Chance
01-01-2014, 03:43 PM
I’m new to owning / utilizing steel targets. I’ve shot plenty of steel before, but they were all someone else’s targets and, thusly, someone else’s problem.
Recently, I purchased some TacStrike 1/4" (http://tacstrike.com/STEEL-TARGETS/1-4-Scale-Steel-Target-System.html) steel target systems. I posted a few questions prior to purchasing them, which you can find here (http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?8638-Wolf-Brand-Ammunition-and-Steel-Targets&highlight=wolf+brand+ammunition). I have fired up to 7.62x39 Wolf Brand ammo at them, and the targets have done little more than lose some paint: no tangible surface deformations whatsoever. But then I started shooting 55 grain 5.56, and I had a problem.
According to TacStrike, the maximum velocity of a rifle round could not be more than 3,200 feet per second (http://tacstrike.com/uploads/file/tacstrike_safety_guidelines.pdf)to keep the target from being damaged. The ammo we were using was rated at 3,176 feet per second. Upon harnessing the full might of my nigh-on immesurable brillance, I said, "It's only 3,176 feet per second? That's like, 24 whole feet per second slower than the maximum!"
Naturally, this happened.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67659244/plate_2.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67659244/plate_4.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67659244/plate_6.JPG
The surface of the plates are tangibly dimpled. That's bad, right? Is this side of the plate not safe to use now? Can I use the other side of the plate (there are a few pieces of chipped paint, but the surface is smooth, so far as I can tell)?
I have some 62 grain 5.56 NATO lying around. Can I expect the same results from that load, assuming a 16" barrel out of an AR-15 platform? What is the norm for people shooting steel with 5.56, in terms of round weight, velocity, steel hardness, et cetera?
Recently, I purchased some TacStrike 1/4" (http://tacstrike.com/STEEL-TARGETS/1-4-Scale-Steel-Target-System.html) steel target systems. I posted a few questions prior to purchasing them, which you can find here (http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?8638-Wolf-Brand-Ammunition-and-Steel-Targets&highlight=wolf+brand+ammunition). I have fired up to 7.62x39 Wolf Brand ammo at them, and the targets have done little more than lose some paint: no tangible surface deformations whatsoever. But then I started shooting 55 grain 5.56, and I had a problem.
According to TacStrike, the maximum velocity of a rifle round could not be more than 3,200 feet per second (http://tacstrike.com/uploads/file/tacstrike_safety_guidelines.pdf)to keep the target from being damaged. The ammo we were using was rated at 3,176 feet per second. Upon harnessing the full might of my nigh-on immesurable brillance, I said, "It's only 3,176 feet per second? That's like, 24 whole feet per second slower than the maximum!"
Naturally, this happened.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67659244/plate_2.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67659244/plate_4.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67659244/plate_6.JPG
The surface of the plates are tangibly dimpled. That's bad, right? Is this side of the plate not safe to use now? Can I use the other side of the plate (there are a few pieces of chipped paint, but the surface is smooth, so far as I can tell)?
I have some 62 grain 5.56 NATO lying around. Can I expect the same results from that load, assuming a 16" barrel out of an AR-15 platform? What is the norm for people shooting steel with 5.56, in terms of round weight, velocity, steel hardness, et cetera?