Steel Targets

[bajajoaquin]

I'm looking into getting some steel plate targets. I understand that the 500/550 hardened steel is the way go go for a number of reasons, and everyone says to never fire at mild or scrap steel, but there seems to be a bit of a gap in recommendations and reality.

Manufacturers say that you shouldn't shoot 5.56 at the targets inside of 200 yards for fear of damaging the target. However, lots of people seem to be shooting well within that range repeatedly. Are the target makers just overly conservative so you don't get pissed, or is there something else going on?

I'm thinking about getting some hardened targets for 9mm and .22 at (relatively) close range, but I want to shoot 7.62x54r and 5.56 at targets in the 80-100 yard range. I'm guessing that's far enough away to minimize risk of ricochets. Is that either realistically far enough to shoot at hardened steel plate, or safe enough to shoot mild steel, if I don't mind having to replace it periodically? I was thinking about using something fairly thin so that rounds would make noise, but pass through it.

Thoughts?

[Carsgunsandchics]

I'm using some 3/8 AR500 targets and they have been used from 25-200 yards. Using 223,5.45x39,5.56,7.62x39, 308 and even surplus 7.62x54r. I've had them over a year with countless rounds. They are just now getting a little pitted, but I think it's from pulverizing them repeatedly with steel core ammo under 50 yards.

[L84CABO]

I'm looking into getting some steel plate targets. I understand that the 500/550 hardened steel is the way go go for a number of reasons, and everyone says to never fire at mild or scrap steel, but there seems to be a bit of a gap in recommendations and reality.

Manufacturers say that you shouldn't shoot 5.56 at the targets inside of 200 yards for fear of damaging the target. However, lots of people seem to be shooting well within that range repeatedly. Are the target makers just overly conservative so you don't get pissed, or is there something else going on?

I'm thinking about getting some hardened targets for 9mm and .22 at (relatively) close range, but I want to shoot 7.62x54r and 5.56 at targets in the 80-100 yard range. I'm guessing that's far enough away to minimize risk of ricochets. Is that either realistically far enough to shoot at hardened steel plate, or safe enough to shoot mild steel, if I don't mind having to replace it periodically? I was thinking about using something fairly thin so that rounds would make noise, but pass through it.

Thoughts?

100 yards for rifles is what most steel target MFG's suggest. If you are going to come in closer, there are two things IMO to be concerned about. The first is ricochet and/or spatter. If you're going to shoot .556 inside 100 yards, I would make sure to get a target that is angled...25-30 degrees. This will help reduce the chance of anything coming back at you.

The second thing to be concerned about is damage to the target. To that end, it's speed that will kill a steel target, not the caliber of round. And for that reason .223/556 can be one of the toughest rounds for steel to handle. I have yet to see a steel target that is rated for speeds greater than 3000 FPS. And many .223/556 rounds are rated at 3200 FPS...especially the 55gr cheap stuff. So if you're shooting rounds of this nature, you're going to want to make sure the target is far enough away so the speed drops below 3000 FPS at point of impact.

[Divernhunter]

I used 1.5" AR500 and the 30-06 AP barely takes the rust off of it.
Set against a bank the 50bmg AP dug a 3/4" hole in it and moved it about 2' up the bank.

If you are concerned just get a thicker piece of AR500

[Sapperforward]

I tried mild steel with my ar-15 once........once.

[hermosabeach]

I picked up a cheap set of AR 500 on ebay with an ABS stand....

They worked great but ebay sellers have a mixed reviews as some of the steel is not actually ar 500


I picked up more from this outfit

http://www.jcsteeltargets.com

They have deals a few times per year and the plates will last you a lifetime of normal recreational shooting

[IVC]

I have IPSC steel target from MGM Steel which is on expensive side, but extremely well made.

It slopes down under its own weight (and it's heavy) so it virtually eliminates ricochets. I shoot it with handguns from quite close range and the only drawback is that the 2x4 gets the brunt of the splatter. They have a version with metal stand, but it's extra money (and wasn't available or I didn't see it when I bought mine.)

When shooting steel, ricochet is the only problem (dimpling and bending of the target is a problem *because* it can cause unpredictable ricochet.) Good quality steel and angling down (towards soft ground) will alleviate most of the potential issues.

[essjay]

I have one of these: http://www.shootsteel.com/3-8-ar500-...em-short-legs/

Aside from a couple dings due to edge hits, it's held up perfectly fine at 25-250 yards. Probably has been hit upwards of 1500 times at this point, with everything from 9mm and M855 to slugs and 7.62x54R.

[boomer135]

The second thing to be concerned about is damage to the target. To that end, it's speed that will kill a steel target, not the caliber of round. And for that reason .223/556 can be one of the toughest rounds for steel to handle. I have yet to see a steel target that is rated for speeds greater than 3000 FPS. And many .223/556 rounds are rated at 3200 FPS...especially the 55gr cheap stuff. So if you're shooting rounds of this nature, you're going to want to make sure the target is far enough away so the speed drops below 3000 FPS at point of impact.

EXACTOMUNDO!

[Click Boom]

I shoot steel from as close as I feel like, but always have it hanging at an angle so splatter goes towards the ground.

[TheSierraDrifter]

I have a few steel targets. I have some 66% IPSC targets that are perfect for shooting up to 25' with pistol calibers. They are tons of fun and would highly recommend them. I also have some 66% IPSC targets meant for higher velocity rounds (aka 5.56/.223) at shorter ranges less than 100 yards, but they haven't performed as expected. I'm waiting for my 3rd set of replacements from the company. If they don't perform this time, I'll give up and ask for my money back. Whether or not any steel pits is dependent on bullet velocity, bullet type, distance from shooter, angle of steel, etc.

When shooting at the close range pistol steel targets I have, you can expect some debris to come back. For instance, after shooting at 25', I'll go back to the shooting table (35' from target) and will notice very small pieces of lead that I'm assuming came from a fairly vertical angle after hitting the target. It isn't something to worry about though.

[L84CABO]

I have a few steel targets. I have some 66% IPSC targets that are perfect for shooting up to 25' with pistol calibers. They are tons of fun and would highly recommend them. I also have some 66% IPSC targets meant for higher velocity rounds (aka 5.56/.223) at shorter ranges less than 100 yards, but they haven't performed as expected. I'm waiting for my 3rd set of replacements from the company. If they don't perform this time, I'll give up and ask for my money back. Whether or not any steel pits is dependent on bullet velocity, bullet type, distance from shooter, angle of steel, etc.

When shooting at the close range pistol steel targets I have, you can expect some debris to come back. For instance, after shooting at 25', I'll go back to the shooting table (35' from target) and will notice very small pieces of lead that I'm assuming came from a fairly vertical angle after hitting the target. It isn't something to worry about though.

Interesting. Can you share the name on who is advertising their targets in this manner? And to this end, Action Target has a rifle target specifically designed for closer shooting. It's got a 45 degree cant to it so the rounds really just skid off of this. It's held up well so far.

And OP, when shooting steal, make sure everyone is wearing safety glasses...even those that are just watching. Spatter can come back on you.

[essjay]

I'm pretty sure that TheSierraDrifter is using the same Shoot Steel target that I am, if my memory of a prior thread serves me right. Not sure why he's having more trouble than me, but, FWIW, the times I have used mine, it's been placed on loose soil and snow, so it probably doesn't take quite as much of a beating since it moves slightly on impact.

[TheSierraDrifter]

Yes, the short range rifle targets are from shootsteel.com - this is from their site:

"Our short range rifle targets were designed for law enforcement agencies, gun clubs and individuals looking to shoot centerfire rifles closer than 100 yards. Our design uses an AR550 target, an angled mounting bracket and an extra large base for stability. The angle helps prevent much of the pitting common with shooting rifles closer than 100 yards. This pitting can become dangerous as it may send fragments back at the shooter. This allows the target to be used up close and at longer ranges."

They are the SRRT package, but I just saw that they are different in that they now have a "swing" to them, which I believe is intended to allow for better audible feedback. When I bought them, the mount was fixed and there was no play. I wonder if the "give" of the target would help prevent pitting.

Their is also a TwangNBang video on youtube in which he does a pretty good review of them. I believe he shoots them at 30-40 yards with no damage.

[whipkiller]

I have some AR500 targets from IMS that are holding up very well.

I've shot them with everything from .22lr up to 30.06 or so at ranges from 200+ yards down to maybe 30 yards.

I hang them with eye bolts (eye on the back) so they hang angled down, and can swing freely.

So far I haven't been hit with anything noticeable, and the only damage to the plates is a couple of nicks if you hit an edge.

Well worth the cost, and I love that "PING!" they make.

FYI, if you sign up for IMS's email list they will send you coupons for 20% your purchase.