shonie777 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 (edited) FYI: For those of you looking to purchase AR500 plates, please be warned about the AR500+ plates that Target Man LLC sells. I bought a set of round 3/8" 8", 10" and 12" AR500 plates off this guy from Ebay for $89.95. I took them out to the range to try them out when I got them. They held up fine to my .223 and 30-30 at 200 yards. ***See Photo*** I wanted to see how they stood up to my 7mm Rem Mag at 200 yards, so I gave them a few shots and the bullets went right through the plates and cratered them as well. I load up a super light 7mm load: 39gn Hornady bullet, 49.5gn charge of H-414. This load is rated at 2702fps according to the Layman reloading data. The Target Man rates his 3/8" AR500+ plates at 3200fps or less at 100 yards or more "With ANY Lead". Even if I went with the max charge specified at 58gn of H-414 rated at 3017fps, that load is still below his max 3200fps stated in his listing. His stated AR500+ specs of 3200fps is the main reason why I bought from him. I contacted this so-called "Target Man LLC" about what happened with his AR500+ plates, attached pictures of the holes and craters and that I felt ripped off. He claims that his AR500+ plates are every bit rated for what he states in his listing and they have the scientific proof (which I was never given), he further stated that my 7mm exceeded his specifications of his plates even after I gave him my 7mm data load specs stating they were lower than his AR500+ specs. I after a couple more messages back and forth about the issue, in the end I was called childish, unreasonable, having careless shooting habits, and people like me are the problem with Ebay. I then proceeded the refund process with him and he escalated it to Ebay for resolution because he refused to issue a refund. After a couple of days I got an email from Ebay stating that they had decided in favor of the seller. I called Ebay to appeal and they refused to even go through the appeal process and further stated they will side with the seller. To be totally honest, I'm not too upset about losing $90, it's the principle and the fact that this guy is selling a product that does not perform to what he states and can continue to rip people off. So if any of you are looking to purchase AR500 plates, please be aware of The Target Man LLC AR500+ plates. He also sells Spartan body armor which he also makes. If his body armor performs like his AR500+ plates, this guy is in a world of trouble down the line. Edited August 26, 2015 by shonie777 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellymc Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 (edited) I think the OP is probably against forum rules but it does makes me feel better about paying 300 dollars for 8,10 and 12 inch plates the other day. I did get a bit more then just the plain plate with mine . Edited August 26, 2015 by kellymc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copecowboy22 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I make targets here locally out of AR500 plate. I've got guys shooting 3/8 and 1/2 with 7mm mag (I think thats what he told me he was shooting). No issues. If that were one of my targets, I'd be calling my steel supplier and asking WTF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyshoots Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Not all AR500 is the same. If he is selling his plates that much cheaper than everyone else there is a reason. Cheaper AR plate tends to be brittle. That's probably why you got a perfect hole in the plate. AR450 and AR400 act the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donald Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 AR500 should be made to a certain spec, of chemical make up, hardness etc. They may be manufactures that claim a steel is AR500 but it is not. Target Man may have some supplier issues, where they are claiming steel to be AR500 is really not. Edges do get torn up shooting AR500, seems to be worse on plasma cut targets, while laser cut are a bit better. I shoot my AR500 at 50 yds. with XM193, leaves little splash craters but nothing real bad. I've seen mild steel targets be able to take a look of rounds at 100 yds before the get real bad. Only time I've seen holes like your pics in AR500 is someone brought to a match 7.62X51 A.P., targets looked like a 7/16 drill went through them. If I was Target Man I would have refunded your money IF you got the plates back to me (I would pay you what you paid to get them back to me in your refund). I would also want a couple samples of your bullet. I would want to talk to my steel supplier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copecowboy22 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I cut mine with a waterjet. No heat zone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyshoots Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) AR plate does meet certain chemical profiles. It is the way they are heat treated that separates quality. Cheaper AR plate tends to be surface hard and simetimes laminated. The best thing you do is ask for an MTR from the mill. Sometimes AR can stand for as rolled not abrasion resistant. As rolled does not have to meet the same standard as true AR plate. Hardox 500 is some the best out there but it is not cheap. Edited August 30, 2015 by Tyshoots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donald Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I cut mine with a waterjet. No heat zone Nothing wrong with waterjet cutting AR500, just a bit slower than laser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Closed. Brian's Forums is not the place to resolve customer service issues or disputes you may have with a manufacturer, dealer, gunsmith, or individual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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