??? about Birchwood Casey spin targets

[bear71]

I've purchased a Birchwood Casey 3/8 inch thick steel spinning target that is marketed for handgun use - up to .44 magnum.

Warnings include not to use centerfire rifles, any rimfire firearms or pellet guns on this target. They recommend shooting no closer than 25 yards.

I understand that centerfire rifle bullets might damage the target.

Why shouldn't rimfires or pellet guns be used with the target? What could happen? Ricochet?

I see competition pistol shooters shooting steel targets at ranges as close as 5 yards. Are they using special ammunition to make it safer.

Is Birchwood Casey using these warnings to get me to buy the special rimfire and pellet gun targets that they also market?

Thoughts?

 

[Sunray]

"...they using special ammunition..." Soft lead cast bullets and they still come back ocassionally. Got hit by a jacketed .45 at Second Chance and a shotgun pellet about 30 yards from the targets landed on me. A buddy took a slice of cast bullet in the forehead(no serious damage. Scared him though.) while shooting plates.
"...Ricochet?..." Yep. .22 bullets and air gun pellets fly around quite a bit.
It's one of the things shooting glasses are for.

 

[bear71]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Sunray. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Twenty five yards it shall be with the handguns only.