The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: gunman42782 on April 25, 2011, 11:43:25 AM
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Can any of you fellas recommend a good steel reactive target for rifle calibers up to 30/06? I have one I bought where I work, and it sucks. It has so many pock marks, craters really, in it, it is about done for. I would like to get one that falls and then sets itself back up. That will actually take getting shot! Oh yeah, and one that wont cost and arm and a leg, or the price of a new gun!
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Can any of you fellas recommend a good steel reactive target for rifle calibers up to 30/06? I have one I bought where I work, and it sucks. It has so many pock marks, craters really, in it, it is about done for. I would like to get one that falls and then sets itself back up. That will actually take getting shot! Oh yeah, and one that wont cost and arm and a leg, or the price of a new gun!
Depends on the steel they use, I think the proper steel to use is called Bissaloy 500.(http://www.bisalloy.com.au/files/Bisplate_Pdfs/Bisplate_500.pdf) . Apparently this steel will take 50cal shots at 500mt (.5" thick). I see no issues from a 30-06. It is expensive, I have 2 round plates ordered a 8" and a 10" and its costing me about 160.00 Aus or about 300.00 in US currency (sorry just stirring). I am getting mine for the 460 handgun because the normal steel targets at the club wont take that sort of pounding.
Does your targets have to be the resetting type can they not just hang down, ones that knock down (lay back) are notorious for ricochets.
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No, they don't have to reset. A hanging target is fine.
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Build your own. It really isn't that hard if you know someone with a welder.
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I am just going from memory, so you will need to research steel types yourself:
The two I have heard of, seen at ranges and heard good things about are made by MGM and LaRue.
Good luck!
P.S.
Any steel target, no matter the strength of the steel or the weakness of the round, will need to be minimize and correct warping or cupping of the steel target.
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Another warning:
Make sure you understand what the manufacturer has to say about caliber, bullet type and range. I have a reactive target private labeled and marketed by a major firearms and accessory company. They said it would handle more than I was looking to do, and I said "yea right!" I set up at 100 yards and put a quarter inch hole dead center in each of the three metal swinging discs. I still have the target and my money back.
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I am just going from memory, so you will need to research steel types yourself:
The two I have heard of, seen at ranges and heard good things about are made by MGM and LaRue.
Good luck!
P.S.
Any steel target, no matter the strength of the steel or the weakness of the round, will need to be minimize and correct warping or cupping of the steel target.
+1
We did make are own flash targets, should use AR500 steel for rifle targets.
None of them like steel core ammo so watch thefolks shooting AK or 62 gr. green tip 5.56
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I have been buying steel targets from Metal Spinning Targets for our shooting range for the last four years. I have been using 1/2" thick AR500 steel plates and they stand up very well. We shoot them from 100 yards to 300 yards. The guns that are the hardest on them is the supper fast calibers. Hope this helps. Good Shooting, Monty
http://www.metaltargets.com/SpinningTargets.htm (http://www.metaltargets.com/SpinningTargets.htm)
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Build your own. It really isn't that hard if you know someone with a welder.
FYI
If you weld AR500 or Bissaloy 500 you run the risk of changing its properties because of the heat, over 200deg C will change its impact strength. The preffered way to cut it etc is water or laser.
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What do you think of this one:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=757462
All but one guy gave it pretty good reviews. BUT, the one guy that gave it a bad review said it was destroyed with 1 round of .308.
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What do you think of this one:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=757462
All but one guy gave it pretty good reviews. BUT, the one guy that gave it a bad review said it was destroyed with 1 round of .308.
I think the description says it all
Do not use with FMJ bullets.
Measures 10" diameter on the base with a 2 1/2" body. Stands 9" tall. - thats fairly small
One of the reviewers also mentioned they are not made from hardened steel
I like this target it is very responsive to. 22 rounds. But it is not made of hardened steel and after only 20 hits it has bent from being shot.
Personally I would goto a metal merchant and get some proper plate, spend once, cry once!
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I have used AR500 - 600 steel to great effect, Sledge is right, do not weld, unless you design a target that has a long extension to make the attachment removed from the impact area. AR steel is hard to drill but can be done with Carbide. Simple rebar can be used for support of the target, a really simple swinger can be made with an angle iron hanger on the back, then it can be hung as a swinger, most metal providers will cut it for you for a minimal added cost.
If you have a shooting buddy or 3, the MGM flash target is hard to beat, last a lifetime, and Mike is a great guy, at 427.00 not cheap, but if split up 2 - 3 ways, it works so well and will last and last.
Just a few proviso's, if you use inferior steel, and get pock marks, those little craters, will send a bullet back almost as fast as it was sent, especially .22rf, I have been hit multiple times by this approach, I think that was T1 steel, over and inch thick, but thickness does not count, the impact surface, will get cratered.
Good luck sir.