Prophet River Firearms

Why do we use 1/2″ thick AR550 for our 50 BMG steel target?  Well, it’s strong enough to withstand both .338 Lapua and 50 BMG at a mere 150 yards – that’s why.  In fact, an anti-tank rifle shooting 14.5mm loads at under 100 yards didn’t penetrate our AR550² – not bad. Some other manufacturers will use AR500 and rate it for 50 BMG, but we don’t agree with that.  After all, if you’re going to do something you may as well do it right.  Doing it the right way also means making the target wider than tall.  With your elevation set, the only guess work is windage.  If you don’t know what’s happening 1,500 yards downrange, it’s great to have some wiggle room to get shots on target.  By making our 50 BMG steel target from lighter, more durable AR550, and reducing the height of the target while still maintaining generous surface area, we are able to cut down the weight by as much as 25 lb.

As with our AR500 steel targets we do recommend that rounds over 3,000 fps should be shot from 200+ yards.  This is because velocity (in turn heat) is what does the most damage to steel targets.  To maintain the best surface quality on your target it is always beneficial to start at 200+ yards and come closer to where you are seeing acceptable results.  Our testing has shown great outcomes with 50 BMG at 150 yards, and you will likely have the same experience.  Factors such as colder weather, target angle and ammunition can affect material performance though, so when in doubt, use your discretion and remember: make sure you’re informed about proper gun handling and target use prior to shooting.