If you use a SX or other type of varmit slug in a .223 at that range it will shoot better than the ball rounds and just turn into a puff of fluff when it hits. You do not get a round bouncing off anything with that type of bullet but everything close to it looks like it got pumped full of birdshot.
Ricochet Question - need opinions.
- Thread starter yankytrash
- Start date
Under 50 yards with a rifle is definitely hazardous and I don't know the distance it would be safe since ricochets are so unpredictable. Some years ago, I saw a patient in the emergency room who had shot a steel plate at 50 yards and came in because "the ricochet made a hole in his t-shirt"! X-Rays, however, showed what turned out to be the metal jacket of the bullet inside the abdomen. This required exploratory surgery to determine if there was bowel injury which, surprisingly enough, there was none.
It was never clear to me why his complaint was a "hole in the t-shirt" and not about the pain and blood in his side. He had denied feeling the bullet hit his hide and was only concerned about his t-shirt--in an emergency room?
I'm nearly 50 years out of med school and have concluded no two of us are alike!
It was never clear to me why his complaint was a "hole in the t-shirt" and not about the pain and blood in his side. He had denied feeling the bullet hit his hide and was only concerned about his t-shirt--in an emergency room?
I'm nearly 50 years out of med school and have concluded no two of us are alike!
Forgive me if some of the following has been said, but as an "early days" member of the IHMSA I would like to offer the following:
*The steel plates must be hardened, or they "dish" which can throw the lead back at you. It takes harder steel for rifle targets than for pistol. Although Silhouette hand guns tend to get a might powerful in their own right.
*Pistol targets "can be" safe as close as 25 yards,
*But rifle targets should be at least 100 yards away.
*NEVER use FMJ ammo! The idea is to have your round "explode" upon impact & thus using up all its energy.
*Ringers (swinging targets) are safe & fun, if far enough away from the shooter. Most people keep them at least 75 or 100 yards as a minmum. But once again, it is no good if the impact of the bullet "dishes" out the face of the plate.
& of course SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!
k
*The steel plates must be hardened, or they "dish" which can throw the lead back at you. It takes harder steel for rifle targets than for pistol. Although Silhouette hand guns tend to get a might powerful in their own right.
*Pistol targets "can be" safe as close as 25 yards,
*But rifle targets should be at least 100 yards away.
*NEVER use FMJ ammo! The idea is to have your round "explode" upon impact & thus using up all its energy.
*Ringers (swinging targets) are safe & fun, if far enough away from the shooter. Most people keep them at least 75 or 100 yards as a minmum. But once again, it is no good if the impact of the bullet "dishes" out the face of the plate.
& of course SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!
k
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
At one time I had some hanging plates which were not slanted. There were two cases of bounce-back with .357s at about 25 yards. Both "thumps" were non-penetrating stomach hits.
IMO, plates should have some slope to help direct bullets downward, and non-jacketed bullets are less likely to bounce back.
I was startled to find that light or squib loads will bounce back off hard wood. "Decent" RR cross-ties, for instance, or some of the hard woods used for freight pallets.
FWIW, Art
IMO, plates should have some slope to help direct bullets downward, and non-jacketed bullets are less likely to bounce back.
I was startled to find that light or squib loads will bounce back off hard wood. "Decent" RR cross-ties, for instance, or some of the hard woods used for freight pallets.
FWIW, Art
Jack Straw
New member
I wouldn't get carried away making all sorts of targets until you have had a chance to try out the quality of your steel. I had a buddy to cut me two 8" circles out of 1/2" steel. I made one into a spinning target and tried it out at 100 yards with .308, .30-06, and .45-70. After about 10 rounds the frame came apart ending the fun. When I went to pick up the pieces I found that the hollow point .45-70 round just made a tiny ding in the plate, but the .30 calibers went right on through. I decided to turn the other plate into a pistol target (which works great).
I came across www.metaltargets.com and dropped enough hints to my sister just before Christmas; thankfully she was able to take a hint
. Mine is a 6" single spin high velocity model. They suggest a minimum of 50 yds for their rifle targets. I haven't strayed from their advice and have had absolutely zero problems with ricochets (I will continue to wear glasses, regardless).
A steel rifle target can really stir up some friendly competition at a hunting camp (at least at mine it does) which is good practice and a lot of fun for everyone. I think reactive targets are great practice for hunters because it gets them off the sandbags and shows them how well they really can shoot in typical hunting positions. The number of guys whose rifle is "dead-on at 100yds" yet who can't make that plate sing and dance consistently at 50 yds without a bench under them would really surprise you.
Anyway, my point is to check out the metal and your particular target design. It might take a few tries to find a design that works the way you want it to. If you are like me you'll wind up making several different ones of various sizes and styles; I'm just limited to making pistol targets because of the softness of my materials. They're still a blast to play with!
Be safe and enjoy.
Jack
I came across www.metaltargets.com and dropped enough hints to my sister just before Christmas; thankfully she was able to take a hint
. Mine is a 6" single spin high velocity model. They suggest a minimum of 50 yds for their rifle targets. I haven't strayed from their advice and have had absolutely zero problems with ricochets (I will continue to wear glasses, regardless).A steel rifle target can really stir up some friendly competition at a hunting camp (at least at mine it does) which is good practice and a lot of fun for everyone. I think reactive targets are great practice for hunters because it gets them off the sandbags and shows them how well they really can shoot in typical hunting positions. The number of guys whose rifle is "dead-on at 100yds" yet who can't make that plate sing and dance consistently at 50 yds without a bench under them would really surprise you.
Anyway, my point is to check out the metal and your particular target design. It might take a few tries to find a design that works the way you want it to. If you are like me you'll wind up making several different ones of various sizes and styles; I'm just limited to making pistol targets because of the softness of my materials. They're still a blast to play with!
Be safe and enjoy.
Jack
Ricochet
Five years ago I was shooting a steel plate competition from 10 yards out. I had a lead slug from a .45 (see pic of ACTUAL culprit) hit me right in the sternum. It was like getting hit with a 50mph baseball! Had a purple/yellow circle for over a week. Woke me up
and I gained respect for the power of the damn things. Made me glad I was wearing eye-protection because it wasn't far from the eyes.
I see some guys firing .308's and bigger into 25 yard pistol-berms and it makes me a wee bit nervous. You should be OK if you make sure the target gives or is set at an angle.
Jack
Five years ago I was shooting a steel plate competition from 10 yards out. I had a lead slug from a .45 (see pic of ACTUAL culprit) hit me right in the sternum. It was like getting hit with a 50mph baseball! Had a purple/yellow circle for over a week. Woke me up
and I gained respect for the power of the damn things. Made me glad I was wearing eye-protection because it wasn't far from the eyes.I see some guys firing .308's and bigger into 25 yard pistol-berms and it makes me a wee bit nervous. You should be OK if you make sure the target gives or is set at an angle.
Jack
yankytrash
New member
OK guys, I thought I'd drag this thread up from the dead.
Got those targets made up and have shot them on 3 different shooting sessions now.
I set them up so they were at an approximate 20 degree angle toward the ground, at distances of 70-130 yards.
Up to this point, I've shot them with 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54R, 308, and 223, to name the significant bullets.
On the first time out, I found out that the 1"x1" angle I used to support the targets was inadequate, to say the least, when I missed and hit the support structures. I immediately brought the targets back to the shop and re-vamped them with 1/2" flat steel.
Other than that, the targets work great. I have yet to find a caliber that will dent the 5/8" thick bush-hog blades. The flat steel doesn't fair as well, but I'd say they'll last for at least 30 'misses', at least.
Up to this point, ricochets have been non-existant at the yardages I've used them at. I actually find the combloc bullet shrapnel(sp?) lying on the ground all around the targets. As I improve, the distance to the targets will only get greater, so I think ricochets can be ruled out as a problem at 70+ yards.
Just thought I'd share.
Got those targets made up and have shot them on 3 different shooting sessions now.
I set them up so they were at an approximate 20 degree angle toward the ground, at distances of 70-130 yards.
Up to this point, I've shot them with 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54R, 308, and 223, to name the significant bullets.
On the first time out, I found out that the 1"x1" angle I used to support the targets was inadequate, to say the least, when I missed and hit the support structures. I immediately brought the targets back to the shop and re-vamped them with 1/2" flat steel.
Other than that, the targets work great. I have yet to find a caliber that will dent the 5/8" thick bush-hog blades. The flat steel doesn't fair as well, but I'd say they'll last for at least 30 'misses', at least.
Up to this point, ricochets have been non-existant at the yardages I've used them at. I actually find the combloc bullet shrapnel(sp?) lying on the ground all around the targets. As I improve, the distance to the targets will only get greater, so I think ricochets can be ruled out as a problem at 70+ yards.
Just thought I'd share.