This brings back memories of a full scale deflection that once occurred at a range where the projectile of the bullet
nearly kissed a parked car. Although these fellows were shooting a 50 Cal it impresses me that this can occur with a 308 just as easily, including a 5.56x45. Any way I present this video as merely as food for thought for ya'all.
Thinking further on this video the risks of a full scale deflection converging back on the shooter are remarkable with such a unexpected boomerang effect. If there were , lets say, 20 or 30 shooters on the line the odds are concerning that a shooter could be hit. The ramifications would not be good for our program. Steel tip penetrators present an enhanced risk when it comes to steel plate. This 50 cal dude is a very lucky man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc)
Cheers,
CM
Always an issue with steel. The good steel target manufacturers put a 20-30 degree downward cant to the target to deflect debris straight down. After shooting one of these types of targets, the ground is typically completely chewed up.
I put eyebolts through the holes on the D-target that extend about 2" from the back of the plate. Hang them on chains from there. This puts a natural downward cant to the target based on center of gravity.
ST2 out
Good suggestion here. Thanks eh?
Great reminder vid! It has been around for awhile.
The 50 cal core penetrates, the jacket gets stripped off and comes back at the shooter. We have found plenty of these "souvenir" jackets and cores at the NRAWC Tubb HP Range, even when they hit rock at 1000 yards. They often end up in the parking lot by the pits. Which is why the actual target pits are 50 yards from the actual target berm. And why cars are not parked down range when shooting starts. 50 cal has lots of power!!
We are now using AR500 steel. Minimum distance we set to is 200 yards for safety with 223/308 class. Bullets literally turn to dust or small fragments. 300 yards is even safer.
These are very cheap on ebay (prices may have gone up a bit) and can be obtained in 3 pack for $100 in sizes up to 16". Free shipping too.
When using soft(er) steel, like the very abundant to find railroad tie plates, minimum safe distance is 300 yards. Soft steel degrades quick with CF impacts and become extremely dangerous at 200 yards and less.
Once cratered and pockmarked ricochets are a dangerous given on soft steel.
I found this out decades ago on (rr tie plates) when firing my 300 Win at 100 yards. %) :)) $$-0
Let's all be safe!
From one of our range hosts who is an engineer:
Fragmentation Patterns Off Of Steel Targets - (Pic heavy) (http://ingunowners.com/forums/general-firearms-discussion/249168-fragmentation-patterns-off-steel-targets-pic-heavy.html)
Mandatory review for ANYONE thinking about shooting steel. AR500 is a must for rifle!
Quote from: techres on November 12, 2013, 10:22:02 PM
From one of our range hosts who is an engineer:
Fragmentation Patterns Off Of Steel Targets - (Pic heavy) (http://ingunowners.com/forums/general-firearms-discussion/249168-fragmentation-patterns-off-steel-targets-pic-heavy.html)