Armor Piercing Versus Steel Targets
- December 19, 2024
- By Jared Daub
Armor Piercing Versus Steel Targets
Armor Piercing Versus Steel Targets…you heard us right. We took OUR steel target plates and put them head-to-head against some of the nastiest RIFLE rounds available today. The results speak for themselves, so buckle up, get comfy, and let’s discuss why our targets are able to withstand and resist barrier defeating / armor piercing ammunition. A few things to note here: The experiments we conducted were for sporting purposes, accuracy determination, and product testing in accordance with our mission to create the most robust steel targets money can buy. We procured just enough rifle ammunition to perform tests on our products. The Rifle ammunition was purchased in very small and limited quantities to afford us just enough ammunition for this sporting purpose. Under no circumstances are we endorsing or recommending the procurement or use of this ammunition for use on ANY steel target system or any other range training purpose.
Please understand: This blog and video are for educational purposes only, and to showcase the strength of the materials we utilize in the manufacturing of our steel target systems. Shooting ANY steel core or steel tipped ammunition at steel targets CAN be very destructive and very dangerous. DO NOT DO THIS. We are NOT endorsing the use of this rifle ammunition against the steel targets we manufacture. Additionally, possession and use of this ammunition MAY not be legal in your state or jurisdiction. Just something to keep in mind.
Support us by purchasing quality steel target systems.
Before we start off, I wanted to just remind you guys that we manufacture the steel target systems we are discussing in this blog and the video. If you want to train towards mastery and become a better asset to your community, consider grabbing a steel target. Here’s the deal: Steel targets aren’t just for fun and plinking. They are a real tool for real training to maximize your time on the range. They offer efficiency, lifetime performance, and provide valuable feedback during your training. If you are more of a beginner that’s just getting started, consider grabbing our Genesis Line of Steel Targets.
If you are a higher volume shooter OR you want the performance and durability that is showcased in this blog, the Exodus Line is for you. Our Reduced C Zone or C Zone A-DAP systems are the perfect place to start off. There is a VERY special / limited discount code in the video description and pinned comment under the YouTube video. So if you want to save money AND get lifetime quality steel targets, swing on over to the video after reading this blog.
Why did we perform this experiment?
The truth is, we want people shooting safe steel. Period. If you have spent any time shopping for steel target systems, you know how vast and expansive the options are. How the heck could you possibly know if the plate or system you are purchasing could be safe? We realize that most people do not have the budget to purchase tons of systems to dial in their needs. You also likely have not experienced more than a few different targets over the years, and many of them might have even been home made. Some of you have never shot steel at all. Steel targets, while not expensive when compared to many firearm accessories, are still a big investment.
You are SHOOTING bullets at a plate! It better perform as advertised! There is a real risk in shooting questionable steel, and we want to educate as many people about this as possible. Even if you end up buying steel from somewhere else, at least now you will know the formula, engineering, and qualities of a safe steel target system. Other companies make quality steel targets, although they are the minority.
Most “no-name” systems on the market feature very unsafe attributes. I will help you identify what makes a quality and safe steel target system in this blog and video. Truth be told: I also wanted to flex the strength of our Exodus Systems AND visually showcase the difference between the Swedish AR550 in the Exodus Line and Domestic AR500 steel. Many folks mistakenly assume that “steel is steel”. Not only is this incredibly false, it is wildly dangerous to assume that all grades of steel are the same.
“Steel Is Steel”
There is a core reason why we would put armor piercing versus steel targets. These rounds are specifically designed to defeat or diminish hard barriers and armor. As we go through the results and talk about each round, I want you to understand a simple concept: There are hundreds of different grades and chemical formulas for metal. Take AR500, for instance. You can purchase Domestic AR500 steel for a VERY low price in bulk. It’s inexpensive, available, easy to cut, and allows manufacturers, like us, to offer systems at lower cost. Here are some downsides of U.S. Manufactured AR500 (and even AR550) steel:
Domestic AR500 steel is almost always manufactured from recycled material.
While this sounds “green”, it leads to VERY inconsistent plates. We have had bulk shipments arrive and layers were “peeling” because of the lower quality. For this reason, we adopted very specific requirements for even our budget oriented Genesis Systems to AVOID these inconsistencies.
Domestic AR500 steel has a wider Brinell hardness window.
The actual Brinell hardness will often be lower than a 500 Brinell. Each manufacturer will specify their specific window. Some go down as low as 450-454 and up to 500-515. That swing is drastic. For this reason, AR500 targets of ANY flavor / brand should NEVER be engaged at closer distances with rifles. It does NOT matter the thickness. Do not shoot AR500 steel at close distances with rifle calibers.
US AR500 steel is produced in bulk fast.
Lower quality raw materials are used, and the quench process is all about speed. For this reason, MOST domestic AR500 steel has a high surface hardness, but the closer you get to the core of the sheet, the softer the material gets. This is why cheap “AR500” targets often dimple and crater. The surface of the material is hard, but the core is soft. This means that as you break down the surface of this AR500 over time, you eventually have rounds exposed to a softer core. This is why distances with AR500 steel targets are typically 100 yards and further with rifles.
Any closer and you risk damaging the plate and ultimately creating an unsafe situation. The same is true of Domestic AR550 steel. It is a lower quality option that is inexpensive to procure, but doesn’t offer the higher performance needed for high volume or close range rifle use.
The AR550 We Use in the Exodus Line:
The AR550 we utilize is manufactured in Sweden. In 2017 – 2018, we switched from domestically produced AR550 to this Swedish plate. For good reason. It is manufactured from new materials and undergoes manufacturing processes and quality control measures that surpass the domestic AR550 options. What you end up with is a material that maintains hardness throughout the entire plate, not just on the surface. Additionally, the tolerances of the Brinell hardness are MUCH tighter. Variances in the Brinell hardness are within a 4% difference on the low side, with most plates landing closer to the 560 – 570 Brinell hardness range. Domestic AR550 was varying in our third party tests as low as 480 (WAY out of spec) to as high as 540. The tolerance was just too great for us to offer in our close range rifle plates. So to summarize, the AR550 we utilize in the Exodus Line:
- Has a higher Brinell Hardness Rating
- Is a more consistent Brinell Hardness Rating
- Maintains it’s surface hardness throughout the entire thickness of the plate, not just a few mm on the surface like Domestic Materials
- Offers more strength and resistance to cracking and dimpling
- Offers a longer service life than any other material we have ever tested
The only real downside to this material: It is VERY expensive. This is why our premium line of targets is a higher price point. If you want the best, these are the best.
And the results showcase this.
The Ammunition We Used
The ammo for this experiment was M855A1, M80A1, and WWII Era M2 .30 caliber Armor Piercing Rounds. We chose these rounds because:
- They are in common use in the military today
- They are NOT acceptable for use on our targets under any circumstances
- They are designed to defeat barriers and armor
- They have the capability of showcasing clearly the differences in standard AR500 steel (Used in Budget Friendly Systems) and the AR550 steel (used in our premium Exodus Line).
While M855A1 and M80A1 are NOT armor piercing ammunition, they ARE designed to be barrier defeating. The M855A1 and the M80A1 feature a hardened steel tip and a solid copper jacket. Here are two videos that showcase the hardness of these penetrators: (M855A1, M80A1). Some testers have found the Rockwell C hardness of the M855A1 to be 58HRC (or about 627 Brinell hardness) and the Hardness of the M80A1 to land around a hardness of 51 HRC (about a 495 Brinell Hardness). Knowing this, it’s easy to understand why we say DO NOT USE THIS AMMO ON STEEL TARGETS! The hardened tip alone is landing OVER the hardness of the actual plate on the M855A1, and landing close to the actual hardness of the plate with the M80A1.
M2 30 caliber Ammunition
This stuff is old. The construction of this bullet features a copper jacket and a hardened steel core. From what we could find online, the HRC of the M2 cores are between 64-65 HRC. That translates to approximately 722+ on the Brinell hardness scale. While we could not test the internal core hardness, knowing what others have found with this ammo really paints the picture to how nasty it can be. 65HRC? That’s CRAZY.
Initial thoughts about the performance of each type of bullet
The broader reason we purchased the M80A1 ammunition is because our customers wanted to know how it stacked up against the WWII M2 ammunition. The general thought was that the newer ammunition would possibly perform better. Our initial presumption was the opposite: We believed the older ammunition would actually perform better due to the fact that it has an entire core of hardened steel, not just the tip. We’ll talk about that in a bit.
Steel targets we Used:
For this test we picked (3) C zone plates from our lineup. First was our Genesis C Zone plate. This plate is 3/8″ Thick and is manufactured from domestic AR500 material. The mounting method is our single hole gong mount on our Genesis Base. The Genesis C Zone features a forward lean of approximately 10 degrees, and it can move freely when struck, until the plate will eventually contact the 2X4 post.
The second plate is our 3/8″ AR550 Exodus C Zone. This plate is manufactured from the higher quality Swedish AR550 steel. The C Zone lives in our A-DAP family of steel targets. It features adjustable forward lean/tilt. For this experiment, we set the plate to the same forward lean as the Genesis C Zone, even though it CAN be set at a MUCH steeper lean angle. We did this to “level” the playing field between the systems to focus on the pure strength differences of the steel. Our A-DAP C Zone plates can also swing rearward when hit, up to the point where the plate will impact the 2X4 post.
The third plate is our 1/2″ AR550 Exodus C Zone. Once again, we utilize Swedish AR550 steel for this plate. The ONLY difference between this one and the 3/8″ A-DAP plate is the thickness. Forward lean angles were matched to create a standardized experiment.
Distances Impacted
We chose to place ALL targets 100 yards away from the firing line. Further, our team fired all types of ammo from the same location. We attempted to keep rounds on “fresh” sections of target plate so as to not skew the potential for pass throughs.
Results of the Experiment
The results were fascinating to see and, frankly, we were not surprised by what our team witnessed. Let’s break it down by each system:
The Genesis C Zone (3/8″ AR500 Steel):
We had presumed that even on the Genesis C Zone plate, the M855A1 would not pass through. The results showed this. We used a caliper to measure the approximate depth of each bullet impact with each ammunition type. Just keep in mind, these measurements may not be perfect, but they do tell a story:
- M855A1:
- Round 1: .062″ Impression
- Round 2: .05″ Impression
- M80A1:
- Round 1: .065″ Impression
- Round 2: .085″ Impression
- M2 30 Caliber:
- Round 1: Complete Pass-Through
- Round 2: Complete Pass-Through
The 3/8″ AR550 C Zone Plate:
Take careful note of the performance of this target plate. For the folks saying “Steel is Steel”, compare these results to the 3/8″ AR500 Genesis C Zone. They are the exact same thickness, same forward lean, yet the results are markably different. Here is what we found:
- M855A1:
- Round 1: .030″ Impression
- Round 2: .031″ Impression
- M80A1:
- Round 1: .017″ Impression
- Round 2: .046″ Impression
- M2 30 Caliber:
- Round 1: .045″ Impression
- Round 2: .028″ Impression
Immediately it should be noted that the M2 barely scratched the surface of the 3/8″ AR550 C Zone. The M2 sliced through the 3/8″ AR500 Genesis C Zone without fail. That is truly a testament to the strength of the Swedish plate.
The 1/2″ AR550 C Zone Plate:
The 1/2″ AR550 and 3/8″ AR550 are nearly identical in terms of performance and strength. For high volume shooters, the 1/2″ does resist bending for a longer period of time. Impact resistance is almost entirely the same when comparing these two thicknesses as they both use the same AR550.
- M855A1:
- Round 1: .012″ Impression
- Round 2: .005″ Impression
- M80A1:
- Round 1: .013″ Impression
- Round 2: .017″ Impression
- M2 30 Caliber:
- Round 1: .039″ Impression
- Round 2: .076″ Impression
What are the results telling us?
First and foremost, the results are depicting the absolute strength difference between the AR500 that is in common use in the US and the AR550 we purchase from Sweden. While this is not a truly scientific test just due to the nature of our limited equipment, it showcases the difference in the grades of steel well. This also explains to potential customers the reasoning behind the cost difference, AND why we offer extended warranty periods for our Exodus / A-DAP target systems. When comparing the Genesis C Zone, it still performed against the M855A1 and M80A1 impressively. There are plenty of steel targets available commercially that will not pass these two round impacts.
The AR500 we purchase is a very high quality stateside option. Just keep in mind: It will NEVER be as strong as the AR550 in the Exodus Line. AR500 steel is safe, long lasting, but it is NOT close range rifle rated.
When we look to the AR550 C Zone plates, the strength is evident. Further, this is why we offer a 3 year warranty on our 3/8″ AR550 A-DAP plates and a lifetime warranty on the 1/2″. Customers who use their plates properly will find that they will last their lifetime. That is no joke, and we are willing to back that up. If armor piercing ammunition and barrier defeating ammunition barely breaks the surface, what does proper ball ammunition do? The answer is: Nothing. Absolutely nothing. This Armor Piercing Versus Steel Targets experiment shows exactly this.
We neutered the capability to level the playing field.
One further thing to consider in this Armor Piercing Versus Steel Targets test: We did NOT fully utilize the adjustable lean angle of the Exodus C Zone plates. We COULD have set them at a 45 degree angle, but chose to keep them at the SAME angle as the Genesis Plate. We did this to purely extract information regarding the strength increase of the AR550 over the AR500. In the video we took one last C Zone and set it to approximately 40 degrees to showcase the results. Doing so produced impacts that exhibited far less “damage” than the Exodus C Zone plate at a less aggressive forward lean angle. Again, further painting the picture of the strength and performance of our Exodus Line of Steel Targets.
When placing the last C Zone at approximately 40 degrees, the impact can be immediately seen. The M2 ammo did even LESS damage, and essentially just “skipped” off the plate. See the below images:
The plate above was impacted by approximately 20 M2 rounds while being set to a 40 degree forward lean. No passthroughs, very little damage. Impressive, indeed.
The broader point we are driving home:
So why would we put Armor Piercing Versus Steel Targets?
“Steel is not steel”. This mindset is reckless and it’s one that could get someone hurt or even killed. Improperly designed and engineered steel target systems are very dangerous. Further, Chasing “cheap” targets is equally dangerous. At the end of the day, you are squeezing a round off at a hard steel target. How do you know your rounds aren’t going to shoot back? The answer, if you bought an unknown brand or grade of steel, is..you don’t. You ARE risking the safety of yourself and others. Many people have criticized the price points of our Exodus Line of Steel Targets over the years, but when you consider the safety and performance they offer, the price point makes sense.
The AR550 procured for these systems is dramatically more expensive. It drives the price higher. Additionally, we offer more adjustability and refinement in the Exodus line. Our commitment to excellence provides you with targets for hard use.
If you are a high volume shooter, you need to consider the Exodus Line. High performance is showcased in this Armor Piercing Versus Steel Targets. Additionally, the ability to engage your targets at close distance is because of our engineering and execution. Moreover, no other targets currently on the market can make all these claims AND back them with proof and performance. The A-DAP system is legendary, safe, and a lifetime target system. Sure, you spend more up front, but you get to shoot the same target for many years to come. And, if you have a failure, you are supporting a company that supports you back.
Invest in Quality Steel
If you are outfitting your range, whether professionally or privately, invest in the best. Additionally, you are investing in your range and training, and you need steel target systems that perform. Whether you are a newer shooter looking at our Genesis AR500 line, or a seasoned shooter considering our Exodus AR550 line, we have systems for all types of training. Give our website a look, let us know if you have questions at all. Email us at: info@tatargets.com.
Drop us a comment here and let us know what you think about this experiment. Further, did the results shock you? Did you learn anything? Additionally, we’d love to hear from you! See you all next time.