FAQS

Why do you use Bisalloy 500 instead of AR500 or Hardox 500?

• It's essentially the same material but is more readily available to us.

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Why not use BHN 600, especially when it's used for armor?

• While BHN 600 armor is designed for high-velocity military rounds and subsequent replacement, our targets are designed for longevity in a sporting shooter environment. BHN 500 will endure countless rounds over decades of sports shooting. Given the frequent likelihood of sporting targets taking double impacts from hitting the ground at irregular angles, the BHN 500's less brittle nature ensures prolonged life at a more affordable price point. 

 

Why opt for BHN 500 over BHN 600?

• Our thorough testing has shown that BHN 500 meets all requirements when used as recommended.

• Above 550 BHN, steel tends to become increasingly brittle, reducing the target lifespan. BHN 500 strikes the perfect balance.  

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Is this just your opinion?

• Several case studies and research support the view that Brinell 500 is more than adequate for a variety of ballistic requirements:

  • After significant research and experience, the US Department of Energy determined that “500 Brinell Hardness (BHN) will be used for steel targets at DOE ranges.”  

  • Brinell 500  is normally the specification when ammunition of up to 5.56mm SS109 is used by the UK Ministry of Defence.  

  • The US DoD have approved and endorsed AR500  or AR550 steel plate and are available in ½”, ¾” or 1” thickness to facilitate the use of munitions ranging from 7.62mm rounds to 155mm mortars. 

  • The United States Marine Corp recommend a minimum of 400 BHN for small arms however steel with a 500 BHN is considered optimum for safety and longevity of use and that 3/8” (~10 mm) thick Brinell 500 targets will withstand .223s and .308s. 

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What is BHN, and why is it important?

• BHN stands for "Brinell Hardness Number." It's a measure of the hardness of a material, determined by pressing a hard steel or carbide ball into the material under a specified force. The higher the BHN, the harder the material. BHN indicates steel's resistance to deformation, penetration, and wear for steel targets. A balance in BHN ensures durability without compromising safety, as very high BHN values can make steel more brittle.

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Why is subsonic ammunition not recommended?

• We advise against using ammunition below 250 m/s, as it's more prone to ricochet instead of splatter.

 

What is dimpling, and why does it matter?

• Dimpling creates an erratic surface, causing unpredictable splatter, which can be directed back toward the shooter, posing a risk of injury.

 

What constitutes a controlled surface?

• It's a surface that ensures consistent deflection and splatter patterns. In the context of ballistic targets, a controlled surface is critical for several reasons:

  • Predictable Bullet Splatter: A controlled surface ensures that bullet fragmentation and splatter are predictable, minimizing the risk to shooters and bystanders. Any inconsistencies in the surface can cause unpredictable deflections.

  • Material Integrity: A well-controlled surface implies that the manufacturing process has been tightly regulated, which usually means the entire target will have consistent material properties like hardness and tensile strength, making it more durable and reliable.

  • Safety: Inconsistent surfaces can create ricochet hazards. A controlled surface, especially when angled correctly, will direct splatter and fragments in a predictable and safe manner, generally downwards.

  • Longevity: Targets with controlled surfaces are likely to have a longer lifespan. Surface irregularities can lead to 'hot spots' of stress that wear out the target faster.

  • Work-Hardening: A controlled surface can be designed to be work-hardened, meaning its resistance to deformation improves with each shot, increasing the target’s lifespan and safety profile.

  • Ease of Inspection: Consistency in the surface makes it easier to inspect for wear and tear, ensuring that damaged or unsafe targets can be more readily identified and replaced.

  • Optimal Energy Dissipation: A controlled surface ensures that the energy from the bullet impact is dissipated in a calculated manner, which is critical for minimizing back splatter and ricochets.

 

What level of dimpling is too much?

• While 1.5mm is often cited as the upper limit, we advise replacing targets with dimpling exceeding 1mm. Welding is not a solution as it weakens the steel. They might be safe at distances over 500m, but a proper risk assessment is crucial before using a damaged target.

• According to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) the maximum safe depth for any dimples is 1.59 mm. 

 

Should I wear eye protection when shooting steel?

• Always wear eye protection when shooting, especially when engaging steel targets closer than 200m.

 

Is there a muzzle velocity limit for shooting your targets?

• Velocities above 2,000 m/s might damage or penetrate 10mm steel. Adhere to recommended distances and always evaluate the backdrop and potential ricochet dangers.

 

Does the warranty cover dimpling?

• No, it doesn't.

• If you use the targets in accordance with our recommendations, a minor amount of dimpling will be normal.

• In our testing for example, 9mm and 357 ammunition created barely discernable dimples between 0.03 and 0.11 mm. The maximum dimpling we observed with .223 and .308 ammunition when testing at 50m was 0.43 mm. This is well below our recommended 1 mm maximum.

 

Why aren't the targets painted?

• We prioritize offering the highest quality targets at the best price. This approach lets you paint the targets in any color of your choice, giving you more customization options.

 

I noticed some targets have rust. Is this detrimental?

• A light layer of rust is typical and even offers a protective barrier against further corrosion. Rest assured, this doesn't compromise the target's ballistic performance in any way.

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Why don't your targets include a base for upright positioning?

• We have found magnetic attachment to be a significant improvement. Incorporating a welded base poses two significant challenges:

  1. Unless meticulously executed by an expert (which raises costs), welding can weaken and de-temper the steel.

  2. A flat base introduces a right-angle bend, deflecting bullet splatter back toward the shooter, raising safety concerns.

 

Upon bullet impact, what happens to the projectile when it strikes a steel target?

• While bullet reactions can vary, following our guidelines for bullet types, velocities, and shooting distances will generally yield these types of outcomes provided that any dimpling or deformation is less than 1mm:

  • For a direct 90° impact, bullets tend to splatter 360° around at angles closely aligned (within 5°-10°) with the plate's surface.

  • As the impact angle decreases, the plate more actively directs a larger volume of splatter (and typically in larger pieces) until the bullet ricochets, maintaining most of its velocity.

  • At around 5° or less, nearly all bullets will ricochet, remaining largely intact with little reduction in velocity.

 

From what angles should we engage your steel targets?

• Safety first: always ensure a safe shooting backdrop. We advise positioning the target to ensure impacts remain as close to a perpendicular angle (i.e., within 10° of a 90° angle relative to the shooter's position).

 

Why don't your steel targets include a base, unlike other manufacturers?

• Steel bases present several concerns:

  1. They increase ricochet hazards significantly.

  2. Doubling the target's weight they pose manual handling risks.

  3. The hinge mechanisms can act like scissors, risking severe injuries, including finger amputation. Our design opts for magnets on a timber base, effectively mitigating these risks.

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Why don't you sell bases for the steel targets?

• While we can offer a quote for bases, shipping them often incurs significant costs due to their weight and size. Moreover, our base design is straightforward, allowing any DIY enthusiast or handy individual to construct them easily.

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