How close do you shoot steel?

[Josh-L]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Several years ago I got a steel target to use with my .308 bolt gun while training and the guy I got it from said not to shoot it closer then 100 yards. No problem since it was for long range practice. But now it would be nice to have some I could shoot with the AR within 50 yards or so. Problem is though I've always heard the same > 100 yard rule still applies. This doesn't make sense though because for example on Noveske's website he has videos of him shooting steel very close and on the Magpul AOTTC they shoot steel pretty close on it too. So if I order some AR500 12 inch plates up how close could I shoot them without fear of splatter or riccochets or something else going wrong? Just trying to do something different then dragging the IPSC target stands out every time and of course the ring of hitting still is much more fun then putting little holes in cardboard....

[MisterWilson]

I would worry more about how it was angled rather than how close it was.

One club I'd shot at had rifle plates ~50 yards and pistol plates MUCH closer. All of them were angled downward pretty well thought.

[bkb0000]

frangible ammo, friends.. you can shoot steel plenty close, just gotta use ammo that doesnt bounce.

[Josh-L]

I would worry more about how it was angled rather than how close it was.

One club I'd shot at had rifle plates ~50 yards and pistol plates MUCH closer. All of them were angled downward pretty well thought.

Yeah I thought of the angle thing also and had incorporated that into the design of the stand I was going to make. I'm not worried about pistols. I'm specifically wanting something that will safely allow 223/556 rounds at least up to 25 yards away or so.

[Josh-L]

frangible ammo, friends.. you can shoot steel plenty close, just gotta use ammo that doesnt bounce.

Frangible ammo is expensive.....

[bkb0000]

yep- but you wanted to know how it's done, and that's how.

[Dave L.]

I was shooting .357 Magnum at ~15 yards before I knew better. I piece came back and hit me in the top of the right index finger. Needed a hand specialist to remove the major pieces. I still have some copper jacket in my finger. Nearly severed my digital nerve.

I follow the ~100 yard rule for rifle and the ~25 Yard rule for Pistol.

[RWK]

Here you go: http://www.actiontarget.com/pdf/pt_S...urce_Guide.pdf

[John Hearne]

It depends on the target. Some rifle rated targets recommend a minimum distance of 75 yards. Some designs allow engagement at 15 yards. Check out MGM's BC Zone Target:

The BC C-Zone target is one of MGM’s newest. Made of the same great 500 Brinell steel, this target is designed specifically as a close range rifle target. The BC C Zone is the same size as an IPSC target without the D zone. The BC C-Zone can be purchased with a post and base or can also be used with the Double Lolli-Popper. The target is at a 30 degree angle so it can be engaged closer without a significant amount of frag returning to the shooter. The target can be shot at 15 yards or even closer. MGM does not recommend shooting ANY steel any closer than 15 yards. Eye and Ear protection should always be worn while shooting.

[markm]

I shoot my gongs as close as 40 yards all the time with FMJ. The 100 yard thing is a CYA.

Eye pro is a must obviously, although I don't think I've ever been hit by anything.

I also will load my own frangible/lead free barnes bullets to save money. For about $29 you get 100 jacketed low ricochet, lead free rounds. I use these if I'm shooting steel from 7 - 25 yards.

To extend the life of your gongs, don't shoot 55 grain M193 inside of 100 yards. The velocity of the bullets is hard on the gongs. Heavier, slower bullets are easier on the plate... M855 for example is much easier on the gongs. .308 bounces off like a pistol round.

have fun!