Long Range Steel Targets – AR500 & AR550 Steel Shooting Targets
Need help choosing your Long Range Steel Targets? What is “long Range”? Long range is based on an individual idea or circumstance, for some 500 yards may be considered long range while to some one else 1000 yards would be long range, for some it is beyond either. Either way using some simple ideas we can determine what size of target to use for your long range steel shooting targets.
With modern firearms they generally come with a 1 MOA accuracy guaranty, meaning that with good marksman fundamentals you should be able to shoot close to 1 inch at 100 yards, as we move target farther it should equal 5 inches at 500 yards, 10 inches at 1000 yards and so on within reason. With that as our understanding it should be easy to assume that we should have a 10″ steel target at 1000 yards and in some cases its correct but not all cases. Having a long range steel target that is larger than a group size shot at a particular distance can have a lot of benefits. First a larger target allows for noticeable impacts on target even if windage or elevation calculations are slightly incorrect allowing for further adjustments, second it can allow less experienced shooters connecting with targets at distances they had never thought possible. After all we all love to hear the report of an impact on a steel target several seconds after the projectile was launched, and it never gets old. Sound is another reason a larger target may be beneficial as the larger thinner targets will provide a louder “ring” as the material is able to flex more during impact creating more sound.
Our advice is that if possible use targets around 2 MOA in size for “general” shooting and zeroing at distance but also have a smaller target of 1 MOA or smaller depending on accuracy of shooters using, then everyone involved has a great time. New shooters get the satisfaction of making hits, and if wanting a challenge the smaller targets at distance will provide it. Our 3/8″ x 20″ steel gong targets make ideal long range steel targets at a distance of 900- 1000 yards, giving a large target for impacts that may be slightly off point of aim while providing a loud “ring”, we will generally pair with another target in the 10 to 12 inch class either in a steel gong targets or a square steel target.
Most long range steel targets can be covered with the use of 3/8 thickness plates, even with large magnum calibers as the energy has dissipated down to acceptable levels, if using a .50 BMG we recommend using the 1/2″ shooting targets at distances beyond approximately 400 yards. If you need more assistance check out our selecting a steel target page or shoot us a email and we will do our best to help with decision.
We have tons of inventory and choices when it come to long range steel targets.
3/8″ AR550 Steel Gong Targets – 2″ to 20″
3/8″ AR550 Square Steel Targets – 8″ to 24″
3/8″ AR550 and 1/2″ AR500 Steel Silhouette Targets – 12″x 20″ to 18″ x 30″
1/2″ AR500 Steel Gong Targets – 2″ to 15″
1/2″ AR500 steel gong targets are round steel targets in sizes 2″ to 15″ in diameter and can be used as rifle targets for the larger rifle calibers such as .338 magnums even at 100 yards without damaging the target; can also be used as handgun or pistol target. Our 1/2″ AR500 steel gong targets may be used with 50 BMG at approximately 400 yards and beyond.
All of our steel shooting targets are 100% domestic laser cut AR500, not plasma cut to preserve the characteristics of the steel. They are shipped unpainted allowing you to paint whatever color you choose. After painting, the bullet impact will mark the plate with a hit by blowing off the paint, just repaint and reuse. After the target plates have been laser cut they are washed with solvent to remove oils. There may be numbers written on them representing the certified sheets from which they were cut. These steel shooting target plates are made to last thousands of rounds.
