432 yard shot

[phillip61]

I know thats just a drop in the bucket for most of you guys. But me and a friend of mine set this target up on the other side of his lake. Range was done with a LRF. I had never shot this far before. I dialed in my corrections based on my 100yd zero and hit my first three shots. I thought that was kind of cool.

 

[KYS]

mild steel?

 

[FlashGordon]

What is that target made of and what were you shooting it with? Those impacts look like they've cratered the surface more than just a little.

 

[phillip61]

Yes, mild steel. Thats all I have access to. I shoot a 308.

 

[redirt78]

Congratulations man. Nice shooting for your first time out that far

 

[ScudMarket]

As the guys above would be thinking, you might wanna invest and get some AR500 steel. Before your rounds zip threw your current target. On the other hand...

Not bad of a group for your first time at that distance.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Very nice shooting, looks like its under a 3" group? What make of .308 is it?

 

[phillip61]

I actually measured the group size. The farthest two shots was just under 4". I shoot a Accra-Liance. Below is a pic.

 

[FlashGordon]

http://www.jcsteeltargets.com/purchase.php

Surprisingly affordable!

 

[abogue77]

Nice......

 

[phillip61]

thanks for the link. The steel plate I am using is 1" thick. I don't think I will wear it out anytime soon. But I do appreciate the link.

 

[BARichardson]

Yes, mild steel. Thats all I have access to. I shoot a 308.

Take a torch and heat the face of ur target till its just about glowing then take a big bucket of water and dump it right on the mild steel. This is called "quenching" it makes the steel much harder and will withstand a lot more! .223, 308, 6.5CM, ext...

Congrats on the cold bore shooting buddy I remember my first long range cold bore hit was the koolest GOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNIIIIIGGGGGGGGGG noise i ever heard! haha!

 

[backyardsniper]

Excellent shooting, Thats a nice looking rifle too. I've never heard of that particular model

 

[RyeDaddy]

I had never shot this far before.

Feels good, doesn't it? Keep it up!

 

[mt Al]

Nice! Just getting there myself.

 

[Eznutz]

Good shooting and nice looking rig.

 

[rideHPD]

Good work, it does feel great to put your knowledge to practice and hear the sweet ring of being correct.

 

[rancilio]

Great shooting! Keep the updates coming.

 

[JGorski]

Nice group! What load do you use?

 

[7magsavage]

Well, you took the hook! You're ruined now. I remember the first time I shot long range and hit a 500 yard target, that was all it took for the madness to begin!

 

[TheGerman]

Where are the other 2 rounds?

 

[docdredd]

Take a torch and heat the face of ur target till its just about glowing then take a big bucket of water and dump it right on the mild steel. This is called "quenching" it makes the steel much harder and will withstand a lot more! .223, 308, 6.5CM, ext...

Congrats on the cold bore shooting buddy I remember my first long range cold bore hit was the koolest GOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNIIIIIGGGGGGGGGG noise i ever heard! haha!

If its truely mild steel then he will not get much if any increase in hardness. Not enough carbon content to harden.

 

[ballsdeep]

You can quench it with engine oil it will add some carbon to it.....

 

[armorpl8chikn]

You can quench it with engine oil it will add some carbon to it.....

Wrong.There is more to adding carbon to steel than quenching in oil. Even if oil was a major contributor of carbon to steel,it would take more than quenching to change the composition.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

If its truely mild steel then he will not get much if any increase in hardness. Not enough carbon content to harden.

Spot on right.

 

[stockdoc]

Nice shooting and nice rifle.

The target is too soft. Those craters will send bullets back your way at one point or another. The further you shoot it from the better. Ask me how I know!!

 

[leadbullet]

that is a good start, in a year or so, cut in 4 pieces and try again, I ma down to a 4"x 7" tall at 600yds, took a few years and lots of loading but it is doable.
congrats.

 

[BARichardson]

"If its truely mild steel then he will not get much if any increase in hardness. Not enough carbon content to harden."

the slag on the edge of the cuts show the carbon coming to the surface... so its got some.

 

[docdredd]

Im not a target maker by any stretch. But I was a hobby knife maker for a few years before I got into Photography, before I got into shooting etc.... So take my comments for what they are worth from some guy on the internet. But there is so much more than just getting something hot then cooling it quickly. Most ferros metals with enough carbon will indeed harden like this But depending on what type (Whether its an oil, air or water hardening type) you are going to get different results. You quench an oil hardening steel in water and youll make it hard alright..... But it will be so brittle with out a few tempering runs that the first bullet will shatter it like a plate of glass.;...

Hope im not sounding like a know it all because I am far from an expert. But as a guy that learned the hard way about thermal and physical stresses on steel I just dont want some ones hard work to be in vain.

 

[ScudMarket]

Good point, reason I'd rather spend some cash. Kowing my target will last much longer. By ordering some ar500 from jcsteeltargets or you might find a local steel dealer, but most local dealers I've found. Only had ar400 or softer. Not sure what ar400 with 3/8 thick would look like at 400+ yards with a 308. When in doubt, don't do it, unless you shout out "it's for science".

 

[KYS]

"If its truely mild steel then he will not get much if any increase in hardness. Not enough carbon content to harden."

the slag on the edge of the cuts show the carbon coming to the surface... so its got some.

There is no benefit to quenching mild steel. How many knife makers do you see making their hard use blades out of mild?
He is better off to shoot the piece he has and replace it with some quality down the road. Switching over to AR500 is going to get you many years of use and the added benefit of using 1/2" will be some weight saving.

 

[phillip61]

There is no benefit to quenching mild steel. How many knife makers do you see making their hard use blades out of mild?
He is better off to shoot the piece he has and replace it with some quality down the road. Switching over to AR500 is going to get you many years of use and the added benefit of using 1/2" will be some weight saving.

Thanks for all the advise. I will get something more suitable to shoot at in the near future. This target was just a spur of the moment thing. My friend had the place and said "Make us a target". There is one other spot on his lake where we think we may get to 500yds, but that will be our limit.