Here is an Elk Target on a self resetting Large Reactive Base. With the pin properly installed it won’t slide out of the target system and now with the new large reactive system it is secured in place and doesn’t need to be removed.
Boy, with both Rob and FJB posting here, stand by for some good educational stuff.
FJB,
You have a PM on some steel target purchases.
I have a MGM flag target. A standing full size with the 8" circle in the middle that show a “flag” when you hit it.
I have shot the piss out of it with 556. Close to a 1000 rds on it 556. If you stay about 75 yrds out it hardly leaves a mark.
Pistol does not effect the steel at all. 9mm will push out the flag though. 45 is a blast. I really like to shoot it 75yrds with my g19. At first it seem impossible to hit the 8" center because you can hardly even see it that far. But most are able to do it after a few tries.
Have shot with a friend who is a gun mag writer on one of the same targets with 308 from 200 to 500yrds. 308 hp does not dimple the steel at all from those distances.
Salute Targets did a test about 4 months ago comparing AR500, AR600, and MilSpec Armor Plate. The MilSpec Armor plate was rated at AR500. AR stands for Abrasion Resistence and 500 is according to the Brinell Hardness scale. There are different steel hardness scales Brinell being the one that is the industry standard for firearm use. AR500 Brinell is essentially the equivilent of Rockwell C51 for those more familiar with that scale. You can learn more about this at https://www.saluteproducts.com/faq.php
Anyway, while the test wasn’t purely scientific is was conducted by two engineers one a Professionally licensed Mechanical Engineer. The test consisted of comparing AR500, AR600, and MilSpec Armor to determine the cost benefit analysis of using a particular type of steel for a customer with a larger military customer base using M855 Green Tip ammo on their facility. The customer wanted to incorporate steel targets into the training facility but experience using other manufacturer designed target systems made them very apprehensive.
So using the Salute DoD MilSpec base as the platform all three types of steel were tested. Again part of the testing purpose was cost benefit. AR600 is approximately twice the price of AR500 and MilSpec Armor is approximately 80% more in cost. What was discovered was that MilSpec actually deformed slight more than regular AR500 steel. The reasoning was determined that MilSpec is a blend of steel and alloys to address weight and larger temperature variations that milspec armor will encounter. Whereas standard high carbon AR500 steel doesn’t have to be as resilient at minus 50 degrees F as there are very few shooters will target practice/train at the temperature so the steel being more brittel and subject to cracking from being shot is minimal.
What was also discovered is that AR600 was not that better at preventing deformation than standard AR500 either. Definitely not worth the targets costing twice as much. What was decided though was that proper target base construction and a proper forward canting angle actually contributed most to minimized target deformation. The finding resulted in a slight adjustment to Salute Products DoD MilSpec base to take advantage of the finding. The older designed targets are perfectly fine, but the new angled vertical uprights will help increase the service life of the AR500 steel targets.
Attached are photos of various 5.56 rounds fired from 24" and 28" barrelled AR varmint rifles. Also are pictures of 30-06 API Black Tip rounds fired from a Springfield 03. All shots were done at 7 yards from the target system. This is not recommended for safety reasons, although this was done safely with no resulting injury to the shooter. 7 yards was chosen to approximate the highest muzzle velocity possible at the minimum safetest distance.
S/F
FJB, I have been telling people that Salute makes some great stuff 
. Interesting test results.
Hawkeye,
Thanks. I forgot to mention that the pictures above were shots with the targets using the former angle. Still a very good system and good angle. The newer system will extend usage life of the steel target, bad for Salute (delayed repeat sales) but good for the customer.
Attached are photos of M855, M193, and 30-06API at the new angle. The deformation was significantly reduced. Note that most the splatter is deflected down towards the ground and away from the shooter.
S/F
That is one thing that I really like about the Salute plate I have. With the angle its at, I am very comfortable (with proper safety precautions) shooting it at fairly close range. It makes a nice straight line cut in the ground directly below the target. If you’ve changed the angle, then it can only be for the better I would guess. Of all the steel I have shot, I find Salute’s to be the most versital. Call it a commercial if you want, but I dont see myself buying any other steel. I’d have a lot more, and plan to, but am only limited by my budget. :mad: :rolleyes:
I cant recommend Salute stuff enough.
I orderd a target from Salute and got it last friday would this be the new or old angle??
It will be the new angle.
S/F
Not long ago Salute Products updated their website to include a video clip from a 10-8 Consulting Carbine Class with students performing an LAPD Drill on Salute Products steel targets. Go to the Video link to view it and some of our others. www.saluteproducts.com
Also, we have posted some video clips of Salute Targets being shot on You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iHvgJnVqTk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbPVH8ztVSw
S/F
My 10-8/EAG target and base just showed up today! Looks great and I really like the angle. It is much more drastic than other steel I have shot which will be nice for closer range practice. I’ll try to post a report after I get to the range this week.
My experience with the Salute targets at bot mil and civ classes has been overwhelmingly positive.
We have conducted drills at a commercial school which built in house targets and destroyed them on several occasions.
The same drills on the Salute targets resulted in nothing more then uninterrupted training.
Good stuff…
Got a chance to test my 10-8/EAG Salute target this week. The size of the target is perfect as most of the steel I have shot previously is too large. The angle is great and I had no problems with backsplatter in 9mm or 5.56. As others have said, the entire unit breaks into 3 pieces really aiding in portability. Overall, I am very impressed and will be ordering more in the near future. I highly recommend Salute to anyone looking for steel.
A local VA company makes some AR500 targets. I’ve shot on some of his and they’re very nice. He also gives away a ton of them at prize tables at USPSA and IDPA matches, IMHO his prices are very reasonable. The owners name is Nevitt Morton and he’s also a competitor. His son Sonny is an amazing shooter and competitor as well (he’s beat me a few times and he’s like 14-16yrs old).
My local rifle-carbine match is looking to get into some kind of resetting steel. We’re looking at the MGM lollipopper, the Salute 8" DOD, and I’ve just started looking at the Nevco Robb linked to above (might see if he can cut the “head” off the popper).
Obviously, since we’re a club we’re interested in longevity as well as low replacement costs. These will be shot with a variety of calibers, although mostly 5.56 and 7.62x39 with a bit of 7.62 NATO thrown in. We will not be shooting them at ranges under 50 yards, and out to 200 yards. We typically use the steel at distance to keep from having to paste or reset. We’re looking for something that reacts but doesn’t require reset. The club already has standard pepper poppers for shooting with handgun at close range.
Any suggestions?
I own an MGM Lolli-Popper and think its the best value in a steel target out there. It works with rifle, pistol, and shotgun, so its like getting six targets. Its the only steel I’d feel comfortable shooting with slugs since the plates give and won’t throw lead back at you.
The other MGM product I’d consider the SOF Flash target. It is more of a permanent target but it works very well for a long range target.
MGM may seem a little high on price, but their targets are excellent and the price includes shipping.
For work, I bought two of the Urban Rifle targets from Safe Direction (www.safedirection.com). The plate is angled and dumps all of the frag underneath the target itself. We’ve shot them with a bit of .223 and they’ve held up well.
I have a 12" rifle gong from Metaltargets.com. It has held up well although the frame itself doesn’t like rifle rounds.
Although I haven’t shot it personally, they make a self-resetting target that looks like it would work well.
