shooting steel?

[Glock21acp]

i have a glock 21 and i am going to be shooting in a steel match and i was wondering should i use FMJ or something soft to avoid getting fragged like a JHP? ive never shot steel before so i dont know which one would be better. i know that jhp will cost more but i want to be safe too. FMJ v. JHP which one?

[Brass Nazi]

NEVER SHOOT FMJ AT STEEL!!!!

FMJ can richochet easily. Lead and purpose built frangible bullets are the only bullets that I would use on steel.

[Glock21acp]

you couldn't even use JHP to shoot steel i figured since they were a little softer than they won't frag as much as FMJ

[rhino465]

I (and thousands of other shooters) shoot FMJ at steel targets all the time. The is nothing inherently dangerous about it if you observe the standard safety protocols for shooting steel.

1. For pistols you should be at least 10 yards away.
2. The steel target must be properly designed and constructed for the task (hard enough) and in good condition. Cratered and otherwise damaged steel will cause the most problems.
3. Make sure your bullets are moving fast enough to NOT bounce back at you. The slower it's going, the more likely you'll have splashback or ricochets.

We have monthly steel matches at one of my home clubs in addition to the plates and poppers we use during USPSA and 3-Gun matches. FMJ ammo is not a problem.

[Glock21acp]

Make sure your bullets are moving fast enough to NOT bounce back at you. The slower it's going, the more likely you'll have splashback or ricochets.
Rhino645


i'm shooting a 45acp with winchester bullets so i might be in trouble then because 45 dont really move fast?

[cmzneb]

I've shot many round of FMJ and JHP at steel targets without a problem, other than the occasional small piece of jacket coming back. It is always a good idea to make sure everyone is wearing glasses.

[mscott]

Just figure right now that you'll likely get hit with a piece of bullet or jacket. I shoot steel quite a bit and it seems to be common for bullet pieces to go in every direction. I've yet to see anyone actually get hurt. It doesn't seem to matter what bullet you use. I load lead because I'm cheap, but plenty of guys use factory stuff. Buy whatever is cheap and enjoy it.

[Custom Glock Racing]

Getting fragged once in awhile is just kinda part of shooting steel.

The biggest culprit in frags in quality and design of the steel. Stay away from old concaved, bent or pitted steel, they throw alot more.

Example, the Steel Challenge, tons of competitors use super light fast moving HPs and there is almost zero frags at that match. New steel is put up for the match each year.

Hangunner, which bans HP, bullets under 115gr (I think) but that match has more frags than any I have ever seen, and most of the sttel is old, bentm pitted etc

[eljay45]

Originally posted by Custom Glock Racing
Getting fragged once in awhile is just kinda part of shooting steel.




Correct.

Your Winchester fmj is fine

[rhino465]

Originally posted by Glock21acp
i'm shooting a 45acp with winchester bullets so i might be in trouble then because 45 dont really move fast?

If you're shooting factory ammo or duplicating the velocity of factory ball, you will be fine. The problems arise when you get down to the velocities that cowboy shooters use. You don't want to see those kind of loads at a bowling pin match! :supergrin:

In general, the lighter your bullet, the faster you want it going to minimize splashback (same goes for shotgun shot). You don't want it so fast that it will crater the steel (like with bullets lighter than 115gr loaded beyond USPSA major power factor) though. Stick with standard factory velocity/weight combinations and you'll be fine.

I see you're in Indiana. If you're shooting at AtlantaCC on Saturday, you'll be fine. The steel is all in good shape and Eric W. always runs a safe and fun match. Just make sure you have good safety glasses that either "wrap" or have side shields.

I would be there, but I'm cheating and going to a 3-Gun match at Wildcat Valley instead. ;)

[Glock21acp]

well i'm from muncie so atlanta or North porter county conservation club on may 13th have you ever shot at North Porter County Club Rhino? either way both places are far for me but that dont matter need something closer ;)

[Flexmoney]

If'in ya don't have a cut on ya right now from some steel splash back then ya might not be a red neck. :rollsmiley:

[rhino465]

Originally posted by Glock21acp
well i'm from muncie so atlanta or North porter county conservation club on may 13th have you ever shot at North Porter County Club Rhino? either way both places are far for me but that dont matter need something closer ;)

I've never been to NPCCC, but I have a buddy who is a regular there.

I think AtlantaCC is significantly closer for you. It can't be more than an hour and a half away, can it?

I drive an hour and fifteen minutes to get there, and it's one of my two "home" clubs (the other being WVPPS/RileyCC near Terre Haute, also an hour and fifteen from me).

[Glock21acp]

yeah thats about right hour and a half away. so i dont know why i wanted to shoot at that other place. how much is it to get in the steel competition and when in the next one? i know they say something like every 3rd sat in the month is that true?

[rhino465]

Yes, the steel matches are 3rd Saturdays at AtlantaCC (http://www.atlantacc.net).

The next is this coming Saturday, 15APR06. There is an announcement for it in the Indiana Clubhouse in the topic for competitions in Indiana (it's tacked near the top of the list).

I don't remember what the fee is. I think it's either $10 or $15 for your first gun.

If you have more questions, contact: bangandclang-targets@yahoo.com