Steel Targets for Hunting Practice???

[CjMelendrez]

I have lots of time this winter for shooting and getting more comfortable behind my gun. Aside from taking classes, which aren't happening until next summer, are steel targets (4-6 inch squares or circles) good for practice? Or am I better off shooting paper and working on groups?

Thanks for any tips or advice.

 

[Tmac]

Some of both. Paper to zero. Then paper to verify rifle is still on as needed or just cause. Lots of steel or varmints once zero’d is how I roll.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Steel targets you can see bullet splashes on (if you give them fresh paint) which provides feedback at hundreds of yards where paper you can't see.

Get yourself a 12" square or such in addition to smaller ones in case you're missing the small ones and what to see why.

 

[24valve]

Thread 'Equipment versus practice posts and Rifle practice/shooting'

Mar 31, 2020

This isn’t in response to anyone I particular, but there is an up tick in the amount of “I want a XXXX distance hunting rifle” traffic the last few months. I am getting a lot of questions relating to this, which I do not mind helping, but thought a public post might help answer some questions. It’s an attempt to get to actually using your rifles.


People online tend to act like 600/800/whatever yards is a rifle, cartridge and BDC scope purchase away. When someone asks for advice, or says I’m building an -insert whatever rifle/cartridge you want-, people are discussing hardware not...

• Formidilosus
• Replies: 787
• Forum: Firearms

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[83cj-7]

This is the best target I’ve ever used for hunting practice. Full size deer which I have setup for 100 to 750 yard practice at my family property. Great way to learn shooting in wind and learning limitations.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Steel targets were recommended to me when I started working more with a handgun for hunting.

You're not likely shooting MOA from a field position with a handgun but if you can ding an 8" steel, you're making a vital shot.

I do sight in/load testing on paper and practice on steel

 

[CjMelendrez]

anyone have a favorite brand of steel for rifle practice?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

anyone have a favorite brand of steel for rifle practice?

3/8" AR500 plates, lots of ebay/etsy/other type options, just read reviews. You don't need to spend extra on a "brand", use the savings to buy spray paint.

I got some 12" squares off etsy but that seller isn't listing them anymore.
I've got some 12" gongs from here also, they take a rifle round at distance fine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363512296525

I can't recall where I got my smaller plates from years ago.

 

[24valve]

anyone have a favorite brand of steel for rifle practice?

They have sales frequently and the gongs are pretty cheap when they do

Dragon Targets

dragontargets.com

 

[24valve]

This is the best target I’ve ever used for hunting practice. Full size deer which I have setup for 100 to 750 yard practice at my family property. Great way to learn shooting in wind and learning limitations.

Is the entire body steel or just the vitals?

 

[Dave0317]

Thread 'Equipment versus practice posts and Rifle practice/shooting'

Mar 31, 2020

This isn’t in response to anyone I particular, but there is an up tick in the amount of “I want a XXXX distance hunting rifle” traffic the last few months. I am getting a lot of questions relating to this, which I do not mind helping, but thought a public post might help answer some questions. It’s an attempt to get to actually using your rifles.


People online tend to act like 600/800/whatever yards is a rifle, cartridge and BDC scope purchase away. When someone asks for advice, or says I’m building an -insert whatever rifle/cartridge you want-, people are discussing hardware not...

• Formidilosus
• Replies: 787
• Forum: Firearms

• 

This.

Paper to zero. Then go into this thread and do the stuff on paper until you are decent at the drill and the positions. Then buy some steel to shoot at distance.

 

[Vern400]

anyone have a favorite brand of steel for rifle practice?

Tactical scorpion gear.
If you just want to buy steel. Not a name brand, not a paint job. Just plain old 3/8 in ar500. Can't remember if I used Amazon or ebay or whether I went direct to their website. I set my range up with six, eight, 10 inch circles out to 200 yards and then use the half scale 10x20 in targets for 300 400 500. My closest steel Target for large rifle is 200 yd.
I have some smaller ones for rimfire.

I shoot tons of water containers. Milk jug, protein powder jugs, anything that will hold water. I practice with my hunting ammunition. And rifle.

 

[Dave0317]

anyone have a favorite brand of steel for rifle practice?

The further out you put it, and the milder the rounds, the less it matters.

So, I buy cheap stuff. But I’m not shooting my steel at very high volume.

 

[83cj-7]

@24valve

The whole target is AR500

 

[TaperPin]

Get what you enjoy shooting.

As an improvement tool, nothing beats paper. You can look back to last month to see your groups, but most can’t remember their groups on steel from the previous day. Steel also stays put, while it’s easy to move paper around.

A big stack of 10” white paper plates goes a long way. I’ve always used that size as the kill zone and at any given range and shooting position you can either hit it consistently or not. Personally I’ve gotten the most use out of them when I can hit them ten out of ten times, move it out further so the hit rate is around 8 out of ten times, repeat as needed.

Also don’t overlook a basic cardboard box. A 20” box is about top to bottom of a mule deer.

 

[EdP]

Gongs are a lot more fun to shoot than paper plates but TaperPin makes some good points.

 

[Bluumoon]

anyone have a favorite brand of steel for rifle practice?

I got to the metal recycling place and have them cut scrap 1/2' steel to whatever size/shape I want, also have them burn 2 holes to hang with scrap barb wire. Dirt cheap. Set them up at different ranges and shoot them from different positions.

I'm spoiled in that I can shoot off the back porch, I have 10" steel at 200/300/450/700 . 200/300/450 get a lot of action shooting off hand/standing supported/ seated/ seated off pack/ seated with sticks up front/ seated with stick and pack/ etc. Also makes zeroing and verifying zeros quick, zero on paper at 100, walk it out to 700.

 

[BLJ]

This is the best target I’ve ever used for hunting practice. Full size deer which I have setup for 100 to 750 yard practice at my family property. Great way to learn shooting in wind and learning limitations.

Over/under $1k??

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I'm spoiled in that I can shoot off the back porch, I have 10" steel at 200/300/450/700 . 200/300/450 get a lot of action shooting off hand/standing supported/ seated/ seated off pack/ seated with sticks up front/ seated with stick and pack/ etc. Also makes zeroing and verifying zeros quick, zero on paper at 100, walk it out to 700.

SO jealous.

Practice and load dev purposes.

I gotta generally drive 90min to shoot. I have taken out my camper with reloading gear when working up a new load at times just to expedite the process.

 

[BLJ]

They have sales frequently and the gongs are pretty cheap when they do

Dragon Targets

dragontargets.com

Good luck with these?
Using a 308 past 100. Thanks.