Project Appleseed

This is from a range owner who is a Rifleman, and engineer and who has hosted Appleseeds on his property.

It is well worth looking at as it is very detailed and scientifically approached.  Those of us using steel targets really should look at his splatter and ricochet results and keep them in mind as we buy targets and use them at events for KD.

Fragmentation Patterns Off Of Steel Targets - (Pic heavy)

Includes pictures, videos and graphs (engineers love graphs).

It is an excellently documented review and test.  With the recommendations for using steel "D" targets at distance for doing a 'hits count' AQT, all of our SB's need to be aware of this. 

From my own experiences shooting steel targets:

A free-standing target, or a swinging steel target will be damaged far less severely than one that is solidly mounted in place.

Chains will very rarely take more than one direct hit before breaking.  Rubber garden hose, or strips cut from the sidewall of scrap tires works MUCH better.

Any fixed target (especially pistol targets) should be angled so the top of the target is tilted forward (towards the shooter) so as to focus the shrapnel down towards the ground.  Under no circumstances should the target be allowed to tilt backwards, as this could allow the shrapnel spray to leave the range. 

For maximum safety, pistol targets should not be engaged closer than 15 yards.  Rifle targets should not be engaged closer than 100 yards.

Pistol rounds should be limited to solid lead, as copper jackets are far more likely to deflect in larger pieces.

Any time steel-core rounds are shot at steel, a fire extinguisher should be on hand, as the sparks generated may cause a fire.  This is especially important on ranges that have experienced prolonged drought. 

All persons on a range where steel targets are being engaged MUST wear safety glasses.  Long sleeved shirts and pants are recommended as well.   

Thanks for posting techres.

UL

Yep, thanks techres.. I forwarded this to the folks that run steel matches in our area. A while back my wife and I were watching a cowboy action match, a good 30 yards behind the line and we were under a sheet metal shade/picnic area. You could hear the lead raining down on the tin roof that far behind the line, I was amazed it reached that far....O.L.

Thanks for posting this.
This info should be in the next safety bulletin and sent out in PM's etc.

We shoot lots of steel. Mostly AR500 type: Rim-fires are used at no less than 100M and center-fires 200M minimum.

The "softer" steel like the railroad tie plates we weld up are relegated to distances beyond 500M.
We found a supply of conveyer belt that works for hanging (as it should be for centerfire rifle) the steel.

+1 this is some really good to know info.  Thanks