New AR500 Steel for the Kids.

And by kids, I mean the humankind, not the new rifle kind. This is actually the second set (white panted steel) the first set (yellow and orange) was made from 1/2" AR500 and were fine for high power rifles. I shot the 3 1/2" round and the Bear with 8MM Mauser FMJ's out of my Yigo M48 at 35 yards and if didn't hurt them a bit. But when the kids shot them with the .22's they were disappointed all they got was a "thud" no resinating ring.

So this second set is built from 1/4" AR500 so hopefully, this will bring joy to the kids and adults alike. :dancingbanana:

Attachment 101803Attachment 101802Attachment 101804

First time I heard "AR500" was watching Battlebots on TV, it's what they use for armor. Should hold up pretty good...

Russ

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Originally Posted by RASelkirk

First time I heard "AR500" was watching Battlebots on TV, it's what they use for armor. Should hold up pretty good...

Russ

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I use to think that then the steel guy told me it is actually for Abrasions Resistant Steel. Whatever the case when I hit it dead on the the 8MM Mauser FMJ at that close of range I was impressed with the steel

We have it on our rifle range and the club shoots probably more 7.62x39 from Simonov than anything...mostly FMJ too. They seem to hold up well. We've suspended ours from a fold of firehose. It still doesn't give much of a "Ring" to smaller stuff though. Even 5.56 doesn't get more than a good sound whack from it. That's enough to tell you though, and a new paint job every range session...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

We've suspended ours from a fold of firehose. It still doesn't give much of a "Ring" to smaller stuff though.

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On the range where I'm the RSO all steel has to be mounts or hung at least a 15 degree angle. The steel wedge you can see in the side view made that easy. Some day I will get a 24 x 24 inch to hang long ranges. Found a place called Make It Ring they have done right buy me on every buy, they have a hurg selection and even offered to do custom targets for me. I use to buy from a place called Big Dong Targets Still might buy a hat from them, just something about that name hmmmm.....

This one is pretty cool but way outside what I can afford

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...w600h600-1.jpg

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Originally Posted by usabaker

steel has to be mounts or hung at least a 15 degree angle.

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Great idea, I've been shot in the leg and it hurts so I don't recommend it. Ricochets go everywhere and some of these people out on the range think bullets vaporize when they hit steel. One suppressed weapon and they'll understand bullets come right back...an angle is great. Ours just can't be fixed solid, must be swinging.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

.an angle is great.

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I was wrong it's a 10 degree minimum,

4. Metallic Targets minimum distances:
a. Allowed at 25 yards or more: Rifles in pistol calibers, Handguns in pistol calibers, Shotgun
lead shot , Rimfire rifle and handguns.
b. Allowed at 100 yards: Rifles in rifle calibers, Handgun in rifle calibers, Shotgun steel shot,
Shotgun Slugs.
5. Metallic Target Guidelines:
a. Metallic targets must be AR Steel or equivalent. Steel targets that are cratered pitted, or
damaged are not allowed.
b. Metallic target plates must be free of brackets or hex/square bolts on the shooting face of
the target. Carriage style bolts are ok.
c. Flat metallic fixed targets must have a 10 degree or greater forward slope (top edge leading
the bottom edge) to deflect projectiles to the ground and the center of the metallic target
should be positioned off the ground so that projectiles/rounds that miss the target impact
the designated impact zone. (Metallic target placement is generally 48"- 66" off the ground)
d. Metallic target placement should not interfere with adjacent targets with in the 20 Degree
splatter zone. (See Appendix M)
e. Flat metallic targets must be set parallel to the firing line. Note: Metallic targets that are not
parallel to the firing line will produce a unsafe side ricochet zone from the target face that
could cause splatter to adjacent shooters. (See Appendix M)
f. Metallic Gongs, Swingers, or Flippers must be positioned off the ground so that
projectiles/rounds that miss the target impact the designated impact zone. (Metallic target
placement is generally 48"- 66" off the ground)
g. Target stands cannot have any flat vertical surfaces facing the shooter, (Cover with sand
bags as required)
h. Metallic Targets should be placed with a 3 foot lateral and deep offset from the adjacent
targets. (See Appendix M)
i. Metallic Targets that are shorter than 24" or Pepper Poppers must be set at the toe of the
backstop/impact zone.
j. Rim-fire Metallic Targets: Handgun & Rifle targets will not be set closer than 25 yards.
k. Any metallic target set closer to the firing line than the prescribed safety distance must be
inspected and requires written permission by the Range Development Advisor.
l. Metallic Targets for Matches or Outside Activities: As part of the scheduling process for
Matches or Outside Activity their targets are inspected for material and placement on the
range. Once scheduled then their metallic targets and position are approved.

Lots of good stuff there. Worst thing about the civilian ranges are...they expect something to last forever without maintenance. They all look for something that they can forget about. I explained how we had a crew in the military that only did maintenance on ranges. They were civilians under and ex soldier that knew the score. They did all from build and replace targetry, clear snow, inspect range equipment... I know you have the same. When you speak of sand bags in front of verticals, they would expect to do it once. They don't get doing weekly maintenance. Then after a year a target bank falls down.

Our Chief Firearms Officer for the province has no guidelines such as you've described. Just the simple ones I spoke of before... Matter of fact it's mostly up to him as to what's OK and what isn't...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Worst thing about the civilian ranges are...they expect something to last forever without maintenance.

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I guess our range is lucky. But, Its actually a club which might be the difference. We have a person that lives on the range and in a maintenance person. Plus a lot of us volunteer. The club has also been buying up as much land around the range as possible to keep housing from encroaching and eventually pushing us out. We are at 600 plus acres so far. Best part about being a Range Safety Officer is I'm given a key and I can go to the range whenever I want even after closing.

Range #1: Any distance out to 30 Meters. Targets at any distance from 3 yards to 30 meters

Range #2: Any distance out to 50 Meters. Targets at any distance from 3 yards to 50 meters

Range #3: Any distance out to 100 yards. Targets at distance 50 feet to 100 yards.

Range #4: Under Construction

Range #5: Trap Range

Range #6: 300 yard range with target frames at 50, 100, 200 and 300 yards.

Here is a picture of the range layout

Attachment 101823

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Originally Posted by usabaker

Its actually a club which might be the difference.

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It is for sure.

I have a six-plate vertical steel target with several different plate sets for different pistols . Most sets are 6 inches tall and 7 inches long welded to tubes that the rebar slides through . I don't have any way handy to measure the angle , but it's quite a bit . We have a set of 1/8 inch non AR plates for .22 LR and it is now very " wavy " from thousands of flip-flops . Our steel shop does not stock 1/8 AR , so we had a set of 3/16 AR made in 5 x 6 inch size . Half again as thick but 42 sq inches vs 30 sq inches , so about the same weight . These work fine with Colt Aces and CCI mini mags at 15 yards . Bounce back is no more than 5 yards with any handgun / plate from .22 to .45 ACP and 10MM ( 45 set is 1/2 AR ) , but we don't go any less than 15 yards . You must go thick enough to not get any craters , those can introduce variances that can send bounce backs anywhere . I also made two horizontal 6-plates rack with the plates set at the same steep angle forward for shooting down and backwards for shooting while hanging down . No bounce back past 5 yards or so .
Chris

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Originally Posted by emmagee1917

Our steel shop does not stock 1/8 AR

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I don't think I've seen 1/8" AR500 used at our range; as an RSO I'm not sure I would allow it - I'd have to read up about it. I think the only 1/8" stuff I have ever seen is that junk sold at the Sporting Goods store like Big5 you see out on BLM land all shot to crap, don't even think the stuff is AR steel. I dueling trees that the range owns and uses for our Jr. Marksmanship and Women on Targets programs are 1/4" and 3/8".

What could be seen as unwise on a public range where one cannot watch everything and everyone all the time can be perfectly safe with a small group and everyone knowing the rules . The 1/8 were our first try and it was a failure , being replaced with 3/16 AR for .22LR only . It was used to balance the weight , power , and the up slope / down slope movement required by the steep forward angle . I have sets for .380 , 9mm , .45 / 10MM . If anyone wants to shoot more powerful stuff ( 41 mag , 44 mag , etc .) the stand goes out to 25 yds and more .
Chris