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Posted: 1/18/2009 2:44:01 PM EDT
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When I was at KCR they had some pretty heave duty steel swinger targets for .50BMG.
I was thinking of building something similiar, put it out at 500-800m and it would be a fun target. Does anyone have any recomendations for what grade of steel to use? I want something that will last for awhile (I won't be shooting it with AP) but I don't have much expierence with the downrange effects of the .50BMG so I thought I'd ask the minds here, to see if they had recomendations on what they had seen work. |
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You may be able to find a better deal, but any target made of AR500 steel, at least 3/8" thick should be just fine.
link |
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Hey VA, do you have personal experience with using 3/8" AR500 steel for .50 BMG?
I ask because I researched the topic, and after talking to 4 target manufacturers the smallest / lowest number I got was 5/8", and that recommendation came from only 1 manufacturer. The link that you posted actually states that it uses 1" AR500 steel for its .50 BMG Targets. This is the same thickness that 3 of the manufacturers I talked to recommended. The manufacturer below does offer a target in 5/8", but I don't have any experience with the performance of these targets? http://www.patriottargets.com/targets.html I love my steel targets that I use for my .223 and .308, and I am also now looking for a .50 BMG target. Big issue I have is the weight of them, the ones I am looking at are 60-80 lbs for just the target. That is a lot of weight to lug around and carry out to 600-1,000 yards if you don't have motorized transportation to set the target. Any recommendations / past experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Capt Richardson |
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I have seen 3/8" take .50 ball hits. These were at a 100 and 200yd ranges. A few times when the targets weren't hanging they would dent the steel pretty heavily. The free hanging ones would get a little bit of a dent but not near as bad.
The reason I said 3/8 for this instance was that he stated swinging and 500-800 meters. While I haven't seen 3/8" shot at those distances, I'm working on the assumption that they will hold up better. As you stated, weight is a concern. Of course price is as well. I'm sure the thicker plates will last under .50 fire for a much longer time. The question then becomes. is it worth the weight and cost difference for the heavier plates in the long run. If I was going to have a dedicated range set up at those kinds of distances and I knew it was going to be shot at by many people (public type range), then the heavier plate would be the way to go. If it was just me shooting at them, I would opt for the lighter plate and change out if needed as time went by. I hope what I'm trying to say makes sense. 
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Yes your explanation makes sense to me, and trading thickness for distance is something that I have also been considering.
I actually just got a reply from a target manufacturer in those terms: 200-300 yds - stick to 1" thick AR500 300+ yds - could drop to 3/4" thick AR500 1000+ yds - could drop to 1/2" thick AR500 That info came from Metal Spinning Targets http://www.metaltargets.com/. They do offer .50 cal targets on request. 
I have used their targets for my .223 and .308 and they work great! Based on that info, I am considering going with a 3/4" plate and only shooting at it at 300 yds or longer. I figure reducing the thickness of the material by 1/4" should shave 15-20 pounds of the weight of the target. I am looking to end up with something in the 40-50 lb range. If anyone else has an experience please jump in, Thanks, Capt Richardson |
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Thanks for the input.
I don't plan on using a steel swinger target inside of 300m, for the simple reason that the .50 will tear it up to much, and if I use a heavy enough grade of steel to survive the .50 at 300m or less it will be to impractical to haul down range. I plan on trying to build a steel swinger that I can take with me when I'm shooting at longer ranges. The spots I have in mind to shoot, allow ATV's or 4x4 trucks to drive down range, and most of them are private (farmers fields etc..) so placing a steel target out their won't be an issue. It also provides great feedback to let you know you've hit the target. Inside 300m, I can definetly see any hits I make on paper, and if I really want to shoot steel targets I'll weld up some lightweight stationary targets. They won't hold up well at all, but I'll build them from scrap steel I scrounge up, so I won't be upset when they get destroyed, or to full of holes to be of any use. |
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