Rifle Ammo For Steel Targets

k Squared · February 20, 2014, 03:36 PM

I saw a couple of threads about handgun ammo for steel targets, but I'd like to know if rifle bullets in FMJ wear steel targets down much faster than soft point.
I shoot 30-06, 7.62x39, and 223, at a steel target, at 100 yds or more.
I usually load bulk FMJ bullets, and have noticed some welts or divots in the steel. Would soft point bullets make a significant difference?
Also, would heavier (slower) bullets be better then lighter (faster) bullets, of the same caliber?

longranger · February 20, 2014, 04:09 PM

Most ranges that I have shot Silhouette with BPCR's do not allow "magnum rifles" or "FMJ bullets",all targets are 200m +. Pigs @300m take a beating as well as turkeys @ 385m. The animal silhouettes are expensive and everybody pays a premium on silhouette ranges.

mxsailor803 · February 20, 2014, 04:27 PM

Have you considered cast bullets? Even then, they might be a little hard.

Rifleman1776 · February 21, 2014, 10:31 AM

Quote:

I'd like to know if rifle bullets in FMJ wear steel targets down much faster than soft point.

Yes, they do, and considerably faster. Amount of damage will vary with the type of steel but regardless, do not expect the targets to last long being shot with cf fmj. That is why paper was invented.

k Squared · February 25, 2014, 11:24 AM

As much as I appreciate the responses above, I came across the MGM Targets web page and asked them the same question (FMJ vs soft point). Here is their response:

Quote:

We have found the different bullets don't make a lot of difference unless it is steel core. What makes more of a difference is the speed at which the bullet leaves the muzzle. Generally anything under 2800fps is okay but over that will wear or damage the steel more. Thanks.

Thank you,
Kevin Frank
MGM Targets
[email protected]
1-888-767-7371 x102

P.S. I'll probably start using soft point bullets if I can find them at a good price.

MtnCreek · February 25, 2014, 01:30 PM

Trust the manufacturer, he's probably done a lot of research. IMHO, bullet shape does seem to make a difference. Both FMJ's and polymer tipped bullets seem to make more of a divot than a jacketed soft point.

For a .223 with a 55gr FMJ, anything inside of about 150 yds does make a very slight divot in AR500. I typically shoot steel at 300yds or more and even at that range, there is some slight damage to the steel with a heavy/fast bullet (208amax @ ~2900 mv). The biggest thing I've noticed is the warping of steel plates after a lot of hits. I periodically turn them around.

I have a steel plate that's taken somewhere around 1000 300wm, ~500 creedmoor and several 1000's of various .223 rem hits and other than needing to turn the plate a couple times, it's held up very well.

Edit: For an inexpensive .224 SP, check out the Hornady. I think it's usually priced about the same as their FMJ.

February 20, 2014, 03:36 PM	#1
k Squared Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 238	Rifle Ammo For Steel Targets I saw a couple of threads about handgun ammo for steel targets, but I'd like to know if rifle bullets in FMJ wear steel targets down much faster than soft point. I shoot 30-06, 7.62x39, and 223, at a steel target, at 100 yds or more. I usually load bulk FMJ bullets, and have noticed some welts or divots in the steel. Would soft point bullets make a significant difference? Also, would heavier (slower) bullets be better then lighter (faster) bullets, of the same caliber? __________________ K Squared Last edited by k Squared; February 20, 2014 at 03:49 PM.

February 25, 2014, 01:30 PM	#6
MtnCreek Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2010 Posts: 176	Trust the manufacturer, he's probably done a lot of research. IMHO, bullet shape does seem to make a difference. Both FMJ's and polymer tipped bullets seem to make more of a divot than a jacketed soft point. For a .223 with a 55gr FMJ, anything inside of about 150 yds does make a very slight divot in AR500. I typically shoot steel at 300yds or more and even at that range, there is some slight damage to the steel with a heavy/fast bullet (208amax @ ~2900 mv). The biggest thing I've noticed is the warping of steel plates after a lot of hits. I periodically turn them around. I have a steel plate that's taken somewhere around 1000 300wm, ~500 creedmoor and several 1000's of various .223 rem hits and other than needing to turn the plate a couple times, it's held up very well. Edit: For an inexpensive .224 SP, check out the Hornady. I think it's usually priced about the same as their FMJ. Last edited by MtnCreek; February 25, 2014 at 01:33 PM. Reason: Edit:

February 20, 2014, 04:09 PM	#2
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	Most ranges that I have shot Silhouette with BPCR's do not allow "magnum rifles" or "FMJ bullets",all targets are 200m +. Pigs @300m take a beating as well as turkeys @ 385m. The animal silhouettes are expensive and everybody pays a premium on silhouette ranges.

February 20, 2014, 04:27 PM	#3
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Have you considered cast bullets? Even then, they might be a little hard.