Steel target

Steel targets are targets for firearms made out of hardened (martensitic) steel, and are used in sports such as cowboy action shooting, practical/dynamic shooting and for long range shooting, as well as recreational plinking. They are popular in both training and competitions because the shooter gets instant feedback on a hit in the form of sound, and one can also often see the bullet getting pulverized and the target moving. Hanging or self-reseting targets also have the advantage that the shooter doesn't have to go forward to tape the targets, making it a good option for shooting ranges that otherwise have electronic targets. Steel targets also are weather proof, contrary to paper targets that may not hold up when wet.

If correct precautions are taken, the chance of ricochets when shooting at steel targets are minimal. The materials of which both the target and bullets are constructed of should make the bullet pulverize on impact, and therefore hardened steel targets and regular lead core bullets should be used. Regular steel should be avoided for targets, and ammunition with armour piercing properties (i.e. steel or copper core) should also be avoided.

Furthermore it's important to shoot relatively perpendicular to the target - some even angle the target slightly downwards so that any ricochet will hit the ground.

As a safety precaution steel targets must be made out of hardened steel, which is more resistant to plastic deformation than regular, soft steel. For steel targets, the steel should have a Brinell value of 500 or more. One American producer of steel targets claims to only use steel with a hardness greater than 500, most often between 515-540. They also claim that the steel gets too brittle if higher Brinell values are used. Hardened steel are available in different Brinell values or thicknesses, and stainless variants are also available. A common trademark in USA for hardened steel is AR500.

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