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Steel Targets for Hunting: Sharpen Your Skills Year-Round

By September 8, 2025No Comments3 min read

Why practice with your hunting rifle in the off-season? Because hunting isn’t just about being in the right place at the right time—it’s about being ready. Like any skill, shooting requires consistent practice to stay sharp. And as hunters, we carry the responsibility of making quick, clean, ethical kills. That means every shot needs both accuracy and precision — skills that don’t come without putting in the time behind the trigger.

Train the Way You Hunt

To build confidence and consistency, spend time practicing with the exact rifle and load you plan to hunt with. That said, for most sessions, you can save on ammo by mixing in more economical rounds, such as .223 or even .22LR. Just remember: at least some of your practice should be with your hunting setup so nothing feels unfamiliar when the moment of truth comes.

Position matters too. If you use shooting sticks for elk, practice with shooting sticks. If you typically shoot prone or off a pack, make sure your training reflects that. The goal is simple—practice how you’ll actually hunt.

Why Steel Targets Are Essential

Paper targets are fine for sighting in, but steel gong targets bring a level of feedback and realism that paper just can’t match. ShootSteel recommends using a target that’s slightly smaller than the vital zone of the animal you’re pursuing. Here’s why:

  1. Practice conditions are easier than real hunts. You’ll likely be shooting in good weather, off a bench, at known distances.
  2. Stress isn’t the same. In the field, your heart will be racing, and conditions won’t be perfect. Training with a smaller target builds the margin of error you’ll need when it counts.

Size Recommendations

  • Deer: 6″ Gong
  • Elk: 10″ Gong
  • Moose: 12″ Gong

To up the challenge, vary your distances. Unknown or variable range practice is especially valuable if you expect to take longer shots.

Gear We Recommend

Bottom line: Off-season training with steel targets doesn’t just make you a better
shooter—it makes you a more prepared and ethical hunter. By replicating real-world
conditions and dialing in your skills year-round, you’ll step into hunting season ready for
whatever shot presents itself.