New AR500 Steel for the Kids.

[emmagee1917]

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

[usabaker]

Our steel shop does not stock 1/8 AR

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".

[emmagee1917]

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