Steel-Core Bullets & Steel Targets

[ChiefStealth]

Just curious. How do steel-core bullets, like typical .223 M855 , react when they hit steel targets? I've been pranging away at the steel targets, with lead-core 55gn bullets, at my local range. They just splatter. Wondering what steel-core bullets do.

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[blackadder]

Depending on the range not much other than a small spark. M855 has a steel penetrator, not a steel core, with the majority of the slug being lead.

 

[rick benjamin]

DRRC hung a 12 inch x 1/2 inch AR500 at 150 yards.
A clanger for members.
855 destroyed it.

 

[zeppelin]

I agree with Mr. Benjamin. My experience is even non penetrator 5.56 fmj rounds will go right through 1/4 inch of steel like a hot knife through butter. I would suspect penetrator M855 will do the same with 1/2 inch--all depending on the range of course.

 

[U201491]

Use 1/2 in High tensile steel plate to make them.

 

[Stomper]

I can tell you what an '06 will do from 100yds.... whoa!

 

[Oathkeeper1775]

They go through brake rotors, engine blocks, radiators, glass, and doors like they are foil, and they split rocks, bricks, and concrete masonry units like they are styrofoam .

 

[Stomper]

HEY?! Don't be tippin' "them" off to the secret formula!



But yes, through all THAT and will STILL kill you dead.

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

ive shot 855 at my rolling AR500 target and it hasnt even made a dent. that being said... im also shooting it at 150-200yrd from a 16" AR

 

[Joe13]

The steel used, thickness of target and velocity of bullet at impact all make the difference. They are not AP but that little bit of steel will eventually ruin the target of you shoot enough of them at it.

DRRC hung a 12 inch x 1/2 inch AR500 at 150 yards.
A clanger for members.
855 destroyed it.

I've heard this from members there while shooting, but I have no idea how many rounds that took to do it.

 

[rick benjamin]

It didn't take very many, now nobody gets to clang the clanger.
It used to hang in the "bear cave" on the dynamic range berm.
30.06 ball ammo didn't dimple it, just splashed like the gif below.
To limit "splash" Ron built the "cave" with rail road ties. Now are all shot to HeII.

DRRC Handgun Silhouette has steel chickens, pigs, rams on the silhouette range.
Who was shooting them to pieces? Now they are locked up.
DRRC 3-gun plate racks are chained up. Who shot holes in them?

DRRC spends $50,000 yearly to repair bullet damage (vandalism)

 

[PDXSparky]

It is probably one of the reasons that the full auto shoot locks up their targets when not in use at ARPC. Those targets take a pounding from 9mm and .45 ACP, but there are no holes.

 

[rick benjamin]

As do our 3-Gun steel.
The centers of the lollypops get concave, start to bend over.
Same with the rifle M193 targets.
We can tell right away when someone uses M855 penetrators.
Holes and chunks