Follow the instructions from whoever makes the targets regarding mounting, distance and caliber. I've got these. Portable 8" AR500 Steel Plate Rack - Superior Ideas, Inc

I made some knock over targets with regular mild steel. They worked fine, but got pitted/cratered after some use.

 

When purchasing steel. I tend to heavier than what is really required for caliber.

 

AR500 steel is what you want. All steel targets are going to get pitted and cratered so don't waste any mental energy trying to avoid it. I buy the cheapest contractor grade spray paint I can find to touch them up. You can get it for about 85-90 cents a can in boxes of 12. Yeah, it runs and spays like **** but it works.

One last thing. ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING STEEL TARGETS AT HANDGUN DISTANCES. You will occasionally get peppered with flying lead and jackets. It won't hurt you if you get hit on your arm or cheek and it might even draw a little blood but if it hits you in the eye it could be catastrophic.

 

Think durability and safety with steel targets.

Bill

 

3/8 seems good for most things, I have several from Highwild but you can find lots on amazon or through the web

really fun to shoot, you have to stay back a lot more than paper so you don't eat sharpnal from FMJ splatter but 10 yards seems fine with glasses on.
things like .22 with the soft lead nose are no issue.

 

AR500 Target Selection Guide - What Thickness Do You Need? – ShootingTargets7

 

I bought a 3/8” thick 12x20 silhouette and stand from AR500 Target Solutions. Its very loud with 9 mm and hangs loosely at 20 degrees so all debris hits the ground under it. Some bits could splatter back toward you but at the recommend 10 yards or more it seems pretty safe with long clothes and eye protection. It hasn’t pitted even a little, so it looks durable enough you could hand it down to your grandkids. Cheap rattle can paint makes it look like new. For a really smooth finish you could scrub off the lead debris with a scotchbrite pad, but be careful with the lead dust. You'll find many companies making similar targets, so shop around.

The main thing is to get AR500 steel. AR500 is an Abrasion Resistant grade of heat treated steel plate used to line mining truck bodies and rock handing equipment. The Brinell hardness of 500 ensures your target won’t pit IF it‘s thick enough for the round you’re shooting. Pitting makes any steel target dangerous since an uneven surface can cause ricochets.

 

As in Dkayak's photo the top is pointed forward or for the smaller one's they MUST swing when hit
I've been using 8 inch for well over 8yr's and never a problem with lead coming back

 

The one in the photo isn’t firmly attached. It’s free to pivot backward and is very heavy, so that pivoting motion absorbs energy too, depending of course on where it’s hit.

If you place it on bare ground you’ll see a sharp line gets cut into the ground perpendicular to the line of fire. If you stand above the plate and look down along its surface you’ll see that line/trench is exactly in line with the front surface, behind the post. The lead splatters like a fan directed to the rear, so most fragments should be heading away from the shooter.

 

One of the best values in heavy use grade steel targets is TacStrike... I have no connection to them, I just buy and use their targets:

https://tacstrike.com/

 

Kart at GT Targets makes outstanding targets. Not the cheapest but the highest quality. He has supplied many that are used at the Sig Academy ranges.

GT Targets - Buy Pistol Targets, Shotgun Targets and Rifle Targets

 

Ideally you'd want a 3/8 inch thick AR500 plate that is waterjet cut and doesn't have anything welded to it because heat reduces the steel's durability and strength. Even better if the plate has no holes drilled in it.

 

I bought these thick metal spinners for $25 and have been surprised at their durability with 9mm. We used conduit in the ground to make them easy to remove/replace and raises them up a bit. Spinners are fun!!

Amazon.com : Highwild Double Spinner Shooting Targets - Auto Reset Steel Target - for Centerfire Handguns Up to .44 Magnum : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Highwild Double Spinner Shooting Targets - Auto Reset Steel Target - for Centerfire Handguns Up to .44 Magnum : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

P.S. Sorry, just noticed they're out of stock, but HighWild has other options.

 

Following

 

I keep looking at shoot steel for targets but haven't bought anything yet but the speed rack will probably be what I would get. Wilson Combat also sales a nice single target rack. My neighbor and I were ready to buy some targets and then ammo prices went up

ShootSteel.com | The Industry Leader in Steel Targets

AR500 and AR550 Steel Targets and Target Stands. Portable, Robust, CNC Laser Cut, and Proudly Made in the USA. Industry Leading Quality and Value Guaranteed.

shootsteel.com

25% off site wide for the rest of the year at shoot steel

Range Gear - Wilson Combat

Wilson Combat has been the innovator in custom pistols, long guns, and accessories since 1977. Home of the Wilson Combat 1911, EDC X9, WCP320, and more!

shopwilsoncombat.com

 

Follow their recommendations, especially when shooting rifles. I use 3/8 AR500 and never a problem with pistols. Only rifle “problem” was not following their recommendations. Fired an 8mm Mauser from less than 50 yards. On the 4th or 5th shot, it poked a clean hole through the steel — it looked like a hole was punched in it with a press. Perfectly round and completely through.

 

Thanks!

I found some Taylor Targets locally. A500 steel BUT they recommend against FMJ ammo... so I passed for now...

I only found 1/2" plates yesterday at a couple shops that stocked them.

Seems like thicker better...Only 3/8" due to price or somehow better...

Thanks!

E Buzz

 

I found some Taylor Targets locally. A500 steel BUT they recommend against FMJ ammo... so I passed for now...

I don’t believe you’ll find this recommendation is common (never heard of it elsewhere). Maybe their product is somehow deficient? Stick to the recommended minimum distance and always wear eye protection.

 

I would recommend looking at hang fast targets. Well made and affordable. They have 20% off specials around every major holiday. Www.hangfasttargets.com

 

There's no reason to go thicker than "needed" but I suppose extra thickness wouldn't hurt anything. A thinner target will "ring" louder when hit than one that's thicker. I think 3/8" is a good choice for most applications. 3/8" works for all handguns and quite a few rifles, assuming their shot from the correct. safe distance. There's no reason not to use "normal" FMJ ammo with any steel target. Some people say do use zinc, or frangible rounds. I never have. Be sure to wear a good pair of safety glasses.

 

I own a good number of steel plates for both pistol and rifle. AR500 is fine for all the regular caliber ball ammo pistols, as well as 300blkout supers. The target I use the most is silhouette with swinger (aka. Hostage Target). It's 4 pieces, heavy and cumbersome, but it's the most fun and allows for a large spectrum of shooting drills. It also is canted downward, so you're not messing with the proper safe shooting angle. It's literally worth every penny. Always wear safety glasses (shouldn't have to say this but).. 15yds is the minimum recommend safe distance for pistols. I've shot tens of thousands of rounds at closer distances. Sometimes you'll get splash back, spalling, bits of copper landing on you.

 

Water-jet cut 3/8 inch AR500, with nothing welded to it to weaken it, and preferably no holes drilled in it, is more than enough for heavy use with standard 5.56nato (NOT LAP Penetrator type rounds) and almost all calibers of service pistol size.