AR500 Steel Targets - What to expect and how to make ...

AR500 Steel Targets - What to Expect and How to Make the Most of Them

AR500 Steel: Understanding Pitting vs. Warping

If you're looking for high-quality steel products, explore our offerings at Hunter Special Steel Co., Ltd.

Pitting Explained

When discussing target damage, pitting is often the first concern. This type of damage occurs every time a high-velocity round, such as a rifle bullet, strikes the target. A common misconception is that larger calibers inherently cause more damage; however, this is not always true. In tests where we fired three .50 BMG rounds at a 1/2" AR500 target from just 50 yards, there was no significant damage. While this is not advisable in practice, it was essential to understand the effects. The real danger to your AR500 target comes from high-velocity projectiles. For instance, at 100 yards, we observed that .22-250 rounds could penetrate 3/8" AR500 steel. The rapid velocities (exceeding 3,000 fps) exert a considerable amount of heat and pressure on a concentrated area, leading to pitting that can progressively damage the target. To illustrate this, the accompanying image shows that pitting is more pronounced at 50 yards compared to 100 yards, where pits can appear deceptively minor as the lead splatters outside the crater. Overall, while target thickness might not seem to influence damage significantly, having a thicker plate helps prevent warping from larger caliber rounds, except for .22-250, which can create holes even in thicker material.

In summary, minimizing the velocity of the ammunition used is key to prolonging the lifespan of your target—anything above 3,000 fps significantly shortens its usability.

Understanding Warping

Warping occurs particularly when using large-caliber ammunition on thinner plates. While a 250 grain .300 Win Mag might not cause immediate damage, repeated impacts on a 3/8" thick target at 100 yards can lead to bending of the plate, which poses the danger of bullet fragments being deflected unpredictably. It's possible to shoot a 3/8" target for higher calibers, but ensure the shooting distance is adequate and conduct regular inspections for any warping. If slight warping is detected, flipping the target can help mitigate further deviation, but maintaining vigilance is essential to prevent excessive warping. Therefore, investing in thicker targets is advisable when working with larger caliber firearms.

In short, large calibers pose a risk of warping your targets. Using thicker plates or increasing your distance when shooting is crucial for maximizing the longevity of your targets.

Understanding Steel and Steel Targets

As more companies engage in the manufacturing of steel targets, distinguishing between accurate information and misinformation has become increasingly challenging. With technical data from the American Iron and Steel Institute, this article aims to clarify the facts necessary for informed evaluation and comparison.

What Constitutes Steel?

Steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron, mixed with carbon and other elements such as chromium, nickel, tungsten, and manganese. The specific properties of steel can be customized through adjustments in the chemical composition or modifications in production processes, including rolling, finishing, and heat treatment. With over 3,000 recognized grades of steel available, the potential for various combinations of properties is vast.

Steel Hardness and Quality Considerations

For steel targets to be effective and safe, they should be crafted from high-quality, through-hardened steel with a Brinell hardness number (BHN) of at least 500. This grade ensures sufficient strength, toughness, and impact resistance. The Brinell hardness test measures the resistance to penetration by a carbide ball under a specific weight, with results calculated based on load and indentation area. This test is an accepted global standard for assessing steel hardness.

Two Key Factors Influencing Steel Hardness

The primary influences on steel hardness are the type and quantity of carbon and alloying elements in the composition, and the heating and cooling processes applied during production. These foundational factors play a significant role in determining the properties of the finished steel.

For further information on AR500 steel plate, do not hesitate to contact us for professional guidance.

The Importance of Steel Hardness

Steel hardness is vital for ensuring a smooth surface, which generates predictable splatter patterns. Insufficient hardness can lead to the formation of pits, craters, and other hazardous deformations. When bullets strike these imperfections, it becomes impossible to predict the direction of the resulting splatter, compromising safety during training.

While there are many steel mills globally, only a few produce steel with the necessary hardness and quality for safe use in targets and equipment. One of the leading producers, Action Target, uses only high-quality through-hardened steel with a minimum Brinell hardness rating of 500 in their ballistic steel products.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website AR-500 steel.