Shooting steel - just making sure

[SanDiego619]

Hello,

If I shoot 40 cal from a pistol at steel from say 10-15 feet away, does the bullet disintegrate into little bits or can the whole bullet ricochet in a way that could injure me or people next to me? I always see people shooting pistols at steel from pretty close so I think sure you might get some splashback but not the whole bullet right?

And for rifles, I'm not really worried, the bullets blast into dust when they hit the steel.

[afteractionreport]

Depends in what type of bullet is being shot.

[mooner760HD]

If your plate is angled properly, all spall and ricochets should be directed down/away.

They also use frangible rounds when shooting steel from real close so they do disintegrate.

[bruce381]

splash back yeah thats why you sign a waver and yeah plates have to angle down

[CessnaDriver]

Rules of thumbs..
Don't shoot steel with a rifle unless at least 100 yards away.
Much higher velocities than a handgun.

15 yards for handguns.

However I've done closer (many do) without incident but know that someday anytime shooting steel you may get bit by splashback. Not the time to forget safety glasses.

[SanDiego619]

Rules of thumbs..
Don't shoot steel with a rifle unless at least 100 yards away.
Much higher velocities than a handgun.

15 yards for handguns.

However I've done closer (many do) without incident but know that someday anytime shooting steel you may get bit by splashback. Not the time to forget safety glasses.

Thank you, I don't mind splashback, I've got some bits in the skin, but is it even possible for a whole bullet to bounce back and hit me like a gun shooting me?

As for the type of bullet it is just normal .40 caliber FMJ rounds.

[tigerpan]

Angle is key,

[jdogg2000]

I have been hit with splash from FMJ rounds and it is not fun. I had a piece of jacket get stuck in my leg one time, had to pry it out of my leg with a pair of pliers. Thankfully someone had skin glue so I could seal up the wound. As stated above, the recommended distance for shooting rifle is much further than for handguns.

[SanDiego619]

Angle is key,

Yeah I'll angle it down and also to the side, and it's ar500 so it's not gonna make divots. Ok, just making sure. I've shot steel and was fine but I was reading today and people said "UR GONNA GET A RICOCHET AND DIE"

So I wanted to ask.

[TheSierraDrifter]

10-15' is too close for standard bullets. Yes, the bullet will splatter into pieces and be mostly directed down. However, much of the bullets can be directed up and to the rear at a 20 degree angle. The ones i have state that on the paperwork and website. I shoot no closer than 25' and I think that's still 5' closer than they recommend. They are angled steel and are not fixed. I can hear splatter come down on the top of my car during shooting. It doesn't do any damage, but it's still there. So everything is not directed downwards. I have been hit by pieces coming off my target when a buddy was shooting at them. I was about 60' away, and almost at a 90 degree angel to him. It didn't cause damage, but it stung. Also be aware of what is at the base of the target. If that splatter goes down, then hits a rock or other hard object, it could come back directly at you.

[SanDiego619]

I have been hit with splash from FMJ rounds and it is not fun. I had a piece of jacket get stuck in my leg one time, had to pry it out of my leg with a pair of pliers. Thankfully someone had skin glue so I could seal up the wound. As stated above, the recommended distance for shooting rifle is much further than for handguns.

Oh boy, I've been hit with splash but not where I had to rip it out with pliers!

Still, that is not what I would worry about. I just don't want a whole bullet to come back at me and kill me. I don't think it's possible, from what I read.

[iMigraine]

Also, using lead bullets helps decrease splash back compared to jackets bullets.

[CessnaDriver]

Thank you, I don't mind splashback, I've got some bits in the skin, but is it even possible for a whole bullet to bounce back and hit me like a gun shooting me?

As for the type of bullet it is just normal .40 caliber FMJ rounds.

Bullet wont bounce back, it will deflect at the angle the steel is set at. So make sure it is angled down towards the ground properly. Never straight up and down.
Key thing also is to inspect the steel, and make sure there is no cratering at all. Don't use cheap steel that craters easily. The craters can cause things to come back at you, acting like little parabolic mirrors so to speak. Using quality steel cratering is rarely an issue.

[SanDiego619]

10-15' is too close for standard bullets. Yes, the bullet will splatter into pieces and be mostly directed down. However, much of the bullets can be directed up and to the rear at a 20 degree angle. The ones i have state that on the paperwork and website. I shoot no closer than 25' and I think that's still 5' closer than they recommend. They are angled steel and are not fixed. I can hear splatter come down on the top of my car during shooting. It doesn't do any damage, but it's still there. So everything is not directed downwards. I have been hit by pieces coming off my target when a buddy was shooting at them. I was about 60' away, and almost at a 90 degree angel to him. It didn't cause damage, but it stung. Also be aware of what is at the base of the target. If that splatter goes down, then hits a rock or other hard object, it could come back directly at you.

Ok, I'm not really concerned with splatter as it won't kill me, it might sting a bit. But as long as a bullet can't come back and kill me I don't care. I always wear shooting eye protection. If a bit of metal came back and hit my ear it might go through though!

[SanDiego619]

Bullet wont bounce back, it will deflect at the angle the steel is set at. So make sure it is angled down towards the ground properly. Never straight up and down.
Key thing also is to inspect the steel, and make sure there is no cratering at all. Don't use cheap steel that craters easily. The craters can cause things to come back at you, acting like little parabolic mirrors so to speak. Using quality steel cratering is rarely an issue.

I have some ar500 plates that are great! I shoot them with .308 and 5.56, they are nice and smooth still. I got some ar500 plates and t-post hangers that I want to use for pistols that's why I am asking. I'll just keep 'em angled down and to be extra careful, to the side (where no one is).