[Silent Shooter]

How thick of a steel plate should I buy? I am wanting to get a 12" by 12" steel plate for most calibers at 600 yards.

How bad is the chance for ricochet?

[wunhunglo]

Depends what you're shooting, some surplus ball will go through 3/8" at that range and a lot of modern .223 penetrator might as well. I'd say minimum of 1/2".

There is a High chance of Ricochet, but if you're 600 yards away, I wouldn't worry too much!

[sell33]

look at this

YouTube - Guy hit in head with .50 caliber ricochet

YouTube - Guy hit in head with .50 caliber ricochet

or search 50 cal ricochet on youtube. prolly a fluke who knows

it worked!! lol

[Silent Shooter]

I do not shoot ball ammo. I mainly shoot ballistic tip rounds. I would not even attempt a 600 yard shot at 600 with a .223 although it can be made. I was hoping the bullets would splatter into little bitty pieces...

[Rem 742 30-06]

If they are ballistic tips, they will shatter. My cousin brought his 17 HMR ballistic tips and it was making pretty big dents in our quarter inch thick barrel. anything bigger goes right through the barrel.

[wunhunglo]

Rem,

Quote:      

pretty big dents in our quarter inch thick barrel.

That must be some barrel if it's 1/4 thick?

[Silent Shooter]

I know a certain amount of jacket and lead will splatter, I just do not want the bullett to head off in a different direction.

I have access to a plate that is .5 thick and weighs about 25 lbs. That should stop everything up to a .30-06 right???

I almost forgot, I will be shooting a .22lr (copper coated) at 50 yards and a .17 (ballistic tip) between 100 and 200 yards.

[Rem 742 30-06]

Quote:       Originally Posted by wunhunglo

Rem, That must be some barrel if it's 1/4 thick?

Yeah it is an old underground barrel. I think it was for oil. Actually now thinking about it it could be 3/16 thick, but still 223 will penetrate both ends of it.

[nathangdad]

I would suggest getting some 1/4 inch plates, drill holes in
the corners, and bolt together to achieve the needed thickness
based on experience. Three of them would be a good starting point.
As the forward plates are progessively damaged they can be
replaced at a small cost when compared to getting a new
1/2 steel plate. Costs for steel plate rise dramatically with
thickness and 1/4 inch is generally readily available/affordable in most locales.