AR500 steel is an abrasion resistant alloy that has a Brinell hardness rating of 500. Available from only a handful of steel mills throughout world, high quality certified AR500 steel is the preferred material for steel targets because of its ability to withstand repeated hits from high velocity, large-caliber handgun and rifle rounds. Depending upon the thickness of the steel shooting target, the caliber and type of ammunition being used and the distance between the shooter and the target, AR500 steel targets can be expected to last a very long time.

There are some metal shooting targets available that sell for just a few dollars. They’re usually made from substandard materials, and most will be useless and possibly even unsafe after being hit 50 or fewer times. Shooting targets made from steel with a Brinell hardness rating of less than 400 are susceptible to pocking, cratering and general deformation, which affects their integrity, shortens their useful lives and can pose a safety threat to the shooter and any nearby observers. These metal shooting targets should be avoided, and only shooting targets made with high quality hardened steel should be used for practice.

Steel targets made from tempered steel with a Brinell hardness number (BHN) of AR500 or higher have been known to sustain more than 10,000 hits. Spartan Armor Systems™ carries a full line of AR500 Steel Targets for sale that are made from the same high quality steel that’s used in our steel core body armor.

Reactive vs. Stationary Steel Targets

Target shooting can also be a lot of fun, and especially so when reactive steel targets are used. When hit, reactive AR500 steel targets will clang, spin, tumble or turn. Unlike paper or other single-use targets, AR500 steel targets won’t shatter or spread debris, which makes cleaning up fast and easy. AR500 steel targets can also be reused multiple times. When securely anchored and positioned at a 20° downward angle, the splatter that results from a bullet striking a hardened steel target will be deflected down and away from the shooter. A safe distance, however, must also be maintained between the shooter and a steel target. The distance will vary, depending on the bullet’s caliber, jacket type, weight and muzzle velocity. As a general guideline, safe distances for firing at 3/8” steel targets is at least 15 yards for most handguns and 100 yards or more for non-armor piercing rifle rounds of up to .30-06 caliber traveling at less than 2,700 fps.

Spartan Armor Systems carries a full selection of reactive and stationary AR500 steel targets. They can be ordered both fully assembled (welded) and in kit versions (unwelded) for DIYers. Sold under Spartan’s The Target Man™ brand, examples of our AR500 steel targets include the Heads Up model and the Dueling Tree target, which is also available in a version made from AR550 steel. We additionally carry an extensive selection of AR550 steel target replacement components and add-ons. To learn more about Spartan Armor Systems AR500 steel targets, check out this blog from our archives.

Find Your Shooting Targets with Spartan Armor Systems

For more information about Spartan Armor Systems’ AR500 steel shooting targets, body armor or any of our other quality products, call us at 520-396-3335 or contact us online. Shipping is always free, and military personnel, law enforcement officers and first responders receive a 10% discount on all Spartan products.