looking for something super strong for a range

[jwmorris]

So I've seen 9mm handgun rounds ding the edge of an AR plate. It's just gonna happen. Rifles can do more damage.

Not sure how "flat" you mean it should be, but you'll go through an awful lot of plate if you replace everything with a mark. Just sayin'.

Plates with craters I keep away from pistols. But at 100 yards, a pock mark even center mass doesn't bother me. YMMV.

An edge ding still allows for a flat surface. If there is a "welt" or "crater" that protrudes from the surface it will be sending more back than a flat surface.

Like this section of 1" thick mild steel shot with my 50 BMG.

As above, I have done things that were unsafe.

This is a video of bullets impacting soft and hard steel (kind of long but you can tell the difference).

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=QbO59qDkA5zlnsQTKKQgOg&bvm=bv.75097201,d.b2U

 

[jwmorris]

The steel plate we always shoot into we set at a 45 degree angle too. Never really see anyone else do this.

This is also true. How I made my bullet trap at home. Do not set steel inside one though or it can be just as bad as shooting cratered steel plates.

 

[jwmorris]

This is a simple reactive rifle target I built that is easy to discern that has been hit. At rest the red plate is covered by the black one. When the target is hit it rocks to the rear lifting the red plate over the black one.

This is an auto reset rifle target I built.

Video of how it works

 

[XMS]

An edge ding still allows for a flat surface. If there is a "welt" or "crater" that protrudes from the surface it will be sending more back than a flat surface.

Like this section of 1" thick mild steel shot with my 50 BMG.

As above, I have done things that were unsafe.

This is a video of bullets impacting soft and hard steel (kind of long but you can tell the difference).

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=QbO59qDkA5zlnsQTKKQgOg&bvm=bv.75097201,d.b2U

That's a cool photo. Thanks for sharing. I like that red/black reactive rifle target. Would you mind if I made one like it for myself (I don't sell this stuff)?

Absolutely agree that anything that fracked is dangerous to shoot (again). Mine have some dings along the edges, and some light cratering in the field. Still a smooth plane looking from the edge.

Everyone has to do what they think is safe for them. I don't have any religion on it. I have seen people get upset when they buy a pre-made AR-something plate and find it takes hits and shows damage. Nothing is indestructible and 'bullet-proof' is a term of art I no longer use.

I've never shot anything here with a 50 BMG. Forget the target, I don't think the stand would handle the kinetic energy. Dang.

 

[jwmorris]

That's a cool photo. Thanks for sharing. I like that red/black reactive rifle target. Would you mind if I made one like it for myself (I don't sell this stuff)?.

Feel free, I don't sell the stuff either.

Here are som more photos.

If you slow it down enough you can get one stuck (welt on the left is from a stout 45-70 reload)

Trick was to cut the block out of the plate without melting the bullet (.223 bullet for scale).

 

[XMS]

I am 90% pistol out here. We are a private range, by invitation only. Nearly all of my users are law enforcement (state, county, federal) looking to re-qualify. Only a few come back to shoot to get better (secret service protective and some state undercover guys will shoot all day and night if you let them, and they give me and the wife a run for our money) - most just decide to "pass the test".

For giggles, I am going to show them your photos. Maybe the bulk will then get real and learn to shoot.

My favorite shooters are the absolute newbies - like the doctor from India who barely knew what end faces down range. Or the women stalked by an ex (multiple women). God bless, they are all shopping for guns now. I bring out every freaking caliber we got, and if they like .380 or .22lr I will call a dealer/FFL and find one for them. I prefer 9mm or .45 ACP, but no caliber jihad here. The best caliber you got is the one in your pocket.

We don't charge a penny, but are willing to take help when we clean things up. We spent $1000 easy on ammo last year just for introducing new shooters. Every one of them a voter. Beats donations to some RINO.

 

[dragoneggs]

I am 90% pistol out here. We are a private range, by invitation only. Nearly all of my users are law enforcement (state, county, federal) looking to re-qualify. Only a few come back to shoot to get better (secret service protective and some state undercover guys will shoot all day and night if you let them, and they give me and the wife a run for our money) - most just decide to "pass the test".

For giggles, I am going to show them your photos. Maybe the bulk will then get real and learn to shoot.

My favorite shooters are the absolute newbies - like the doctor from India who barely knew what end faces down range. Or the women stalked by an ex (multiple women). God bless, they are all shopping for guns now. I bring out every freaking caliber we got, and if they like .380 or .22lr I will call a dealer/FFL and find one for them. I prefer 9mm or .45 ACP, but no caliber jihad here. The best caliber you got is the one in your pocket.

We don't charge a penny, but are willing to take help when we clean things up. We spent $1000 easy on ammo last year just for introducing new shooters. Every one of them a voter. Beats donations to some RINO.

Nice post.

 

[XMS]

Nice post.

Thanks.

And I went ahead and broke a few rules yesterday. Some of you are going to cringe, given the topic of this post.

Had a law-enforcement type come by yesterday with a new 5.7 pistol, and a backpack full of FN L191 5.7 armor piercing tracer rounds. It's not a duty pistol, but he got it cause the ammo was (once upon a time) free to him. He already has a PS90 for home.

I'm glad it rained the past week. We had little fires burning the sand berm behind the steels, which we also shot. Big flashes. Surprisingly no pock marks or dings. The 5.7 is a nice round, but apparently not enough to hurt 3/8 AR400 plate. We got video of us shooting in the late afternoon. It looks like a laser gun. We were shooting free-hand from about 60 yards. Even though the round was loaded hot and the gun new, we were tagging 9" steels with it at that range. I am always amazed at the accuracy of FN-anything. Good stuff.

 

[Chain Bender]

Old bush hog blades. I have no idea of the hardness rating, but a hot 270 WSM turns to dust at 100 yards. I built mine on a V-shaped knock down stand. Only problem is you have to go stand them back up when you hit them. I made 12 to lengthen the down time and ride a 4 wheeler out to the 500+ yard ones. You can hand them with a chain and not have to go down range so often, but I have seen chain get shot into. Just some plain old plate steel will do for most pistols. I welded three 1/4" X 4" plates together and hung them on 1/4" chain and haven't hurt them in 6 years. Heaviest round has been a 357 160 XTP though.

Shoot straight or shoot often! ;-)

 

[FTG-05]

Years ago, I made some steel hanging targets out of railroad tie plates given to me by now deceased neighbor's widow after he died (he was a member of a railroad club).

In any event, I cut the plates in half, then double-welded them together to make one plate. I then used 1/2" rebar to hang them from a frame made from old fence posts, scrap and threaded rod. No pics but I can take some next time I trip over the dang things. I've had them for over 15 years and I bet I haven't shot at them since before the year 2000.