Safest range to use 22lr on steel plate

Ladiesman217

Ladiesman217

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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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
10 yards is the typical min distance during events
That covers you for 22LR but also center fire handgun rounds.
 
FarmerDanz said:
If the plates swing, 10 should be good. If they are on a pedestal its gonna spit back past even 20 yards.
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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.
 
Cameron SS said:
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.
Click to expand...

There you have it ! Some sound advice for a change !
 
JoKa said:
Steel challenge
Targets range between 10-35 yards
Shot with both rim fire Pistols and rifles.
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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.
 
Longboat said:
I could see pistol for sure. I just hope nobody is missing with a rifle at 30 feet haha...
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Ehhh, its actually too easy to miss at that range because you think that its so close you cant miss so you try and go fast. Its dumb but thats the way it is once the buzzer goes off.
 
Longboat said:
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.
Click to expand...

Yup
Official steel challenge does rifle 22LR at 10 yards
Yup people miss
Considering your also shooting five targets in 1.5 seconds.... a miss is possible.
 
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