Some Major Advantages To Steel Targets

The ability to engage a distance target with multiple rounds and know right away what shots were successful and unsuccessful is a major advantage. This gives us the opportunity to critique our stance, trigger control, site alignment and overall fundamentals of accuracy. We now no longer need to move downrange to figure out how many hits or misses we had during the last engagement as this will be required for paper targets. In addition to that, when assessing our shots on paper we don’t know the order of our shots to know if our first shot was a bad one or if it was the last. We can only see where the hits and misses went.  

To negate some of the losses from shooting steel over paper, we can use different types of reactive steel that can offer us smaller targets in addition to the full-size silhouette target. A good example of this would be the Spartan Armor Triple Tap and the Spartan Armor Critical Shot.  

Some Considerations When Selecting Our Targets

 It’s best to have a target that rapidly assembles and disassembles as to not waste our precious range time. It’s also very advisable to find reputable and very durable steel targets. The last thing you want to do is replace your targets after a short day at the range. Also it’s a good idea to not have targets that assemble with wood or cheaper materials as they’re likely to quickly degrade. The Spartan Armor Multi-Purpose Base offers an easy and modular solution.

Let’s not forget about safety. When we engage steel targets it is common that pieces of the bullet-like spalling can come back and scratch or cut the shooter or bystander. When using paper targets, you can get away without wearing eye protection or covering up your body for your range day. When you engage steel targets, this is not the case. We need to wear all of our proper personal protective equipment when handling firearms in general especially when engaging steel targets. Let’s also understand safe engagement distances. When you’re shooting paper you can get as close as you would like. When engaging steel we need to keep a minimum safe distance. This has to be dictated by your caliber, type of ammunition, and type of target. Make sure you’re familiar with your minimum safe distances given all of the factors.  

As we understand the restrictions of safety and steel targets we also need to consider the longevity of these restrictions. Steel core ammunition comes with a safety concern of a fire hazard. Steel striking steel creates a much larger amount of sparks than just a typical bullet hitting the steel target. In addition to the fire hazard, we’re doing unnecessary damage to our target by using steel core bullets. This will pock our target and will create divots or small craters in the steel and ultimately shorten its overall life.

Not only do we have immediate risks and often range restrictions with this ammo but will need to prematurely replace the steel targets.

About the Author:

Rob joined the USMC in 2004 with a military occupational specialty of 0311 (Infantry Rifleman). Assigned to 3rd Bn 1st Marines, Rob participated in a deployment to Iraq (OIF-3) as a point man followed by an assignment as Team Leader for the 13th MEU Special Operations Capable to Iraq (OIF-6). In 2007, he joined 1st Marine Regiment and reenlisted to deploy to Afghanistan. InJanuary 2010, Rob was promoted to the rank of Sergeant & continued to serve 1st Marine Regiment for a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. On return from Afghanistan, Rob was assigned to School Of Infantry West to work as a Combat Instructor (CI) for the USMC where he trained thousands of Marines to gain the skills necessary to survive. Rob exited the USMC in 2014 & was immediately picked up by Securing our Country (SOC). As a private military contractor, Rob was responsible for training the specialty teams of operators at the American Embassy in Iraq. Shortly after leaving Contract in 2018, Rob became the Chief Instructor of GPS Defense Sniper School. Rob now gives 100% of his attention to Emergency Response Tactical training all levels over 320 days a year as his passion & full-time job.

You can read his full bio here.