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Thread: How thick should AR steel plate be for targets?

  1. #21
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    I have AR500 steel IPSC targets on a 30 degree angle. They are 3/8 in. thick and I have shot them from as close as 6 feet (testing) with both 5.56 and 7.62x51 and they stand up perfectly to the abuse.

    If you are using mild steel instead of AR500 steel, it will get pockmarked no matter how thick it is.

  2. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by 500grains View Post
    I have AR500 steel IPSC targets on a 30 degree angle. They are 3/8 in. thick and I have shot them from as close as 6 feet (testing) with both 5.56 and 7.62x51 and they stand up perfectly to the abuse.
    3/8" at a 30 degree angle gives you an effective thickness of about 1/2".

    7.62 ball ammo is nothing for AR500. 5.56 is much more abusive. I can shoot AR450 with 7.62 and it looks like a 45 acp splatter mark.... again.. all about the velocity.

    Even our 3/8" slanted gongs will only take so many hits of XM193 at short ranges before perforations start occuring.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

  3. #23
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    Here is a photo I recently took of a new 3/8" AR 500 steel plate shot with XM193 at 50 yards. In the upper right part of the photo is a pock mark painted over that shows the depth of the pock mark. It will make tiny pock marks, but that’s it. It will last a long time. I hang it from a shepherds hook and use the other side for handguns.

    Gary
    Will Fly for Food... and more Ammo

    Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms should be the name of a convenience store, not a government agency.

  4. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Failure2Stop View Post
    ...
    Having a forward cant of 30 degrees helps greatly in this regard...
    Good to know. Thanks.
    Sticks

    Grasseater // Grass~eat~er noun, often attributive \ˈgras-ē-tər\
    A person who is incapable of independent thought; a person who is herd animal-like in behavior; one who cannot distinguish between right and wrong; a foolish person.
    See also Sheep

  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by wingspar View Post
    Here is a photo I recently took of a new 3/8" AR 500 steel plate shot with XM193 at 50 yards. In the upper right part of the photo is a pock mark painted over that shows the depth of the pock mark. It will make tiny pock marks, but that’s it. It will last a long time. I hang it from a shepherds hook and use the other side for handguns.
    XM193 is brutal on armor. You WILL eventually perforate that gong if you continue to use that nasty ammo at that close range.

    When I'm wanting to shoot inside of 40 yards, I'll handload some varmint grenades. They're almost as mild as frangibles on the gongs.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

  6. #26
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    You want to keep your gongs nice and smooth like this one!

    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

  7. #27
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    Now that's pretty!
    THE MORE YOU SWEAT IN TRAINING, THE LESS YOU BLEED IN BATTLE

  8. #28
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    Those suckers have seen many years of AR15 abuse. Pieces are starting to fall off of them.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

  9. #29
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    193 is worse than 855? Even the green tip with penetrator stuff? And how does 1/2" compare?

  10. #30
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    Hanging at angle seems to help. I buy whatever steel scrap I can at a local steel supplier for targets. He often has 3/8 and 1/2 scrap pieces.

    Have fun
    RFA

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