Can I shoot stainless steel?

[humgunner]

I got some scrap 1/4" stainless steel plate. I was wondering if it would be a good target. Not sure what the hardness is. I currently shoot 3/8" steel plate targets without a problem.

I will be shooting lswc in 38 spl and 45 acp.

Appreciate any opinions.

[incredablehefey]

just about anything will penetrate

[MrPlutonium]

After you're done keep in mind stainless steel scrap is going for about $0.40/lb, so you might as well make some money off it too.

[Interloper]

.45 hardball will go right through. The .38 might as well if you're too close.

[cgseanp1]

I got some scrap 1/4" stainless steel plate. I was wondering if it would be a good target. Not sure what the hardness is. I currently shoot 3/8" steel plate targets without a problem.

I will be shooting lswc in 38 spl and 45 acp.

Appreciate any opinions.

Why would you worry about shooting 1/4" steel plate when you are already shooting steel thicker than that? Or am I missing something here?
Do you not want the bullets to penetrate the target?

[Rob454]

SS is harder than regular mild steel. Personally I would recycle it. Go get some scrap thin sheet steel and destroy that.

[prob]

.45 hardball will go right through. The .38 might as well if you're too close.

There is no way a .45 or a .38 will penetrate 1/4" steel plate.

Many rifle calibers, yes. But most handgun calibers? Never.

[SLYoteBoy]

I wouldnt think so either. I shoot 3/8 mild with 45 40 9 and 10 and no problems yet.

[humgunner]

Why would you worry about shooting 1/4" steel plate when you are already shooting steel thicker than that? Or am I missing something here?
Do you not want the bullets to penetrate the target?

I should have included more info. I got this scrap free and just wanted to know if it was worth my time making more targets. I'm hoping the bullets don't penetrate.
I'm just currious what the difference is between stainless and regular steel. I was wondering if stainless was harder and more brittle and might shatter on impact.

Thanks everyone for your comments so far.
I might just make one target and test it this weekend.

[Rob454]

Stainless is made n a specific way. i forget the exact way its made but we use SS at work in some cases and its hard to drill through compared to the regular steel. ( given same thickness comparing both metals.)
IF you are gonna use SS then make the target sit at a angle. Not only will that deflect the shot ( less chance of penetration) but when you angle it you automatically thicken the cross section of the impact area. ( thats why you see sloped armor on tanks ( if someone wants to argue the point)

[Interloper]

Only one way to find out!

[Palimino Stripe]

Stainless is made n a specific way. i forget the exact way its made but we use SS at work in some cases and its hard to drill through compared to the regular steel. ( given same thickness comparing both metals.)
IF you are gonna use SS then make the target sit at a angle. Not only will that deflect the shot ( less chance of penetration) but when you angle it you automatically thicken the cross section of the impact area. ( thats why you see sloped armor on tanks ( if someone wants to argue the point)

I believe (off the top of my head) that the only major difference between regular steel & stainless steel is the addition of chromium...

[Barbarossa]

I believe (off the top of my head) that the only major difference between regular steel & stainless steel is the addition of chromium...

And Nickel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_steel_grades

[bubbapug1]

major difference between steel and stainless, ask any drill bit. SS is much harder.

[Plisk]

The pistol calibers won't go through it. If a 9mm won't go through a WWII era steel helmet, a .45 or .38 won't go through your plate.

It's worth more scrapped, but if you wanna shoot it; I'm not sure if SS works any different as a target. Go for it, let us know how it works.