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Author Topic: Shooting Steel... dangerous?  (Read 12551 times)

Offline engelwood

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Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« on: July 06, 2011, 04:20:07 PM »
This is a dumb question, but for shooting long distances I picked up a 14"X14"X1/2" chunk of steel. I was planning on hanging it from something, painting it white, and shooting it to make a "gong". Is there any danger to this? I'm shooting some solid copper bullets such as Barnes TSX and Nosler ETips at it if that makes any difference. Thanks for the input.

Offline h20hunter

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2011, 04:24:16 PM »
If you are long range shooting you shouldn't really have an splatter issues. There is a vid somewhere on YouTube showing a loooonnnng ricochet from some guys shooting .50's. Bang away if you are in a safe area.

Offline Rick

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2011, 05:51:47 PM »
If you're smart about it,shooting steel isn't any more dangerous than paper.

Offline boots

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2011, 07:30:34 PM »
I think if its angled correctly it shouldn't be an issue. Lots of people do it  :twocents:

Offline kitsap

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2011, 07:37:49 PM »
....... for shooting long distances ...........

I would have to ask what do you define as long distances?  How may yards away from the firing line will the target be located?

You need to stay away from military surplus ammunition with steel or other types of metal penetrators.

DougF
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Offline CAMPMEAT

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2011, 07:38:43 PM »
I've done it with no problems at all.
I couldn't care less about what anybody says..............

Offline CAMPMEAT

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2011, 07:40:05 PM »
....... for shooting long distances ...........

I would have to ask what do you define as long distances?  How may yards away from the firing line will the target be located?

You need to stay away from military surplus ammunition with steel or other types of metal penetrators.

DougF

Why do you need to stay away from military ammo ?
I couldn't care less about what anybody says..............

Offline demontang

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2011, 07:12:16 AM »
steel core can and will cause a fire  :twocents: reg ball ammo is fine.

Offline FC

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2011, 10:42:31 AM »
steel core can and will cause a fire  :twocents: reg ball ammo is fine.

How?
The reason there are so many Ruger upgrades is because they're necessary.

Offline sebek556

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2011, 10:57:26 AM »
used to shoot steel once a month in the army at 300-200 yards we called them "iron maidens"

Offline demontang

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2011, 11:21:37 AM »
steel plate getting struck by a steel core round spray's sparks like you wouldnt believe. Been there done that and luckly I got to the  fire before it took off :bdid: I grabbed a steel for round by misstake and well it only took one shot to catch some grass on fire.

Offline jeepasaurusrex

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2011, 11:23:14 AM »
I build my own targets from steel all the time. If you want a good gong, us AR-400 plate. It is really hard and will ring good. I have used 3/4" A36 (fairly soft) and almost penetrated all the way though with a .270 at 100yds. There is no ricochet backwards.

The square is 3/4" A36. The Mickey Mouse is 1/4" AR-400. The little pock mark is a .22 @ 100yds. :chuckle:

More 3/4" A36


The pig is also from A36. The brass looking holes are from some Barnes bullets we loaded up.

The small pock marks are from a .22 my daughter was shooting @ 100yds
Howa 1500 in .270 Winchester Shootin handloads.

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Offline kckrawler

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2011, 11:46:08 AM »
If you are long range shooting you shouldn't really have an splatter issues. There is a vid somewhere on YouTube showing a loooonnnng ricochet from some guys shooting .50's. Bang away if you are in a safe area.

http://www.military.com/video/guns/rifles/50-cal-ricochet-that-smarts/658235492001/

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Offline CementFinisher

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #13 on: July 07, 2011, 02:04:13 PM »
To truly be safe not all steel is okay. you need a hardness of a minimum of 475 for large rifle calibers. Softer steel will divot when shot, increasing the likely hood of ricochets.

Offline jackmaster

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Re: Shooting Steel... dangerous?
« Reply #14 on: July 07, 2011, 02:18:49 PM »
i know at paul bunyan the 200yrd gong is made out of steel but it is also hanging inside a tractor tire with a serious dirt hill behind it
my grandpa always said "if it aint broke dont fix it"

 


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