[Joe S.]

Got a friend with a CNC machine and welder. Thought about designing some silhouettes on my CAD program and having him cut me some steel for shooting with my 44 mag and 38/357 leverguns/ pistols. Maybe the 9mm and my cousins 223 and 40 too. Heck, thought about maybe even some long range pinging with the 308 and mid range 30/30.
I'm thinking small targets about a foot high and maybe that long with some flat strap welded along the bottom to stand them up on some wood bases for knocking over.

I have never shot steel. Always been told not too. To handle that range of calibers do I need different thicknesses of steel? Thought about 3/8 but is that too much for one and not enough for another? Could I use that with 22s? Obviously I don't want ricochet but I don't have a clue what I need. Tired of punching paper. Wanna hear feedback!

Are there certain angles to have these things leaning? Like slightly down at the earth? Or make em straight and they will just fall over when shot?

As for a bullet trap I saw one on youtube one time. It was a piece of steel plate angled down about 45 degrees as if to deflect the bullet down into the earth. Paper hung in front of it. You shoot paper and bullet ricochets into the ground. If I made that could I safely shoot it? I'm thinkin it would make a nice lead trap and allow me to dig lead out of the ground after shooting. And would it be safe for all ranges/ calibers?

Just tryin to think of ways to improve safety/ efficiency and give me a little fun to boot.

 

[DBChaffin]

There is some information in the thread below that will probably be of some help. The .223, 30-30, and .308 are a whole 'nother ball game from the handgun rounds, although hot .44 mag is pretty tough too.

http://www.msgunowners.com/renegade-outlaw-steel-steel-challenge-f38/purchasing-steel-challenge-steel-targets-t1810.htm

 

[msredneck]

Magnum pistol and rifle rds...better have some mighty hard and thick steel....

craters = richochete

very uncool

whatever you do...make sure they are flat

 

[Joe S.]

Maybe I'll just stick to the 357/38 and 22 and light loads in the 44 mag

 

[Joe S.]

But would 3/8" steel be sufficient for pistol rounds?

 

[captain-03]

Another thread we have been discussing the issue ..

http://www.msgunowners.com/general-firearms-discussion-f16/steel-targets-t7505.htm

 

[Joe S.]

Ok that's great for targets. Now what about a buklet "trap"? I've seen em on the net. Wood frame with a piece of steel pointed down to the earth to create an angle with the ground you shoot into and it deflects the bullet down into the ground. I'd think that wouldn't matter as far as what grade of steel you use as the bullet can only ricochet down into the dirt. Kinda like a bb trap on steroids lol. And one that uses the dirt to catch the lead.

 

[Joe S.]

kinda what i was thinking... its a bad drawing done in paint, but you get the idea.

 

[sidroski]

How would you recover the lead? Dig into ground? Put a sand trap under it?

 

[Joe S.]

either would work i guess. im too cheap to put a sand trap in it, so id probably just do it like i was panning for lead. lol

of course, i wouldnt do it after every outing. maybe once a year or so...

 

[Joe S.]

piece of 3/8"x48"x60" plate costs 175 at o neal steel.

it also will weigh about 310 pounds...

anyone got some old scrap metal doors laying around? lol

 

[sidroski]

Getting it out of the truck would be a load but let me come see ya'll load that sucker back in. That thing would be like a guillotine for what evers under it. Best figure a Tommy Lift in your project estimate.

 

[Joe S.]

I got a lift on my tractor so that wouldn't be the hard part

 

[crazyace85]

For pistols 3/8 will work but for rifles you need some 3/4 to 1". I think the classification is D4 on some super strong steel but not sure and its expensive. For 22LR some 1/8 will work. On steel poppers you want to lean them forward to deflect rounds and splatter into the ground. I have experience with steel ricochetting bullet fragments back. I have had a piece go through my bottom lip and hit my tooth. Luckily my mouth was closed and it didn't go into the back of my throat. I was also shooting a 4 foot steel popper with my 38. Decided to see if i could get six rounds into before it fell. I suceeded but the last round hit with the popper standing straight up and I got hit with some fragments in the gut. Didn't penetrate just brused. With all steel just be careful. I built a target not too long ago that works well. Its 5 8" plates that fall when shot. Works great.

 

[Rw]

either would work i guess. im too cheap to put a sand trap in it, so id probably just do it like i was panning for lead. lol

of course, i wouldnt do it after every outing. maybe once a year or so...

Too cheap for $9 worth of sand... your worse than me Joe

 

[Rw]

Swing by when you get a chance Joe, If the weather is decent tomorrow ill work on one of those like you drew up... i should have the materials.

 

[Rw]

Got an idea for backdrop material while watching mythbusters tonight,... phonebooks of all things. Im thinking a couple of phonebooks in front of a piece of 3/8s plate should stop just about any pistol ammo. On the show 308 wasnt making it through 4 books.