Steel Targets for Hunting Practice???

[Slickhill]

I make my own steel targets and rarely shoot paper. I usually load a bunch of ammo and check zeros on a cardboard box and never shoot paper again for the year unless something is acting wacky or a change loads or scopes.

I probably have 2 dozen plates scattered around the place and can move them and or my shooting position to get 3/4 of a mile or more if I wanted to. Most generally I shoot from field positions from 200-500 as that’s about the practical limit of my equipment and personal limit on game.

The real practice for shooting game is pigs. Nothing beats the real thing and you gain the benefit of terminal performance notes.

 

[justinspicher]

I turn my C zone sized IPSC steel targets sideways to represent kill zones on mammals. It’s pretty humbling.

I also shoot a lot of pdogs.

 

[waspocrew]

Paper for zero, but I prefer steel and fur for practice.

We have steel targets out to 1000 at our ranch. To keep it challenging, we have some larger targets but also 1.5 MOA targets at most distances.

Prairie dogs are great, but rock chucks are my favorite. I walk a canyon and find them sunning themselves up in rocks. It’s great positional practice with my tripod.

 

[24valve]

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

Yep, so far the only issue I've had with them was some cratering with 55gr fmj's at 100 yards, but no issues with 223 up to 7 mag/30-06 at distances past that

 

[fwafwow]

Thanks for this thread. Hoping this isn't a hijack, but I'm looking for steel target options for a buddy as a gift. (The same guy I posted directional signage about - an idea I'm shelving.) Since it's a gift, I don't want DIY. (And I don't want to by the DIY'er either.)

I'm looking at reactive steel ground targets. After assembled, something easy to put out in a field and then remove. I looked at ShootSteel Popper Targets and then I found Atlas Targetworks. - including this full size deer Targets (which makes me ask if SR500 is better than AR500).

Thoughts?

 

[wpeach1912]

Thanks for this thread. Hoping this isn't a hijack, but I'm looking for steel target options for a buddy as a gift. (The same guy I posted directional signage about - an idea I'm shelving.) Since it's a gift, I don't want DIY. (And I don't want to by the DIY'er either.)

I'm looking at reactive steel ground targets. After assembled, something easy to put out in a field and then remove. I looked at ShootSteel Popper Targets and then I found Atlas Targetworks. - including this full size deer Targets (which makes me ask if SR500 is better than AR500).

Thoughts?

I made a deer vitals from their rough dimensions on CAD with a slot for the MGM MLS target hanger then sent it to send cut send to be made out of AR500. I use it with the MGM 2x4 topper and base and it works pretty well

 

[fwafwow]

I made a deer vitals from their rough dimensions on CAD with a slot for the MGM MLS target hanger then sent it to send cut send to be made out of AR500. I use it with the MGM 2x4 topper and base and it works pretty well

You sir are better than me. That's DIY with real tools. But thanks!

 

[K9kodi]

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.

I’d assume if you had small enough steel, you’d still be working on groupings right?

I’m not sure the bullet cares what you shoot at or it hits. If your shooting sub moa on papers it won’t change on steel. Why are you not comfortable behind the gun?

 

[Pharmseller]

I made a deer vitals from their rough dimensions on CAD with a slot for the MGM MLS target hanger then sent it to send cut send to be made out of AR500. I use it with the MGM 2x4 topper and base and it works pretty well

What were your dimensions for the deer vitals?

 

[wpeach1912]

What were your dimensions for the deer vitals?

I can just DM you the CAD file. They showed the height and width on their website, and I just made a rectangle then some arcs inside until it looked right.

ETA: if you just want one target, it’s pretty expensive through Send cut send. It’s reasonable for 10 though

 

[Tahoe1305]

Used this for my kids to practice. Worked great and was easy.

Steel plate behind cardboard silhouette. Trains the aim point but also provides limited miss feedback. A hit is audible.

 

[Pharmseller]

I can just DM you the CAD file. They showed the height and width on their website, and I just made a rectangle then some arcs inside until it looked right.

ETA: if you just want one target, it’s pretty expensive through Send cut send. It’s reasonable for 10 though

I ain’t smart like that with all the book-learning and sech. Just lookin’ fer a rough estimation, like.

 

[wpeach1912]

I ain’t smart like that with all the book-learning and sech. Just lookin’ fer a rough estimation, like.

It's 11.25" tall and 12.375" wide the rest I just roughly made with the arc tool on Onshape (free online CAD). The mounting hole is 6" from the right side and 8.75" from the bottom. The hole dimensions are .760" wide and .570" tall with 1/8" radius on the corners.

 

[Pharmseller]

It's 11.25" tall and 12.375" wide the rest I just roughly made with the arc tool on Onshape (free online CAD). The mounting hole is 6" from the right side and 8.75" from the bottom. The hole dimensions are .760" wide and .570" tall with 1/8" radius on the corners.

View attachment 997868

Thanks, that looks great!