Safety of Spinning Targets

[blacksmithsc]

I've used spinning targets at about 50-75 feet with .22 rifles, and I made one out of 1/2" steel plate that we use at 100 yards with center fire rifles. I've seen some videos on youtube with folks shooting spinning targets relatively close with pistols (both .22's and 9mm's), probably 25 feet or so. Is this safe?

 

[ArmedBear]

Spinners seem pretty safe.

I have seen the copper jacket fragments from FMJ pistol rounds bounce back and cut people, off steel plate targets, though.

Spinners move with the bullet. Steel plates don't. They fall down after the impact.

 

[mekender]

ive never had a problem and ive shot spinners at ranges from 10 to 75 feet... now i have had steel plates bounce splatter back at me from about 30 feet...

 

[CBS220]

Spinners tend to deflect bullets downward. If you watch after shooting a lot of .22 at spinners, you'll see where the bullets have been deflected a little behind the target... tearing up the ground.

 

[brighamr]

anybody recommend a place to purchase spinners?

 

[Tribal]

Bass Pro has some basic spinners for sale near the airguns. Of course, I didn't realize that my new gun club doesn't allow their use (it would hardly be practical based on our setup anyway)...

 

[blacksmithsc]

the 1/2" steel plate I was referring to is actually a spinning target as well, one that I made, just heavy duty for centerfire rifles.

we've worn out a few store bought spinning targets for the .22's, and the current ones I made myself. If you have a friend that does some welding, or a local welding shop that doesn't charge too much, I'd get them to make you one, a bit heavier than the store bought ones. I think the one for the .22's that I made has outlasted the two store bought ones put together.