Not quite sure this is the appropriate forum but what distance is recommended for hand gun shooting of steel targets? I've seen YouTube videos where it looks like people are ~10 yards from their target. Is there no ricochet possible or are the targets angled to a certain degree? Also, I mean this to apply to all calibers not just .22lr pistols.
Shooting Steel
- Thread starter mfreem08
- Start date
NoSecondBest
New member
Use the search function on this question. It's been discussed multiple times at great length. Lots of useful (and some useless) info on this subject. I believe this was posted on here within the last couple of weeks. Good luck and be careful shooting steel. It can be very safe or very dangerous depending on the targets being used. Not so much on the distance.
armoredman
New member
I set up steel at 25 yards minimum.
allaroundhunter
New member
A good safety net is no less than 10 yards for pistols, and 100 yards for centerfire rifles.
At 10 yards you will still catch some splash, but as long as you are wearing eye pro you'll be just fine.
For .22 lr rifles I use the same 10 yard minimum.
At 10 yards you will still catch some splash, but as long as you are wearing eye pro you'll be just fine.
For .22 lr rifles I use the same 10 yard minimum.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
Steel in fun, moving to Competition
allaroundhunter
New member
Any pistol ammo is safe except for steel core, AP, and incendiary stuff.
FMJ is just fine.
23 feet for pistol is the minimum for USPSA matches, rule 2.1.3.
Steel in USPSA or Steel Challenge will move some when hit, either fall or swing.
Having undamaged steel is important. If it is pockmarked, then ricochets happen. Pockmarks happen when steel is hit with bullets not suitable for targets (e.g., shotgun slugs on pistol steel). Pistol, even major power factor 9 or 38 super from an open gun, will not be a problem. But targets have to be placed knowing where the bullet splatter will fall.
Isn't the steel supposed to be set at a minimum of 10 yards from where it is expected to be engaged, and if you engage it at less than 23 feet you are disqualified?
I've been shooting USPSA and IDPA for fifteen years, and we always set the steel at least ten yards from where it is (expected to be) engaged.
We have specially hardened plates that we engage with rifles at 50 yards, and have had no issues, but a self-imposed limit of 100 wouldn't get any complaints from me.
I've been shooting USPSA and IDPA for fifteen years, and we always set the steel at least ten yards from where it is (expected to be) engaged.
We have specially hardened plates that we engage with rifles at 50 yards, and have had no issues, but a self-imposed limit of 100 wouldn't get any complaints from me.
Hunter Customs
New member
Shooting jacketed hollow points at steel is bad, the jackets separate from the core and come flying back at the shooters like mini buzz saws.
This is especially true when shooting them out of 38 super raceguns with loads making major power factor.
Many shooters at the American Handgunner World Shootoffs suffered cuts from these mini buzz saws, some of the cuts were pretty bad, so those running the match outlawed JHP bullets altogether.
The minimum distance of the steel at the match was 12 yards.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntecustoms.com
This is especially true when shooting them out of 38 super raceguns with loads making major power factor.
Many shooters at the American Handgunner World Shootoffs suffered cuts from these mini buzz saws, some of the cuts were pretty bad, so those running the match outlawed JHP bullets altogether.
The minimum distance of the steel at the match was 12 yards.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntecustoms.com