View full Steel Target Safety Guide
Shooting on steel targets can be incredibly fun and engaging, but like all shooting activities, it needs to be done safely and responsibly. To ensure your next shooting activity is fun and safe for everyone, please follow these rules:
1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
1. ALWAYS wear hearing protection and wrap-around shatter resistant eye protection.
2. ALWAYS inspect the target for damage, functionality, stability, etc., before using.
3. ALWAYS place the target on a soft surface free of large rocks or other secondary ricochet hazards.
4. ALWAYS stand at least 10 yards from the target when using handgun and .22 rimfire calibers.
5. ALWAYS stand at least 10 yards from the target when using shotgun bird or buck shot (lead only).
6. ALWAYS stand at least 100 yards (50 yards for specified targets) from the target when using centerfire rifle calibers.
7. ALWAYS stand at least 100 yards from the target when using shotgun slugs.
8. NEVER use centerfire rifle calibers on .22 rimfire or handgun rated targets (1/4" AR500 or 3/8" AR500).
9. NEVER shoot BB's, steel shot, or air gun pellets at steel targets.
10. NEVER use armor piercing, steel core, green tip, or other types of penetrator ammunition with steel targets.
11. NEVER shoot on steel that is cratered, pitted, or damaged in any way.
12. NEVER exceed a 20-degree angle of engagement.
1/4" AR500 Steel
- .22 rimfire ammunition at 10 yards and further
- Small handgun ammunition at 10 yards and further
(NOTE: Targets made from 1/4" AR500 steel will wear out faster when used with small handgun ammunition and may cause reactive parts to malfunction as they are calibrated for the force of a .22 rimfire bullet)
3/8" AR500 Steel
- .22 rimfire ammunition at 10 yards and further
- Standard handgun ammunition at 10 yards and further
- Shotgun bird and buck shot (lead only) at 10 yards and further
3/8" AR550 Steel
- .22 rimfire ammunition at 10 yards and further
- Standard handgun ammunition at 10 yards and further
- Shotgun bird and buck shot (lead only) at 10 yards and further
- Shotgun slug at 100 yards and further
- Standard centerfire rifle ammunition under 3,000 fps muzzle velocity at 100 yards and further
(NOTE: 3/8" AR550 steel targets are not suggested for use with large caliber rifles such as .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, or .50 BMG)
For more information about steel target ballistics please see The Science Behind Steel Targets.