When it comes to rifle shooting, choosing the correct target is crucial for improving your accuracy and ensuring a safe and enjoyable shooting experience. From recreational shooters to professionals, understanding the types of targets that are ideal for rifle shooting is essential to maximize performance while maintaining safety.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the various types of shooting targets, their benefits, and important safety considerations.
What Kinds of Targets Are Ideal for Rifle Shooting
The ideal targets for rifle shooting depend on your goals and shooting style. Steel targets, particularly AR500 steel targets, are excellent long-term choices because they withstand high-caliber rifle impacts and provide immediate feedback with a satisfying “ping” sound. However, it’s important to note that distance can greatly impact the sound which echoes back to the shooter.
Paper and cardboard targets are inexpensive and easy to replace, making them great for shooting and sighting in your rifle! Reactive targets, such as spinning or pop-up targets, are perfect for dynamic shooting practice, simulating real-world scenarios and adding a fun challenge to your training. Each target type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your shooting preferences.
Steel Shooting Targets for Rifles: Durable and Reusable
Steel shooting targets for rifles are among the most popular choices among shooters. These targets can be used repeatedly without significant damage, providing a satisfying 'ping' upon impact. However, it's vital to understand that while AR500 steel targets offer reliability, they can still be punctured by high-velocity rounds at close distances. For optimal performance, shooters should evaluate their targets after a few rounds, especially when firing at distances over 100 yards with rounds greater than.556/.223 rounds.
View This - 12" Round EchoGong Steel Target
Is It Safe to Shoot Steel Targets?
Many shooters wonder about the safety of shooting steel targets. If done correctly, the answer is yes. When shooting steel targets, safety is paramount; choosing the right type of steel, maintaining a safe distance, and angling the target to prevent ricochets are essential. AR500 steel targets are designed to withstand repeated impacts from high-powered rounds without deforming, minimizing the risk of dangerous ricochets. It’s advisable to keep a distance of at least 100 yards or more for rifle shooting to stay safe from bullet fragments.
How to Hang Steel Targets Properly
Properly hanging steel targets is crucial for enhancing safety and improving your shooting experience. When suspending targets, bullet fragments should be directed toward the ground. Angling steel targets slightly downward is a common practice that helps achieve this. Many shooters use chains to hang the targets a little forward, which assists in bullet deflection, making your shooting session safer and more enjoyable.
Paper and Cardboard Targets: Cost-Effective and Versatile
For those looking for more affordable options, paper and cardboard targets are very inexpensive for rifle shooting. These targets are easy to set up, cost-effective, and perfect for zeroing in your rifle scope or sights. However, they aren't as durable as steel targets and need to be replaced after each shooting session. You can't hear when the bullet hits the paper target, so the shooter doesn't know what shot was which, when they review the target later. This is why most shooters have transformed to steel targets.
View This - 24" Circle Shooting EchoGong Steel Target
Reactive Targets: Interactive and Fun
Reactive targets add an interactive element to shooting, moving or reacting when hit. Examples include spinning targets, poppers, and self-resetting targets. These targets improve practice by encouraging speed and accuracy. However, they may not withstand high-caliber rifle rounds as effectively as steel targets and thus are more appropriate for pistol shooting.
Firing Range Targets: Ideal for Precision Shooting
Firing range targets are designed for those honing their precision. These targets feature clear markings for tight grouping and accuracy, often including bullseyes, grids, and numbered rings. They are typically used in competitions and training sessions, helping marksmen assess their accuracy over time.
AR500 Steel Targets: The Gold Standard for Rifle Shooting
AR500 steel targets are among the best on the market for reliable, long-lasting performance. Made from high-quality steel, they can endure impacts from high-velocity rounds, resisting wear and tear from continuous shooting. For optimal durability and performance, consider testing your targets after a few rounds, especially at longer or distances, to ensure they remain in good condition. Over time you should be able to determine which shooting distance is best for each round.
Choosing the Best Rifle for Target Shooting
While this guide focuses primarily on targets, the type of rifle you select also impacts your shooting experience. Consider factors such as stability, accuracy, and reliability when choosing the best rifle for target shooting. Common choices include bolt-action rifles for precision shooting and semi-automatics for quicker target acquisition. Properly matching your rifle with the right target setup can significantly enhance your shooting performance. The most popular rifle in America is the AR-15 using either .556 or .223 rounds.
Key Safety Tips for Shooting Steel Targets
Safety is paramount in any shooting activity. When using steel targets for rifle shooting, follow these essential safety tips:
- Understand what is in the background of your shooting range. Bullets can travel a long way and will do very destructive damage to people, animals, homes, cars and tractors. Always look at what you could hit before you shoot.
- Maintain a safe distance from bullet fragments, usually a minimum of 100 yards for rifles, much less for pistols.
- Ensure the target is angled downward to direct bullet fragments toward the ground.
- Use the proper steel thickness (at least ¼” inch AR500 for rifles) to prevent over-penetration or damage.
- Avoid firing steel core or armor-piercing rounds, as they can harm the target and increase ricochet risks.
View This - 12" Stop Sign EchoGong Steel Target
Conclusion
Durable AR500 steel targets offer unique advantages for various shooting styles and goals. While many shooters appreciate steel targets for their durability and immediate feedback, it’s crucial to prioritize safety by adhering to common setups and shooting safety distances.
Ready to upgrade your shooting gear? Explore a wide range of premium steel rifle targets at EchoGong and enhance your shooting experience today!
FAQs
What Type of Steel Is Used for Rifle Targets?
The most commonly used steels for rifle targets are AR500. AR stands for Abrasion Resistant, with the numbers indicating the hardness level. AR500 steel targets are ideal for long-range shooting, particularly against high-caliber ammunition.
What Ammo Is Best for Steel Targets?
The type of ammo you choose is as important as the target itself. Most shooters prefer full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds, as they create less fragmentation and reduce wear on the target, providing clean and predictable results when shooting at steel.
Can You Use Mild Steel for Targets?
While mild steel is cheaper, it’s not recommended for high-velocity rifle shooting. It can dent, bend, and become unsafe after repeated impacts. For safety reasons, sticking to AR500 steel targets is advisable, as they are designed for durability and resistance to impact.Should you need more protection to your targets, AR550 can be used.
How Thick Should Steel Targets Be?
The thickness of your steel target depends on the firearm and ammo used. For rifle shooting, a thickness of at least 1/4 inch AR500 steel is generally recommended, as it can handle most rifle rounds, including higher calibers, without risking penetration or unsafe deformations. Some higher rounds might require AR550 with 1/4 inch or greater thickness.
Who Makes The Best Targets?
While many companies make good quality AR500 Targets in different shapes, sizes, and designs, only EchoGong targets have been made to meet all the standards above and are acoustical and visual targets. These gongs can be heard as far as 718 yards,so far. EchoGong.com is the exclusive manufacturer of 12” and 24” gongs, in both round and octagon shapes. When your bullet hits the target it is reactive and you can see where you hit it by te way the paint pops off. In addition, you will hear it hit the target and depending on where you hit the target, different sounds will echo back to you telling you where you hit the target. This is revolutionary and most likely will alter how people look at steel target shooting in the future.