Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Setting Up Backyard Steel Targets

I had a chance to shoot some steel targets with a handgun and had a great time. We had a timer and just did some simple drills and competed against friends for time. I’d like to set up something in my back yard but don’t know where to start as far as number and size/shapes of targets. Round, square, IPSC, etc….

Any of you guys have a backyard steel target setup? Pictures? What would be a good number of targets and size/shapes to start with in order to shoot, have fun, and run drills to increase your skills with a handgun?

I have one right off my side door at the cottage.

For me, handgun drills are safer with paper targets. Steel targets are for fun and plinking.

I cut a couple of trees a few weeks ago and can now shoot at steel plates from INSIDE the cottage all the way out to 205y

Check out the Steel Challenge page for a few different layouts. You can download all of the target layouts since the courses are always the same.
One caution if you just decide to set up your own steel.
Don't setup any closer than about 12-15 meters. I've seen 9mm jacket pieces come back that far with enough force to stick in skin.

I'd suggest spending the extra money for hardened steel...it last much longer (a lifetime?) and,

Pockmarked steel tends to throw stuff back at the shooter every now and then.

I like 8" round up to 25 yards, 10" round up to 100 yards, and 12X18" for 100 and over.

fwiw, dvnv

I have a JC Steel AR500 66% IPSC set up. I'm using 1/2" but you don't need one that thick for pistol.

I run lead almost 100% of the time on the steel.


https://jcsteeltargets.configio.com...ch&returncom=productlist&cid=384

For what it's worth; 30 yds. with a 250 gr. cast bullet out of a 44 magnum loaded to about 1000 fps. Back yard at my house.




Popped a hole in the siding, but penetrated no farther. I'll bet it would have stung a bit if it had hit me. Keep targets at angles........

Dang. All of mine go 'Puff' when they hit the target.

Actual "get shot at" steal is the only way to go.

I could get a lot of good training out of a few 8" plates. The idea on looking up Steel Challenge courses is a good one, especially if you're not very creative like me.

Something like this is available from a variety of sources and is like what I'd recommend. Having the target able to absorb impact of having it faced down at an angle will solve A LOT of the problems with ricochets.
http://www.aquamat.com/steelchallenge.html

I shoot at a lot of steel. With the proper steel on a proper target stand I wouldn't hesitate to shoot steel at 7 yards with a pistol, and do pretty regularly.

Setup for paper targets is right next to it.