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Our Targets

To provide you with a better price our targets are shipped unfinished and unpainted. Typically one side of the target will be cleaned to facilitate a cleaner laser cut. The targets may have mill scale and light surface rust (due to transportation and storage). The mill scale is due to the heat treatment process that AR500 steel goes through to bring the hardness to 500 Bhn.

The majority of our products are made entirely from USA made steel, with a select few products using steel made in North America and Europe. We work with a select few mills that provide what we feel to be the best AR500 available. Not all AR500 is the same, even if it has the same hardness. Each mill has slightly different alloys and heat treatments.

You may hear other target companies claim to use armor plate or ballistic tested steel. We order from mills that provide this service but choose not to have out material tested. The NIJ certification teste test has nothing to do with long term durability and only ensures that the material can withstand a few hits. Our targets are designed to last thousands of hits, not just a few dozen. Keep this in mind when other companies claim to use certified armor.

Target Thickness & Material

1/4” AR400

Designed to handle centerfire handguns up to 45ACP. The 1/4” AR400 works with 38sp, 9mm, 40S&W and similar cartridges. Great for shooters looking for a deal on handgun targets and rimfire targets. For club and training use please see our 3/8” AR500.

3/8” AR500

Designed to handle magnum handguns and rifles up to 308, also great for 223/5.56, 5.45×39, 7.62×39 and similar. These targets will handle rugged everyday handgun use associated with clubs and training.

1/2” AR500

Designed for rugged daily rifle use, including 300 and 338 magnum rifles and dangerous game cartridges.

3/4” AR500

Designed for 50BMG, also works with large 375, 416 and 408 cartridges.

Cartridge Guide

Glossary Of Terms:

  • PCC – Pistol Caliber Carbine
  • Rimfire – Small rimmed cartridges such as .22 LR and .17 HMR
  • Short Action – Small Frame rifle cartridges – Cartridges up to .308 Win
  • Long Action – Large Frame non-magnum cartridges
  • Magnum Cartridges – Large bore or high energy cartridges including pistol and rifle variants
  • Pistol – Handgun with a barrel under 16”
  • Rifle – Shoulder Fired, Barrel 16” or longer

Click to below to expand guides:

Rimfire / Pistol Cartridges

Cartridge Recommended Thickness/Grade Minimum Distance
.22 LR (Pistol) 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.22 LR (Rifle) 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.22 Magnum (Pistol) 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.22 Magnum (Rifle) 1/4” AR400 25 Yards
.17 HMR (Pistol) 1/4” AR400 50 Yards
.17 HMR (Rifle) 1/4” AR400 100 Yards
.380 ACP 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
9mm (Pistol) 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
9mm (PCC) 1/4” AR400 25 Yards
.40 S&W (Pistol) 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.40 S&W (PCC) 1/4” AR400 25 Yards
.45 ACP (Pistol) 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.45 ACP (PCC) 1/4” AR400 25 Yards
10mm (Pistol) 3/8” AR500 25 Yards
10mm (PCC) 3/8” AR500 25 Yards
.45 GAP 1/4” AR400 25 Yards
.357 Sig 3/8” AR500 25 Yards
.38 Special 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.357 Magnum (Pistol) 3/8” AR500 25 Yards
.357 Magnum (Rifle) 3/8” AR500 50 Yards
.44 Special 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.44 Magnum (Pistol) 3/8” AR500 25 Yards
.44 Magnum (Rifle) 3/8” AR500 50 Yards
.45 Long Colt 1/4” AR400 10 Yards
.454 Casull 1/2” AR500 25 Yards
.460 S&W (Pistol) 1/2” AR500 50 Yards
.460 S&W (Rifle) 1/2” AR500 100 Yards
500 S&W (Pistol) 1/2” AR500 50 Yards
500 S&W (Rifle) 1/2” AR500 100 Yards
50 AE 1/2” AR500 25 Yards

Short Action Rifle Cartridges

Cartridge Recommended Thickness/Grade Minimum Distance
17 Remington 3/8” AR500 200 Yards
204 Ruger 3/8” AR500 300 Yards
20 PPC 3/8” AR500 200 Yards
22 Hornet 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
218 Bee 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
221 Remington Fireball 3/8” AR500 150-200 Yards
222 Remington 3/8” AR500 200 Yards
223 Remington 3/8” AR500 100 Yards (16” Barrel)
222 Remington Magnum 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
22 PPC 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
219 Zipper 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
22 Bench Rest (BR) 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
224 Valkyrie 3/8” AR500 200 Yards
224 Weatherby Magnum 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
22-250 Remington 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
220 Swift 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
6mm PPC 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
6mm BR 3/8” AR500 200 Yards
243 Winchester 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
6mm Creedmoor 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
6mm Remington 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
6mm-284 Winchester 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
250 Savage 3/8” AR500 200 Yards
6.5mm Creedmoor 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
260 Remington 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
6.8 Remington SPC 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
270 Winchester Short Magnum(WSM) 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
7mm-08 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum (SAUM) 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
30 M1 Carbine 3/8” AR500 100 Yards

30 BR

3/8” AR500 100 Yards
30-30 Winchester 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
300 Remington SAUM 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
300 WSM 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
308 Winchester 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
32 Winchester Special 3/8” AR500 100 Yards
325 WSM 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
338 Federal 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
35 Remington 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
44-40 Winchester 3/8” AR500 100 Yards

Long Action Rifle Cartridges

CARTRIDGE Recommended Thickness/Grade Minimum Distance
240 Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200+ Yards
6mm-284 Winchester 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
257 Roberts 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
25-06 Remington 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser 3/8” AR500 200 + Yards
6.5-06 A-Square 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
264 Winchester Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
270 Winchester 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
280 Remington 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
30-40 Krag 1/2” AR500 100 + Yards
30-06 Springfield 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
7.62x54r 1/2" AR500 100+ Yards

303 British

1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
8x57 Mauser 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
35 Whelen 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
350 Remington Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
45-70 Government 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
257 Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
270 Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
300 Winchester Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
300 Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
30-378 Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
.338 Lapua Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
338-378 Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
7mm Shooting Times Western (STW) 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
7mm Remington Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
7mm Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
340 Weatherby Magnum 1/2” AR500 200 + Yards
223 WSSM 3/8” AR500 200+ Yards
243 WSSM 1/2” AR500 300 + Yards
25 WSSM 3/8” AR500 200+ Yards

Heavy Rifle Cartridges

CARTRIDGE Recommended Thickness/Grade Minimum Distance
375 CheyTac (Lead Core) 3/4” AR500 300 Yards
375 CheyTac (Brass Solids) 3/4” AR500 400 Yards
408 CheyTac (Lead Core) 3/4” AR500 300 Yards
408 CheyTac (Brass Solids) 3/4” AR500 400 Yards
416 Barrett (Lead Core) 3/4” AR500 300 Yards
416 Barrett (Brass Solids) 3/4” AR500 400 Yards
50 BMG (Ball and Brass Solids) 3/4” AR500 300 Yards
50 BMG Improved 3/4” AR500 400 Yards
50 BMG Armor Piercing/API Not Rated Not Rated

Gong .vs. Static Targets

Static Targets

The static targets are perfect for handguns and short action rifle cartridges. They offer easy setup when compared to a gong target. They work great when hung from a shepherds hook (we don’t recommend this for targets larger than 12”). Shepherds hooks are $5-6 at your local hardware store. The statics also allow for faster follow up shots as the target stops swinging much faster than a gong target. When mounted using a 1/2” carriage bolt the target may be shot repeatedly without waiting.

This is particularly beneficial when practicing double taps. The static targets also work well for 223/5.56 when hung from a shepherds hook. For a more complete setup, take a look at our static stands for the ultimate portable yet stable and robust package. The static targets are not designed to handle more than a .308 Win rifle. If using larger rifles gongs are a better option.

Gong Targets

The gong style targets work well for long action and magnum cartridge rifles. The targets also work well for magnum handguns. The stand on which the target is hung can be designed to withstand heavy use. Take a look at our gong stands for a very rugged yet portable stand.

Our Manufacturing Process

Materials

The majority of our products are made entirely from USA made steel, with a select few products using steel made in North America and Europe. We work with a select few mills that provide what we feel to be the best AR500 available. Not all AR500 is the same, even if it has the same hardness. Each mill has slightly different alloys and heat treatments.

You may hear other target companies claim to use armor plate or ballistic tested steel. We order from mills that provide this service but choose not to have out material tested. The NIJ certification teste test has nothing to do with long term durability and only ensures that the material can withstand a few hits. Our targets are designed to last thousands of hits, not just a few dozen. Keep this in mind when other companies claim to use certified armor.

Cutting Process

When steel is cut heat is generated. Heat is the enemy of hardness. You are essentially annealing the edges of the plate when heated under cutting temperatures, this area is called the heat affected zone (HAZ). The less heat that is induced into the part the smaller the HAZ. Laser cutting uses a highly focused beam of energy to cut through the steel. This introduces very little heat into the part, creating a very small HAZ.

Laser cutting also has low setup costs, often making it more economical that waterjet cutting. Waterjet cutting is an acceptable method for cutting AR500 grade steel. The heat generated in waterjet cutting is minimal due to the large amounts of water flowing over the material.

You may also see other companies using water submerged plasma. This is an economical form of cutting designed for metals such as abrasion resistant steels. Water submerged plasma does generate a HAZ that is greater than any of the previously mentioned methods.

Target Set Up & How-To

Setup

Place the target away from buildings and other objects you wish to keep free from debris. The target will deflect lead and copper at roughly a 20 degree angle. Keep this in mind when choosing a location to place a target. The target must have a proper backstop behind it to stop misplaced shots. Always consider what is beyond the target and place it in a safe direction.

AR500 Steel Targets

For pistol use place the target no closer than 10 yards, magnum cartridges should be used at 25+ yards. For rifle use place the target no closer than 100 yards. When using rifles place the target further away as the muzzle velocity increases. The velocity of the bullet will deteriorate the target more than the weight. High velocity rounds (3000+FPS MV) or magnum cartridges should only be used at longer ranges of 200 yards or more. Always check for damage when setting up for rifle, move the target back if damage occurs.

Safety

Bullet fragments may come towards the shooter and spectators. All persons in the area must have ear and eye protection. Bullet fragments may cause harm to shooters, spectators and objects near the target. Use steel targets at your own risk. Shooting at steel targets can be dangerous and caution must be taken to ensure safety.