Welding up shooting targets?

[paulsharvey]

I made/am making a steel target out of old rail road plates. It's a bit of pain plugging, welding, and grinding the 6 or 8 3/4" square holes in each plate. So, 150 grain SP 7.62x39 out of SKS from 40 yards left small craters, 9mm Makarov left only a shiny spot.

 

[k0ua]

Are you sure you weren't shooting 45 colt shells in a 454 casull gun? A 454 casull ain't a big fluffy pussycat. It makes a 44 magnum look like a little girls gun.

Oh, I agree, but shoot that .375 JDJ and get back with me. Just a couple of rounds should do it.

 

[k0ua]

I made/am making a steel target out of old rail road plates. It's a bit of pain plugging, welding, and grinding the 6 or 8 3/4" square holes in each plate. So, 150 grain SP 7.62x39 out of SKS from 40 yards left small craters, 9mm Makarov left only a shiny spot. View attachment 454449

I suspect those railroad plates are just A36 mild steel. Probably OK for most pistol rounds for a while, and fine for .22LR will "curve out" eventually with high power rounds, and start throwing them back after a while. I am sure many high power rifle rounds would likely zip thru it.

 

[paulsharvey]

Yeah, I don't plan on shooting it with .270 win or 7.62x54r, but just for .40 s&w and 9mm Makarov. If it starts deforming, it's ok, I've only got maybe $1.00 in it, in grinding wheel. I lucked into 40 lbs of 3/32 6013 for $4 at an estate sale. Would have preferred 6011, but at that price, I couldn't not buy it. The plate is probably close to 5/8" at thickest point and about 3/8" at the thinnest, and was free.

 

[4570Man]

Oh, I agree, but shoot that .375 JDJ and get back with me. Just a couple of rounds should do it.

Did you have equal grips on both guns? A set of rubber grips and wood grips on one gun makes a big difference. I have wood grips on both guns. Was the weight on both guns you shot close to the same?

 

[k0ua]

Yeah, I don't plan on shooting it with .270 win or 7.62x54r, but just for .40 s&w and 9mm Makarov. If it starts deforming, it's ok, I've only got maybe $1.00 in it, in grinding wheel. I lucked into 40 lbs of 3/32 6013 for $4 at an estate sale. Would have preferred 6011, but at that price, I couldn't not buy it. The plate is probably close to 5/8" at thickest point and about 3/8" at the thinnest, and was free.

Probably be fine for your pistol use, and if it wears out, just weld up another one.

 

[k0ua]

Did you have equal grips on both guns? A set of rubber grips and wood grips on one gun makes a big difference. I have wood grips on both guns. Was the weight on both guns you shot close to the same?

It has been about 15 years, I cannot remember how the Contender was set up. But the .454 I shot before was a six gun and it "rolled up" in your hand, It likely had light loads in it also. the contender seemed like it just came straight back. It has been a while. I mostly just remember the pain.. I am dying for you to try the .375JDJ and tell me if it is as bad as I remember. I remember thinking this is the worse thing I have ever shot. Handfull of He77.

 

[4570Man]

I'll talk a buddy into shooting it first. If it doesn't break his wrist or gives him a concussion then I'll shoot it.

 

[k0ua]

I'll talk a buddy into shooting it first. If it break his wrist or give him a concussion then I'll shoot it.

Test pilot.:laughing:

 

[patchnball]

AR500...3/8".....100 yards.....50 cal..........not a mark. I made a target out of a disk harrow blade....25 yds... 357 mag, 45 cal....no indentation....just peeled the paint. Be careful shooting steel.