No, no, *steel* plates...
With respect, Ledbetter, I have to wonder just what kind of plates your range has?
I regularly shoot .40SW FMJ (155gr and 180gr) and 9mm NATO FMJ (DNL?) at 3/8" mild steel plates, which I bought for about $10 each. These have survived thousands of rounds with no deformation due to handgun bullet impact.
.223 is a different matter..
-z