Alternatives to AR500 for steel targets

lsw · Feb 6, 2015

I have ready access to old truck leaf springs at work. Some of our heavy trucks have springs that are 4 or more inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. I've done some internet research. Leaf springs are usually made of high carbon steel like 1095 or low alloy like 5160. Depending on heat treatment, they are about 60 to 75% as hard as AR500. I assume that there are other factors besides hardness that make AR500 the usual choice for steel targets.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of if or how well suited these leaf springs would be for use as center fire rifle targets?

Blacksmith101 · Feb 6, 2015

It will depend on caliber, bullet selection, and distance. Some ranges ban all steel targets because of ricochet concerns.

ohen cepel · Feb 6, 2015

If you have the steel and the skill to make it work I would give it a try so long as you have a place where they are cool shooting them.

If you stick to mild rounds you should be fine.

SuperMag · Feb 8, 2015

The problem with shooting rifle rounds at steel softer than AR500 (armor plate) grade is they melt a crater in the steel and that can sent bits of the bullet and molten steel back at the shooter or bystanders. Anything less than 150 yards is extremely dangerous. Even if you're shooting soft-nose rounds it's a danger.

Pistol rounds are fine on leaf-spring steel, but rifle rounds? Bad idea.

A point about hard-cast bullets: these are a definite no-no on any steel target because they can bounce, rather than go splat and break up. Same goes for copper, brass, and steel BBs. Extremely dangerous.

SuperMag · Feb 8, 2015

Looky here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx_SfG34Jpo

lsw · Feb 8, 2015

I think I'll make a few targets from an old spring and just use them for rimfire and pistol. If I can find a safe place with enough distance & cover I may try out a rifle round and see how the steel holds up. Leaf springs are not as hard as AR500 but they are significantly harder than mild steel. if I ever do get an opportunity to test them with a rifle, I'll post the results & pictures.

genexd · Feb 8, 2015

You need to either mount the plates in a downward angle or hang them on chains so your lead deflects towards the ground. I use 1/4" mild steel plates and they work great for most pistol rounds. 223s will burn right through.

IndispensableDestiny · Feb 13, 2015

SuperMag said:
The problem with shooting rifle rounds at steel softer than AR500 (armor plate) grade . . .

One more time. AR500 is not armor plate. It is abrasion resistant. I have a 1 foot square of rolled homogeneous armor plate. The difference between it and AR500 is substantial. Ammo that dings AR500 does nothing to RHA.

Alternatives to AR500 for steel targets

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