Posted: 10/21/2004 9:11:17 AM EDT
| I just got a pepper popper made out of 500 brinell steel and i know that i need to be atleast 25 yds for Pistols and atleast 100 ydsfor rifle , but i was wondering if it was ok to use FMJ? |
| I made serveral targets out of AR500 steel which is close to what you have. So far Ive not been able to shoot thru it. Ive fired .308 milsurp, 3006 milsurp, 8mm mauser Turkish milsurp, 30 carbine milsurp, M855 IMI and LC, 9mm several different makes of factory ammo, 243 Federal I think, 221 my reloads, 338 Federal factory and the worst thats happened is some light dimpling of the surface. Ive fired mostly M855 at it...about 1000 rds now and the targets are still in good shape. The only, slight, problem Ive had are hits around the edge b/c I flame cut. The metal is somewhat softer there. |
FMJ's with a rifle should be ok at 100yds, you might get a few ricochet's but as long as your shooting in a safe place you should be ok, I've shot a .50 inch plate at 100yds for years and I dont think I have ever heard one ricochet off of it, and most will just go right on through it , I have also shot 45acp fmj's at it with no problems , if you shoot cast bullets at it,it will cut a line on both sides of the plate from bullet fragmets..... 
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Poppers are supposed to fall when hit, that's how they absorb the energy of the bullets. If your poppers don't fall, you are risking ricchochet city. I took about 1/3 of a squashed 9x18 in my side form 15yds. because a popper didn't fall. Luckily, it didn't hurt me too badly--just a nick and lots of blood for a few mins. Had a huge bruise on my side for weeks though. Steel gongs at long range are less dangerous but still a riccochet hazard. |
I would like to add these guys are great.Very helpful and always good to their customers.I always buy Cardboard targets from them and even my steel poper was not suppose to be in by today due to the fact they didnt have any in stock..But they got it in a couple days ago.  I highly Recommend them. |
