building a steel target

[canuck4570]

how thick a steel target made of regular steel should be if I am shooting a 308 winchester 200 gr. cast bullet at 1050 fps for practice

[waco]

At what distance? 3/8" will hold up for awhile. 1/2" would be better. I use 3/8" AR500 myself.

[canuck4570]

50 to 100 yards
when you say
ar500 I suppose this is harder than mild steel?

[Victor N TN]

1/2" T-1 plate was early armor plate. But I don't know the availability or price now a days. 3/4" scrap plate will last a long time.

[canuck4570]

mmmm 3/4 8x8 inches will be heavy

have to carry it about 1 mile to the range……

if the target is hang able to swing and absorbing the hit should 1/4 to 1/2 do?

[45-70 Chevroner]

I would go with 1/2" mild steel. It will handle 500 gr 45-70 loads at 1300 too 1400 fps with only a slight dimple. Boolits in the 200 too 250 gr won't even leave a mark. Just don't let any one shoot it with condom slugs, they will damage it.

[canuck4570]

thanks :) I will make certain they use only Ramsey condom

[LUCKYDAWG13]

If you look on ebay you can find AR500 steel target for around $30 shipped just saying

[canuck4570]

will look on ebay

[fecmech]

Shooting 200 gr@1050 fps 1/4" mild steel will be fine. It will start to bow after a while,then shoot the other side.

[AbitNutz]

Cast lead at 1000 fps will just disintegrate against almost any grade of 1/4" steel. Jacketed bullets are a different story...Get a small piece before you start welding and you'll see. I'm shooting 180gr .45 "Hi-Tek" coated linotype bullets at 1350 fps and it doesn't even scratch 1/4" mild steel. The bullets just turn to dust.

[canuck4570]

great
the load and rifle are used to practice before hunting in different positions thanks

[waco]

50 to 100 yards
when you say
ar500 I suppose this is harder than mild steel?

AR500 has a much higher tensile strength than mild steel, yes. You can hammer 3/8" AR500 at less than 100 yards all day and no harm the steel.

[canuck4570]

If you look on ebay you can find AR500 steel target for around $30 shipped just saying

found a 8 inch 1/2 inch thick in Canada where I lived…… of AR500 shipped to my door…… $60.00 canadian 40 for the plate and 20 shipping
this is from a silhouette shooting club in Alberta and I am in Quebec…. no wonder 20 shipping….. but Happy

thank you all for the answers….

canuck