.50 BMG TESTING
Choosing the right target stand post dictates your setup speed, durability, and maintenance costs. We break down the advantages and disadvantages of solid AR500 steel posts, 2x4s with armored 2x4 brackets, and steel T-posts with armored brackets to help you build the ultimate shooting target stand for your application.
Setting up a home or commercial shooting range? Discover the pros and cons of using chains versus heavy-duty straps to hang your AR500 steel targets.
Discover why a modular AR500 2x4 target stand spinner outperforms expensive single-purpose units with flexible, interchangeable paddles for any caliber.
Yes, we offer wholesale pricing. Please reach out to contact@bashtargetsupply.com or here for more information on wholesale prices.
Please refer to our target selection guide when shooting AR500/AR550 target plates. AR500/AR550 plate thickness is very important to match with your “bullet energy” at the point of impact. Otherwise, you will damage your AR500/AR550 plates by either bending them, surface degradation or shooting through the plate.
Our target selection guide lists the more popular calibers matched to the appropriate plate thickness. You must pay particular attention to your “bullet energy” at impact should you want to use a thinner plate. You never want bullet velocity to exceed 3000 fps at the point of impact on any steel plate.
Our ‘Yellow’ series of plates are intended for rimfire, pellet gun and air gun only.
Our ‘Red’ series of targets are guaranteed 5/16” thick and rated for rimfire and handguns up to and including .45 ACP.
Our minimum guaranteed 3/8” thick ‘White’ series plates handle centerfire handguns above .45ACP and most centerfire rifles including 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm (.308), 30-06.
Shooting steel with your 7mm, 300WMM, .338LAP, or 50BMG we recommend purchasing our minimum guaranteed 1/2” thick ‘Blue’ series plates or our minimum guaranteed 1/2” thick AR500 ‘Gray’ series plates.
Yes, we stand behind our products 100%. We do
NOT, however, cover damages that occur due to abuse or misuse. The targets must
be used for their intended purpose consistent with our included instruction
sheet. It is the responsibility of the shooter, or range provider to read and
follow the instructions for set up and use. If you have questions, you can
email us at contact@bashtargetsupply.com The warranty period is 90 days for wear or welds.
You can always reach us at contact@bashtaretsupply.com or here if you have other questions. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible!!
Yes, we offer military and LE a 10% discount with proof of service. You will have to provide us with ID confirming your military or law enforcement status. Please email us with your credentials to contact@bashtargetsupply.com or here for discount.
We offer different shipping options at check-out. As a general rule, you should expect to receive between 5-7 days depending on size, distance and destination. All product ships from our warehouse in New Hampshire.
Shipping of your target is calculated at check-out. It depends on what you are ordering and how far it’s being shipped. There are discounts available on larger orders (over 1,000 lbs).
We do not recommend shooting our steel targets
with either steel core or solid copper bullets as they can damage the targets.
In some instances, they can even shoot through the target! If you have either
steel core or solid copper bullets, we suggest shooting them at either our
paper/cardboard or plastic targets. We do NOT cover damage due to use of steel
core or solid copper rounds on our steel targets.
For rifles shooting .223 / 5.56, we recommend
our ‘White’ series targets at a MINIUM. These AR500 steel targets are 3/8”
thick. You can also use our ‘Blue’ series targets. These AR500 targets are ½”
thick. They can handle up to 338 Lapua! For specific target recommendations,
please refer to our ‘Target Selection Guide’.
For most pistol calibers, including 9mm, our ‘Red’ series
targets (AR500, 5/16th thick) will suffice. If you are going above
45ACP (44Mag, 50 S&W, or even 10mm), we recommend using our ‘White’ series
targets. Again, refer to our ‘Target Selection Guide’ for more specifics.
As mentioned above, we do recommend that you look at our ‘Target Selection Guide’ for caliber-specific target selection. For the most part, our ‘Red’ series are more than adequate for your handgun. You can, of course, shoot either our ‘White’ or ‘Blue’ series with your handgun as well. Just know that it will not move as much due to the heavier mass of the
target.
Always consult your instruction guide for set-up and shooting instructions. We recommend 100 yards minimum when using rifle
cartridges and 25 yards minimum when using pistols. In some instances, we have had shooters report that they were able to safely shoot either our ‘Red’ or ‘White’ series targets as close at 10 yards with 9mm pistols.
Yes, our ‘Red’ series targets (and all others I.E. White/Blue/Gray) can safely handle 22LR. We recommend no closer than 25 yards for pistols and 100 yards for rifles.
It depends… There are many variables to consider. We have tested our plates carefully on various 50cal rounds, including 660gm Lake City and PMC Ball ammo. It is important to choose the
right target type and target size. Then ensure it is hung correctly AND to shoot it at the correct distance. We suggest our ‘Blue’ series targets (1/2” AR500). We also suggest nothing less than our 18” plate. The target should be mounted with either our chains or straps allowing it to move on impact. This
configuration provides the right target hardness, thickness, mass, and set-up to accommodate the 50 cal BMG. If, for example, you chose a smaller target, it would move a lot on impact. If you chose the same target, but used a fixed mount, it wouldn’t move, but it may bend the plate upon impact.
Most of the lead and copper (copper from the jacket) deflects downward when the target is oriented correctly at 20 degrees. That said, you should ALWAYS wear ballistic safety glasses, and not shoot targets any closer than recommended minimum safe distances. In general, bullets don’t
‘bounce’ back. They are deformed and then mostly sent into the ground. This doesn’t mean they won’t or can’t. Always use the correct target for your caliber of firearm. Set the target up using our set-up instructions and do not shoot
targets any closer than our recommended minimum safe distances.
Shooting steel targets is safe and very common in firearms
training. Always follow the 4-basic firearms safety rules, your local range safety rules, and the instructions provided with your steel targets!
We offer SEVERAL different options of steel targets including static and reactive targets. We also offer various brackets and mounting options. Always refer to the instructions included in your steel target package in both set-up and use. In general, the static steel targets should be oriented with a 20-degree downward angle. Reactive targets (that either fall or spin) do not require the same downward angle as the bullet
energy is not deflected as much.
We exclusively use AR500 and AR550. We have found that other
types of steel do not last as long and can be dangerous due to heavy spalling and more ricochet of fragmentation.
AR500 and AR550 are specialized alloy that is heat treated to either 500Bhn or 550Bhn (Brinell Hardness Number). That steel is harder and more ‘Abrasion Resistant.’
AR500 and AR550 targets are commonly cut using either plasma or laser cutting. Plasma cutting involves high heat concentration
near the edges and makes the steel more prone to chipping when impacted. Laser cutting is faster which means the steel target is exposed to heat for less time
and thereby doesn’t change its hardness.
Yes, we ship to both Hawaii and Alaska. Shipping is calculated at check-out. There are discounts available for large orders.
