Steel shooting target for rifles from retired 3-point scraper blade.

[jkk04]

AR500 steel is one of the more abrasion resistant steels and good for gun targets but quite expensive.
So, I decided to make a couple of steel targets by myself.
It came from a retired 3-point tractor scraper blade which is 1/2" thick AR450 metal as good as the AR500 (a little less strong).
If you have it, don't throw it away but make steel targets.
Ready to fun shooting.
Jkim

 

[Ken45101]

I may be wrong but I thought welding weakens AR500. Also, the 1/2" AR500 targets I bought a few years back had minimum range of 200 yards for .223. .223 won't penetrate at 100 yards but will dimple which can result in ricochets

 

[notaz3]

Less than 100 yards I use Do-All Self-Healing targets. After that I have some old AR500 that has served me and my son for many years.

 

[jkk04]

I may be wrong but I thought welding weakens AR500. Also, the 1/2" AR500 targets I bought a few years back had minimum range of 200 yards for .223. .223 won't penetrate at 100 yards but will dimple which can result in ricochets

You are correct that the steel target could be weakening the steel on the welding area.
My understanding of the recommendation of 200 yards range for 223. .223 or 7.62x39 is for protecting from damage to the target, not for safety reasons.
I am not concerned about damaging the target because I made it with recycled steel anyway.
This morning I tested it at 100 yards with 7.62x39. It holds very well. (Small splatter bursts are 22 rifle and 2 of far-right side big bursts are 7.62x39)
Thanks for your comments
Jkk.

 

[jkk04]

Less than 100 yards I use Do-All Self-Healing targets. After that I have some old AR500 that has served me and my son for many years.

I might try it later.
The reason I prefer the paper target in 50 yards range is that I can see exactly where I hit.
Thanks

 

[Cacinok]

I may be wrong but I thought welding weakens AR500. Also, the 1/2" AR500 targets I bought a few years back had minimum range of 200 yards for .223. .223 won't penetrate at 100 yards but will dimple which can result in ricochets

I've read the warning labels on my AR500 targets, which are the same warnings as yours. That being said, I've shot my targets w/ .223, 5.56, and 7.62x39 w/i 50 yards and I've yet to dimple my targets. Mine are always hung on chains, so ricochets are directed down.

 

[SmallChange]

Mine are always hung on chains, so ricochets are directed down.

Just curious about that -- why does hanging on chains direct ricochets down?

If it's because the impact swings the target, doesn't that swing start long after the bullet has bounced off? In terms of the brief times involved, I mean.

 

[bcp]

Hang from chains welded about 1/3 or so down the backside so it hangs at an angle to deflect bullets downward.

Bruce

 

[jkk04]

I made a target for the 22 rifle only this morning and hung it at 75 yards.

The pipe has scheduled 80 left over from the last project.

I am excited to hear a pipe organ bang sound when hit.

Jkk

 

[mike0000]

I made a target for the 22 rifle only this morning and hung it at 75 yards.

The pipe has scheduled 80 left over from the last project.

I am excited to hear a pipe organ bang sound when hit.

Jkk
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Interesting, my wife loves her wind chimes, may have to give something like that a try.
.22 is what I shoot more than any other round, 75 yards is currently my furthest distance. I plan to get some more clearing done this fall and get to a hundred. Most of my shooting is suppressed bolt action rifles.

Mike