Log in

View Full Version : I found target steel


mr_will
10-12-2006, 18:04
Speken Iron & Metal
310 S Santa Fe Ave
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 544-4837
aiacolorado.org
they are roughly 9x17" plates
some are 1/2" thick and some are 1.25" thick
it is .25 cents a pound I got 5 of the thin ones and 2 thick ones and it was 233lbs.
these are plates from cinder block molds. I was turned on to this place and these plates by a couple of other shooters. Apparently the stuff will hold most pistols and some rifles. And the thicker stuff will handle almost anything. Its hard enough that when you do get ammo to strong for it, it don't put a hole in it it breaks.
Will make racks to hang the larger stuff from and will probably come up with something for the thinner ones.
early next week I will post a report on how it holds up. And will probably bring it to the shoot.
[postal] [postal] [postal] [postal] [postal] [postal]
mr_will
10-12-2006, 18:46
pics of the goods
will knock or cut the ends off so its just a square plate. Then break out the mig and weld a chain link to the tops on the thick plates. Smaller ones will swing from a piece of rebar or dowel rod probably.
anybody got any other ideas I am open to suggestions.

http://crankgoboom.com/guns/targets/thin.jpg
http://crankgoboom.com/guns/targets/thick.jpg
http://crankgoboom.com/guns/targets/all.jpg
Hoser
10-12-2006, 20:22
We used some of that exact stuff in Pueblo. A lot of it was so hard it was brittle. Shoot it with a 223 inside of 100 yards and it would fracture. A 308 was not as bad.

Velocity is the enemy when it comes to steel. A 20 gn 17 caliber bullet at 3800 fps does more damage than a 175 gn 30 cal bullet at 2900 fps.

I was painting a chunk of steel at a match and I actually heard it fracturing while I was standing right there. It had not been shot for several minutes.

For plinking steel, thats great stuff.
mr_will
10-12-2006, 20:32
Yea thats why i got 2 of the thicker ones to set out pretty far for my AR we will see if they hold up. The thin stuff will only see pistol use. I will get some sort of stand made this weekend and try it out next week sometime hopefully.

You going to be out there for the match Sunday
Hoser
10-12-2006, 20:51
You going to be out there for the match Sunday

Of course. Someone has to keep Roger in line besides Patti.
mr_will
10-13-2006, 18:48
I found good use for a roll cage for a first gen RX7 that was sitting in the shop HAHA
I may bungy the bottom if they swing to much, but i doubt they do, they are around 50lbs each.
I am going to cut some of the thinner ones in half. I just need to figure how i want them on a stand. I am thinking about putting them on a hinge hanging down, maybe spring loaded hinge to keep them put.

sorry for the crappy pic didnt have a camera in the shop, I am goin to use the rest of the tubing i have for pistol target stands. I was taught use what you have laying around.

http://crankgoboom.com/guns/targets/targetstand.jpg
2ndChildhood
10-13-2006, 19:45
Nice steel!

Weakest point is that dang chain.

Almost every time my chains got hit they would separate.

I have seen 2" webbing used because it takes alot of hits before it shreds so much that it lets go.

I've also seen strips of what looked like old tire material (3/8 thick black rubber encased nylon).

You might also want to tack your hangers on the back where they are protected by the steel.

Show us some of the "after" pictures too!

Also, watch out for the sharp edges your roll cage will have after it gets shot.
I learned that the hard way.
mr_will
10-13-2006, 19:48
Nice steel!

Weakest point is that dang chain.

Almost every time my chains got hit they would separate.

I have seen 2" webbing used because it takes alot of hits before it shreds so much that it lets go.

I've also seen strips of what looked like old tire material (3/8 thick black rubber encased nylon).

You might also want to tack your hangers on the back where they are protected by the steel.

Show us some of the "after" pictures too!

yea i will see how this holds up, about on back i had that idea, and then changed my mind and cut a chain link in half and used that.
Tire rubber is a good idea, i think i have 3 tires in storage shed.
I may go test it tomorrow, but will probably be next week.
Gman
10-14-2006, 15:10
SS109/M855 will probably zip right through the tubing or chain.

Is it really portable? How heavy is the entire works?
mr_will
10-14-2006, 16:50
SS109/M855 will probably zip right through the tubing or chain.

Is it really portable? How heavy is the entire works?

I can pull the plates off the stand, I welded hooks to the stand to hang the chains on. If they plates were fixed to the stand then that would be a bitch to move.
It is very portable in the bed of the truck, I can load it and unload it by myself. Already tested that. total weight of the stand and plates is probably 150lbs or there abouts. The plates are the heaviest part.
Yes probably any 5.56 will go through the chain or tubing. Infact next week when I test out the steel I dont think I will use 62gr sS109 stuff on it just yet I have some heavier slower stuff I will try. The chain is just a piece of chain I had laying around, as well is the tubing. The tubing is 1-3/4” o.d. .134” it isnt goin to stop any rifle rounds but I have had in the shop for a year or so and was just taking up space anyway, I just put it to use.
Still trying to come up with an idea for pistol stands. Does anyone know where you can get torsion springs at I have an idea but need a few of these springs.
This is a pic of a torsion spring anything in that general design, but I need it pretty heavy.
http://www.precisionroller.com/img/J1376.th.jpg
recon1976
10-18-2006, 16:17
Maybe try a couple of saw horses for the smaller plates. Then you could attach some lawn mower wheels to the bottom for easy movement.