SR500 Steel

SR500 steel is the newest addition to the Armored steel industry. We at Gunfighter targets feel that eventually most if not all steel targets will eventually move to SR500 as the standard.

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AR500 steel targets have been the industry standard for many years. In short, steel is rated by a hardness factor called HBW. AR500 has an abrasion resistant of 500 HBW (Brinell Hardness). The AR500 Mil Spec standard has an allowable hardness range of 470-534 HBW. The higher the number the harder and more durable the steel. Different suppliers will release steel of different hardness factors. Much of the AR500 steel out there is typically close to or slightly lower than 500 HBW. Targets made from AR500 that is below 500 HBW will pit easier than targets with a higher HBW rating. Gunfighter Targets has always worked hard to source steel that is as hard as possible.

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SR500 has changed the industry significantly in the last few years. SR500 has a hardness range of 500-590 HBW with much of the steel in the industry in the 540-550 range.

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What does this mean to you? SR500 still will be harder to pit, will be more resistant to cracking, and if used appropriately will last significantly longer than the same target made from AR500 steel. You can also use thinner steel than you would with AR500 reducing costs and weight.

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When using and testing Steel targets, safety should always be your first priority, so when we got the new recommended thickness ratings for SR500 steel at different distances, we were shocked. Our Steel suppliers thickness standards for AR500 vs SR500 was hard to believe until we took the steel tot he range and tested it ourselves!

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AR500 Standards

1/4" AR500 steel is only recommended for pellet rifles and .22 LR.

3/8" AR500 is used for pistols up to 45acp at ranges of 10 yards to 50 yards

3/8" AR500 is used by most standard Centerfire rifles at 100 yards or more.

1/2" AR500 is used for magnum pistols (44 mag / 50 AE) and magnum centerfire calibers at ranges of 100 + Yards.

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SR500 recommendations

Our steel suppliers recommend:

3/16" SR500 - Pistols 9mm-45acp at a distance of 15 feet!

3/16" SR500 - Shotguns solid or buckshot 15 feet!

1/4" SR500 - Centerfire rifles 7.62x51, 5.56x45 M855, .308 FMJ - 30 feet!

3/8" SR500 - Centerfire rifles, 5.56x45 M193, .223 FMJ, 30-06 FMJ - 30 feet!

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What is truly amazing is 3/8" AR500 steel typically is significantly damaged by ammunition that is faster than 3000 fps at distances of 100 yards. Many of the cartridges above are faster than 3000 fps and the steel manufacturer is recommending that you can fire rifles at thinner steel at distances of 30 feet! in addition, the industry has always been that you NEVER fire centerfire rifles at 1/4" AR500 steel unless the distances are extreme. Above they are recommending that you can shoot 5.56, .223, .308 and 30-06 at targets placed at 10 yards!

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