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Thread: Safest range to use 22lr on steel plate

  1. #1
    Newbie Ladiesman217's Avatar
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    Safest range to use 22lr on steel plate

    I've heard 10 yards for pistols and 100 for centerfire rifles. Cant seem to find anything for 22lr. Whats the safest distance to shoot a 22lr rifle without getting hit by any ricochet. Thanks!

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    CGN Regular Sniper_485's Avatar
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    Cowboy Action is routinly shot at 5 to 15 yards by SASS shooters with .38, .357, .44Mag, and ,45LC. When I shot steel challenge some of the targets were as close as 7 yards and that was 9mm, .45acp, .40S&W, and sometimes a guy would show up with hot .44Mag just for the giggles. Put your targets where you want them and shoot. If you feel you're getting too much splatter move back a few yards. You wont get an actual ricochet coming back but you'll probably get some splatter.

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    Completely depends on the condition of the steel. If some clown has been making dents in it then the bullet won't splatter and potentially get sent back at you.

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    CGN frequent flyer JoKa's Avatar
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    10 yards is the typical min distance during events
    That covers you for 22LR but also center fire handgun rounds.

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    No need to shoot less than 25 yards with a 22 rifle IMO.

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    CGN frequent flyer FarmerDanz's Avatar
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    If the plates swing, 10 should be good. If they are on a pedestal its gonna spit back past even 20 yards.

  7. #7
    CGN frequent flyer JoKa's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Longboat View Post
    No need to shoot less than 25 yards with a 22 rifle IMO.
    Steel challenge
    Targets range between 10-35 yards
    Shot with both rim fire Pistols and rifles.

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    Quote Originally Posted by FarmerDanz View Post
    If the plates swing, 10 should be good. If they are on a pedestal its gonna spit back past even 20 yards.
    Wrong on both counts.

    If the plates swing, and you shoot the plate while its swinging (which is kind of the point) then the angle of impact will be random and the odds of a ricochet notably higher than a rigid plate.

    If its on a rigid pedestal, then the answer is it depends, but positioned correctly with a proper angle would not produce ricochets dangerous to the shooter, even at 1 M.

    To the OP, The RCMP range design guide designates a minimum safe distance from steel targets as 10m for Rimfire and centerfire pistol and 50m for centre fire rifle. Some CFOs impose this as a rule and some don't.

    While there is lots of anecdotal evidence and stories, in truth the question has never been significantly studied as to what is the true minimum safe distance of anything from anything, except in rare cases.

    Here are some things that help reduce ricochet.
    Use lead ammo.
    Use only plates in good condition free of surface defects. The harder the material the longer it will last, generally.
    Hang plates at an angle with the top sloping towards the shooter. The greater the angle the better.
    If your plate is loosely hung, don't shoot it while its moving.
    Do not position anyone or anything perpendicular to the strike face of the plate.

    For .22LR, 1/4" AR 500 plate hung at a -20 degree angle should withstand millions of rounds.
    Government is a broker in pillage, and every election is sort of an advance auction sale of stolen goods. HL Mencken. 1919.

  9. #9
    CGN Ultra frequent flyer Blackcats's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cameron SS View Post
    Wrong on both counts.

    If the plates swing, and you shoot the plate while its swinging (which is kind of the point) then the angle of impact will be random and the odds of a ricochet notably higher than a rigid plate.

    If its on a rigid pedestal, then the answer is it depends, but positioned correctly with a proper angle would not produce ricochets dangerous to the shooter, even at 1 M.

    To the OP, The RCMP range design guide designates a minimum safe distance from steel targets as 10m for Rimfire and centerfire pistol and 50m for centre fire rifle. Some CFOs impose this as a rule and some don't.

    While there is lots of anecdotal evidence and stories, in truth the question has never been significantly studied as to what is the true minimum safe distance of anything from anything, except in rare cases.

    Here are some things that help reduce ricochet.
    Use lead ammo.
    Use only plates in good condition free of surface defects. The harder the material the longer it will last, generally.
    Hang plates at an angle with the top sloping towards the shooter. The greater the angle the better.
    If your plate is loosely hung, don't shoot it while its moving.
    Do not position anyone or anything perpendicular to the strike face of the plate.

    For .22LR, 1/4" AR 500 plate hung at a -20 degree angle should withstand millions of rounds.
    There you have it ! Some sound advice for a change !

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by JoKa View Post
    Steel challenge
    Targets range between 10-35 yards
    Shot with both rim fire Pistols and rifles.
    Was not aware people shot steel with a rifle at 10 yards. I've done some 22lr steel matches. 25 yards has been the shortest I've seen.

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