steel gong for smokeless 45 ? | Hank's Message Board

jeffb1961
New Member

Posts: 39

steel gong for smokeless 45 ? Nov 12, 2023 11:19:20 GMT -5

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Post by jeffb1961 on Nov 12, 2023 11:19:20 GMT -5

i'm considering a budget gong for my 45 patriot with a brux barrel , haven't %100 decided to get one but if i do it'll be after christmas .

i'm currently happy shooting barns MZ 195 and xtp 200 in sabots 55 grains of imr4198 . but i do plan on shooting full bore and will try some of the 300 to maybe 350ish grain pointy solid coppers and some with aluminum points and i'll up my powder charge for them staying within marks recommended max loads and probably a bit less . the patriot is not a monster ML like hanks big bruisers . it's a light weight gun .

anyhow ..... the closest i plan to shoot is 100 yards and i'm thinking a minimum of a 6" but i'd like to go to 10"-12" IF i can find a good deal . i'm looking at ar500 steel in 1/2" and 3/4" and ar550 in 1/2' . make it ring has 3/4" ar500 "rated for BMG" makeitringtargets.com/products/ols/categories/34 . FWIU their mounting holes aren't perfectly round/square but i'm not concerned about that . what i am concerned about is pitting and i've read elsewhere that 3/4 inch makes much less sound from impact than 1/2 inch ... is that true ? for my use should i notice any real difference or durability between ar500 vs ar550 in 1/2" or 3/4" ar500 ?
what are y'alls thoughts ? thanks , jeff

mitch
Junior Member

Posts: 90

steel gong for smokeless 45 ? Nov 12, 2023 15:04:48 GMT -5 via mobile ballistic and jeffb1961 like this

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Post by mitch on Nov 12, 2023 15:04:48 GMT -5

Speed is what beats armour, biggest factor for pitting the plate. With mild-velocity muzzleloader bullets you should be good with 3/8” thick with a small diameter plate. That plate doesn’t have much weight behind it, it’ll get out of the way pretty quick when your bullet hits it.

If you are hitting a plate at a velocity that doesn’t damage the surface (the goal for long target life), then the thickness you need is largely to keep the plate from bending. Larger the plate area and heavier the bullet, the thicker you’d need.

buckeye68
Global Moderator

Posts: 1,365

steel gong for smokeless 45 ? Nov 12, 2023 18:14:27 GMT -5 via mobile dennis, shindig, and 2 more like this

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Post by buckeye68 on Nov 12, 2023 18:14:27 GMT -5

I have 1/2” AR500 plate and haven’t seen an issue with pitting. All the steel is hung at the proper angle to help with bullet deflection and to lessen the impacts of the bullet hitting the steel.

At my local range we had 3/8” mid steel plate at 400 yards. With We The People I shot a 4” gong that was 3/8” thick of mid steel and ripped one for the holes for the chain. I rebuild all the steel with AR 500 plate with rubber strips and hang them all on an angle and haven’t had an issue since with any of the CF guns. I replaced them 3 years ago and they are still in great shape. I shoot down to the smallest steel with my SML at 3200 FPS.
With We The People running at 3900 FPS I decided to only shoot 10” plate to keep the repairs down at 400 yards.