Steel Thickness at 1,000 yards

Downeast

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We will be shooting at a 1,000 yards plus soon and we are trying to figure out how to hang a steel target at that distance. It's a cutover so weight will be a problem getting it back there. We have a 4-wheeler to drag it with but we may have to cross a creek. No problem crossing the creek with waders but I doubt the 4-wheeler will make it across. We have been pondering in purchasing a 32-36" 1/4 AR 400 gong to hang out there. But our biggest concern is that some of us shoot some high velocity fodder. 300 RUM and WIN, 30-378, 338 LM. We already have one hanging at 600 yards and it is really getting to be concave in shape. No magnums have been used on it, just standard calibers (223, 06, 308, 6.5) and so far no one has punched through it. So, the question is will this same 1/4 AR 400 steel gong hold up at 1,000 yards with magnums?
 
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From past experiences, you'll make a mess out of 400 with the LM and the 30-378...
 
A hand truck with pneumatic wheels might help you get across the creek, and definitely the rest of the way.
 
Thanks for the comments. This is what make this site one of the best. :)

1/2 inch gonna be tough getting back there. :eek:
 
I haven't had a problem with 3/8" AR500. Have you considered AR500?
 
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You definitely need AR500, and I really don't see good quality steel concaving from anything at 1,000 yds. BUT....3/4" AR500 targets can be found. A 36" round will weigh around 5-600 pounds. I'd recommend a track loader rental to get it transported and installed. The target alone will cost you around $1,000.00-$1,200.00....

Without freight.


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I tried some 3/8 AR500 with the 338 Lapua and it doesn't even scratch it at 300 yards. I picked up a piece of plow steel at Ag Supply and it puts a nice dimple in it at 300 (S&B 250 grain factory) but at 500 not a scratch. I would post a pic but I haven't figured that one out yet. On a few "other" sites you just click on the right button and it uploads straight from your picture files. Am I missing the "right" button? o_O

I measured off a grand but right now they are shovel logging the place and using skidders to haul the timber across the runs. It looks like the 1,00 yard target will be roughly 18 X 22 inches since that is about all I can carry back there. If you can't hit that then you may as well stay home. ;)
 
at 1000yds and farther I'd use 1/4 or 3/8 AR500. 1/4'' might deform after hundreds/thousands of rounds and you can turn the plate around, but you'll be ok. Also if you're going to shooting better long range calibers I'd look at smaller targets. you can also make some portable target stands.

you'll be fine with 3/8'' thickness for everything 100yd and out shooting pretty much any caliber.
 
I'd go with 3/8" AR500 at that range. For your normal 200yd or less when you want to nail it with everything, I won't waste my time with less than 1/2" since I know first hand it'll stand up to pretty much anything you can throw at it. I've seen too many 3/8" bowl out after about 1k rounds.
I wouldn't even bother with 1/4" let alone AR400 for rifle rounds.
 
I tried some 3/8 AR500 with the 338 Lapua and it doesn't even scratch it at 300 yards. I picked up a piece of plow steel at Ag Supply and it puts a nice dimple in it at 300 (S&B 250 grain factory) but at 500 not a scratch. I would post a pic but I haven't figured that one out yet. On a few "other" sites you just click on the right button and it uploads straight from your picture files. Am I missing the "right" button? o_O

I measured off a grand but right now they are shovel logging the place and using skidders to haul the timber across the runs. It looks like the 1,00 yard target will be roughly 18 X 22 inches since that is about all I can carry back there. If you can't hit that then you may as well stay home. ;)

https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/picture-question.11587/
 
Well I'll be...duh! :p This is the plow steel at 3oo with the Lapua.
 

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The same steel target at 500. The original 5 shot "dimple" group has been painted over and hard to see. First 3 shot "group" was on the right edge and stringing vertical. The second 3 shot "group" was flat across. Wind was driving me crazy but I think if I hang it beyond 500 yards I should be ok for awhile.
 

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I'd go with 3/8" AR500 at that range. For your normal 200yd or less when you want to nail it with everything, I won't waste my time with less than 1/2" since I know first hand it'll stand up to pretty much anything you can throw at it. I've seen too many 3/8" bowl out after about 1k rounds.
I wouldn't even bother with 1/4" let alone AR400 for rifle rounds.

This.
 
I must be doing it wrong.
3/8" AR 500 gets torn up at my rifle range 100/200/250 yds hanging steel.

I've got plates that are 10-12 years old that have been shot thousands upon thousands of times. They might deform around the edges, but I haven't torn up a piece of legit certified AR500 in many years. The 3/8 plate might start to bow, but just turn it around and shoot the other side. You're talking about every thousand or so hits.... at worse case.

I've got some old armor plate (lower rated than AR500) that gets chewed up, but the targets are still going strong after being used in many many matches and thousands and thousands of rounds.
 
I've got plates that are 10-12 years old that have been shot thousands upon thousands of times. They might deform around the edges, but I haven't torn up a piece of legit certified AR500 in many years. The 3/8 plate might start to bow, but just turn it around and shoot the other side. You're talking about every thousand or so hits.... at worse case.

I've got some old armor plate (lower rated than AR500) that gets chewed up, but the targets are still going strong after being used in many many matches and thousands and thousands of rounds.

Bows or pits are what I'm talking about.
I consider it unsafe to use @100yds with HV rifle ammo with pits or bows due to jacket material coming back at the shooter.
I want a flat surface that sends spall to the sides.
 
I know nothing but what I have read on this thread about the different steel targets. With that said, about 40 years ago, I was at a friend place and found a 12" round stainless steel plate and I am guessing it was about 1/2 thick. I loaded some bought steel piercing 357 mag rounds into a 6" Python and shot the plate one time. Did not dent the plate and scared the hell out of me when the plate bounced off the bottom of the tree.

Point is why are targets not made out of stainless steel? The cost? Seem that you could use a thinner piece of steel.
 
We already have one hanging at 600 yards and it is really getting to be concave in shape.[/QUOTE said:
Just turn it around and start to shoot it flat again :D
 
We rarely shoot at 100 yards except on paper to verify a scope or a new load or something. We consider it a waste of ammo. And we are into precision shooting. By that I mean tight groups as far out as possible. Along with a 12" piece of 3/8" of AR500 we also have a 1/2 inch piece of AR500 that measures 4 inches in diameter hung at 600 yards. So when someone gets to confident we make them switch to the 4". ;) We do shoot some paper "FU" Class targets at 600.

Like I said earlier I think we are good with the 3/8' starting at 300 yards and beyond. My 30-378 did take a small chip out of a 12" plate it when a round hit the edge. Flat on there is no damage. The same with the .338 LM. I measured out a 1,000 yards last weekend and it looks like we will have to cross two small creeks. :mad: But after that we are good out to 1200-1300 yards. I can drag that 18X22 disc steel back there with a decoy sled and hang it up. It should last a good while.
 
I know nothing but what I have read on this thread about the different steel targets. With that said, about 40 years ago, I was at a friend place and found a 12" round stainless steel plate and I am guessing it was about 1/2 thick. I loaded some bought steel piercing 357 mag rounds into a 6" Python and shot the plate one time. Did not dent the plate and scared the hell out of me when the plate bounced off the bottom of the tree.

Point is why are targets not made out of stainless steel? The cost? Seem that you could use a thinner piece of steel.

300 series stainless is butter soft. Tough as all get out, but not hard. Nowhere close to ar500.

304 SS = 200 brinell
Ar500 = 500 brinell
 
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