AR400 Steel for centerfire rifle?

[fastang50]

My in-town shop has AR400, but not AR500. Assuming I'm shooting at 50, 100, and 200 yards. Will 3/8" 400 take 223 and 30'06? Would I need 1/2"?

If 400 won't do it, I'll drive up to Shelbyville at get some 500 at bobcat, but would rather buy (even more) local if I can.

Thanks all.

 

[42769vette]

There is no way I would shoot ar400 steel at 50 yards with a 30-06. I only keep ar500 on the farm because I dont want to try and remember what targets are what. If everything is ar500 I know im GTG.

That video that showed the guy shooting mild steel with a 50bmg when the round bounced back and took his hat off spooked me.

If I remember right (50/50) thickness combats energy, and hardness combats speed.

 

[38special]

I'd not chance it.

Bobcat's AR500 will definitely handle it. I happen to know of a plate of it shot at 60 yards with a 50BMG. There's a dent, but it held up. It's good stuff.

*note: Bobcat does not recommend shooting with a .50BMG at 60yds.

 

[RangeJunkie]

What ^^^^ said.

Bobcat Steel (a site supporter and dealer) will have the stuff you need.

Great product and service, I have lots of his steel on my range.

 

[t-squared]

I've done a TON of research/comparing on all of the target manufactuers sites and the AR400 seems to mostly be used for 1/4" thick .22 rimfire targets.
I would actually love to find someone who would cut me 4 18X24 plates in 1/4" to complete my rimfire "steel challenge" set...

 

[ZbornacSVT]

As stated above, AR400 is adequate for most pistol calibers but not centerfire rifle. You really want the AR500 for what you are shooting.

I would actually love to find someone who would cut me 4 18X24 plates in 1/4" to complete my rimfire "steel challenge" set...

We'd be happy to do this for you next time we cut some 1/4 AR400.
We'd be looking at $110 each with a hole pattern of your choice.

 

[t-squared]

Sounds great!

 

[Mosin-Me-Nagant]

60 yards on AR400 with my Mosin. I didn't know what I did until I walked up on it. I thought I was at 100 Yards but then I walked it off and it was only around 60. I didnt care to shoot the plate with .22 because it was too heavy to indicate a hit which kind of ruins the entire point of steel. I even fingered the AR500 bobcat steel plates at the last 1500 and bought the cheap stuff instead. I learned my lesson

AR400

 

[scottka]

60 yards on AR400 with my Mosin. I didn't know what I did until I walked up on it. I thought I was at 100 Yards but then I walked it off and it was only around 60. I didnt care to shoot the plate with .22 because it was too heavy to indicate a hit which kind of ruins the entire point of steel. I even fingered the AR500 bobcat steel plates at the last 1500 and bought the cheap stuff instead. I learned my lesson

AR400

I don't mean to laugh at your misfortune, but that is a sweet divot they took out!

 

[Mosin-Me-Nagant]

I don't mean to laugh at your misfortune, but that is a sweet divot they took out!

The one on the edge cracked the sides of the steel too. I was shooting newly manufactured copper jacked lead too. I think the good ol' Bulgarian ball may have punched through. Maybe I'll try that this weekend hehe. It only set me back $35 so no sleep lost.

 

[ZbornacSVT]

What size circle is that? Our 3/8" AR500 10" round is only $36......

 

[Opie]

.223 caused about a 1/4 inch depression on the AR400 steel I shot. Go with AR500!

 

[Mosin-Me-Nagant]

What size circle is that? Our 3/8" AR500 10" round is only $36......

Well, $35 got me a 10" circle and 6" circle mounted on a rebar stand. I almost bought a big gong from you guys but I have no good way of mounting it in a portable manner. I will work on that and then work on paying you hehe

 

[ZbornacSVT]

Well, $35 got me a 10" circle and 6" circle mounted on a rebar stand. I almost bought a big gong from you guys but I have no good way of mounting it in a portable manner. I will work on that and then work on paying you hehe

We offer our swinger brackets. Allows you to use 3/4" rebar or something similar to make an a-frame type stand. Bar simply slides in the brackets and the weight of the target keeps everything together.

 

[38special]

60 yards on AR400 with my Mosin. I didn't know what I did until I walked up on it. I thought I was at 100 Yards but then I walked it off and it was only around 60. I didnt care to shoot the plate with .22 because it was too heavy to indicate a hit which kind of ruins the entire point of steel. I even fingered the AR500 bobcat steel plates at the last 1500 and bought the cheap stuff instead. I learned my lesson

AR400

.22 won't necessarily make the steel swing like big caliber stuff, but it does have the satisfying "ping" paper doesn't have

 

[Mosin-Me-Nagant]

We offer our swinger brackets. Allows you to use 3/4" rebar or something similar to make an a-frame type stand. Bar simply slides in the brackets and the weight of the target keeps everything together.

That is a pretty sick setup that you have there. My vision was to do something similar to IraqVeteran8888's setup. Get railroad ties and make a stand with them in the side of a hill with chain to hang the target. One of these days.

I couldn't even here my .22 pinging off the metal. Frustrating day there.

 

[38special]

That is a pretty sick setup that you have there. My vision was to do something similar to IraqVeteran8888's setup. Get railroad ties and make a stand with them in the side of a hill with chain to hang the target. One of these days.

I couldn't even here my .22 pinging off the metal. Frustrating day there.

You sure you were hitting it? When I shoot the AR500 with my .22 it has a pretty obvious pinging sound.

 

[Mosin-Me-Nagant]

You sure you were hitting it? When I shoot the AR500 with my .22 it has a pretty obvious pinging sound.

Yes, there are impact marks in the paint and I can see the gong barely move but there are not many audible pings. I would say 1 in 10 hits were audible.