FAQ
Recommended Caliber
Steel Targets By Caliber, Choosing a Thickness and Material:
If you are in the market for steel targets, please read this page first.
Designed to handle centerfire handguns up to 45ACP. The 1/4” AR400 works with 38sp, 9mm, 40S&W and similar calibers. Great for shooters looking for a deal on handgun targets and rimfire targets. For club and training use please see our 3/8” AR500.
Designed to handle magnum handguns and rifles up to 308, also great for 223/5.56, 5.45x39, 7.62x39 and similar. These targets will handle rugged everyday handgun use associated with clubs and training.
Designed for rugged daily rifle use, including 300 and 338 magnum rifles
Designed for 50BMG, also works with 416 and 408 calibers.
Choosing Gong vs Static Targets:
The gong style targets work well for long action and magnum caliber rifles. The targets also work well for magnum handguns. The stand on which the target is hung can be designed to withstand heavy use. Take a look at our gong stands for a very rugged yet portable stand.
Caution: Bullet fragments may come towards the shooter and spectators. All persons in the area must have ear and eye protection. Bullet fragments may cause harm to shooters, spectators and objects near the target.
Use steel targets at your own risk. Shooting at steel targets can be dangerous and caution must be taken to ensure safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
We do not recommend shooting any steel core/solid copper bullets at the targets. Depending on the specific caliber they can do a lot of damage, or even shoot through the target. Shoot your steel core/solid copper bullets at paper targets. We do not cover damage due to steel core/solid copper bullets.
3/8” AR500
The min distance is 100 yards for 3/8” and 1/2” AR500 when using 55gr FMJ out of a 16" barrel with a maximum muzzle velocity of 2800 fps. Keep in mind with 223/5.56 that some loads may be well over 2800 FPS. These loads should be used at longer ranges to prevent damage to the target.
Yes – the 1/4” AR500 targets work great for rimfire.
Most of the lead and copper deflects at 20 degrees. You must always wear safety glasses and set up the targets in a safe location. In general the bullets do not “bounce” back or ricochet. This doesn’t mean they never will, just that most of the bullets will fragment and deflect at 20 degrees.
Depends on how good of hearing you have, but in general yes. Close handgun targets are loud and easy to hear. The further out you go the quieter they get. At several hundred yards a 223 can be hard to hear depending on the wind and hearing protection being used. Larger 30 cal will remain audible even at longer ranges.
The ring is louder on the larger targets. The ring is also louder on the thinner targets. If you want a loud ring order the thinnest target that is rated for your caliber and chose one of the larger targets.
We offer steel target stands including the static target stand and gong stand.
We have found AR500 grade steel to work great for both center fire handgun and rifle. Lower grades of steel can be dangerous and do not last as long.
AR500 steel is a special alloy(varies by mill) of steel that is heat treated to a hardness of 500Bhn, mild steel is more or less melted down cars and is not heat treated. The hardness of mild steel can hardly be compared to AR500, is slightly harder than the keys on your keychain.
Yes – they are listed on the target stand page.
Yes we ship steel targets to all 50 states. Most targets can ship in a flat rate box. Please email us for shipping on the fixed price items.
Yes – we do ship targets to PR and GU. Again most targets ship in a flat rate box so shipping costs are low. Please email us for shipping on the fixed price items.
Yes – our static target stand and static target holder use a wood 2x4 for an upright. This saves on cost and weight.
You would need 1/4” AR500, 3/8” AR500 is also an option if you think you may use larger calibers.
