Steel Targets - 1/2" vs 3/8" AR500 Steel

[@tonyc2639]

This video is on point but there's a lot more to it. I started with several 1/2" gongs thinking they would last the longest. Then I discovered that rimfire bullets illicit almost no reaction from them, sound, movement or otherwise. Heck even my AR barely gets a rise out of them. So I bought some 3/16" for rimfire only. They make a nice loud plink and do a little dance. Perfect! I decided to try one shot with my AR on them and it went right through! Bottom line each thickness has it's own benefits with no one size fits all. I will probably end up with a lot of them before it's over.

[@rockbandgamer]

Use a different way to hook it up such as heavy duty quick links instead of a bolt and a nut and it will vibrate a lot more when shot, therefore being a lot louder. I used nuts and bolts on my gongs and then took them right off when I noticed that you don't hear anything when you shoot them. If you can cut your chain with an angle grinder and squeeze it open enough to fit it into the hole and then pound it back together, that works too. It's not the thickness of the plate that determines the decibel value when shot, it's the way you hang it and support it to the plate. =)

[@bltefft]

i use a long bolt at the top of my steel gongs with a chain. They hang at an angle so that the rounds are ricocheted into the ground. When I don't want a LOUD ring, like in my back yard, shooting .22's, I use one on my 1/2 inch gongs, not a 1/4 incher.

[@elcapitan1306]

Thank you for the video. The comparison is an unequal one. The bullseye target having the center removed changes the pitch. A more appropriate test would be to strike two bullseyes of differing thickness or two gongs of differing thickness.

[@nathanhill6042]

A larger plate will also ring longer and somewhat louder to say a 4 inch vs a 10 inch plate

[@jamiesloan5902]

I use S hooks for most of my gongs. They ring better, than the ones that I have bolted to my rubber strip hangers. Vibration is what you want, for sound. A large area, of thinner material is gonna be louder than a small area, of thicker material. Also, binding them down by directly bolting them to your hanger slightly reduces the sound. Trust me. I own almost 20 steel targets, and have experimented with all of them. I bought some magnets yesterday, along with a strip of flat stock steel. I plan on mounting the strip of flat stock to the back of a 2x4 on one of my stands, and seeing if the magnets will hold them up, so I can shoot them off(like a plate rack). I'll probably make something to protect the magnets from shrapnel, before I try it out. I love using my imagination, when building my own targets. If the "magnet" idea works well, I may end up building a Texas star, and use the magnets for holding the plates. I've never saw anyone doing this, so we shall see...

[@rileyneufeld7001]

That's actually a good idea! Just put the magnets on the top of the plates so when it hits it it will slide down. If it's not a strong magnet it should fall off.

[@imconfusedtwo9268]

From what I've gathered 1/2 will last longer and resist bulge from heavy armour rounds. I'd like to see the 3/8 After a bunch of hits.Also I guess you can even get 550 targets. I haven't bought anything yet as I want more info

[@allenmckinney9533]

I went by the go big or go home rule and got a 5/8" gong.

[@rrcaniglia]

Just so I am clear on this, you compared two thicknesses of AR500 without shooting at one of them. Fair enough, but how do you warrant your conclusion?

[@chrisd.fessenden8074]

its all about the speed of the bullet on contact. Its my understanding anything above 2850 fps causes a heat reaction and will pit the steel, doesn't matter if 5/8, 1/2 or 3/8.

[@NoahGomezR]

You really think he has no experience? Even if he didnt he just explained to you the obvious, thicker metal, less sound. You shouldnt have to test out that theory if you have common sense

[@Jake-uc8mb]

The hole in the 1/2in plate probably changes the vibration.

[@rkba4923]

3/8 is all you need. Just back up til the velocity, at the target, is 3000 or less fps.

[@fuzzo4475]

"Ooohoohoohoo", haha. Nice video my friend.

[@VRGalaxy_762]

Thank you very much for this video! Very helpful and informative. Keep up the great work.

[@beaverman1804]

Pretty sure most people confirm hits by the gong swinging. Sure the sound is a part of it but not even close to seeing it swing in my eyes anyway.

[@Shootingtargets7]

Those look like our Bullseye Targets. Nice review.

[@Sharps-im4lb]

+ShootingTargets7.com you would be correct. I like your products.

[@LarryeWhite61]

I have 20 of your steel targets. 3,4.6 and 8inch. Great products

[@Rantz2040]

Did anyone else notice he used 2 different user names for himself?

[@ryanpiccolotti]

Ya wtf

[@guzmanpatriot]

Yeah, I've used 3/8 ar500, and they hold up....for a while, but after shooting 7.39x39 for a while they start to pit. I have an old 1/2 gong that I shot .308, probably a thousand rounds and no pitting at all, I rather sacrifice the sound for reliable. For me that means more money on ammo then on targets. But that's my opinion

[@piecartbox]

Your left eye is dialated

[@GiacomoCalabrese]

Nice info

[@25gwolfable]

Hardened steel is the way to go for steel targets I'm just saying

[@MightyMack24]

Shootingtargets7.com has the target selector chart which helps you pick the best target for sound for the round you're using. Also, has some of the best prices anywhere.

[@xzavierjackson8029]

Now I know thanks 🙏

[@MrCee-eq9fe]

Thanks

[@i556xx4]

How much velocity would a .223 need to pass through that steel?

[@Sharps-im4lb]

I don’t think the 223 has enough mass, even with double the velocity, to make it through. Remember this I’d armor plate. A 7mm mag, 300 win mag and 338 Lapua will make a divot in 3/8” ar500 under 500 yards.

[@i556xx4]

@@Sharps-im4lb really, a 300 win mag couldn't pass through @$3300 fps? Wow I thought it would. What the heck would we do against Russian body armor.

[@Sharps-im4lb]

i556 remember that we are talking 3/8“ and 1/2” thick steel. My 3/8” 24 x 24” Gong weighs 60 lbs. Too much to carry for a long time.

[@i556xx4]

@@Sharps-im4lb that's impressive metallurgy. Would the .5" or 1" stop armor piercing ammo. How fast would they need to shoot to penetrate. It amazes me and thank you.

[@Sharps-im4lb]

‘i556 3/8” will stop 3006. 1/2” will stop 338 lapua. 5/8” will stop 50 big. Data provided by shooting targets 7. Go to their “how to pick a target” tab.

[@mikebenz86]

I have a question just bought some ar500 steel is it ok to leave it outside in the rain ?

[@mikebenz86]

Travis Pitt thank you for your reply

[@mauserk98bnz44]

3/8 it is thanks.

[@brosrcool]

i did want to know thanks

[@CaFFeineSouLja]

How wide are the plates?

[@DrewEmc2]

1845?? 7??

[@SSS-cp1op]

1845??? Lol

[@strictmachine06]

Do you have anisocoria? Your left pupil seems to be more dilated compared to your right pupil.

[@kevinmccray8351]

Proof some people shouldn't make videos... How bout you post a comparison when you've shot both the targets you're comparing.

[@MrDelta144]

Sorry, but learned exactly zero from this.

[@oneanon]

do you keep your steel targets outside