Shooting Steel Targets

Steel Targets – Lots of Fun – if Safely Used

​Since we try to focus on “tactical” shooting we try to spend a minimum amount of time standing behind a bench and shooting paper targets. Instead, we try to focus on moving and shooting activities that include reloading, malfunction clearing, switching between different firearms, using barricades and thinking - in addition to the actual shooting. One of the things that we do quite a bit of, to increase the tactical nature of our range time, is to shoot steel targets in addition to shooting paper targets.

​Why? Well, in addition to the challenge and the fun of having more varied activities - there are lots of great reasons to shoot steel:

1. You hear a “ping” when you hit the target – so in real time you know if you are on target without having a spotter or slowing down to take a look
2. You see the target swing when you hit it – so in real time you know if you are on target
3. The immediate feedback on whether you hit the target or not allows you to notice and fix bad habits while you are shooting
4. Your focus is more tactically germane since you shoot at a specific sized target instead of a “bullseye” on a larger target
5. You don’t have to repeatedly stop shooting to replace paper targets – so you actually get more “shooting time” at the range instead of “setup time”
6. You can shoot steel in any real world weather conditions – to include rain and wind

​So why don’t more people shoot steel? Our experience is that paper targets rule over steel targets at most ranges because of four factors:

1. Paper targets are individually cheaper – even if steel targets are probably less expensive in the long run because they will last for thousands of hits
2. Steel targets are heavy and take more time to setup correctly than paper targets
3. Steel targets are bulkier, heavier and consequently harder to store when not in use
4. Some shooting ranges do not allow steel targets because they have to be properly setup – and this takes a little training

​So what do you need to know about steel target setup and safety

1. You should only use steel targets made from either AR500 and AR550 that is between ¼” and 3/8” thick to ensure that the bullets fragment and are dispersed when they hit the target
2. Setup your steel targets so that you are shooting them from straight on to avoid ricochets; never exceed a 20-degree angle of engagement.
3. Make sure that there is a berm or backstop behind your steel targets
4. Angle the target face slightly down if possible to minimize splash back
5. For pistols (with <1,500 fps lead ammo) keep at least 10 yards away from the target
6. For shotguns (with birdshot or buckshot) keep at least 10 yards away from the target
7. For rifles (with <3,000 fps lead ammo) keep at least 75 to 100 yards away from the target to ensure that you don’t damage the steel target; keep at least 25 yards away from the target for personal safety
8. Use white spray paint to paint over target hits after the steel target has been used for a while
9. Don’t shoot armor-piercing, steel core/steel jacket, solid copper bullets, or other hardened bullets at steel targets
10. Spot-check your steel targets when trying out new calibers or distances. If the bullet leaves a nick in the steel, increase your distance from the target
11. And of course, always wear eye protection and hearing protection

Here are some great websites with even more information in case you are interested in learning more about shooting steel targets:
 
    https://www.usacarry.com/shooting-steel-targets/
    https://www.range365.com/shooting-steel-targets-everything-you-need-to-know/
    https://www.alloutdoor.com/2014/03/29/understanding-safety-steel-targets/
    https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/steel-targets/
    https://shop.actiontarget.com/content/steel-target-safety-rules.asp
    https://www.shootsteel.com/pages/faq
 
………and here’s a good 23 minute video from the Military Arms Channel:​