Safe to shoot at 100+ yards? Steel target

[Maulerrr]

This is obviously an extreme example, but I think angling the steel off sideways could've helped prevent this

[SanDiego619]

Yes, shrapnel, bullet jackets can fly back at you even at 100 yards. Also, the pits, if the bullet hits right there the angles from the pits could send jacket fragments back. Swinging target will help absorb some of that kinetic energy but angle it downwards so the fragments will better hit the dirt. You'll notice a "impact line" just in front of the target.

Shooting pistol at steel even 15-25 yards, i still find little jacket fragments near the shooting line (we use poppers). Rifle bullets fly 3x faster.

Buy the AR500 steel, it's worth it. and if you take care of it, will last a lifetime.

I've had bits of stuff come back at me and cut me. If that's the worst that can happen then I don't care. Is a jacket big enough to kill me or go through eye protection and blind me? As long as a whole bullet doesn't ricochet back and it's just fragments of metal I don't mind too much.

My other stuff is AR500 and I do like seeing the line in the dirt after shooting. Here is an AR500 plate I just broke, I had it hanging at 75 yards. I guess it was too close and I hit it in just the right spot, a few times.

[CessnaDriver]

I wouldn’t if anyone else is nearby not good with it or ignorant of the risks. Up to you for your own personal risk management.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

This is obviously an extreme example, but I think angling the steel off sideways could've helped prevent this

Ha! I was going tolling to this as well!

[DDRH]

I've had bits of stuff come back at me and cut me. If that's the worst that can happen then I don't care. Is a jacket big enough to kill me or go through eye protection and blind me? As long as a whole bullet doesn't ricochet back and it's just fragments of metal I don't mind too much.

My other stuff is AR500 and I do like seeing the line in the dirt after shooting. Here is an AR500 plate I just broke, I had it hanging at 75 yards. I guess it was too close and I hit it in just the right spot, a few times.

Which is fine...however, for me, sometimes a friend will ask if they can borrow the steel to take their kids shooting. I try to show/explain how to set up the steel. the thing i'm worried about is if their kids get hurt...with my steel. Or sometimes people bring their dogs out there...unless the dog's got ear and eye protection?

[NOTABIKER]

Been shooting steal core Mosin ammo at my AR 500 metal target for ten years at 100 yards.

[The War Wagon]

This is obviously an extreme example, but I think angling the steel off sideways could've helped prevent this

I was thinking of that VERY incident... but .50 is a LOT different than .223, or even .308.


I WOULDN'T worry about ricochet - EVEN at 100 yards and angled up... but angle it down if you like, and go nuts.

p.s. - he was facing a STRONG headwind with that .50 too, wasn't he?

[golfish]

Wherever I read about shooting steel it says NEVER SHOOT PITTED OR DENTED STEEL!!!

That is why I am asking. The plate above is regular steel, not AR500, so it got big craters in it.

My AR500 stuff doesn't get any craters.

5.56 and .308 will probably go right through that steel.

What made those divots?

[bbgughj]

your fine with 9mm,223,556
the 308 will penetrate the steel at 100 yds

[SanDiego619]

5.56 and .308 will probably go right through that steel.

What made those divots?

I shot it with 5.56, 7.62x39, .308, and 6.5x55

None went through, but it's half inch steel and it made pretty deep craters. I'm assuming the biggest ones are from .308

[golfish]

I shot it with 5.56, 7.62x39, .308, and 6.5x55

None went through, but it's half inch steel and it made pretty deep craters. I'm assuming the biggest ones are from .308

I've shot holes through 1/2" mild steel with a .357 lever gun. I wonder if it's a cheap AR500 steel or AR400 steel. I don't think I ever shot AR400 steel so I don't know how it will hold up to 5.56/.308..

[unclerandy]

It seems like you don't accept the answers your being given. Just stop it! Don't shoot steel that isn't designed for shooting. The answer to all your questions is yes. Yes things can come back and hit you, yes things can go through your glasses, yes you could be killed in an extreme alignment of circumstances. Get AR steel, don't shoot it closer than rated and angle it down......

[SanDiego619]

I've shot holes through 1/2" mild steel with a .357 lever gun. I wonder if it's a cheap AR500 steel or AR400 steel. I don't think I ever shot AR400 steel so I don't know how it will hold up to 5.56/.308..

I don't know exactly what it is, I am pretty sure it just said it was hot rolled steel.

Maybe I'll get some ar500 for 100 yards and move this plate out to 200. No way it's gonna kill me from 200 yards away! Probably.

[SanDiego619]

It seems like you don't accept the answers your being given. Just stop it! Don't shoot steel that isn't designed for shooting. The answer to all your questions is yes. Yes things can come back and hit you, yes things can go through your glasses, yes you could be killed in an extreme alignment of circumstances. Get AR steel, don't shoot it closer than rated and angle it down......

That would be the most prudent thing to do.

[CWL]

I shot it with 5.56, 7.62x39, .308, and 6.5x55

You shoot some stuff that can have steel cores. All you need is one ricochet to ruin your day.

Why take any risk? Always err on the safe side. This includes using proper targets.