3/8" AR500 42" Pepper Popper with base

The 42" USPSA Pepper Popper is cut to official full-size USPSA Popper Target specifications, giving competitive shooters, law enforcement instructors and military marksmanship programs a match-accurate target that trains the way you compete. The 3/8" AR500 steel plate stands 42" tall with a 12" diameter scoring circle and is built to drop clean on a solid hit and tip right back up for the next run.

Two features set this popper apart from standard fall-down targets. First, the plate includes cutouts below the scoring zone that reduce surface area and dramatically lower wind resistance, keeping the target upright in conditions that would topple a full-panel design. Second, a bottom adjustment bolt lets you dial in target sensitivity and resistance to match your training load or stage requirements. Pre-drilled eye bolt holes allow you to rig the popper as a swinger trigger, connecting it to other steel targets for linked activation sequences. Eye bolt not included.

The 9.25" x 32" zinc-plated base includes four 1/2" stake holes for firm anchoring on any terrain. The longer base footprint compared to our 28" model adds stability at the greater height. The base is zinc plated for weather resistance through seasons of outdoor use. The target plate ships raw for easy repainting between sessions. All mounting hardware is included and the target ships ready to assemble. Not sure which thickness is right for your cartridge? Consult our Cartridge Guide.

What's Included

• (1) 42" USPSA pepper popper silhouette, 3/8" AR500 steel, CNC laser-cut, 12" scoring circle
• (1) 9.25" x 32" 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, eye bolt

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. This popper is cut to official full-size USPSA Popper Target specifications with a 42" height and 12" diameter scoring circle. Training on match-accurate dimensions means your stage reads, shot placement and activation timing carry over directly to competition. For the full USPSA competition rulebook, visit uspsa.org.

What are the cutouts below the scoring zone for?
The cutouts remove steel from the lower panel of the target, reducing the surface area that wind pushes against. A full-panel popper at 42" presents a significant wind load that can tip the target before a shot is fired. The cutout design keeps the target standing in conditions where a solid-panel version would not, without affecting the scoring zone or the fall-down action.

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 targets that reset without walking downrange, see our reactive target section.

What does the adjustment bolt do?
The bottom adjustment bolt lets you tune the target's sensitivity and resistance to impact. Back it off to make the target more responsive to lighter handgun rounds, or tighten it for heavier loads or windier conditions. One target that performs consistently across a range of calibers and environments without swapping parts.

Can this popper be used as a swinger trigger?
Yes. The plate includes pre-drilled holes sized for eye bolts, allowing you to link this popper to other steel targets and create activated swinger sequences. When the popper falls, it triggers the connected target. Eye bolt not included.

How is this different from the 28" Pepper Popper?
This is the full-size USPSA Popper Target at 42" with a 12" scoring circle and a longer 32" base for added stability at height. The 28" model is built to USPSA Mini Popper dimensions and suits tighter ranges or multi-target arrays where a smaller profile is preferred. Both use the same 3/8" AR500 plate, zinc-plated base and manual tip-up reset.

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. For higher-powered rifle cartridges, see our 1/2" AR500 target options.

Why is the base zinc plated while the target ships raw?
The base sits close to the ground where moisture exposure is highest. Zinc plating provides lasting corrosion resistance through years of outdoor use. The target face ships raw because it gets repainted before every session to track impacts, making a plated finish unnecessary on the plate itself.

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.