[vito77]

can anybody tell me what kind of gauge metal i should use to build my shooting targets with for my .45acp. and .223

[Alpha1Victor]

1\4 inch steel is good.

Signing out, Alpha1victor.

[hiwall]

I think you may have to go up to 1/2"

[buckhorn_cortez]

You need at least 1/4-inch AR500 steel. If you use softer steel it will crater and you may get ricochets from the deformed steel that come back at you. The real problem with the AR500 steel is cutting it. If you use something like a cutting torch, you'll take the temper out of the steel. The best way to cut it is either using a water jet or submerged plasma cutter.

[HOSSFLY]

I agree on 1/4"
I use 3/16" right now & have a few holes in them
Going to make some more soon

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by buckhorn_cortez

You need at least 1/4-inch AR500 steel. If you use softer steel it will crater and you may get ricochets from the deformed steel that come back at you. The real problem with the AR500 steel is cutting it. If you use something like a cutting torch, you'll take the temper out of the steel. The best way to cut it is either using a water jet or submerged plasma cutter.

Yeah, everybodies got access to that equipment

[buckhorn_cortez]

Originally Posted by HOSSFLY

Yeah, everybodies got access to that equipment

That's the point - if you don't have the correct cutting equipment, don't waste your money on AR500 steel and ruin it with a torch. That's why good steel targets cost what they do - materials plus the correct cutting equipment. If you use mild steel - then you have to take the chance on ricochets or punching holes through the steel.

Do you know whether the OP has access to a machine shop with the equipment or not? He may and if he does then he can get it done correctly. If not, he can contract for it or, do what I did and buy targets from someone like Wideners. I got their multi-pack and have used them with both rifles and handguns.

When you figure materials plus your time, the target set is not all that unreasonable in cost.

[Chainfire]

I built some with 3/8" mild steel. The 7.62 x 25 dents the heck out of them, the 7.62 x 54R blows through them like they are butter. .45 puts small dings in them at 20 yards. I don't shoot a .223, but I suspect, with the velocity and small size it would puncture them as well.

What does do a good job of stopping bullets is a "blind flange" used on mechanical piping. You can get a 9" carbon steel blind flange for around $40.00. You should never have to replace it. It also has good mounting holes built in.

Shooting at less than 20 yards, even with a pistol, is dangerous as the copper jackets tend to come back at ya in little sharp pieces.

[MrWray]

When i worked for the prison system we were having our monthly SRT training. We happened to have an extra sheet of 1"1/2 ballistic "bullet proof" glass. We experimented with several different calibers, 9mm,.45acp, .40, .357mag, .38, .223, .308, and 7.62x39. ALL pistol rounds stopped about halfway through, and all rifle rounds went clean through without much resistance..

[TimKS]

Quarter inch mild steel will work for the .45 (hard steel is better) but not for the .223. A .223 will pierce or pock most metals, so I'd recommend NOT shooting metal targets (especially up close)......use paper, cardboard or wood unless you like to replace metal targets often.