Steel Target Selection

🔫BULLETS VS AR500🎯

TARGET THICKNESS CALCULATOR

ar 500 steel target

Can't find your ammo?


Use the bullet energy calculator above as a kinetic energy tool to measure force.


  • Enter bullet speed at target or muzzle velocity for a worst-case scenario.

  • Tip: If you don’t know bullet speed or weight, search “[Your Ammo] + Ballistics” or check the ammo box.

22 cal steel targets with audible feedback

Steel targets may cost more upfront than paper targets, but they are a

lifetime investment in your shooting skills.


When you choose our AR500 steel targets, you're securing durable, long-lasting tools to elevate your shooting proficiency


Here’s why:

  • Steel targets ring and move when hit, giving instant feedback.

  • Shooting steel is far more engaging than paper.

  • Experts say steel improves shooting skills faster than paper.

Steel Target Thickness Chart

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Steel AR500 AR500 AR600 AR500 AR500 AR500
Target Thickness 3/16" 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2" 5/8"
Max Bullet Energy (at target) 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 2850 fps 2850 fps 2850 fps
Zinc Plated ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Laser Cut ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Bead Blasted ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Typical Use 22lr/Air<300fpe Pistol<700fpe Rifle/Pistol<1750fpe Rifle<2100fpe Rifle<4000fpe Rifle<8000fpe

Golden Rules

  • Never use ammo with steel in or on it

  • Bullet speed BELOW 2850 fps at target

  • Use proper target thickness 

  • Hang with downward angle if possible

  • Use ball ammo if possible

  • Hollow & soft point is harder on targets

  • Use safety glasses shooting steel

  • Never use ammo with steel in or on it

  • Bullet speed must be BELOW 2850 fps at the target to avoid pitting

  • Use targets thick enough to withstand the energy of your ammo (use table above)

  • Mount targets on angle when possible for safer lead deflection and longer target life

  • Shoot ball ammo when possible, soft point or hollow point ammo is harder on targets

  • Always wear safety glasses when shooting steel

FAQ

No, an AR15 with 55g ammo and a 16" barrel reaches speeds around or above 2850 fps (where pitting will happen) at 100 yards. This will be faster still (and cause more damage) with a longer barrel.


Shoot from farther away or use heavier, slower ammo. An extra 25 yds can greatly lessen damage to the target.


If this is not possible, at 100 yards, pitting with 5.56 55gammo and 16" barrel (or shorter) will be minimal and should not be a safety issue.


For safe use with pistols at close range, keep one side of the target smooth and flip it when needed.


*Every heat of steel varies in hardness, (this is unavoidable) because of this one target may pit at a lower speed than another.


This is not an exact science where all targets will pit at 2850fps and not at 2849fps. If you're seeing pitting back up or use heavier (slower) ammo.

Follow the golden rules above and your AR500 steel targets will last a lifetime.

Abrasion resistant steel plate can withstand high impact stresses and extremely low temperatures but it is not indestructible if you don't follow the golden rules.

YES, pitting has nothing to do with thickness. Pitting happens due to the intense heat underneath the bullet strike zone. Occasionally, "edge chipping" can occur with rounds faster than 2000fps that hit on the very edges of the targets.


Rapid expansion and contraction caused by heat can lead to pitting. Thicker targets may actually pit more as they are heavier and less likely to move out of the way when hit.


Proper target mounting can reduce this effect and is safer for the shooter. Whenever possible we angle targets towards the ground

for safer lead deflection and less heat put into the targets.


The AR500 rating is why our targets can take bullets with so much speed. A 3/8 AR500 rating will pit the same as a 3/16 if the bullet is moving too fast (most armor piercing rounds), but the 3/8" can take more force (heavy bullets).

Choose the Right Target

  • Buy the largest and thinnest target suitable for your ammunition. A 4"x5/8" gong won’t give much sound with a .22.

  • AR600, AR500, and AR400 steel are much louder than standard steel targets due to their hardness and superior resonance, even with pistol rounds.

Curious?

Click to watch a 16" gong ring like a church bell from a .22LR round in our customer gallery!

Edge Chipping: Why It Happens

  • Cause: Edge chipping on AR500 targets is normal with bullet speeds over 2,000 fps. The harder the steel and the higher the velocity, the more likely it occurs.

  • Flat Faces: Targets handle speeds up to 2,850 fps with minimal surface marks.

  • Why Edges Chip:

    1. No material supports the edges.

    2. Heat from laser cutting hardens the edges.


Is It Dangerous?

No. Chips don’t cause craters, so they can’t redirect lead dangerously. At over 2,000 fps, bullets vaporize upon impact, leaving no significant debris.

What Can You Do?

  • High Velocity: Nothing prevents edge chipping at speeds over 2,000 fps.

  • Target Size: Larger gongs (e.g., 30") get fewer edge strikes than smaller ones.

  • Longevity: Flip targets over if edge chipping becomes an issue—it typically doesn’t reach the opposite side. Targets still last for years.