Steel is not a toy target, you have to know what you're doing. I guess that's why they're coming up with these rules.
Distances for shooting steel targets in canada
- Thread starter Slavex
- Start date
Steel is not a toy target, you have to know what you're doing. I guess that's why they're coming up with these rules.
When we had a range inspection at Rocky/Alberta, we received CFO approval to shoot steel targets with lead cast bullets @ 7 m. Any jacketed bullets would require 10 m. At the Spruce Grove range, the CFO required them to have a 10 m distance for all steel targets. Both of these ranges are in Alberta and under the same CFO?? Think maybe we should all get together and look for the same rules across Canada. If Safety is a concern, then approvals should be Canada wide.
Note Steel targets must not be parallel to the shooter, officials or spectators. I always design and build my targets with at least a 10 degree forward lean. Also no metal flanges or square edges in front of the target base . A block of wood is a good Idea in front(railway tie)
sd
sd
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While we are on the subject... what are the current rules in Ontario with regards to lead birdshot and steel targets? Most places I have seen them not shrouded, but poking around on the net, some ranges have rules that any hard target must be shrouded, regardless of what you shoot at it.
Looking forward to the new plate racks you built for us. Will be delivered to the club thursday. Thanks again.
I see 7m steel in our future here shortly. Thanks for the leg work Slavex.
Unless you are protecting lights or other objects above a steel target shrouds are a waste of time. If your berms don't prevent bits of bullets from going over them, you have bigger things to worry about. On a properly designed range you should not need to shroud steel.
Once I get our letter I'll be providing a copy on here and also in electronic form for anyone who asks.
Once I get our letter I'll be providing a copy on here and also in electronic form for anyone who asks.
You will probably need to spike them to the ground as the 8" round plates are much heavier than the 6 x 6 and the reset is a much heavier pull
Steel targets is not the safety concern as much as the ammo being used. I've never had any concerns about what a safe distance would be. The plate should absorb the energy of the bullet. Angling the plate has very little effect the bullet construction is the key. I find that noob worry warts have a hard time with steel targets and should find another sport rather than try to bring up moot safety concerns.
- Location
- Prince George B.C.
I don't think so!
Target angle makes all the difference. I have had all manner of bullets come right back at me shooting flat steel. Even had AR rounds come back off plates hanging on chains because they welded the chains too high and the plates hang perpendicular to the ground.
If the plates are positioned, as Doon states, with a slight forward and down cant, deflections go right into the ground. If your ground surface is a little hard a good bullet catcher can be made by dropping some old inner tubes on the ground in front of your plates. Soaks up bullets like a sponge.
John
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heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Abbotsford
other than steel core ammo, bullet construction doesnt really make a difference at all. angle though tells you where the pieces go and if that is wrong then all bullets are bad
They are setting them up tonight, i'm packing so will get some when i get back. See you tomorrow night.
Plates should be flat and facing shooter. All the bullet energy is used up on impact. If you angle a plate, some of the bullet energy will be deflected and even if it's going a safe direction, it's a bad idea.
Of course, as mentioned, steel is not to be shot at steel.
An exception is falling plate racks, but they are not angled to deflect the bullet as much as to allow the plate to stand up.
Of course, as mentioned, steel is not to be shot at steel.
An exception is falling plate racks, but they are not angled to deflect the bullet as much as to allow the plate to stand up.
Ken is right. In my experience, the worst for richochets are cast lead bullets at low velocities. FMJ bullets at hgh velocities tend to disintegrate and don't cause problems.
Our plates have a slight forward lean to them to encourage the largest material to go down. The real key is that plates move, just slightly, static plates cause more problems than ringer or falling plates. Especially under fast repeated shots.
You might want to check this out. Lead cast 125 gr bullets making 130 pf are going just as fast as 125gr jacketed bullets making 130PF.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YhXtdylBCWc
Your theory didn't seem to hold true for this guy. Read what John said above and what Slavex said.
jamiejaf I trust you where safety glasses at the range. You might want to buy a hockey can as well if you plan on having children. Get inside of 10 yards with flat steel targets and you will enentually learn something about Newton's Laws of physics.
Kanada Kidd you really don't know what you are talking about. Sorry to be so blunt but someone may read your post and act on your advice and end up getting hurt.
Take Care
Bob
- Location
- Prince George B.C.
Sorry that just does't line up with what I have experienced.
I have shot flat steel and slightly angled steel; static steel and swinging steel (chains etc). I have found that flat facing steel, either static or movable produces the most bounce backs and angled steel the least.
While I absolutely respect your opinion, I have to stick with my experience on this
Not saying it is going to happen every time but it is going to happen.
John
I can appreciate that John, but here's what I have experienced.
First, I have shot well over half million rounds at steel. But it's not so much what I have shot as what I have been present for. Between ROing, training partners etc. I have been present for millions of rounds on steel. Most of these have been steel challenge or cowboy and a small percentage being IPSC.
The worst:
Early IPSC matches with plate racks and targets with bases welded to them.
Cowboy shoots with pitted steel, you will get zapped a lot! Sometimes they had very bad angles as well, caused problems, especially with shotguns. (I have not shot a cowboy match for 6 or 7 years)
Steel Nationals this year in Florida. Plates had a hook coming right through the center, very bad.
Those are the worst I can remember, but what they all have in common is flawed target design.
Steel Challenge as targets flat to the shooter (although drawings do not show it) and no splash coming back to firing line.
Slavex has the best targets for steel I have ever seen, the only improvement I could see for those would be to make them adjustable, but if your range is flat, it's not much of an issue.
