Scrap For Steel Targets *RIMFIRE ONLY*

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I've been asked to make up some steel targets for a friends range.  I want to emphasize up front that they will be used for .22LR only.  No magnum rimfires, no .17 caliber hot rods, and definitely no centerfire.That said, I've some scrap plate that's 8' x 12' x 3/8" (no, that's not a typo; they're big plates).  I don't know what type they are; probably mild or A36 (side note: are the two interchangeable?  I've heard conflicting answers).  There's enough money in it for me to buy myself a decent plasma cutter if I can use the steel I have.  So...can I?  Again, .22LR only, and there would be sufficient distance to the target to prevent splashback (15yd on pistol stages, 25yd on rifle stages).Thoughts?  How can I identify my plates?  Will they stand up to the abuse?Hobart cutting/welding torch.MM252, and nothing else.  My first welder.  Buy once, cry once....but I really would like a nice 50/60A circuit to run it at full strength.A bunch of ideas, and not enough time and money to bring them to life.
Reply:Key to this could simply be target design. Look at this 22 cal rimfire backstop from Cabelas. The steel is nowhere near 3/8" thick. It's the angles that help defeat the rounds. 3/8" would be over kill.http://www.cabelas.com/product/Do-Al...0021082&rid=20You don't talk about target design so there's no real good way to answer some of this.This one uses 8mm steel ( they don't specify type) but that's about 3/8".http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat104625180.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:im going to go ahead and ask that if you read and sign this release of liability, i will say that a36 would be ok.i wish i knew for sure, but i haven't shot much steel. . . . .but that is because i want to practice 9mm at a minimum and as close as 10 yds.everything i read on the topic all broke off at "might be good enough for 22" can you cut a piece and try for yourself? start at 30 yds and work your way up. any dimple you can put in with less than 100 rds would throw the idea out the windowbosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:A .22 wouldn't even come close to going through through 3/8", even from close up at a 90° angle.  That being said, you need an angle on the backstop to deflect the bullets down to keep them from ricocheting back.
Reply:I wasn't worried so much about punching through as pockmarks; a dimple can cause a ricochet directly back to the shooter, while a flat plate will stop the bullet cold and/or disintegrate it.  Yes, a bit of angel can be used to induce a controlled ricochet into a safe direction.Hobart cutting/welding torch.MM252, and nothing else.  My first welder.  Buy once, cry once....but I really would like a nice 50/60A circuit to run it at full strength.A bunch of ideas, and not enough time and money to bring them to life.
Reply:I bet a 22lr would even go through 1/8 lol. I remember this one time when I was trying to should a duck in this beaver damed up river and I was shooting 22 shorts and was aiming right at the duck and shot at him like 4 times wondering why i couldn't hit him so I shot will looking over the rifle at the duck and I could literally see the bullet rainbow trough the air and land in the water in front of him lol it was funny. But seriously just buy AR500 or hardox500 it not much more expensive then mild steel. I just check a couple weeks ago. Only thing is most guys sell it in big sheets. So maybe try to find a small drop piece
Reply:this is 1/8 and it didnt stand a chance. It did bend a little tho. This was with a rifle from like 30 feet lol. I had safety glasses on! It was dark out side so I had to be close. Flashlight under the stock lolLast edited by motolife313; 02-05-2015 at 02:19 AM.
Reply:What DSW said; it's about the controlled downward ricochet/deflection for the rim-fire stuff rather than the backer taking the brunt.-Niche
Reply:I made mild steel 3/8 swingers with a slight angle on them to start the bullet downward. My brother uses them for his 22. We tested it with a 45 Long Colt and 38 Specails.Same as those ones at Gander Mountain and Cabelas.
Reply:I shoot 45acp lead loads at 1/2" mild steel with no dimpling.  I can shoot jacketed as well without dimpling, I just prefer to use lead on steel.  3/8" will be perfectly fine for 22.  I will recommend hanging them with the chain on the backside to get a slight downward angle and so they aren't taking all of the force by being allowed to "swing" some o it out.
Reply:See if you can get your hands on some A514 steel plate.  It's tough stuff.  I got some small drops (5-6 square feet each in odd shapes) in varying thicknesses, and the 1/2" stuff makes GREAT target plates.  I believe A514 meets military specs for range backstops, deflectors, etc for small arms (sub-50 Cal).  My source told me they were a mix of scrap bits from the turret shields on MRAP trucks.  Dunno how true that part is... but I do know it holds up just fine to a 300 win-magYou didn't build that.'85 Miller AEAD-200LE
Reply:I've seen 50 cal not put a hole at all in ar500 but it did bent it. It's on you tube. If your only gona shot  a little 22lr just get 1/4 ar500. And that overkill for that bullet
Reply:@ OD -don't f' around.  Procure a section of 1/4" AR500 and hit it hard.  Forego the A36 solution.  Trust me."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:The holes straight through are .270, the holes not penetrated are .223 fmj.  The 22 lr barely made the plate wobble and just smeared. That target is 3/8 x 6" dia mild steel.  Hope that helps. Attached ImagesLast edited by Tincanweldoor; 02-05-2015 at 10:33 PM.
Reply:Kinda looks like my target lol. I got some hardox 500 but haven't put it together yet
Reply:I built these for my boss a few months back.  He had the scrap laying around and knew I needed some extra money, so he offered to pay me a little to make him some targets... I think they were 1/4", and he said his rifle shredded them the first time he shot them. What a waste. I don't have a lot of experience with firearms myself, but he does, and that's what he told me to use..so... darn. not my fault, just gave him what he asked for. but man they did look pretty good when they left the shop. Millermatic 211 Miller Blue Fire 140@swiftwelding on Instagram
Reply:Must not have experience shooting metal lol. Nice targets!!
Reply:I got side tracked a while back making walking targets for the .22. Used 1/4" A36. I thought about wear plate but the mild worked well enough.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ol-target-idea
Reply:Originally Posted by anickode... A514 steel plate....
Reply:3/8 mild steel will last forever with 22s.  If you will make it so it will swing, even better.  I will try to take some pictures tomorrow.  T1 works great for centerfire pistols, but is not needed for 22s.