Paper targets are generally used to teach marksmanship skills, measure shooting proficiency, and to keep score during annual rifle qualification. Shooting at stationary paper targets can become quite boring and uneventful after awhile. Once the basic rifle training objectives have been met, steel targets can be utilized to further build on center mass speed, accuracy, and longer range shooting techniques.

Prior to purchasing rifle grade steel targets, an agency must consider the type of steel used in the construction of the impact plate, the bullet caliber it is designed for, the mechanical design of the unit, the environment it will be used in, and safety procedures to avoid injury.

Different grades of steel and hardness are used in the construction of impact plates to handle the various bullet calibers fired from handguns, shotguns, and rifles. When researching steel targets for .223 Rem rifle training, the Brinell hardness rating of throughhardened steel must be between 535 and 540 to handle the impact of high velocity rifle bullets.

The steel becomes brittle when the Brinell rating is higher than 540 and too soft if lower than 535. If the steel is brittle or soft, it will result in serious damage to the target when shot by high velocity rifle bullets. This damage can result in cracking, cratering, denting, gouging, pock marking, or penetration of the steel target. The proper rifle grade steel will produce consistent bullet splatter without damaging the impact plate.

Steel is damaged by heat, and high velocity rifle bullets create extreme levels of heat regardless of their caliber. Even frangible ammunition can create high levels of heat because the bullets are lighter, thus having faster muzzle velocities than standard lead core jacketed bullets.

However, handgun and shotgun ammunition will create less heat because they generally travel 1/3 to 1/2 the speed of rifle bullets. Excessive concentrated heat will alter the steel’s hardness properties and result in damage to the target. This is why the Brinell hardness rating of the steel target must be appropriate for rifle use.

The hazard of bullet fragment splash or bounce back can occur due to the mechanical structure of a steel target. If a steel target is positioned stationary at 90-degrees, the bullet’s energy goes directly to weaken that point on the steel when struck. Bullet fragment splash or bounce back is more likely to occur with a non-reactive target positioned at 90-degrees.

A non-reactive steel plate positioned at an angle less than 90- degrees will dissipate a portion of the bullet’s energy upon impact by deflecting it instead of absorbing it. This will reduce any damage to the target and make it last longer. The bullet fragments will also be safely directed downwards into the ground, instead of back at the shooter. If the steel target is designed to be a reactive target that moves when struck, it will also dissipate a portion of the bullet’s energy.

Where the bullet strikes on the steel plate, mounting hardware or stand can also cause bullet fragments to splash or bounce back at the shooter. Steel targets must have a smooth and flat surface for consistent and predictable bullet splatter patterns. It is critical the shooting surface of a steel target is not obstructed by metal brackets, clamps, or bolts that could create unpredictable and unsafe bullet splatter patterns if struck.

To create a safe shooting environment when training with steel targets, manufacturers recommend shooters to use what is called a “standoff” distance from the target. This is the minimum safe distance away from the steel target being shot to avoid fragment splash or bounce back when using conventional rifle ammunition. For most steel target manufacturers this distance is 50 to 100 yard