I want a big target for ranges 650-1200 yards, I'm sure pitting wouldn't be an issue. However, I am a little worried that something like a 7 Mag lobbing 197s (Largest round I plan to use) would have enough energy to slowly cup the target. And shooting a pc of steel that is cupped is a bad idea. I guess I could add some bar stock to the back and accept the risk of blowing through the soft spots if I notice a problem.

Any opinions?

It will cup for sure. I'd go with 3/8" AR500.

I've got 30" 3/8ths AR 500 at 1250, 1500, and a mile. So far no cupping or craters, even with a 30 nosler banging on it.....

Go 3/8" for sure.

Just can’t see wanting anything but 3/8” for that size.

If you’re only going to 1,200 why not 24” (2moa)?

I was just looking for 1 supersize target. I've got some decent size gongs in 1/2 AR500. Figured the extra realestate would help with learning wind as I move further out. Furthest I currently shoot is 1050. But the corn is down so options are open.

Anyways, the people I normally buy from dont have anything large thicker than 3/16... They used to.
Who are you guys buying from? Looking for a black friday purchase.

I’ve got most of mine from JC Steel.

They have some BF deals going

Wanting to shoot a large thin plate at 650 with a big cartridge is the hang up.

Go to a 6” plate and it’ll hold up better as you’re not trying to move all that mass.

If it was just me shooting them, I'ld limit the new plate to 1000+, But since I'm the only person around with steel, I let others come out and screw around. You always have that 1 person who don't listen or don't care (hard to tell the difference some times). I'ld rather buy the thicker plate and not have to chew someones ass.

JC Steel has 20" 3/8 round gongs. I have 2 that are 20-24, I can't remember. I'm not to worked up to spend the money anyway. Might buy 6-8 6inch gongs and spruce up the pistol range a bit instead.

I do appreciate the help though.

I use two 12'x24" AR500 3/8ths hung side by side for shooting to a mile plus. So I can have a 24" square to shoot at, or hang them horizontal at shorter ranges to mimic an animal. I can't leave mine out there year round, so weight was a consideration, as well as cost, to go with one big piece.

I'll keep that in mind, as weight is a consideration here too. I shoot from my place to the neighbors corn, soybean fields. I walk everything in and out. A 24-24 square is still a lot better than the 24in circles I have.

This years purchase is 12 6inch gongs, I'll try to make 2 plate racks, Got 109.00 in the gongs to the door after the discounts. Slap some frames together on the cheap. Make a nice addition.

check welding shops some times you can find one with a piece drop cheaper than store bough. they buy a lot of steal and get a better price

I got rather tired of hauling around rusty scrap to hang targets that wanna fall over in high winds and came up with a cheap, portable hanger set up.

Electrical conduit, pins, and cheap ar500 brackets off ebay.

I’ve also added hose clamps so targets won’t walk down hill.

A 32" diameter target? Thats big enough you can shoot it from 2 miles away. Even at 1 mile, you shouldnt be dinging it hard enough with a 7 mag to "pit" it. However, if it were me, id be plinking at 1/2" AR plate. If you only intend to shoot 650 -1200 yards, id probably be using a 24" (at most) diameter target. A target that size is only around 32 pounds and quite manageable for moving and setting up downrange.

Funny, that's what i just posted, before even reading your post. To me, shooting at targets too big, gets awfully fn boring. The reason i made a tree with 2" targets for shooting at 400 yards. 1 moa targets can become ho hum as well.... just sayin.

Shooting steel on flat ground without a backdrop to spot misses makes bigger targets very helpful.

Cupping is when the steel plate bends at the edges fom repeated hits which is entirely different than pitting.

I have 1/2” AR500 8” gong, as I don’t shoot as far.
Anyways I’ve shot it with 06 using barnes tsx at 25 yards. Tiny pit but not much bigger than than at 400,500,600 yards..
https://imgur.com/a/EGNEBsW