TYPES OF STEEL:
There are several types of steel used for target construction. Depending on the brinell, or hardness, steel is suitable for different types of targets:
Definition of brinell (from www.merriam-webster.com):: the hardness of a metal or alloy measured by hydraulically pressing a hard ball under a standard load into the specimen
A36 or mild steel - has a brinell of150-180. It is a low carbon steel that is not heat treated. We use mild steel for our smallbore silhouette targets: it is suitable only for .22LR calibre at prescribed distances.
AR225 - Abrasion resistance or AR225 has a brinell of 225. High carbon steel, not heat treated. We currently have no targets utilizing AR225
T1 or A514 - a heat treated alloy with a brinell of 235-300. A heat treated alloy suitable for standard velocity rounds. We currently have no targets utilizing T1/A514
AR400 and 450 - Abrasion resistant or AR400/450 has a brinell of 370-470. A heat treated alloy suitable for most pistol rounds, depending on distance to target.
AR500- Abrasion resistant or AR500 has a brinelle of 470-521. Armor plate, heat treated alloy is suitable for most rounds with the exception of armor piercing ammo. All of our targets are made using AR500 unless otherwise specified, such as our smallbore silhouette targets or some items found on our discount page.
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SUITABLE STEEL THICKNESS FOR TYPES OF ROUNDS:
1/4" AR500 suitable for 22LR and pistol rounds such as 38Special, 9mm, 45Auto. Not suitable for Magnum handgun rounds.
3/8" AR500 suitable for all rifle rounds excepts 300Mag., 338Mag. For 22-250, 257Weatherby and other mid 3500 fps. rounds, a 200 yard minimum distance will reduce target pitting.
1/2" AR500 reserved for 300Mag., 338Mag. use beyond 200 yards with match type bullets.
5/8" AR500 is great for heavily used gun club gongs.
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EFFECTS OF ROUNDS ON STEEL TARGETS:
How a round will effect a steel target depends on the round and the distance the target is shot at. Here are a few rounds we get asked about frequently. If in doubt, please include the types of rounds you will be using in your email inquiry.
.22LR - 1/4" to 3/8" mild steel is sufficient for targets.
.223, .308, 30-06, .243 - 3/8" AR500 at distances of 100 yards and over will withstand hits.
300Mag., .338Cal. - 1/2" AR500 needed to resist bending at the closer distances.
22-250, 257Weatherby and such rounds in the 3500 fps. range are harder on steel and targets may have to be moved out to the
​200 yard mark or beyond to prevent target pitting
Hollow point bullets in the more powerful handgun rounds seem to be harder on steel than round nose bullets.
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SHIPPING:
We ship via Canpar, Loomis or Canada Post. For larger orders that are too heavy to ship via courier or post, we ship by transport truck.
We ship all across Canada. We currently do no ship to the U.S. or other countries.
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PAYMENT:
We accept payment via electronic money transfer, MasterCard or VISA (by phone), cheque or money order.