3000 fps guideline for steel targets

[mainecoon]

I have read that if you're shooting steel, you should keep it at a distance where bullet velocity is below 3000 fps when it hits. Does this bear out in practice? If the round is going 2900 fps, will it not damage the steel?

 

[Jeff H]

Need a whole bunch more information to even try to answer that question.

What bullet?
what caliber?
what type of steel?
how thick is the steel?

for example, you aren't going to find any weapon that will penetrate a 1" AR500 plate, but just about every single rifle round will go right through a 1/4" A36 plate.

Next time I head out to my brothers farm, I'll see if I can't put a whole in the 5/8" A36 plate I gave him to shoot up. His 308 won't pierce it but I have some AP 30-06 that I think will. Those 30-06 velocities are less than 3000 fps too.

 

[MtnCreek]

M193 from a 14.5" barrel will ding up AR500 at close range. It's doing less than 3000 fps at the muzzle.

A 190 smk or 208 amax making 2900 fps at the muzzle will mark up AR500 inside of 200 yds. Even at 300 yds, a 3/8" AR500 plate will eventually warp from continued hits.

Edit: FWIW, a 208 amax just under 2900 at the muzzle hits steel at 300 yds with Authority.

 

[mainecoon]

Thank you. I'm shooting 22-250 Hornady 55 grain Vmax, so it would be going 2867 fps at 200 yards.

 

[<*(((><]

My brother hit 3/8" AR500 steel hanging at a slight angle from chain with his 300 RUM at about 100 yards with his hunting load and it punched right through it, twice. Just two clean .30 caliber holes.

 

[readyeddy]

For 3000 fps you should use 1/2" thick AR500. eBay seller kylharn sells 1/2" AR500 at good prices.

 

[NWcityguy2]

I have found that for my steel, 3/8" thick AR500 steel bought off ebay, that even at 2800fps, it will take the occasional ding from a 223. 3000fps doesn't always leave a mark, but it certainly does enough that I don't do it that often.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

My anecdotal evidence agrees. Pistol rounds? No problem. .308 @ 100y? No problem. .223 FMJ @ 100y, doing (est) 3000-3100 at the muzzle, leaves a very shallow divot. Havent measured the depth, but just enough to notice. These are AR500 plates from JC Steel, so purpose built.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

We shot steel a cored Greek surplus 30/06 ball at 100yds at a hanging 3/8 AR500 plate. Just left a slight ring. Same with my 140r Gamekings from my 270win at about 2900fps.

 

[R.W.Dale]

My son recently holed my 3/8" ar500 target with a 60yd 22-250 shot. The target has previously held up to 300wby and even 264mag

Lucky it holed clean through because a target with a crater (not mild divot) is scrap and extremely dangerous at that point.