ar500 steel targets

[bearj]

Whats going on guys, I have a question for those out there that shoot AR500 steel targets. I just ordered one and I will be shooting it with my AR 223/5.56 at about 75 - 175 yards. For those that shoot steel targets with their AR's do you use HP or Soft tip ammo? Or do you shoot FMJ? If you shoot FMJ at Ar500 steel target that are 3/8 thick does it mess it up or is it ok? I've read a post from one person that he use HP or Soft tip so he doesn't put big dents in the steel. Any adivse?

[THT]

AR500 at 100 yards will take a 5.56 or .308 without cratering/dimpling provided you aren't shooting AP ammo (not M855 but true AP like M995)

[Vtec44]

Over 1000 rounds of 308 FMJ and 7.62x39 FMJ still have not killed my AR500 steel target. I'm going to try 50 cal... but will probably move it back a bit for safety.

[Nessal]

Where are you guys getting your AR500 targets at? I want to buy some spinner targets.

[THT]

Check out www.bigdogsteel.com

Ryan runs the place and he's a good guy. The plates are also waterjet cut so the temper is consistent, edge to edge.

[bearj]

http://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1802008&page=1

http://lvsteeltargets.com/main.htm

both are good reacitve targets.

[nikonuser]

Our AR500 targets are tough and can take .223 or .308 hits. We have a full IPSC AR500 target and its quite a workout to carry it to your spot if shooting long range since its very heavy. The legs are regular steel and will probably go first if hit multiple times. Nothing like hearing the ping if your shooting long range.

[Nessal]

You sell them?

[r6raff]

I just took a pair of 8"x8"x1/2"thick AR500 steel plates to the range on Friday, had them suspended from a post that swung freely on a cross bar. i was shooting them at about 125 yard with iron sights and my eotech. My plates were laser cut and maybe this is why, but my 556 (xm193) was making decently deep divots, I havent measured but probably near 1/32 of an inch if not a little more, 30-o6 from the same distance were making slightly larger diameter indents but not noticebly deeper. 9mm from 10 yards were barely noticed on the plate. I was surprised that these plates sustained as much damage as they did, I can see these lasting for a very long time regardless but could this increased damage be caused by not water cutting the steel? or is this business as usual? I shot a total of 400 rounds of 556, 50 rounds of 30o6 and 50 rounds of 9mm.

[damndave]

At that range with FMJ ammo, they should last a long time. Long time as in multiples of 1000. 223 at 100 yrds on AR500 will break the paint and most likely won't even leave a dimple.

[r6raff]

Here is a pic, most deffinately dimpled the crap out of this plate. It is AR500 1/2" thick and is 8"x 8" It was laser cut and not water cut. Will that weaken the steel in the center or would it only effect the outer edge?

The plate deffinately sustained more damage than I had hoped, but still seems as though it should last. I dont care what it looks like, I just want it to be safe. from my understanding, by have edges like it does now, that can create a situation where fragments will be propelled more horizontally towards the shooter, rather than the ideal 20degree fragmentation angle.

I have the plate mounted to an angle iron with a threaded rod and an eyelet that rests on a steel tube. This allows it to swing slightly when struck, but it does rest at a slight downward angle. Im thinking that the angle it is resting at is allowing the projectile to "dig" and fragment instead of fragmenting squarely on the surface of the plate, possibly causing the incresed damage. I was going to suspend it from chain or rubber strips but the steel fab shop I had cut them put the holes on opposite edges instead of on the "top" two edges. So I had to adapt, it works great and for the cost I dont mind if it only lasts 2-3000 rounds, as long as its safe. I was thinking of using hp or sp ammo instead of fmj, I am thinking this should also descrease the over all damage the plate will take.

[IMG][/IMG]

[StraightShooter]

Here is a pic, most deffinately dimpled the crap out of this plate. It is AR500 1/2" thick and is 8"x 8" It was laser cut and not water cut. Will that weaken the steel in the center or would it only effect the outer edge?

The plate deffinately sustained more damage than I had hoped, but still seems as though it should last. I dont care what it looks like, I just want it to be safe. from my understanding, by have edges like it does now, that can create a situation where fragments will be propelled more horizontally towards the shooter, rather than the ideal 20degree fragmentation angle.

I have the plate mounted to an angle iron with a threaded rod and an eyelet that rests on a steel tube. This allows it to swing slightly when struck, but it does rest at a slight downward angle. Im thinking that the angle it is resting at is allowing the projectile to "dig" and fragment instead of fragmenting squarely on the surface of the plate, possibly causing the incresed damage. I was going to suspend it from chain or rubber strips but the steel fab shop I had cut them put the holes on opposite edges instead of on the "top" two edges. So I had to adapt, it works great and for the cost I dont mind if it only lasts 2-3000 rounds, as long as its safe. I was thinking of using hp or sp ammo instead of fmj, I am thinking this should also descrease the over all damage the plate will take.

[IMG][/IMG]

There is AR500 and AR400 and those dimples look a lot like what happens with AR400. Are you sure it is AR500? I have LOTS of AR500 targets and all of them leave a small mark when shot with 55gr FMJ's at 100 yards but nowhere near what you are experiencing. The cutting should only matter around the edge as when it gets really hot it loses its temper a bit.

[r6raff]

I have no way of know for sure as I didnt cut the steel but the steel fab shop I purchased them from assured me they were AR500, I asked for it specifically. I will give them a call tomorrow and inquire.

[Kerplow]

Isn't that xm193 steel core? Would steel core damage AR500?

[RRangel]

Isn't that xm193 steel core? Would steel core damage AR500?

AR500 is armor plate and does well against 5.56/223/.308. To the the extent that it's sometimes surprising when you take a close look at the metal after hitting it multiple times. There's practically not even real dents.

It's seemingly more impervious than the target in that pic. With that being said, I would not shoot steel core at any of my targets. That's a sure way to damage them.