Veteran made in USA with pride. Fast Free Shipping >$99. America's Only Zinc Plated Certified USA AR500 Targets.
Shop Best SellersAR500 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 of target material for any shooting target or target system requiring maximum strength and toughness.
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) for
shooting targets.
AR600 will pit slightly less at velocities of (2,850–>3,000 fps) however a target plate from this target material is more likely to develop cracks when shot than with AR500.
For more specific help on selecting a reactive target thickness see our 🧮 target thickness calculator.
Always wear eye protection, even bystanders no exceptions
No green-tip or AP rounds into targets
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.
Get answers about our American-made shooting targets. We cover everything from our shipping process for online orders to finding the right setup for your new steel targets. Learn about different steel plates and why our collection of steel targets is a great choice.
This grade of abrasion-resistant steel shrugs off thousands of hits while staying flat. Compared to mild steel, our targets last dramatically longer and resist pitting. For simple practice, we have classic gong targets; for more dynamic drills, we offer complete reactive target systems. Each steel target is laser-cut and zinc-plated to fight rust. This is a great target material for all kinds of steel targets.
Always angle your steel targets so the plates face 10° downward. A stable stand or mounting solution for these targets is critical. Many of our reactive target systems auto-tilt for safer impact behavior on all of our targets.
Safe: lead-core, FMJ, and frangible at ≤2,850 FPS. Avoid: steel-core/AP, solid copper, and tracers — these can crater any steel target plate and void warranties. When in doubt, start farther back from your targets. This is the best practice for all steel targets.
A simple T-post lets the steel plate on your targets move and shed splash safely. This is important for all steel targets.
Use the setup that matches your cartridge. A balanced stand provides a consistent lean for all your targets.
With proper ammo and distances, our steel plates routinely survive 10,000+ rounds. Cosmetic pitting on the steel is normal and won’t affect the function of your targets, from gongs to more advanced reactive systems. This is a durable steel target.
Yes — use birdshot or buckshot on 3/8″+ steel plates. Reserve 1/2″ plates for close-range slugs. Never use steel shot on any steel targets, as it will cause immediate damage to your targets.
For a quick refresh, use a high-contrast rattle can on the steel. The zinc-plated finish on our targets resists rust and keeps all your steel plates ready for your shooting session. These are great targets.
Absolutely — just follow the distance and ammo rules. Many new shooters start on 1/4″ plates, which are great beginner targets. They can then move up to a reactive shooting target. A stable target stand helps keep splash from the targets predictable.
Monthly: check for craters, re-tighten hardware, and refresh paint. This routine keeps all your steel targets and modular systems performing like new. It is important for the safety of your targets.
Zinc plating acts as a sacrificial barrier, extending the service life of the steel and preserving a clean strike face on all of your targets. This protects the steel on your targets.
We process all orders quickly to ensure fast shipping. You will get tracking information for your targets once your package is on the way. Our full range of products includes many different targets. If you have questions about specific items, your orders, or our shipping policies, please contact us.