Setting up gongs, how thick should plate be?

[crowsnest2002]

I want to set up some gongs for my improvised range I'm going to be setting up. How thick should my impact metal be? I'm shooting .308, 30-06, 22-250. Just wondering cause I dont really know what to expect from what certain metal thickness.

[JustinM]

1/4" or 1/2" should be fine.

[crowsnest2002]

Also if you might have a link to some homemade ones that have instructions I would appreciate.

[roland]

We use AP steel (not just any kind of steel-there's different types) at 50 yd, minimum. It's at least 1/2 inch thick. Lycanthrope probably would know better. USPSA might have dimensions and some design considerations. Also 27 hand made some, but pretty thick scrape he found, dented it with SW 500, I believe.

[27hand]

Are you using armor plate or will the plate be "sacrificial steel"(mild steel)

30-06 ball ammo will completely penetrate 1/2 " mild steel if rigidly supported.

.223/5.56 ball will significantly dimple AR500 pepper poppers at 75/100 yds. I think some steel target suppliers suggest 1/2"thick AR500 (abrasion resistant) steel for .308.

The 3/8" mild steel I welded to a coil spring with a 1" thick base plate is dimpled about 1/16" from .357 mag pistol rounds at 25yds. I will grind the edges off the dimples when there are quite a few hits to it.

Next Pafoa shoot, I will experiment with .357 mag, .357sig, 44mag and note the differences.

I have a piece of 1/2"thick angle steel(mild)with different bullet impacts.(30.06--7.62X39--30-30 .44mag). I'll take a pic and post it when I find it.

At a Glocktalk shoot at Greater Pitt Gun club, a .500 S&W stuck in a 3/8 "mild steel plate at 20 yds.

27hand

[Frenchy]

The 3/8" mild steel I welded to a coil spring with a 1" thick base plate is dimpled about 1/16" from .357 mag pistol rounds at 25yds. I will grind the edges off the dimples when there are quite a few hits to it.

27hand

OOps thats the one I was shooting at the most with the .357
Sorry

[crowsnest2002]

mainly I'll be shooting rifle at 100yrds or longer.
thanks

[roland]

I googled steel targets, here's some info:

From: http://www.metaltargets.com/Home.htm

Our rimfire targets are created from 1/4 inch thick mild steel and coordinating frames are made from 1/2 inch thick steel bar. Our rifle grade high velocity targets are crafted with laser-cut, 500 Brinell steel paddles.

From: http://www.mgmtargets.com/index.php

What are your targets made of?
All our targets are made of 500 brinell steel, which is the same hardness as Armor Plate. AR 500 is comparable to roughly a 52 on the Rockwell C scale, which is also about the same hardness as a good knife blade. In addition to the chemical composition of the steel, a “quench and temper” process at the steel mill further enhances the steel hardness and toughness. In comparison, your car is made of mild steel, about 135 Brinell, and T-1, (the old steel for targets) is about a 235 hardness. AR500 can withstand literally thousands of rounds from reasonable distances without significant damage.

[aubie515]

I too would recommend AR500. The thickness varies on distance and calibers being used. This guy out in NV is building some awesome targets. I've made my own steel targets, but I'll probably end up buying some of his.

http://lvsteeltargets.com/main.htm

[27hand]

Frenchy,

I made those for our shooting pleasure.

Guys have shot .454, 44mags and possibly 50AE at these. The faces are replacable with minimal effort.

Shoot away.

27

The resetting poppers I brought were from MGM targets