Long range target sizes?

[b1gdave32]

looking to get some steel targets for some long range shooting, 600-1200 yards. What are good size plates for these distances? Is ar500 steel needed for those ranges? Shooting 308, 6.5 creedmoor, 300 win mag.

Any tips for setting them up? Height off the ground, colors to paint em for visibility. Any other tips in general will be appreciated.

[SoCal326]

Originally Posted by b1gdave32

looking to get some steel targets for some long range shooting, 600-1200 yards. What are good size plates for these distances? Is ar500 steel needed for those ranges? Shooting 308, 6.5 creedmoor, 300 win mag.

Any tips for setting them up? Height off the ground, colors to paint em for visibility. Any other tips in general will be appreciated.

I always do AR500

It depends. You could go 1moa, which is asking a lot from most rifles at those distances or you could go with 2MOA, which is what I'd do.

12" for 600 yards, 24'" for 1200 yards.

But it really depends on you're current abilities and what your rifle can do.

If you have a 4MOA (40") rifle at 1000 yards then a 2MOA (20") target will be too small.

Do you know what size groups you can shoot at those distances?

[b1gdave32]

Shooting at Angeles Range I’m able to hit the steel out there (300-600) pretty easily but those targets seem like they are big.

Will be first time venturing out further distances out in the desert to see how me n the rifles will do.

308 is a rem 700 sps 20”
6.5 is Howa krg bravo 24”
300 win is a Christensen Arms 26”

The 308 I’m sure will struggle with it’s 20” barrel. Guessing 800 will be it’s max
I have some factory match n some hand loads I been messing with for all 3 rifles

[SoCal326]

How many do you think you'll get? You could start with a 24" plate and just keep moving it farther out until you find your limit.

Maybe get a 12" and a 24" plate to start. Sort of depends on how much you want to spend. From there you'll be able to get a better idea of what you can do and what sizes will work for you.

24 might be a bit expensive though so whatever you can afford.


Regarding target stands im sure lots of people will have ideas. I use pre-made brackets that creats a sawhorse type stand out of rebar. It feels pretty flimsy when you set it up but it works great.

https://youtu.be/X2n996MT4YU

[vinconco]

Hang Fast Targets has a steel target system that might fill the bill. At the Hang Fast Range we use a single T Post with 4 different size targets mounted starting with a 24 inch round at the bottom. We use it as a spotter target to test the wind and get us on target.

Our target system mounts the plates on a short chain by a single Grade 8 carriage bolt. This allows the plate to swing freely making hits easy to spot and the single mounting point enhances harmonics creating a loud CLANG when hit.

Pull the plates and leave the post when done shooting..... nobody steals T Posts and even if they do the cost is under 10 bucks.

No tools necessary. The wrench for installing the bolt is built into the hanger.

We've sold hundreds of these targets to Calgunners over the years. Don't forget our 10% discount to all Calgunners..... use code CALGUNS10 at checkout.

[Fjold]

Anything bigger than a foot is a backer not a target.

A 12" would 2 MOA at 600 yards and 1.2 MOA at 1,000 yards
A 6" would be 1 MOA at 600 and just over 1/2 MOA (0.6 MOA) at 1,000 yards.

If you practice to hit a Volkswagen at 1000 yards all you'll be able to do is hit a Volkswagen at 1000 yards.

[hermosabeach]

Steel greatly increases the risk of a fire...

to control things.... steel has to be smooth- pit and crater free

so AR500 is a Texas sized 10-4!

Smooth surface will help bullets land in the same ricochet area that is clear of all brush and things that can burn.


Craters will send projectiles anywhere - no way to clear everywhere of brush

Target size- We have a 14" gong as the small target at 1K. it has 5 different pieces to help see where you hit. The larger is 24" or possibly 30"




Thickness can be reduced based upon caliber... for smaller guns
308/ 6.5 CM you could be fine with 1/4" or even 3/16" AR500 at 1,000

Look at the velocity and energy left at 1000 yards to help determine how much thickness you need





I don't recall the figures but 50 BMG has more energy at 1,000 than the 308 has at the muzzle... 50 has something like 6,000- 7,000 FT pounds at 1K

750 grain AMAX @2700 MV

the 300 Win mag and 338 lapua also have lots of energy at 1K


3/4" steel stands up to a lot but its hard to hear the steel ring as its so thick

[vinconco]

Velocities over 2800 will chip and crater AR500.

High energy levels will warp and dent the steel plates.

Thicker steel will withstand energy warping / denting but not velocity damage. Thick steel will still chip and crater when hit at high velocity.

Copper jacket / lead core bullets create very little if any sparking.
On the other hand, steel jacket, steel core or penetrator tip bullets will cause a lot of sparking and have been known to start fires in dry conditions.

When backstops won't indicate misses reliably a bigger target really helps you get dialed in for the smaller plates. It takes a good build and a dedicated shooter to reliably hit a 1 MOA target @ 1000 yards, cold bore, in varying conditions.

Here is a short video showing the damage results of some common rounds shot at 1/4" AR500 steel.

[hermosabeach]

Originally Posted by b1gdave32

Shooting at Angeles Range I’m able to hit the steel out there (300-600) pretty easily but those targets seem like they are big.

Will be first time venturing out further distances out in the desert to see how me n the rifles will do.

308 is a rem 700 sps 20”
6.5 is Howa krg bravo 24”
300 win is a Christensen Arms 26”

The 308 I’m sure will struggle with it’s 20” barrel. Guessing 800 will be it’s max
I have some factory match n some hand loads I been messing with for all 3 rifles

my 20" Ar10 was hitting at 1K.... 20" is plenty with 308


I do have a decent optic that allows me to dial up for the drop...


one can also get a 10 - 30 MOA base


from my outing
https://calguns.net/calgunforum/show...ighlight=brake

[hermosabeach]

OP

Where will you be shooting? and since you mention ASR, are you familiar with the Desert Marksman club off of the 14 freeway?

[NorCalTodd]

2 MOA at each distance is a great size. 2 MOA will give you a challenge but you'll still hit things. Nobody likes going 2/10 on a 1.5 or 1 MOA target at distance.

[vinconco]

Originally Posted by NorCalTodd

2 MOA at each distance is a great size. 2 MOA will give you a challenge but you'll still hit things. Nobody likes going 2/10 on a 1.5 or 1 MOA target at distance.

That's why I like our Rifle Rated Dueling Tree.

use an 8", 6", 4" and 3" plate at 400 yards and you have all the bases covered.
Dial in on the 2 moa and then work down if you get bored.

[Sig so sour of ca]

Originally Posted by hermosabeach

OP

Where will you be shooting? and since you mention ASR, are you familiar with the Desert Marksman club off of the 14 freeway?

Shhhhh that's the secret spot.

[parap1445]

As Todd said, 2 MOA is good and normally what I normally see for timed LR matches, but they can be a little smaller for closer in, say 1.5 MOA for <300 yd, and a little larger for longer distances past 700-800 yd or so.

Make sure they are AR500, 1/2" is best, but 3/16" if on a budget. Make sure there is a soft mount to soak up energy and to be able to spot hits at distance.

[theLBC]

your 20" .308 should reach 1000 with the right ammo.

[NorCalTodd]

Also, past 600 reactive steel is WAY batter for spotting impacts, especially for telling you which side of the plate you are on. If you're like me and shooting 6mm 105's, even at 3,000+ they're not moving the plates that much anyway and at 800+ it's easy to get a "no call" on an impact.

[CamW]

If you've shot at Angeles, you should drive a little further to California Tactical Academy in Piru. Their rifle range has steel of various sizes out to 1,000 yards.

https://ctala.com/cta-public-range/