DIY target practice plates

[thebuck007]

Just curious but I'm a gearhead and have left over car parts and thought about making a target using old flywheels that will swing on a welded stand. Thinking about using them at 100 yards or more. They are 1/8 steel. Any suggestions or concerns? Or should I not even bother. I don't wanna chance any ricochets. Thx

[hermosabeach]

Ricochets are all about how you hang the target.

Runner straps allow the plate to move.

Shoot it one and check for craters.

If it craters, use it for .22 LR

[thebuck007]

Awesome thx I'll give it a try.

[CGT80]

1/4" mild steel is generally used for 22lr. 3/8" mild can work for small to average cartridges, but it will get beat up/bent/cratered eventually.

I have a 1.25" thick steel plate that I use for rifle practice at 165 yards. It gets craters in it, it is very heavy, and the bullet impacts leave sharp steel that has grabbed my skin as I have moved the target.

The best target I have used is 1/2" AR 500 steel and I bought it from wideners. It holds up to 223 at 40 yards and 30 cal does nothing to it at 100 yards. I have used two different methods of supporting the steel, and it rings very well with both methods. It is still smooth to the touch and is very light weight compared to the thick piece of mild steel I use. I also have 6" and 8" round ar500 plates for use at shorter distances, with handguns.

I may have spent a couple hundred bucks for my ar500 plates and shipping, but I doubt I will wear them out in the next 10-20 years. Industrial Metal Supply also carries ar 500 plates (riverside location).

[L84CABO]

Since you appear to have the ability to make stands, AR500 plates to hang off of them are actually pretty affordable. Why not just buy a few and be done with it? They'll last forever if properly cared for and then there's no concern about ricochets or targets breaking. Note that ricochets can also occur from a pitted or damaged target regardless of how it's hung. And AR500 plates could be used close in for pistol shooting too...which is a blast with steel targets.

A few really nice steel targets are well worth the investment. You'll wonder why you waited so long.

[ExtremeX]

I've shot up enough mild steel to not want to use it anymore, even with pistols... plus someone in the group always ends up shooting the crap out of it with a rifle and it turns to Swiss cheese... not worth it when you take into account the time to re-work the targets once they get beat up.

You will get a more mileage with some AR500 plates. All of mine are 3/8" and shot at with thousands of rounds and it still looks new.

[Jimi Jah]

Too much work, too much weight to drag out 300 yards in the desert.

I use political road signs from my favorite Democrats. Stick 'um in the ground, slap some shoot-n-c targets and go. Clean up is as easy as pulling them out of the ground.

Plus you get to shoot Democrats!

[ExtremeX]

Too much work, too much weight to drag out 300 yards in the desert.

I use political road signs from my favorite Democrats. Stick 'um in the ground, slap some shoot-n-c targets and go. Clean up is as easy as pulling them out of the ground.

Plus you get to shoot Democrats!

Not that bad when you go with friends... and we do it every time we go out and shoot in the desert.

We place steel at 100, 400, 600, and 900 yards... lots of walking, it takes some time, but its worth it.

Plus its how I meet my exercise quota

[thebuck007]

Wow thx for the input. I just looked up the ar500 plates and will just go that route. Safer and lighter. Lol very easy for me to built stands for them. I didn't realize how cheap they were.

[762ch]

Go with AR 500, maybe weld up the flywheels to use as a base.