Definitly a beginer question but what is the minimum thickness of steel that should be used for shooting 30 yrds and greater? Its tough to tell on the shooting programs but, is it angled in any fashon to deflect bullet? Any info would be great. Thanks.

What are you shooting at it? If you're shooting 5.56 don't shoot M855/SS109.

Min is probably 3/8in, I use 1/2in, but more important than thickness is the type of steel; you'll need AR500 so that it won't crater.

When a bullet hits steel it disintegrates into may very small pieces and a few larger pieces usually pieces of jacket. These fragments will exit the steel plate at a 20° angle from the surface. While 20° is safe to shooter and bystander, if the surface starts to crater things get ugly. When the craters form they can have very steep walls, so the next round will leave the surface at 20° and from a crater this could come strait back to you causing mild to serious injuries.



These are some targets I made, and they work well, but the IDPA/IPSC style stands didn't hold them well so I've since built new stands.

Good luck

I like to shoot steel do it all the time.

Be aware shooting soft~ steel at close range is a good way to have the jacket come back and hit you.... Seen it happen not pretty.

I've got several Ar 500 targets i made. But with a rifle they stay at 100 or farther.

Great info, thank you.  I have been using the Privi m193 55g and Privi 72g. Whats the deal with the Rounds you listed?

M855 SS109  62 grain with steel penetrating core

It's known ~ to peen/dimple ar 500

I've also heard of people cracking ar 500 with 22-250's et. stuff over 4k fps

I use AR500 from 25M and out.  Have em mounted  at negative angle to send spall downwards.

I was at a range with my BIL letting him shoot my 1911 at some steel targets they had. We were under a little canopy they had setup. He fired the last round and dropped the magazine and started to put the gun down. Then something bounced off the canopy, off the pipe support and hit me in the ankle. It was a 45 slug! I guess it hit the steel, went straight up and back down.

id use whatever these guys are using    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc

I still have one fragment in my calf from steel targets 4 years ago, the one worked itself out a couple months ago.

You need to not shoot steel targets that close.