Safely shoot steel plate

[ArCane]

I want to safely be able to shoot a steel plate or a gong. I currently have a 14”x14” ½” steel plate that I would like to be able to shoot at both with a 9mm and a .40. I would also like to be able to set it out at a 100+ yards and use my .223 and 7.62x39. Is this safe? Any recommendations?

[Joe R.]

It's not possible to say whether it would be safe or not as you don't mention what kind of steel it is or the hardness.

The minimum safe distance for shooting steel is 10 yards with pistol rounds and 25 yards with rifle. This is assuming the correct hardness plates in good condition with acceptable ammunition. Frangible ammunition allows shooting from closer positions.

While it is doubtful that you would get splatter at your shooting position from 100 yards the .223 and 7.62 x 39 might just burn right through the plate depending on what it's hardness is.

[ArCane]

I have no idea on hardness, this was scrap pieces I got from a metal yard. So are those not even safe to shoot at all? I confess I did shoot about 5 rounds of 9mm from about 25 yards, and it didnt dent the plate at all, but didnt want something to come back at me. I will be shooting at this next to a gravel pile in B.F.E

[Zak Smith]

Here's the deal.. if it's mild steel, 223 will either smoke through it or crater the hell out of it.

Do NOT shoot cratered steel at handgun distances. The craters grab lead and throw it right back at you.

I wouldn't worry about shooting mild steel with a rifle at 100+, but the plate will be destroyed quickly unless it is armor steel.

[RyanB]

IPSC minimum for steel is 7 yards, IIRC. I've shot it from 5. We got a little bit of splatter, and some bleeders.

[Sam]

Unless IPSC have different rules than USPSA, USPSA's minimum distance for steel is 10 yds, that was several years ago when I still shot USPSA. IDPA is 10 yds. minimum. I use those guidelines and won't shoot steel with pistol under 10 yds. For rifle rated steel, 25 yds. minimum.

And like another poster said earlier, NEVER shoot at steel targets with craters! YOu'll get projectiles coming back at you.

[Dave L.]

Here's the deal.. if it's mild steel, 223 will either smoke through it or crater the hell out of it.

Do NOT shoot cratered steel at handgun distances. The craters grab lead and throw it right back at you.

I wouldn't worry about shooting mild steel with a rifle at 100+, but the plate will be destroyed quickly unless it is armor steel.

I wish I would have know that about 3 years ago! I was shooting at and old cratered manhole cover with a 357mag and a piece came back and hit my right index finger on the thumb side.

It took one of the best hand specialists in the state to remove the metal which was almost cutting into my digital nerve, which could have caused the loss of all feeling in that finger for the rest of my life...THANK GOD I'M A LEFTY!

I never thought in a million years I would get hit by frag 3 days before I left for Iraq and then 9 months later never got a scratch on me.

[ArCane]

Thanks for the great replies, I guess ill use it just for handgun, and get buy something thats made for rifle.

[FJB]

ArCane,
As Zak Smith properly stated you need to know the hardness rating of the steel you are going to use. There are two standard tests that are used for rating steel the Brinell and the Rockwell. For steel being used for firearms the Brinell Hardness Test is the industry standard. Abrasion Resistant (AR) 500 is the standard for use with center fire rifles. For those only familiar with the Rockwell test AR500 is equivalent of C51. Some circles allow for the use of steel targets with an AR250 rating (most likely your steel is even rated less than that) for handguns. However, IMHO a steel rating less than AR400 for handguns is not recommended as the steel eventually concaves creating a potentially dangerous situation with splatter.

Thus, not only is the correct type of steel important but the proper design of the target system. There are several good steel target manufacturers MGM, Porta, LaRue and Salute Products. You can learn more about steel targets at www.saluteproducts.com FAQ portion of their website.

S/F

[magnum1]

Arcane, Try Sweetwater Engineering they make all sorts of stuff in AR400 and AR500. Not sure about their website but the phone # is: 770 942 1309 ask for Dan. Regards, Magnum1