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Handgun targets

CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,298 ✭✭✭
in General Discussion

 I've got I've got a nice piece of ar400 plate. What is a good distance to hang a target for handguns?

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Comments

  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    25 yds for defensive / practical shooting, 50 yds for hunting practice, 100 yds for see-if-I-can hit it shooting.
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,461 ✭✭✭✭
    close enough to hit.........
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  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    Far enough away to keep from getting struck by splatter.   How far is that?
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,292 ******
    I planted two 12” and one eight inch steel gongs at twenty five yards and was wondering about the splatter. I found most of it on the ground right in front of the targets. Even jacketed bullets. 
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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,299 ✭✭✭✭
    Minimum of 10 yards.  Any closer and you're gonna get a lot of splatter back on ya.   You'll still catch some even at 10 so good eye protection is a must. 
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  • TRAP55TRAP55 Member Posts: 8,292 ✭✭✭
    Hang them with pieces of canvas fire hose, or flatbed tie down straps. They take a lot of hits before you have to replace em, and cheap when you do.
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  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,943 ✭✭✭✭

    The minimum distance for a legal steel target in USPSA is 12 yards and I have shot many steel matches with targets 15-25 yards and it is very common to have fragments come back at you.


    As Neo Blackdog said- eye protection is a must.

    I love shooting steel, actually just shot a “speed steel” match Thursday morning.

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  • Bubba Jr.Bubba Jr. Member Posts: 8,303 ✭✭✭✭
    Several years ago on a cold January day, I felt like shooting a pistol so I went out to my range. I didn't set up my target, just shot at my log backdrop. The only thing I didn't think about was the logs being frozen solid. The first shot went between the logs, no problem. The second shot hit the center of the side of the log and came right back and hit me in my right upper thigh right next to you know what. A .45 with probably less than half the energy still hurts, a lot.
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  • Riomouse911Riomouse911 Member Posts: 3,492 ✭✭✭
    https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11220079#Comment_11220079

    In a similar vein I use strips of multi-layered conveyor belt to hold my plates. Those will take many hits as well, plus they reset pretty quickly because they are pretty stiff and don’t let the plate swing a lot.

    Stay safe.

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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2020
    FYI - 223 with cut a neat hole through an AR400 steel plate. Learned that 1st hand.

    I've recently added 3 of these Allen AR500 plates to my range. Bought them at Walmart:
    They work just fine for 223 / 7.62x39.

    Also picked up the hang & hook target hanger system that's been advertised on facebook.



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  • truthfultruthful Member Posts: 2,145 ✭✭✭✭
    If you are the only one shooting on the range, 10 yards may be ok. But if there are other shooters also shooting steel, I have been hit by splatter from other shooters even at 25 yards.
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  • CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,298 ✭✭✭

    That gives me a lot to think about. Don't like the idea of splatter with multiple peoples around. I think a month ago we had 6 adults and 4 youths. Plus a couple trucks.

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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    Shot a cowboy action match Saturday. Targets are close, I'd guess 5 yards on the pistol gong. Maybe 10 on the rifle gongs.
    You have others on both sides of the shooter on the range. I got hit by some splash back right in the forehead while waiting for my turn. Glad I had safety glasses on. Didn't cut me or leave a mark but figure CA shooters are all using non-jacketed lead bullets and bird shot.

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  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    I've used these folks for steel in several sizes and shapes:
    This there reference guide for shooting steel:

    Quick Reference and User Guide for Steel Targets

    • NEVER shoot them at less than 30ft. Never ever. Not with anything.
    • Hang them so they can swing freely upon impact.
    • Always have a berm or bullet trap behind the target. You will miss occasionally.
    • NEVER shoot a target in motion. Wait for them to stop swinging before engaging again. This is very important, especially at closer ranges.
    • ALWAYS wear ear and eye protection - especially when shooting steel!
    • YOU, the shooter, are solely responsible for your own safety and the safety of others and assume ALL risk & liability when shooting our targets.
    • NEVER shoot any green tip penetrator (SS109, M855, etc) at any range at steel targets. It is designed to defeat them!
    • SPEED KILLS - to ensure long life and surface integrity, keep velocity at impact below 2,800 FPS
    • If the target gets pock marked or dished, turn it around and shoot the other side. 

    The table below will help you determine minimum safe ranges & help ensure the longevity of the targets. These are basic guidelines/ rules of thumb that are subject to change based on many factors including: Your specific load, atmospheric conditions, elevation, how targets are mounted, angle of attack, etc.

    Caliber and Minimum Range Recommendations

    3/8" AR500 steel
    Calculated at 500ft above sea level



    Caliber Projectile Muzzle Velocity (FPS) Minimum Range (in Yards, UNO)
    .22 Rimfire Any Any 30ft
    Centerfire Pistol Calibers 100% Lead or Plated Lead Any 30ft
    Centerfire Pistol Calibers Jacketed bullets - ball, JHP, etc Any 50ft
    .17 Remington 25gr HP 4,040 175
    .204 Ruger 32gr V-Max 4,225 275
    .22-250 55gr Nos B-Tip 3,670 225
    .223 Rem 55gr V-Max 3,240 115
    .223 Rem 77gr SMK 2,750 100
    .243 Win 55gr Nos B-Tip 3,800 265
    6mmBR Norma 105gr Berger VLD 2,850 100
    6 Dasher 105gr Berger VLD 3,000 120
    .25-06 100gr Nos B-Tip 3,220 170
    .260 Remington 142gr SMK 2,750 100
    6.5x47 Lapua 130gr Berger VLD 2,875 150
    6.5-284 140gr Berger VLD 2,950 275
    .270 Win 130gr Nos B-Tip 3,060 125
    28 Nosler 168gr Custom Comp 3,125 375
    .280 Ackley Imp 140gr Nos B-Tip 3,150 240
    .30-06 Spring. 155gr A-Max 2,900 165
    .30-06 Spring. 180gr Nos Partition 2,700 175
    .300 AAC BLK Any Any 100
    .308 Win 155gr A-Max 2,850 140
    .308 Win 175gr SMK 2,700 150
    .308 Win 208gr A-Max 2,600 200
    30-30 Win Any Any 100
    .300 Win Mag 190gr SMK 2,950 350
    .338 Lapua Mag 300gr SMK 2,800 600
    .45-70 Gov't 300gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 1,850 100

     

    1/2" AR550 steel
    Calculated at 500ft above sea level

     

    Caliber Projectile Muzzle Velocity (FPS) Minimum Range (in Yards, UNO)
    .22 Rimfire Any Any 30ft
    Centerfire Pistol Calibers 100% Lead or Plated Lead Any 30ft
    Centerfire Pistol Calibers Jacketed bullets - ball, JHP, etc Any 50ft
    .17 Remington 25gr HP 4,040

    125
    .204 Ruger 32gr V-Max 4,225 175
    .22-250 55gr Nos B-Tip 3,670 150
    .223 Rem 55gr V-Max 3,240 100
    .223 Rem 77gr SMK 2,750 100
    .243 Win 55gr Nos B-Tip 3,800 200
    6mmBR Norma 105gr Berger VLD 2,850 100
    6 Dasher 105gr Berger VLD 3,000 100
    .25-06 100gr Nos B-Tip 3,220 100
    .260 Remington 142gr SMK 2,750 100
    6.5x47 Lapua 130gr Berger VLD 2,875 100
    6.5-284 140gr Berger VLD 2,950 125
    .270 Win 130gr Nos B-Tip 3,060 100
    28 Nosler 168gr Custom Comp 3,125 150
    .280 Ackley Imp 140gr Nos B-Tip 3,150 150
    .30-06 Spring. 155gr A-Max 2,900 150
    .30-06 Spring. 180gr Nos Partition 2,700 125
    .300 AAC BLK Any Any 100
    .308 Win 155gr A-Max 2,850 100
    .308 Win 175gr SMK 2,700 100
    .308 Win 208gr A-Max 2,600 100
    30-30 Win Any Any 100
    .300 Win Mag 190gr SMK 2,950 200
    .338 Lapua Mag 300gr SMK 2,800 250
    .45-70 Gov't 300gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 1,850 100

    For the guys in the Northern tier states, I've used the tread material from snow mobiles. But be aware, it's heavy and slightly difficult to cut. Knives and scissors don't get it done!

    Best.

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