targets

rmdrake · May 10, 2005, 08:08 PM

im looking into shooting targets, metal targets hanging from a stand "spinners" what distance is safe to shoot these from? 2,4,6,inch plates stainless plates 1/8" thick hanging from a rod. if its not safe tell me . if it is what distance?

chris in va · May 10, 2005, 10:02 PM

Not sure the 'safe' distance but I know for a fact you can head down to many sporting goods stores and buy rimfire/centerfire spinners.

OldeSkool · May 10, 2005, 10:17 PM

Wear as much safety gear as you care to wear... Hearing and eye protection at the very minimum. And stand as far back as you can stand and still hope to hit the targets... seems to me thats about as safe as you can get under the circumstances.

Lycanthrope · May 10, 2005, 10:45 PM

1/8 inch isn't thick and most handguns are going to crater that....or better. Eventually you'll get some bounce back. I'd shoot 'em no closer than 15 yards and ALWAYS wear good eye protection.

ed1921 · May 10, 2005, 11:22 PM

I've seen a bullet bounce back from a bowling pin at 25' & smack the guy in the forehead hard enough to draw blood.
Glasses are always important.

payne · May 11, 2005, 12:20 AM

ed1921, what was the guy shooting? I mean caliber wise. MG! I never heard of a bullet traveling that far straight back!

Lycanthrope · May 11, 2005, 12:27 AM

I had a 200 gr semiwadcutter from a .45 take a bad hop off of a rock at an IDPA match and draw an inch long cut along the side of my head. It came 20 yards straight back at me.

STEVE M · May 11, 2005, 05:57 AM

I agree, 1/8" isn't thick enough. commercial targets run 1/4" for rimefire and 3/8" for handguns (with non fmj lead bullets recomended).

May 10, 2005, 08:08 PM	#1
rmdrake Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 52	targets im looking into shooting targets, metal targets hanging from a stand "spinners" what distance is safe to shoot these from? 2,4,6,inch plates stainless plates 1/8" thick hanging from a rod. if its not safe tell me . if it is what distance?

May 11, 2005, 12:20 AM	#6
payne Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: SE US Posts: 519	ed1921, what was the guy shooting? I mean caliber wise. MG! I never heard of a bullet traveling that far straight back! __________________ If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. - Sun Tzu

May 11, 2005, 05:57 AM	#8
STEVE M Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: TN. USA Posts: 607	I agree, 1/8" isn't thick enough. commercial targets run 1/4" for rimefire and 3/8" for handguns (with non fmj lead bullets recomended). __________________ MOLON LABE! I've joined the 300.

May 10, 2005, 10:02 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,718	Not sure the 'safe' distance but I know for a fact you can head down to many sporting goods stores and buy rimfire/centerfire spinners.

May 10, 2005, 10:17 PM	#3
OldeSkool Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Posts: 30	Wear as much safety gear as you care to wear... Hearing and eye protection at the very minimum. And stand as far back as you can stand and still hope to hit the targets... seems to me thats about as safe as you can get under the circumstances.

May 10, 2005, 10:45 PM	#4
Lycanthrope Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,752	1/8 inch isn't thick and most handguns are going to crater that....or better. Eventually you'll get some bounce back. I'd shoot 'em no closer than 15 yards and ALWAYS wear good eye protection.

May 10, 2005, 11:22 PM	#5
ed1921 Junior Member Join Date: December 2, 2004 Posts: 9	I've seen a bullet bounce back from a bowling pin at 25' & smack the guy in the forehead hard enough to draw blood. Glasses are always important.

May 11, 2005, 12:27 AM	#7
Lycanthrope Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,752	I had a 200 gr semiwadcutter from a .45 take a bad hop off of a rock at an IDPA match and draw an inch long cut along the side of my head. It came 20 yards straight back at me.