Shooting AR500 Steel

[Aero Denezol]

I don't shoot steel very often, but I have noticed the sound of impact varies from shot to shot - and sometimes there is no sound at all - even if the plate moves.

Does anyone have any insight on what causes this? Off-center hits? Is it possible for the plate to move from a near-miss?

Many thanks in advance.

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[JDubDub]

Rifle? Pistol? What range? How big and thick are the plates?

I shoot steel almost exclusively, mostly with pistol calibers at anywhere from 10 to 35 yards. If you hit near the hanger the sound may be muted since the plate will ring less - more of a thump than a bell ringing sound.. You'll also see less motion with hits near the hanger. Depending on how the plate is hung (1 vs 2 points, hook hanger vs through bolt) where you hit in the plate may affect how much motion you see. Normally hits on the center line of the plate will cause less motion.

Near misses won't cause any motion, even with a 50 bmg.

Rifle calibers may be a bit different. A 223 at 200 yards hitting a heavy plate may not cause much motion or sound.

Might also depend on your hearing protection. The sound of a pistol round hitting a thinner plate at 10 yards can be loud enough to trigger electronic hearing protection. Same with another shooter firing a shot on the firing line.

 

[Aero Denezol]

@JDubDub fantastic comprehensive answer. Thank you.

I've been shooting half-inch AR 500 with pistols at about 13 yards and 200 yards with centerfire rifles. The plates are hung by one point hook.

I have experienced such a wide variety of sound (or lack of sound) and movement I was curious what might explain this.

 

[Mopar82]

Love it! The change of angles and variances of sound with different cartridges

 

[DLS]

Like moving your finger up and down the fret board changes the tone of a guitar string, hitting different points on the steel changes the vibration pattern and sound.

Look at a Calypso music kettle drum, striking different regions of the drum totally changes the tone.

 

[TTSX]

I can only remember one time I shot steel and it didn't go ding. Was a match and I swore I missed the target because I was listening instead of watching for motion to verify a hit. Apparently that target jumped pretty good silently so I shot it again unnecessarily. Not sure why.