal shop. He cut me a full-size old-style IPSC silhouette from 3/8" AR500.
Test firing from 100 yards with jacketed 7.62 NATO(21" FAL) and 5.56mm (20" AR15) did nothing at all except remove the black paint at points of impact.
The IPSC target is a rather practical size for "tactical" exercises at any range; in AR500 I believe it's a "lifetime target".
jerkface11
Member
If you want it for hunting practice get an 8 or 10 inch circle.
VonFatman
Member
CJ,
Here is a link to a reply I made on another thread.
I work for a construction equipment dealership and have lots of ideas for steel targets. I like the gas tanks for handgun/low velocity and hard steel for rifles.
Bob
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=746336
Here is a link to a reply I made on another thread.
I work for a construction equipment dealership and have lots of ideas for steel targets. I like the gas tanks for handgun/low velocity and hard steel for rifles.
Bob
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=746336
No way I am shooting those up close, not to mention the possibility of bullets being redirected over the (very short) berm. Great idea for the cutout, but they should have used the dirt that was removed to make a higher berm.
Hit a cylinder just right and they will shoot back.
Hit a cylinder just right and they will shoot back.
VonFatman
Member
Hmmmm...been shooting these for 17 years. Funny thing, no reported deaths. The only injuries....sunburn.
We always wear safety glasses and ear protection.
Somehow we have muddled through.
It's a matter of using good judgement while at the range.
All shooters are told the rules. Targets are placed at the bottom of the pallet. Shooting tanks...aim low (bottom half)...etc.
The berm was built with the dirt dug out....don't know where it would have been used other than the berm.
Agree about building up the berm. I've not had issues but want to add to it this spring. I hope to double the height and yet be able to mow the back side so I will be moving a bunch of dirt.
Bob
We always wear safety glasses and ear protection.
Somehow we have muddled through.
It's a matter of using good judgement while at the range.
All shooters are told the rules. Targets are placed at the bottom of the pallet. Shooting tanks...aim low (bottom half)...etc.
The berm was built with the dirt dug out....don't know where it would have been used other than the berm.
Agree about building up the berm. I've not had issues but want to add to it this spring. I hope to double the height and yet be able to mow the back side so I will be moving a bunch of dirt.
Bob
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