What Thickness of AR500 for My Range

[seanengman]

I'm working on building my shooting range. At this time I only have about 600 yards to play with. My question is, what thickness of plates? Can I get away with running with 1/4" for light calibers or should I just bite down on the 1/2"? Also, What is the max capabilities of each? I don't know any thing about AR500, but I do know I don't want to do this once per year.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[DT1]

MGM and other target mfg's primarily use 3/8" thick AR500 steel. Unless you're planning to really punish them, 3/8" should work fine.

 

[seanengman]

Currently the max that would be run on the range is a .338 Edge.

 

[timjoebobbradley]

you will want at least 3/8, not 1/4". The plates will scar if you use high velocity (.204 ruger, other 3700+ cartridges) a lot faster than any of your generic 300 wsm etc. I shot my plates at 100 yards with the .204 and it leaves noticeable scars. at 200 yards it is not as bad, but definitely still there. at 100 yards with my 300 wsm it doesn't scar at all.

There is also different quality AR500. MGM has theirs tested for hardness, and they do reject some.

I would only use 1/4 for .22 rimfire, .17 hmr, etc. mild pistol loads like standard 9mm.

What is your bullet weight and velocity of the .338 edge?

 

[Landon]

I used a company called Las Vegas steel when I helped a buddy set up a range and would suggest calling a mfg. LV Steel was able to answer your question, which was our question at the time, with a lot of detail. We came up with the most affordable combo and it worked out well. We used thinner plates further out based on a 300wm as the largest round either of us owned.

You can ask about quality, thickness, performance, bullet types, and maybe an ar550 option?

 

[finbox]

I have 1/2" 66% plate and at 600 yards it barely moves with 75gr .223 and barely moves at 1000 with .308, .260 wish I would have went with 3/8 .

But my plate has no damage at all. Around 3000 rounds on it. I call my own shots. If you can't see the hits it's a waste of time

 

[Big Dog Steel]

For 300 and in, personally I would run smaller 1/2" thick AR500 plates, beyond 300 3/8" would be plenty.

 

[Easy_E]

The 1/4" holds up well this plate has been pounded with 6.5 and 308 Its only starting to show a curve. During a AR shoot someone was using steel core that punched holes. The bad thing with heavier plates is on state land we have to hike them out to shooting spots.

 

[Archer762]

Use 1/2" out to 300.

My 7mm Rem Mag blows holes through 3/8" AR500 inside 250 yards if using big game bullets.

 

[Coletta]

We use 3/8". No problems.

 

[Backstab]

1/2 inch for shorter distance 3/8 for longer (contribution #2)

 

[seanengman]

Thanks for all the input. I'm stoked to have my own range, even if it is only going to be 600 yards. I hope we can stretch it out to 1200 onto some state land.

 

[seanengman]

Hell yeah. We'll do some product demo's out there and the sort. It's going to be out near Porcupine Bay on Lake Roosevelt.

 

[Catwhacker]

I tried to buy once & cry once. I used 1/2" for everything. I have 12,000acres to shoot on & I'm able to haul targets/stands on a fourwheeler & leave them where they are, so the weight isn't too much of an issue

 

[seanengman]

Well, I guess there is that as well... buy once cry once.

 

[gixxer822]

I smack 1/2 all day with 50 bmg and 338 lapua. had a buddy shoot about 3 hrs worth at 80 yds with penetrators and it did surface damage barely, nothing bad at all.

 

[jonthomps]

You should be just fine with 3/8 or 1/2 inch AR500. I shoot my 3/8 plate with a 338 LM with no damage to the plate whatsoever. 5.56 AP barely marks it at 100.