How thick of a steel target do I need?
The thickness of a steel target is dependent on use.
Now that you have decided to start using steel targets for your firearms training leads one to ask several questions. What steel target thickness do I need? We get several frequent questions from people new to shooting steel, what should you look for when choosing there new targets? Of course there are many factors and even as many opinions, so lets break it down into several categories, lets start with the thickness. First lets ask yourself a few questions, and remember the old saying “Speed Kills”
What can a AR500 steel target handle?
Generally there are a couple impact factors that you will want to consider when choosing steel targets.
3/8″ AR500 steel targets – up to 3000 feet per second AND up to 3500 ft. lbs energy
1/2″ AR500 steel targets – up to 3000 feet per second AND over 3500 ft. lbs energy
What are you shooting?
Our first question what are you shooting? Rifles, pistols or a combination of both? This will help with deciding on the thickness of the target, most situations will be well within the capabilities of our 3/8″ thickness AR500 and AR550 targets. The 3/8″ targets can handle bullet impacts of 3000 f.ps. and impact energy of 3500 ft. lbs., both are equally important. Keep in mind that spec is at impact with target and that the ballistic specifications at muzzle are not a determining factor as the projectile starts loosing both velocity and energy once it has left the barrel. Using ballistic tables from your load data if you hand load or if shooting factory ammo, most factory ammunition now days has ballistic data printed on box or is available from there website.
With that in mind your .44 magnum shooting 300 grain bullets at 1250 f.p.s. develops about 1040 ft. lbs of energy at muzzle and both the velocity and energy is well within the desired velocity and energy for 3/8″ thick steel targets.
Now lets look at your AR 15 chambered in .556 using 55 grain FMJ ammo at 3165 f.p.s. and 1223 ft.lb energy at muzzle, even at the muzzle the energy is well below the specs for either the 3/8″ or 1/2″ AR500 thickness but the velocity is to high at muzzle for either thickness, so we need to determine at what point the velocity slows down to below 3000 f.p.s. by using ballistic data for the ammo to determine the closest distance where that ammo should be used with steel targets. Using data it looks like the velocity will drop at acceptable levels at around 100 yards, so you should start at 100 and check to be sure results are acceptable.
While we are at it we also want to shoot our .338 Lapua Magnum with 300 grain bullets at 100 yards on steel, not a problem. The 300 grain bullets have a muzzle velocity of about 2750 f.p.s. and 5038 ft. lbs energy when pushed relativity hard at the muzzle, so the velocity is fine for the 3/8″ thickness but the energy is to high and you will need to step to the 1/2″ thickness or move target out to farther distance where the energy will have reduced to 3500 ft. lbs or lower.
Rogue Shooting Targets has 3/8″ AR500 and AR550 steel shooting targets are used as long range shooting targets for high power rifles and tactical handgun training every day, if you have any questions regarding steel targets feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help
