Shooting steel?

[ChrisO]

I shoot steel all the time with my long range rig but we are talking about no less than 400 + yards. Is it safe to shoot steel plates and handgun ranges, Say 10-25 yards? I'm sure shooting lead would probably make it better but don't have that option with my glock unless I want to buy a after market barrel.

[Bobshouse]

Our range will not allow shooting steel plates, but swingers are ok. Steel plates tend to bounce the bullet back towards you while swingers will typically force them into the ground.

Im pretty sure someone will be along to post that video of the guy shooting the BMG at steel plates and one comming back to almost take off his head.

[bigger hammer]

Lots of steel to shoot at the monthly ISI Steel Challenge Range in Piru. Montly match the first Saturday of every month. Except this month -- it got rained out. Rules are here. http://steelchallenge.com/scsa-clubs/scsa-rules/ Very friendly group if you're a newbie. Match takes 195 rounds (if you don't miss). I usually bring about 300, just in case.

You can shoot just about any caliber, except magnums, they tear up the plates. If you shoot .22 you don't even need a holster! PM me if you're interested.


Lou

[Army GI]

Just angle the steel plate at an angle towards you so it splatters into the ground.

That said, I wouldn't shoot at any steel closer than 25 yards with a handgun.

[railroader]

Steel madness in Norco.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NiyICLJUzA

[nn3453]

When shooting at close range, I shoot plates that fall down or ones that are angled down (and I also make sure to dig up the dirt in front of the plate where the ricochet is going to hit, so that the chances of it bouncing off of a hard surface are reduced).

[Turo]

My local range has steel targets as close as 10 yards on the ".22lr and pistol" side. I don't think they've ever had a problem with ricochet, but I guess it's possible. Their targets are also convex, so it makes it difficult to actually angle a shot to come back to the shooter.
That said, they only allow .22lrs and non-magnum pistols on that side. So YMMV.

[Dubels]

Ricochets happen at steel shoots. I even got hit in the head with some jacket last night. But that is also why you should wear your eye protection. Even when sitting about 5 yards back from the shooting positions I was hit by some bits. It stings a little but I doubt it will be enough to even cut you. I was tempted to pick up some bits of the jacket as a souvenir but I was having a blast shooting my first steel shoot. We had targets set up as close as 5 yards away that were angled down.

I think the only warning you need is that it is very addictive. I ran through about 400 rounds in 2 hours. Thinking about going back and punching paper is making me bored already.

Here is the usual setup that is run where I shot last night. Except the setup on the far right was closer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdyBLwugnfI

[Army GI]

Yep, the jackets come back at you.

[What Just Happened?]

I'd keep falling plates and swingers at least 7 yards away and 15 for static plates.

[sirgiles]

our club range only allows steel targets to 25 yards. never heard of any bounce back yet.

[ChrisO]

Would FMJ's be safe to shoot at steel? as of right now I only have steel plates with 5/8 holes drilled through em that I use for distance and I put some wire through the holes so they swing but like I said I have not shot them under 400 yards. Shooting steel just seems fun and I like the feedback you get wheny ou make a hit . I rarely shoot targets with my long range rig anymore just mostly steel!

[hawk81]

It's fine just be sure to wear eye protection.

[hawk81]

Rifle rounds on steel targets are safe as long as they are out past 50 yards.

[dstiltner]

I'm sure shooting lead would probably make it better but don't have that option with my glock unless I want to buy a after market barrel.

You can also shoot plated bullets in a glock and they are just like shooting lead. We shoot steel as close as 10 yards in our matches. I have only seen jacket fragments bounce and hit someone once. Like the other poster mentioned it just stung and did not break the skin.