Steel targets

[BigBear]

I think I would like to look into shooting some swinging steel. I'm thinking maybe like a little 4 or 6 inch "gong" on chains conected to a harness I can just hammer into the ground. Something strong enough for the .308, maximum distance I have to play with is 200 yards at the local range. So, since I know nothing about metal working:

What type of steel?

Is there a minimum safe distance?

Is this something I can make myself or order?

[opie011]

There is plenty of places to order steel targets. Here's a link to steel targets if you feel like building your own. http://www.agarms.com/pdf/steeltargets.pdf

Also, if you're shooting a .308 at some steel, I believe the industry standard is AR500 steel. I have a bunch of 1/2" plate steel Im making targets with but not AR500 so it will get wasted pretty quick but I get the steel from old bank safes so is free!!

[argonstrom]

I get the steel from old bank safes so is free!!

Nice! If you ever find yourself with a surplus of it, let me know!

[jmg8550]

I got some AR500 plate from a buddy of mine. He used to work with the stuff all the time. It torch cuts real nice and has held up to everything I've shot at it. The only thing I've shot that will penetrate so far is .30 cal AP. The plate is roughly 12x9 and 1/2 inch thick. I have it hanging from a stand I welded up out of 1inch square stock. It rings real well and swings plenty. Haven't tried any steel core ammo yet.

[esaabye]

One idea I saw on a home made steel was to use garden hose rather than chain. It will take some hits before breaking and is easy to replace in the field.

[7.62x39(4)life]

AR540 is the ideal hardness any harder and it becomes to fragile
angle the target slightly toward the shooter and it drops the round straight down in the dirt.
shooting steel is addicting

[Ranger]

One idea I saw on a home made steel was to use garden hose rather than chain. It will take some hits before breaking and is easy to replace in the field.

I went up plinking with my AR15 last night with one of those cheap aluminum stands, put it at 200 yards - I was on target just about every shot but my buddy missed plenty and ripped through that metal like it was butter, now instead of being a target stand it's a gigantic razor blade.

So, +1 on anything that takes better hits!

[Dinosdeuce]

I think I would like to look into shooting some swinging steel. I'm thinking maybe like a little 4 or 6 inch "gong" on chains conected to a harness I can just hammer into the ground. Something strong enough for the .308, maximum distance I have to play with is 200 yards at the local range. So, since I know nothing about metal working:

What type of steel?

Is there a minimum safe distance?

Is this something I can make myself or order?

Definitely go with AR500. I have 1/2" (thick) prairie dogs, 6'", 8", 10" circles and 50% IPSC. In 3/8" I have 8", 12", and 24" squares. They have been hit with .223 through .300 Win Mag and all I do is repaint them. Speed it what hurts, but with a .308 you will be good to go at 100 yds. It is expensive but will last a lifetime. I hear about people who use mild steel and they brag because they only spent $X.XX on it. I feel once it gets cratered, and it only takes one hit to start cratering, at the distance you are talking about richocets could occur. I have had all mine cut locally. There are 2 guys on Sniperhide that make and ship anything you want to include compete assemblies of spinners or spring reactive. Here are 2 links to help out.

seller: osuarchitect
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubb...1789720&page=1

Seller: Bobcat Steel (Has his own website)
http://bobcatsteel.com/?page_id=236

Hope this helps and as previously stated it is addicting

Goodluck

[jmg8550]

I hang my plate from chain quick links. They can take a few hits from .308 before becoming unusable. And the plate swings toward the ground so bullets hit the ground. Never had a problem with ricochet, the bullets shatter on impact. Even at 50yds, no fragments coming back.

[gnihcraes]

Here is an example of soft steel used as a gong, it didn't work. Mostly .223 rounds at about 75 yards.

Funny thing about this too, a friend said "you aren't hitting it...", betcha I am. Wouldn't even swing with the hits, it was just poking holes.