Help on auto poppers

[Uglyoldpoorman]

My wife wants to shoot practical pistol so I am having to get all the stuff she needs in order to practice. I have the stands and we can sort of set up scenarios for the practice but I am nervous about the poppers.
I am considering buying 3 of the Colt Speed Plate Auto Poppers http://www.mgmtargets.com/products/auto_poppers.shtml but I am nervous about ricochet bullets because at this time we only use the Winchester white box 9mm 115gr FMJ.

What should I buy or should I not worry?

Yes, we are getting ready to start reloading.

Thanks for any help

 

[SinistralRifleman]

minimum distance of 10 yards and you're fine with pistol ammo on MGM targets.

 

[another okie]

If you are still nervous you can buy frangible 9mm that will turn into a cloud of smoke when they hit steel.

 

[Jim Watson]

Steel is fun but you learn more shooting paper.

If she wants to learn the sight picture for a popper, cut some out of cardboard and save the steel money for ammo, gear, and maybe lessons.

 

[brighamr]

steel is great for fast aquisition, and cost effective. In addition, you can paint it however you want to "learn" from your hits.

No worries past 10 yds.

 

[Uglyoldpoorman]

thank you all so much

 

[Jim Watson]

If you miss a steel target, you don't learn much because you don't know where the bullet went unless you are already good enough at calling your shots that you are doing fine detail practice. A popper drawn on cardboard will let her know if she is off in a consistent direction due to technique or sight adjustment.

 

[westhope]

Brighamr wrote:

"No worries past 10 yds."

I disagree.

I've shot and RO'ed IPSIC / IDPA for 20 some years. The rule in IPSIC is 10 yards minimum distance but in those 20 some years I have been hit by fragments off steel farther away. A couple times in the face. Once I can remember a fragment drawing blood (I picked the fragment out with my fingers, more than just a scratch) when hit in the leg while I was wearing shorts. No big deal, but pieces do come off occasionally.

Wear glasses with side shields.

Shooting steel is fun and safe if precautions are taken. I find shooting steel requires a bit more concentration on the proper sight picture than shooting paper.

 

[another okie]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM462-56843-288.html

There's a link to some frangible (sintered) ammo which is also "green."

 

[CamW]

You should also check out LV Steel Targets,excellent quality and a great guy to do business with.Our club has a dozen of his targets that we use for 3 gun and they're holding up very well.

http://lvsteeltargets.com/main.htm

 

[igor]

I absolutely second the protective eyewear obligatory advice. Long sleeves and pants will be good too. Then it's cling-clang fun all around!