Shooting Steel... dangerous?

[engelwood]

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.

[h20hunter]

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.

[Rick]

If you're smart about it,shooting steel isn't any more dangerous than paper.

[boots]

I think if its angled correctly it shouldn't be an issue. Lots of people do it 

[kitsap]

....... 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

[CAMPMEAT]

I've done it with no problems at all.

[CAMPMEAT]

....... 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 ?

[demontang]

steel core can and will cause a fire  reg ball ammo is fine.

[FC]

steel core can and will cause a fire  reg ball ammo is fine.

How?

[sebek556]

used to shoot steel once a month in the army at 300-200 yards we called them "iron maidens"

[demontang]

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 I grabbed a steel for round by misstake and well it only took one shot to catch some grass on fire.

[jeepasaurusrex]

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.

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

[kckrawler]

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/

 

[CementFinisher]

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.

[jackmaster]

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