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"America’s Toughest AR500 Steel Targets – Veteran-Owned & Battle-Tested"
Built from certified USA steel, ships fast. Trusted by 437,697+ shooters since 2012.
Zinc plating forms a molecular bond with the targets,
creating a rust-resistant shield that won’t chip, flake, or peel.
Unlike paint or powder coat, which just sits on the surface.
Zinc becomes part of the metal — protecting your target systems from:
✅ Bullet spall
✅ Bullet strikes (when shot as directed)
✅ Harsh outdoor elements
The result?
❌ No rusty targets
❌ No constant repainting of targets
❌ No paying for paint or powdercoat that is quickly shot off targets
We’re the only manufacturer offering zinc-plated targets and target systems.
This is the toughest finish available. Period
AR500 steel is a premium, high-carbon steel alloy engineered for unmatched durability and impact resistance.
The "AR" stands for "Abrasion Resistant," while the "500" refers to its hardness rating on the Brinell scale, typically between 470 and 540.
This exceptional hardness makes our steel targets incredibly resistant to wear, deformation, and damage—even under intense target impacts from high-velocity rounds.
Conclusion: AR 500 is the top choice for target material and all products requiring maximum strength and longevity.
Steel / Thickness | AR400 1/8" | AR400 3/16" | AR500 1/4" | AR600 5/16" | AR500 3/8" | AR500 1/2" | AR500 5/8" |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max Bullet Energy | 150 ft lbs | 300 ft lbs | 700 ft lbs | 1750 ft lbs | 2100 ft lbs | 4000 ft lbs | 8000 ft lbs |
Max Bullet Speed(at Target) | 2850 fps | 2850 fps | 2850 fps | 3000 fps | 2850 fps | 2850 fps | 2850 fps |
Typical Use | PCP / Pellet / .22LR | .22LR / Air < 300 fpe | Pistol < 700 fpe | Rifle / Pistol < 1750 fpe | Rifle < 2100 fpe | Rifle < 4000 fpe | Rifle < 8000 fpe |
AR500: Gold standard— Durable, affordable, proven
AR600: Higher speed rating, but more expensive and brittle
AR400: Affordable, great for pistol, rimfire, airgun
Bottom Line: AR500 meets 95% of requirements, offering an ideal balance of hardness and toughness (non-brittle).
Upgrade to AR550/600 only for higher impact velocities (2,850–3,000 fps).
For more specific help on selecting a target thickness see our
Always wear eye protection, even bystanders no exceptions
No green-tip or AP rounds into targets
Never exceed 2850 ft per second at the target
Inspect targets regularly for deep craters or pits
TLDR: When used correctly steel targets are very safe and every target will last a lifetime of use.
1. Hanging Plates & Gongs – Round, square, or octagonal gong style steel targets that swing and “ping.” Bread-and-butter training for rifles or pistols; our gongs targets are quick to hang on chains, T-posts, or our Ultra Mega mounts. Add a target stand for creating a complete target system.
2. Silhouettes (IPSC / IDPA / Torso / Hostage Swinger) – Life-size or reduced-size shooting target profiles that mirror match stages or real-world scenarios. Ideal for defensive drills and USPSA practice.
3. Static Knock-Overs / Poppers – Freestanding shooting targets (classic pepper popper, prairie-dog, & hostage heads) that fall or tip when struck—crystal-clear hit confirmation without resetting rope.
4. Reactive Motion Shooting Targets
Spinners – Two targets on a center axle; alternate hits until it flips 360°. Builds cadence and recoil control.
Dueling Trees – Our legendary dueling tree is among our flagship products. Paddle arms that swing side-to-side—perfect for head-to-head shoot-outs.
Texas Stars / Plate Stars – Six plates on a rotating star; knock one off and the star starts spinning—great for speed & transition training.
5. Precision Target Racks
Available in rimfire steel or centerfire steel versions our know your limits targets are a customer faorite.
KYL (“Know Your Limits”) – Eight paddles that shrink from generous to punishing; teaches disciplined trigger press at distance.
Plate Racks – Each target plate (usually 6) falls rearward when hit; common on competition bays and excellent for timed drills.
6. Specialty Shapes & Fun Targets – Gongs cut into animals, tombstones, badge shapes, or state outlines; keeps range sessions fresh and family-friendly.
All of steel targets are laser-cut right here in the USA—so they shrug off thousands of rounds and let you spend more time shooting, less time replacing steel.
Steel / Thickness | AR400 1/8" | AR400 3/16" | AR500 1/4" | AR600 5/16" | AR500 3/8" | AR500 1/2" | AR500 5/8" |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max Bullet Energy | 150 ft lbs | 300 ft lbs | 700 ft lbs | 1750 ft lbs | 2100 ft lbs | 4000 ft lbs | 8000 ft lbs |
Max Bullet Speed(at Target) | 2850 fps | 2850 fps | 2850 fps | 3000 fps | 2850 fps | 2850 fps | 2850 fps |
Typical Use | PCP / Pellet / .22LR | .22LR / Air < 300 fpe | Pistol < 700 fpe | Rifle / Pistol < 1750 fpe | Rifle < 2100 fpe | Rifle < 4000 fpe | Rifle < 8000 fpe |
A safe general rule for targets is:
Pistols: 10+ yards
Rifles (under 2,850 fps at impact): 50+ yards
But speed at the target is what really matters — not the caliber or distance alone. Too much speed causes pitting and shortens target life.
If your bullet is moving faster than 2850fps when it gets to the target back up until it is not, this is your safe minimum distance.
💡 Always angle steel targets downward for safer deflection and longer target life.
Steel targets can stop a wide range of bullets when used correctly, but no target is indestructible. Avoid:
Steel-core (penetrator) or armor-piercing rounds
Bullets traveling over 2,850 fps at impact
Exceeding maximum energy ratings of targets
Mount reactive targets:
On chains, straps, hooks, or use our bulletproof custom steel target hangers
With a 5-30° downward angle to safely deflect lead and reduce splashback
Mount gong targets so they swing or move, which reduces stress and helps absorb impact
Edge chipping is normal — especially if the target is used with rifle rounds. Here's why:
Steel is more brittle at the edges due to laser cutting heat
There’s less steel on the edges to absorb energy
As long as you don't see deep craters on the target face, the target system is still safe to shoot. Flip the target occasionally for extended use.
No. Never shoot any of these at your target.
M855 (green tip)
M193
Any steel-core or armor-piercing ammo
Steel jacketed ammunition