Setting up Steel

[Mr. Denton]

I got my AR500 66% targets and static stand kits. I cut the 2x4's to about man height. Using grade 8, 1/2" bolts and some valve springs from an old set of heads I had laying around.
The targets are already angled down quite a bit, will the springs help reduce splatter?
What do you guys think for my first attempt? Any suggestions?


Blown Gas Flats to Rope...
In loving memory of
Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens

[Capybara]

Those look sweet and yes, the angle and springs will reduce richochets and splatter. Just adhere to the rules, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but generally are:

1. 100 yard minimum with high powered (anything over a .22 or pistol cal) rifle calibers

2. 35 yards minimum with .22 and handgun. I see competitors shoot AR500 from really close ranges like 25 feet with handguns but I also see a lot of splatter minor injuries/bleeding too at those ranges so I don't know what to think. The mfgs don't recommend close distances but lots of people do exactly that with pistols. Take your chances or get good at long pistol distances? For me, 35 yards with a pistol is decently far but I am not a great pistol shot at all.

3. Don't shoot 'em with steel core ammo unless you like replacing them a lot. I have heard various people say they shoot their AR500 steel with M855 and Russian steel core with nothing but divots but I have seen others turn AR500 into swiss cheese with the same. I only shoot FMJ at mine with literally nothing but scuffs for a year now so why risk it? I think it depends on how thick your AR500 is and how it was made and heat treated too. The springs to absorb a lot of the shock that causes the ricochets. Same with suspending on hooks or chains. The ones that are sunk into steel posts into concrete tend to cause more ricochets but the angle downward is just as important to reduce the risk of that.

[Mr. Denton]

I have a lot of the M855 green tip but I'll be saving those for a special occasion. Wolf black box and Wolf WPA, I have plenty of those in 222, those aren't steel core, are they?
These plates are 3/8" from Bobcat Steel.
As far as pistol ammo, hollow/soft points are a no no?



Blown Gas Flats to Rope...
In loving memory of
Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens

[foxtrotuniformlima]

What's the height ? Should be 60" at shoulders.

BTW - like the springs. So much steel is dead and doesn't give much feedback.

[JDay]

3. Don't shoot 'em with steel core ammo unless you like replacing them a lot. I have heard various people say they shoot their AR500 steel with M855 and Russian steel core with nothing but divots but I have seen others turn AR500 into swiss cheese with the same. I only shoot FMJ at mine with literally nothing but scuffs for a year now so why risk it? I think it depends on how thick your AR500 is and how it was made and heat treated too. The springs to absorb a lot of the shock that causes the ricochets. Same with suspending on hooks or chains. The ones that are sunk into steel posts into concrete tend to cause more ricochets but the angle downward is just as important to reduce the risk of that.

Those people got ripped off and did not receive AR500 steel.

I have a lot of the M855 green tip but I'll be saving those for a special occasion. Wolf black box and Wolf WPA, I have plenty of those in 222, those aren't steel core, are they?
These plates are 3/8" from Bobcat Steel.
As far as pistol ammo, hollow/soft points are a no no?

None of that ammo is steel core. The M855 has a small mild steel penetrator in the front of the lead core. The Wolf ammo has a bi-metal jacket (copper plated steel) with a lead core. As for HP pistol ammo, that is probably the safest to use since it will fragment out to the sides, top and bottom of the steel target and shouldn't ricochet back at you.

M955 (Black Tip) is true steel core, armor piercing 5.56mm ammo. You will never find any of this on the open market.

[golfish]

Looks good OP, I like the whole setup..good idea using the springs

Will the grade 8 bolts hold up to any kind of direct fire?

[Mr. Denton]

60" is about right, maybe a little taller. I'm trying to set up so my wife and son can train on targets at a height of an actual attacker. Shooting towards the ground at low targets I think would be counter productive in a real world situation.


Blown Gas Flats to Rope...
In loving memory of
Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens

[Mr. Denton]

Setting up Steel

No idea on the bolts. I almost think the higher the grade might make the actually shatter easier. Guess I'll find out.
Shot them with an air soft today, the little plastic bb even makes a good DING sound.


Blown Gas Flats to Rope...
In loving memory of
Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens

[Mr. Denton]

Thanks for ammo info.


Blown Gas Flats to Rope...
In loving memory of
Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens

[echoThreeOneSix]

nice setup. that 2x4 will probably be easy to take out. do you plan on bringing a few extras with you?

[ElDub1950]

Nice setup. Might consider 1 tall and 1 short. Gives variety when transitioning from one target to another .. also more real life.

[Mr. Denton]

Yea, I cut multiple boards. Different heights, but not much.
With the plates angled down the fragments will probably tear up the boards pretty quick huh?


Blown Gas Flats to Rope...
In loving memory of
Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens

[ElDub1950]

Yea, I cut multiple boards. Different heights, but not much.
With the plates angled down the fragments will probably tear up the boards pretty quick huh?

They get chewed up a little but not at bad as you think. Far more damage caused by the occasional direct hit to the wood

[RTE]

Looks great
I got to start shopping for a steel

Might want to turn the mount to the 2 side of the wood (50%) less chance you'll hit it compared to the 4 side.

[Capybara]

Thanks for the ammo education JDay, I learned a lot from your post that I didn't know.