in close steel targets and ammo?

[pickpick]

When I see the vids of people practicing with carbines/handguns on stationary steel targets I wonder what type of ammo are they running in order to not be worried about come backs. Are these guys running fmj target ammo? I also figure its ar500 targets on the 4x4 posts. Are the targets tilted down some or what?

 

[Amric]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

Try using Frangible ammo.

 

[Insayn]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

7 yards back, frangible ammo and the tilt sort of helps.

 

[KUSA]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

I wouldn't recommend shooting them any closer than 100 yards. With a rifle round the bullet splatters and is not coming back at you. If you got real close and popped it you would probably look like you had chicken pox from the splatter but the bullet itself isn't going to do a 180 on you.

 

[Bronco]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

Pistols and pistol caliber carbines on good steel (flat no dimples) are deemed safe by IPSC at 7 yd.
In the real world I find the biggest guy around and stand behind him. WEAR YOUR SAFETY GLASSES!

 

[TXBRASS]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

We shoot our 500 steel target no closer than 20 yards with handgun FMJ and no closer than 100 yards with .308 MATCH...

It is on one of the t-post brakets that holds it at a downward 20 degree angle and it can move, I'd say another 10 degrees when hit.

Eye protection 100% of the time no matter the distance or weapon.

 

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

OregonShooter welded up some 4" wide AR500 plates that were appropriated. I used some 62grn (lead) 5.56 @ 35 yrds. There were angled down. I shot the weld area heavy to see what would happen - basically hogged it out after 60 rounds. Was it 100% safe to shoot that close - no, esp after I really started to get into the weld. 100 yrds is pretty good rule to adhere to with a rifle but IMHO it can be done at 50 with a good angle.

From what I have seen 5.56 will generally do more damage to steel than 7.62x51.

Good luck

 

[DAFAR]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

for short range pistol and rifle carbine training we use old 20 lb propane tanks. These tanks have been verified empty and have usually been shot at least one at long range. We hang thm on a black pipe frame and shoot away. The advantage is they still give you a nice ding, they move just a bit but the bullet passes through

 

[MountainMan2]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

Regardless of ammo or caliber, make sure you wear safety glasses when shooting metal targets. Trust me, a frag to the eyeball is not good. Thank God every day that I can still see.

 

[HumpHammrr]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

Back in the infancy of IPSC/USPSA at our club (early 80's, stop watches because we couldn't afford electronic timers, and calculators to run stage factors and scores), we shot quite a bit of steel. In one match I ran the plates in a stage, cleared my weapon and turned to the RO to get my time. He was bent over trying to puke after a 45 slug that had been turned into a .50 cent piece had hit him in the gonads. If your on the range long enough you <span style="text-decoration: underline">will</span> get hit by some form of back splash. Yes Sir, I'll have my glasses on.

 

[Woodlanddude]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

+1 on glasses I had a nice red welt on my cheek for a day after a peice of my 230 ball come back and zing me at an IDPA match. No eye pro and 1.5" higher would have been a blinded eye I think.

 

[pickpick]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

Thanks for the info guys. I wasn't sure if folks were using fmj target rounds or not. I couldn't justifying running self defense ammo instead if it splattered better. That would get to be some expensive training rounds. I have some ar500 plates that I was wanting to use for some hand gun practice plates.

 

[Lindy]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

If you're going to shoot pistol at steel, our experience is to get no closer than 10 yards, and wear eye protection, which you should be anyway.

If you're going to shoot carbines at steel, get no closer than 100 yards with ball ammo. It's not dangerous at that range, but it's still hard on the mounting hardware. You can shoot frangible from carbines at closer ranges, again with eye pro.

Eye protection is a good idea with any autoloading weapon at any target at any distance, unless you're shooting by yourself, because ejected cases are a hazard. And wear a hat with a brim.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: in close steel targets and ammo?

We shoot frangible through our carbines when we are running close. It makes for some fun training.