Author Topic: homemade silhouettes (Read 3022 times)

hector615 · « **on:** March 29, 2009, 03:13:04 PM »

Hello, new to this particular forum, but thought you guys might lead me in the right direction. Is it possible to make your own silhouettes and be safe.
I don't really know what types of metals and what bullets you need to shoot to be safe.

Me and friend shoot long distance at my farm which is max distance of 747 yards. I shoot .308 and he shoots .300 win mag. Its getting kind of boring just shooting paper. Not that its a challenge shooting that far, because it is. We are much more constitient at 500yards than anyhting else. We have been knocking around the idea of steel silhouettes but don't know the ins and outs of it.

Any help in steering me in the right direction would be appreciated very much.

rcarter · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2009, 09:49:05 AM »

Wow. A lot of response.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2009, 09:59:57 AM »

I bought a 5/8 x 6" spring loaded target I have yet to use. It is made from AR500 steel. It is rated for 300 mag. The manafacter of the target says he can shoot it with his 50 BMG rifle but that bends the hinge. I will post a link to the web site later, if you are interested. $150 bucks to buy.

Cheese

hector615 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2009, 10:18:41 AM »

most definetly, trying to understand the pro's and con's of shooting at steel. Like do you only need to shoot certain style bullets and what not.

Thanks!

Cheesehead · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2009, 12:31:36 PM »

Here is the link I spoke of.
Be sure to watch the video. I ordered one a got it in less than a week.

http://www.lvsteeltargets.com/

Cheese

rcarter · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2009, 03:32:24 PM »

I'm curious to non-reactive targets. Lets say a deer sized steel target at 750 yards??? What steel thickness could be used? Hector have you found anything on this? What distances are you planning on shooting? What caliber?

hector615 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:48:36 AM »

300-700 yards, .308 winchester. Yeah deer sized would be great. That way get some practice in for deer season while having fun at same time. Have some friends that think they can shoot 700 yards, we'll see

Has anyone tried making their own steel target? Just curious how well it worked out.

hector615 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:56:08 AM »

Thanks for the link cheesehead! That was a cool video. That seems to be some of the cheapest prices i've seen on that big of a target.

Does it matter what style of bullet you need to use?

Hey RC, .300WM, There you go.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:16:09 AM »

I would guess any bullet, excepting armor piercing would be fine. The targets are made from a hard armored steel. I will post results when I get a chance to use mine.

Cheese

hector615 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:23:40 AM »

Cool, thanks for the info.

I use Nosler 165 gr ballistic tips. It's what shoots best in my gun. I was just wondering if certain bullets smash better without ricochet.

Yeah, let me know how it works out.

rcarter · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:53:02 AM »

Hector. 300 win mag is the way to go

you know maybe I'm just compensating!!!

Graybeard · « **Reply #11 on:** April 01, 2009, 03:13:53 AM »

My best guess is that if you have to ask then no you are not likely capable of making your own and buying a deer size one is gonna be big time dollars.

They can be cut out with a torch but that's not quick or easy and most professional target making outfits use a plasma cutter I think. You will need a special hard steel not just standard plate for bottle necked rounds like the .308. If you use standard plate steel you'll punch holes thru it and make big dents as well.

hector615 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:53:36 AM »

I actually have access to water jet or burn table, and both are cad driven. My simple question was has anyone ever used anything else besides 500 Brinell hardness steel and what was their success.

sk330lc · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2009, 04:30:17 PM »

T Iron. as in T-1 steel Works well. I have made several swinging targets Using 1" Round rod for a frame and then use a 10"x10"x1/2" Plate welded to bushings for the swinger . The first one I made I used 3/8" Mild steel. It's Fine for close pistol rounds 20 yards. But Most bottle neck rounds will punch right through. out to 100 yards. The 1/2" T-1 plate just show small dimples from an 06 and 243 @100 yards. If you have a Metal supply Close go and ask for their drops. Most steel outfits will sell there drops for scrap price. Get some small plates say 1/2" to 3/4" thick and try them at the ranges you want to shoot at. Make sure you have good berms behind and at the sides of the plate. when you place the plate lean it so the top is tilted tords you. So the bullet will hit and deflect to the ground. If I get a chance in the next few days I'll take a few pics for ya.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2009, 05:06:19 PM »

For rifle rounds, it is recommended the steel target be no closer than 100 yards!

Cheese

hector615 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2009, 11:56:00 AM »

Thanks for the info. I have a huge supply of stainless, i know it has a hardness of around 200. But i was thinking the same thing you said with the mild steel, just get it at least 1/2 inch thick and it should be ok.

We wouldn't shoot any closer than 300 yards anyway. It just gets aggravating to go check targets 300 and further. We are in a good safe spot to shoot, surrounding by a 100ft limestone bowl.

I definetly want to see your pics of what you made.

Thanks for the info, i knew someone out there had tried to make their own.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2009, 12:04:41 PM »

When shooting IHMSA we made some from mild steel plate and patched alot of holes , they were 1/2 plate . we had some made from the plate used in indoor shooting ranges but i can't remember the spec. # It was 5/16 and worked well . a call to any metal supplier should get the # for armor plate . Going on line to the NRA may also get you the imfo. There are co. that make them also check on line , a call to them may get you the Spec. # they use .

Graybeard · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2009, 12:11:50 PM »

I honestly don't recall the name of the steel in my targets but yes I've used mild steel and the much harder armor stuff and can tell you from experience your mild steel targets won't last long with botte neck rounds or even magnum handgun rounds really.

The buffalo I bought from I think D&D or maybe they were called D&T, it's been a lot of years ago is made of the tuff stuff and has held up to about everything from fast .224" bores to .338 Win. Mag and the 7mm and 300 Super mags. The biggest and baddes of them barely dimpled it.

Whatever the steel is that NRA Hunter Pistol targets are made from will be shot clean thru with even a .223.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2009, 12:37:53 PM »

the ones we used stood up to 308 and 708 in XP-100's but the came thru IHMSA .
Do the exist anymore ?

sk330lc · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2009, 02:05:48 PM »

Here are some pics of my pistol target. The Boys took My other two out to a friends farm .
This one is made from 5/8" round rod and a peace of 3/8" plate. Pics tell the rest. This target is shot at from about 15 yards to 100 yards. 38 , 357 , 45acp Have no effect on it. 44 mag with hard cast does. It cups the plate as seen in the pic. This is not a problem I just lay it on the anvil and use a short handled sledge and flatten it out again every so often. I'll say that at 100 yards my 221 and 223 with ballistic tip bullets will make small cratters in it. 223 with FMJ's make little holes , 243 make a bigger hole. I replaced the plate on this one, after I found out what the rifle rounds did. If you have a torch , welder, and time you can make what ever you like. The nice thing about welding the plates to the bushings is. You can cut the welds and replace the plate if needed.
Hope this is what your looking for. Next time I'm out to my buddies farm. I'll get pics of the other two.
They are made the same way but I used 1" rod and 1/2" T-1 plate.

Graybeard · « **Reply #20 on:** April 02, 2009, 05:35:57 PM »

It was DS Welding that I got my buffalo target from. Here is a link:

http://www.dswelding.com/

I think but am not sure mine is made from 500 Birnell steel but they also now offer REM 400 for extended target life but I'm honestly not sure which is the better steel for the job. When I called to order mine I told them what I planned to shoot it with and they made it accordingly.

hector615 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 03, 2009, 03:59:13 AM »

Thanks for all of the response, links, and pictures!!!

The pic from sk330lc looks like what i had in mind. Sounds like i need to start at least with the T-1 plate first. Ohterwise i'll have to make the mild steel so thick you wouldn't be able to tell if you hit it or not at a far away distance.

It's sounds like the buffalo is of the 500 Brinell hardness if it's taking that kind of punishment.

I'll post some pics when i get mine.

Thanks everyone!!!