Metal Target Material for .300 WSM

Kirch · 06-02-2009, 08:30 AM

looking for some target material that I can make a swinging target from. I already have one made out of 1/2" carbon steel plate that swings in a pendulum action when struck. However, even at 300 yards my .300 WSM and .243 WSSM are blowing clean through the 1/2" plate. I'm told I really need to armor palted steel for this. Anyone, have any suggestions? I don't want to spend a ton on this. Would stainless steel work in 1/2 -3/4" thick.

thoughts??

jimmy the foot · 06-02-2009, 09:43 AM

6x6 cut so it's square
quart milk jug filled with concrete
a neat one a friend told me about but have yet to try it is a tennis ball, run some moderate rope through the top and fire away
him and his friend do this with pistols, once a whole is blasted through it the bullets they say just swing the thing around
my all time favorite is a big ice block, biodegradable mess and a nice explosion

doubleA · 06-02-2009, 06:07 PM

Try going to a welding shop and ask for some scrap AR-500 or AR-400.When this is cut with anything outher that water jet, there will be a small area around the edges that will be a bit softer due the the heat annealing the area. The AR-500 is hard and is tough to drill also.This stuff will stand up very well to most anything other than 223's at close range. I was hitting some 1/2" AR the other day with 50 BMG 750 gr A Max's at 500 yards and there's nothing but a bullet spash on the plate.

Here's a pic showinga 6"round 1/2" AR-500 after being hit with 250gr SMK's out of a 338 Lapua at 400 yards, the rectangular plateunderneath itis 1/2" A-36 (mild steel) that the same bullet blew a 3/4" hole though it at the same distance.

Kirch · 06-03-2009, 10:39 AM

Double A,
Thanks for the input. I can get some AR400 around here. in anything up to 1" thick. AR 400 calls for a min hardness of 420. However, the AR500 can range from 450-500 hardness. So I'm thinking going with 5/8" AR400. I'll be hitting with .300WSM 150 gr and .243WSSM 55gr and 95 gr. min. distance 100 yards.

Uncle Mike · 06-08-2009, 06:17 AM

Your gonna need to go thicker than .625".
See if there is a sign company or a fabrication plant in your area and ask them if you can't have a base plate that was screwed up on...

Most of these plates are 1.5" to 3" thick, they may just give you one or two... we used to... even if you have to pay 'scrap' price for it... it will cost less than AR plate, plus at that thickness you can shoot it for years to come with just about anything.

Some of these base plates may have flange holes drilled or punched in them... that's ok, gives you someplace to hang them by.

Also tank manhole covers...