3/8"AR500 - 28" Pepper Popper with base

The 28" Pepper Popper is built to official USPSA Mini Popper dimensions so every rep you put in translates directly to match performance. Cut from 3/8" AR500 steel and mounted to a 9.25" x 24" zinc-plated base, this is the fall-down target that serious competitors, law enforcement instructors and military marksmanship programs trust for authentic stage training. Hit it and it drops flat. Walk it up and go again.

At 29 lbs complete, this system is substantial enough to stay planted in wind while remaining manageable for solo setup and takedown. The zinc-plated base includes four 1/2" stake holes so you can pin it firmly to any terrain. A bottom adjustment bolt lets you dial in target sensitivity and resistance to match your training goals or the conditions of a specific stage. The target plate ships raw for easy repainting between sessions while the zinc-plated base handles seasons of outdoor exposure without rust. All mounting hardware is included and the target ships ready to assemble.

Pair it with round gongs, static plates or our other popper sizes to build multi-target USPSA-style arrays that demand transitions, accountability and accurate hits under time pressure. Not sure which thickness is right for your cartridge? Consult our Cartridge Guide.

What's Included

• (1) 28" pepper popper silhouette target, 3/8" AR500 steel, CNC laser-cut
• (1) 9.25" x 24" zinc-plated steel base with four 1/2" stake holes and bottom adjustment bolt
• All mounting hardware included, ships ready to assemble
• Not included: Paint, stakes

Safety and Usage

Minimum shooting distances:

• Centerfire handgun: 10 yards minimum
• Centerfire rifle at or below 3,000 fps muzzle velocity: 100 yards minimum; increase distance if pitting is observed
• Maximum rated caliber: .308 Win / 6.5 Creedmoor

Always use quality eye and ear protection. Inspect the target and base before every session. Replace any component that shows cratering, severe pitting or structural damage. Repaint regularly to track impacts and monitor surface health.

FAQs

Is this target built to official USPSA dimensions?
Yes. The 28" Pepper Popper is built to official USPSA Mini Popper specifications. Training on a target that matches competition dimensions means your stage reads, transitions and shot placement decisions carry over directly to match day. For the full USPSA competition rulebook, visit uspsa.org.

How does this target reset?
This is a manual tip-up target. A solid hit drops it flat, giving you a clear visual and audible confirmation that the shot counted. To reset, walk downrange, tip it upright and continue. For a target that resets without walking downrange, see our Static Pepper Popper.

What does the adjustment bolt do?
The bottom adjustment bolt lets you tune the target's sensitivity and resistance to impact. Tighten it to increase resistance for heavier loads or windy conditions, or back it off to make the target more responsive to lighter handgun rounds. This gives you one target that works across a wider range of drills and calibers without swapping components.

How is this different from the 22" Mini Pepper Popper?
Both targets use the same 3/8" AR500 plate, zinc-plated base and manual tip-up reset. The 28" model is built to official USPSA Mini Popper dimensions and weighs 29 lbs complete, making it the right choice for competition-accurate training. The 22" is a scaled-down option better suited for tighter ranges, multi-target arrays or shooters who want a smaller hit zone to increase drill difficulty.

What calibers is this target rated for?
Centerfire handguns and centerfire rifles up to .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor at the distances listed above.

Why is the base zinc plated while the target ships raw?
The base sits close to the ground where moisture exposure is highest, so zinc plating provides meaningful corrosion resistance through years of outdoor range use. The target face ships raw because it gets repainted before every session to track impacts. A plated finish on the base outlasts paint in that environment.

Does it ship painted?
No. The target plate ships as bare steel. White and bright orange provide the best downrange visibility.

Is this product made in the United States?
Yes. Our targets are manufactured in the United States.

Do you warranty your products?
Yes. We stand behind our products.

Personal and Recreational Use

• Target plates: covered against manufacturing and material defects for 90 days from date of delivery
• Welds: covered for 1 year from date of delivery
• Coverage includes weld integrity, materials and workmanship

Commercial and Range Use

• All components: covered against manufacturing and material defects for 90 days from date of purchase
• Coverage includes weld integrity, materials and workmanship
• Normal wear, pitting, cratering and target face degradation from high-volume or high-impact use are not covered

To qualify for warranty coverage, targets must be used and maintained in accordance with ShootSteel safety and distance guidelines, including:

• No steel-core, armor-piercing or tracer ammunition
• Minimum recommended distances observed at all times
• Targets mounted to ShootSteel specifications

ShootSteel reserves the right to request photos or inspection of any claimed item prior to approval. Misuse and abuse are not covered. Use targets per the safety guidelines on our website and in the included instruction sheet. Need a copy? Email us.

To start a warranty claim, contact customerservice@shootsteel.com with your order number and photos.