AR500 steel target quesition

[stevosmith]

I'm new so like to get your expert opinions here.

I am planning to buy a steel AR500 Silhouette for practicing draw and do a double tab to the body and 1 shot to the head practice. Should I be looking for a 3/8 or 1/2 steel plates? I myself will only be using pistols from 9mm to 45acp 10yards or further. I have 1 AR shooting .223 though

However when shooting with my friends, they have all kinds of other stuff I'm not familiar with but no cannons I don't believe.

When shooting with them, I have to keep in mind my purchase should include them, don't know if 3/8 is good enough and will 1/2 be too thick to worry about bound back from a 9mm and 45acp? The steel target will be hanged so when hit, it moves a bit.

[MyOdessa]

ShootingTargets7 I bought number of targets from these guys for my home range. Excellent targets, very fast shipping, free shipping if you buy over $99. No issues at all, I really like quality of their targets.
They also have frequent sales and closeouts in their Bargain Bin.
I just bought (should be arriving on Friday) 1/2" IPSC AC Static Torso Silhouettes for 100 and 200 yards line, it is rated for up to 300 Win Mag, I bought it for my 7mm Rem. Magnum.




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[Eat Dirt]

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Useful chart for anyone shopping for some steel

Thanks

[DentonandSasquatchShow]

This dude shoots everything at a Walmart AR500 steel target. At the end he hits it with a 50 Cal and barely dents it.

I bought one of these from Walmart for $30. and it took everything I threw at it (9mm, .357. 223/556).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-H2f7vmlUM

[jsanch03]

[nitroxdiver]

[NoHeavyHitter]

Just buy one that's the "next level up" and you'll be fine (pretty much forever). If you try and cut corners to save a couple bucks, you'll tear it up and wind up having to buy a replacement.

[L84CABO]

3/8ths is fine for what you have but keep in mind it is usually speed that will kill a steel target, not caliber size. AR500 steel is generally rated at 3000 fps. And many .223/5.56 rounds leave the barrel at 3200 fps. That means the target has to be far enough away for the bullet to drop below 3000 fps before impact. Angle of the target and some level of give in the target can help with this. If you intend to shoot steel with .223/5.56 inside a hundred yards, you may have problems with it.

You may have problems at a hundred yards too, for that matter. All steel is not created equal. There is low quality steel out there and the amount of heat introduced during the cutting and/or welding process can weaken the steel further.

With the above said, my advice is to buy quality steel from well known suppliers with good reputations. A good steel target should last a really long time...maybe even a lifetime if taken care of (depends how much you shoot). But it's not worth it IMO to skimp here. And then when you're shooting higher velocity rounds, I'd start with the target at a good distance and fire a single shot to see how the target holds up.

Also...Don't let your idiot friends shoot your targets until you "clarified" things with them. There is always one in the crowd who will launch AR rounds at a target that is too close in. This can often happen at public ranges where idiots down the line think it's fun to shoot other people's targets. YMMV

[FNGGlock]

I use a 1/4” full size IPSC for pistols without an issue, mostly 15 yds or so. 3/8 or 1/2 will get pretty heavy if you do a mobile setup. It is AR500 and not had issues with 9 & 45.

I hit 3/8 AR500 at 25 yds with a 357mag, and only Buffalo Bore HC ammo left dimples, especially out of my lever gun.

My rifles ones are all 3/8 AR550 at 50 yds and 100 yds. I do notice small pit marks with 556 m193 though at 100 yds, though 223 seem ok even at 50. Though some guys seem to hit theirs with 855 and not care, so who knows.

Just check the weigh on larger targets as it gets heavy quickly.

[Calif Hunter]

Projectiles matter, too. Bimetal or steel core "penetrator" bullets are harder on steel targets than standard lead of copper jacketed lead bullets.

As others have said - velocity is important, not bullet diameter. A .22-250 can be harder on a target than a .45-70.

[viragoman]

Bullets splatter and go perpendicular when they hit steel. You don't have to worry about them coming back at you.

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

[beerman]

Be careful shooting heavy swing targets with 22s… they can easily come back at you. I used to build and sell them at gun shows. I put a sticker on them “not to be used for rimfire cartridges “

[DaveInOroValley]

I have a recently purchased MGM target. The company seems great to deal with and he even sent a hand signed letter a few weeks after delivery that was unique to get from any vendor.

https://mgmtargets.com/

[ar15robert]

3/8 is plenty good. I have that size and no issues at 100 yards with 300 mag. I also hang targets so they will swing.

[dC0m]

Like others said, 3/8" is fine for pistol calibers and .223. If you have the extra cash and want to prolong your investment, 1/2" is not a bad idea.

After thousands of rounds, my 3/8" steel still looks new with the exception of a few craters. A coat of spray paint and the steel is good as new. Hell, I will probably have to replace the steel hardware (bolt) before I ever need to replace the steel plate itself.

Don't forget - each steel plate has 2 sides, once one side gets beat up, flip it to the back!