Is 16 gauge sheet steel strong enough for homemade knock down targets?

[crittahitta]

I made a bunch of rabbit and bird targets out of wood to shoot at about 60 to 100 yards. I knew they would get ruined but the 25 cal destroys the backside even at 100 yards. So I was at Lowes and picked up a piece of 16 gauge steel. It is 8" X 16" for $11 and i figure it can make a few targets out of it. My Condor is set up the shoot about 55 FPE at the muzzle.

 

[crittahitta]

Well here they are. Crude but I had to cut them with a metal grinder. But at that distance they should look ok. I have a pigeon. Sparrow and two rabbits. Also 2 Semi round plates 4.5 inches and 2.5.

 

[T3PRanch]

A few hits and they will work but I have shot out 14ga that I used in less than a month at 60 yards! I have cracked and shot through 1/8" at 25 yards. Remember 55 ft/lb is what many jackhammers are rated that are used to demolish concrete!

Thurmond

 

[crittahitta]

Thanks Thurmond. I figured that was too easy. I glued and screwed some 3/4 oak to the backside to stiffen it up. Maybe last a bit longer.

 

[nced]

'pends on how often they're shot, the concentration of hits, and the metal alloy. Even with the older production Gamo knock down targets (thicker metal than the newer ones) I've "shot out" the paddles with my .177 R9 tuned to about 13fpe.........

https://imgur.com/mXW9qhW

https://imgur.com/vlrohOh

Anywhoo....it does amaze me that relatively soft lead pellets (even hard lead CPLs) and relatively low fpe .177 cal pellets (13-14fps) will erode away the edges of steel killzone holes and even perforate an 11 gage steel plate with enough hits. I do realize that a .25 cal pellet shouldn't erode the steel as badly but then there is the issue of the bending of steel plate with the added fpe at impact .

 

[Pauls Custom Targets]

3/16" steel would be the thinnest I would use for a .25 cal and 1/4" is better. You would have to get a cutoff wheel and put it on a electric grinder. You can get an inexpensive one at Harbour freight for about $15... You can google the nearest metal recycler to get the steel.

I use recycled steel for my target business. The recyclers usually have cut offs of larger plate steel from industries. You can make some interesting targets using just hand tools.

 

[mobilemail]

"strikefast"3/16" steel would be the thinnest I would use for a .25 cal and 1/4" is better. You would have to get a cutoff wheel and put it on a electric grinder. You can get an inexpensive one at Harbour freight for about $15... You can google the nearest metal recycler to get the steel.

I use recycled steel for my target business. The recyclers usually have cut offs of larger plate steel from industries. You can make some interesting targets using just hand tools.

Target business?? Have a website?

 

[Pauls Custom Targets]

I do but I don't want to break any rules dealing with advertising. I will PM you.

 

[crittahitta]

Well they kinda held up. The rabbit at 70 yards took a beating but no holes. It did crack the 3/4 oak board it was glued and screwed to. The rabbit at 100 yards faired a little better. So it will last long enough to save for some real targets.