Ideal material(s) for swinging targets / falling plates

[dirtbag]

Hi all

Myself and my Father have constructed our own target frame for use at his local range.
The idea, was to construct a falling plate type target, which can be reset (with a rope or something else).
This is from 100% wood and no metal, and the plates are aimed at the ground.

The rope & reset idea has been shelved for now as our "plates" are not moving when hit, as the rounds are going straight through them without blinking.
We have tried a multitude / a cocktail of materials, such as plywood,cloth,rubber... and still nothing.

We are mainly using 30 calibre rifles, I suppose if we wanted to really move them I'd hit one with my 17.8 tabatiere...
Jokes aside, looking for suggestions for what (safe) materials to use that perhaps adds more of a resistance ?
Metal is not an option...

Thanks in advance.

[JSC]

The magic material sadly doesn't exist. For the plate to fall, the bullet has to transfer its energy into it rather than penetrate it.

[Alpha1]

Ain't going to work.

[dirtbag]

Okay thanks!

[kennyc]

you need to look for hardox/AR500 steel targets, there are some listed on the bay

[bradaz11]

I would think some sort of bullet proof sheeting would work, but the simpler option is metal.

[dromia]

I use a few of those Ground Strike™ 8" Plate Targets by Birchwood Casey.

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/Targets/ ... arget.aspx

They use a plastic that moves with most calibres even the .17 Hornet but you do need to look for the movement with those small and fast bullets, swings fine with 30 calibre lead at around 2000 fps.

The plastic they use is surprisingly resilient, my oldest one doesn't look pretty being hit that often and the yellow has lost its lustre but it still swings when hit.

I love these targets, light, easy to carry, easy to set up just jam in the ground and away you go. I like the simplicity of these types of targets, you either hit it or you don't. No patching up and no need for markers.

I do miss the "Ding" of a steel plate though.

[JSC]

The trouble with rifle calibres is the profile of the bullets. I nice big round nose or flat point can get some energy into the target material and you have a chance it will be pushed over.

If there was an answer to the OP's question we'd all be shooting plates on Stickeldown at Bisley by now...

[dromia]

Back in the pistol days Tim Hannam used some sort of plastic laminate material for falling plate/bowling pin silhouette shooting rig he used to purvey and that worked quiet well with most calibres as I recollect, no idea what the stuff was and no one I know can recall what is was either.

[dirtbag]

Thanks all for your responses.
I think we are going to give the birchwood casey a go, and you can get them in "belly dancer" style as well , which we can adapt for our frame.
Dromia , pm coming your way as I need help with shooting .30 cal cast boolits

Thanks again.. all is not lost it appears.