45 colt put hurtin' on my bottle targets!

[fortyshooter]

I noticed this at the end of my shooting session with the Uberti Winchester .45 Colt rifle from 20 yds. The load was my standard 250 gr. hard cast lead
loaded with 8.0- 8.5 gr. of Unique.
Looks like lack of weld penetration on the 3/8ths thick AR 500 steel. Had my big Miller mig welder on heat range 4 but AR 500 is a bit tricky to weld to.
Have noticed this on factory knock over targets where the welded feet would break loose.

That "mild" .45 Colt load does pack some punch compared to +P .38 Special rounds!

You will notice on the one bottle that I had welded to .450 diameter mild steel rod where the rod twisted from a hit near the left-hand edge of bottle.
The rod had a flat machined on it to keep the target straight and flat when welded. Rod twisted but weld held!!

So will add Grade 5 3/8th bolts to secure bottle shapes to the flipper. Since most hits should be above bolt line these hex head bolts are stronger
than typical round head carriage type bolts.

Now might be a while until I get back to the range after I get my health checkup this coming Tuesday. We are having summer type rain/storms around
this week and it will be hot and humid next week....no rush!

[BigAl52]

Bet that will work

[Ernie]

A learning experience, sounds like you are on the right track.
Good luck on your stress test.

[RanchRoper]

I'd stake my life on a 45 Colt slug any day.

[Rifletom]

RR, that is so true!

forty, what rod are you using for the weld? Or is this MIG? Been a while for my welding. Still have my Miller 220 "Thunderbolt" in the garage. Ain't used it for a bit tho.

[JEBar]

looking forward to following your project .... your 45 has most certainly been deal heavy blows

[fortyshooter]

RR, that is so true!

forty, what rod are you using for the weld? Or is this MIG? Been a while for my welding. Still have my Miller 220 "Thunderbolt" in the garage. Ain't used it for a bit tho.

Using .030 wire with my Miller Mig. Hardened steel is tough to get a good weld on.

[Rifletom]

It is indeed. I've used some "dissimilar" metal welding rods on that and it seemed to work. YEARS ago tho! I've forgotten an awful lot about welding stuff as I haven't welded in some time. You'll get it figured out. You have a Happy Father's Day forty!