Be careful out there.


Experienced hunter killed in freak accident during target... | www.wsoctv.com

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Sure you did

I've shot thousands of steel plates, and there are reasons you shoot them a certain way. Make sure the distance is at least 20+ yards away. The plate needs to be angled is such a way that the bullet is deflected away from you, (not straight up and down). Steel needs to be replaced from time to time. Many hits in the middle of the steel plate can "cup" or Warp the plate and the bullet can follow the angle on the surface of the plate and come back at you or a spectator. If you shoot swinging plates, be sure they are further away as you can't control the angle of the plate when it swings. Never use old Railroad rail as a target stand as the curve from the base to the rail will send a bullet back at you, (Were banned from Metallic Silhouette shooting in the 80's). If you shoot steel you will be hit with splatter, ALWAYS wear shooting glasses.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

This is an unfortunate accident. But things happen, I do think that the odds of getting hit by a ricochet from a steel target is less than a lot of other things that are rare (like winning the lottery or getting hit by a meteor), but like I said, things happen. I think the biggest mistake was shooting alone, even when I go to the range early to avoid the crowds, there still is at least 1 RO there (usually more).

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Minimize the variables

I often wondered about this watching hickok45 on YouTube. Those straight up steel plates scare me.
Since I'm thinking about a shooting range at my camp I figured steel plates mounted away from us on an angle with the bottom tilted outwards above a two foot sand pit would catch and stop bullets. With a 6' high berm behind it. I have room for a 100yd range. But for handguns 25yds should be enough.
I have been looking at those bullet catchers like on the tv show wild west guns Alaska. Maybe a range in the garage?

On a good note if you read lower on that webpage there is an article we're the Wal-Mart toe sucker has been arrested.

I use 1/4" AR500 for handguns and 3/8" for rifles up to 5.56.They're painted different colors to avoid damaging the thinner steel with my AR.They're also reversible.I never would've guessed...LOL!

After a dozen years as a pistol & 3 gun match director it never ceases to amaze me how little thought people will put into how the steel is angled and what distance they want to shoot it at. Even being careful you get hit a lot as the safety officer cause you are exposed to so many shooters. The story did not say if the guy was using a pistol or rifle. We have a 50 yard min. on angled rifle steel. Rifle & shotgun slug splash back is very dangerous.

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JOSHUA 1:9