Ammo is non-existent here, outside of some robbery prices at small gun shops. I haven't seen a box of anything on the shelf for a long time. Somebody asked me where they could buy some 5.56 yesterday....I said probably nowhere...and if you do find some it's going to be $1/rnd.
Today it was cheap for once! I saw some 7.6x 39 on Ammo.com today. Steel case for under 400 bucks. Not bad for seeing some ammo close to a dollar a round these days.
Going to burn some ammo Sunday if my son comes out. Got my swinging steel done and all I had for paint was John Deere green. I’m thinking white would be better. I used some old fire hose to hang them.
You nailed it buddy. I need to source some hardened steel for centerfire. We had a ton of fun getting the steel plates swinging with 22’s then I brought out some hot reloaded 223 FMJ and the swinging stopped. All I did was punch holes with the 223.
I am just gonna weld the holes shut and get the grinder out. Will keep these 5 for rimfire only. I found a shop in Brodhead (just down the road from me) that will cut AR500 to any dimensions you want. At a reasonable price I have been told.
Try and get 1/2" plate. Don't shoot M855 or SS109 (steel core) at them and even M193 55gr ball will pock AR500 inside 50yrds.
They'll price that per square foot of plate. To get the most bang for your buck, figure an 8" square X 9 = 4 square feet. If they cut them on a table, it won't matter too much what they do. I've had them cut to 8" diam., but add the "bears ears" tabs on each upper side, with holes in them (1/2" min- 1" max). Easy to hang them that way. Just lay it out on some construction paper, use a protracter for your circles and graph the rest. The more you math it for them, the less it will cost. And yes, 1/2" AR500, even for .22. One and done.
Will the 1/2" AR500 steel withstand 30-06, .270 and even 300 Win Mag at about 200 yards? Or should I look for some 5/8" or 3/4"? I am thinking of making something similar.
For rifle, have it swing and not fixed on a post. Believe it or not, 30-06 is easier on steel than 5.56/.223. 338 Lapua will crack plates 1/2" thick. After 10's of thousands of rounds even the 1/2" will develop a curve. Just flip them around occasionally to mitigate that. I use chain to hang mine but people have luck with bolting bungee cords, big truck mud flaps or even para-cord. Whatever you use, take extra to the range, cause even my chains/bolts get shot up during my big annual shoot. Some people use those garden Shepard Hooks. They add a quick coupler chain links to keep the main part of the shepards hook off to the side so is out if the direct line of fire. If you go that route don't get the cheapies off Amazon, they suck. Making some from rebar will be a project for me coming up soon. They all get shot up at my place.
Great info! I was going to go with chain for hanging as I figured it would allow for some energy absorption. Rebar hooks sounds like a good way to go too.
Casper has good advise. At 200 yrds. with those calibers, a free swinging plate will take a lot of abuse. Bullet type will be a factor of course, no AP stuff. I've had more issues with shooting the chains and quick links, or popping a weld. edit- 1/2" is fine.
My Brodhead metal guy fixed me up today. He had these two pieces of AR500 1/2 inch already cut. He wanted $50 but took $40. Sunday is going to be fun!