Min Distance to Shoot Steel Targets

[ATLDave]

Yep. Handgun stuff definitely sends more crap back. .22 is pretty bad also.

Scariest to me is jacketed (not plated) .45 at low velocities... I've found a scary number of those pretty much intact, just with a big dent on the nose and one side, next to steel targets. Anything that big that holds together has the potential to do real damage if it rebounds with, say, half its original velocity.

In contrast, when I find lots of little disks that are just the base of the bullet (about 1/16" of an inch thick or less), that makes me feel good... I know that bullet was radially splattered in tiny, tiny pieces.

 

[ATLDave]

Depends on the steel, projectiles and velocity.

This is a good video of what’s goin on.



Around 7:30 in is rifle bullets impacting hard plate, you’ll notice the “splash” is radial vs going back like when they were hitting “soft” steel at the beginning.

There's never a bad time for that video.

 

[Jammersix]

Reliable info on minimum distances, maximum velocities, and mounting configurations for shooting steel can be found here:

I don't think information about targets from someone who is trying to sell me targets is all that reliable.

 

[marsofold]

Would one these hanging gong targets be safe at 15 yards when shot at with a 1911 with 800fps TMJ (Speer Lawman) bullets or with lead SWC 454 Casull Magnum bullets reloaded to 1100fps?

 

[Jim Watson]

Safe enough that it is done regularly.
But keep it up and you will smart when the odds catch up with you.
Wear safety glasses so you don't lose anything important.

 

[Bwana John]

I'm kind of stinky about my AR500 steel, you better not shoot your 223 at MY steel at less than ~125 yards.

Lead pistol at 15 yards or farther is OK though.