FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes. We stand behind our products.

Personal / Recreational Use:

• Target Plates: Covered for 90 days against manufacturing defects.
• Welds: Covered for 1 year against weld failure.

Commercial / Range Use:

• All Components: Covered for 90 days from date of purchase.
• Note: Due to the high-volume nature of range use, normal wear, pitting, cratering, or face degradation are not covered.

The Conditions:

To qualify, targets must be used according to Shoot Steel safety guidelines (proper distance, no steel-core ammo). Shoot Steel reserves the right to request photos or inspection of any claimed item. Misuse or abuse is not covered.

Start a Claim: Email customerservice@shootsteel.com with your order number and photos.

Hardness equals longevity.

AR550 is harder than AR500 (approx. 10% increase in surface hardness). This extra hardness helps resist pitting from fast rifle rounds and modern high-velocity loads like 5.56/.223.

When you combine AR550 with 1/2” thickness, you get a target with significantly improved durability for dedicated rifle use.

It’s all about the "HAZ" (Heat Affected Zone).

CNC Laser cutting puts less heat into the steel than plasma cutting. This tightly controls the Heat Affected Zone, preserving the target's hardness right up to the very edge.

The result? A cleaner edge that resists chipping and pitting, and safer splatter patterns.

Yes. Manufactured in the USA.

Our targets are laser-cut and manufactured right here in the United States using premium Swedish AR550 steel. We combine American craftsmanship with the cleanest, hardest steel alloy available on the global market to ensure superior consistency and performance.

Don't head to the hardware store guessing.

Most of our targets use standard 1/2"-13 Carriage Bolts. The square neck of the carriage bolt locks into the square hole on the target face, meaning you only need one wrench to tighten the nut on the back.

Recommendation: Use Grade 5 or Grade 8 bolts for better durability against errant shots. Length depends on your mounting setup, but 2" is usually a safe bet.

Our systems are rated for Centerfire Handguns and Centerfire Rifles up to .308 (depending on the target thickness).

The Velocity Rule: For very fast muzzle velocities (> 3,000 fps), you must increase your distance to preserve the plate. Velocity ruins steel, not bullet size.

No Steel Core: Never use Green Tip, steel core, armor-piercing, or tracer ammunition. If a magnet sticks to the bullet, don't shoot it at steel.

100 Yards Minimum.

Regardless of thickness (3/8" or 1/2"), we recommend 100 yards for centerfire rifles like .223/5.56. This ensures the velocity has bled off enough to impact safely without damaging your gear.

Yes. Bring the heavy artillery.

We offer 3/4" AR500 targets specifically designed for .50 BMG (Ball and Brass Solid). These must be used at safe distances with proper heavy-duty mounting systems.

Yes. It is the last .22LR target you will ever buy.

While AR500 is overkill for rimfire, it works perfectly. You will never wear it out with a .22. We recommend a minimum distance of 10 to 15 yards for rimfire safety.

For dedicated handgun use, 1/4" AR500 is perfect. It is lightweight and gives a loud ring.

However, most shooters opt for 3/8" AR500. It handles all handgun calibers easily, but gives you the versatility to shoot rifles at the same target (at 100+ yards).

If you set it up right, the physics work for you.

When a bullet hits hard, flat AR500 steel, it should fragment (shatter) and deflect downwards at a 20-degree angle into the dirt.

To minimize risk:

• Ensure the target face is flat (no craters/pitting).
• Allow the target to hang/swing freely (absorbs energy).
• Always wear ANSI-rated eye protection.

Not at all. It's just cosmetic.

Because we ship raw, oil-free steel (to make painting easier for you), minor surface rust can occur during shipping or storage due to humidity. This does not affect the hardness or safety of the plate.

The Fix: A quick scuff with a wire brush and a coat of spray paint will make it look brand new.

You have options ranging from DIY to Professional:

• The Pro Way: Use our Static Target Stands or Gong Stands for a portable, range-ready system.
• The DIY Way: Shepherd's hooks work for light gongs, or use a 2x4 with our hangers.

Key Requirement: Ensure the target can swing or is angled downward to deflect spall safely.

Yes. Our T-Post hangers are designed for standard steel T-posts found at most farm, ranch, and hardware stores.

Pro Tip: Post profiles can vary slightly by brand. We recommend bringing your hanger to the store to confirm the fit before buying your posts in bulk. (Note: T-posts are not included with our hangers).

Yes. Our Static Target Stand is our best-seller for a reason.

It utilizes a standard wood 2x4 as the upright post. This makes the system lightweight, portable, and if you accidentally shoot the post, you can replace it for a few dollars at the hardware store.

Mild steel is for welding. AR500 is for shooting.

Mild Steel is soft. A bullet will punch right through it or create a deep crater that can turn the next shot into a dangerous U-turn ricochet back at the shooter.

AR500 (Abrasion Resistant) is heat-treated to a hardness of 500 Brinell. It is hard enough to shatter the bullet on impact without deforming, ensuring a lifetime of safe use.

If you are paralyzed by choice, here is the "Goldilocks" rule for general shooting:

• 12" Gong: The universal standard. Big enough for 100-yard rifle work, challenging enough for pistol drills.
• ISPC/IDPA Silhouette: Best for defensive training and tactical drills.
• 8" Gong: Perfect for precision rifle work or confident pistol shooters.

We know you want to get to the range. Most orders ship within 3–4 business days.

During peak seasons or for large freight orders, allow up to 7 business days. You will receive an automated tracking number the moment the label is created.

Yes. Check your email (and your spam folder) for an automated tracking link from FedEx, UPS, or USPS.

No. We ship raw steel.

We ship unpainted so you can apply your preferred color and touch it up easily after a range session. We recommend Bright White or Neon Orange for the best contrast downrange.

Our standard free shipping applies to the lower 48 states. However, we can ship to HI, AK, Puerto Rico, and Guam for an additional shipping charge. Please contact us for a custom quote before ordering.

We treat our customers fair.

• Order hasn't shipped? We will refund the difference.
• Order shipped in the last 7 days? We will issue a store credit for the difference.

Note: Discounts cannot be stacked. If you used a coupon on the original order, no further adjustments apply.

Currently, we focus our production capacity on the products listed on our website to keep lead times short. We are always open to new product ideas for future development, so feel free to drop us a line!

Yes. We support those who serve.

We offer discounts to Military, Law Enforcement, and First Responders. Please email proof of service (credentials or ID) to customerservice@shootsteel.com and we will reply with your personal discount code.