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 08-27-2011, 08:20 AM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2 |  Bullets for shooting Steel???
Hello,
I am a reloader and want to start shooting steel targets. Other than Sinterfire bullets is there another frangible bullet to use on steel? I prefer Hornady XTP bullets but do not know if these would be good for shooting steel? | 
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| 08-27-2011, 06:58 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: FEMA, Region V Posts: 629 |
Is all lead out of the question?
I have a scar (not FN SCAR) to prove that FMJ and steel don't mix too well sometimes. __________________
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today...today is a gift.
Be Well. | |
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| 08-27-2011, 07:31 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Near Marion, IN Posts: 718 |
If the steel targets are set up right, there won't be a risk of ricochet. I shoot my steel targets from as close as 7 feet, and the bullets are deflected into the ground about 2 feet in front of the targets..... FMJ...JHP... and lead. Over thousands of rounds.....
YMMV __________________ NRA Life Member
Freedom has a flavor the protected can never taste...
USMC 8652, 2531, RVN Jun '67, - May 69
Some of my toys | |
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| 08-27-2011, 09:35 PM | #4 | viper2 usmc 04 to 08 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: oakfield, ny Posts: 1,005 Liked 1 Times on 1 Posts
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ive been shooting steel all along. not once have i had a problem. actually every shot has gone straight thru with a nice little hole. granted, ive only been using .223,.308.. they cut thru 1/2 inch steel like paper | |
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| 08-28-2011, 12:47 AM | #5 | I'm always 10-8 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 150 miles NE of Sloppy Joe's Bar, in the "GunShine" State Posts: 19,200 Liked 7 Times on 6 Posts
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Cooperism
"For people who are concerned about lead spray from steel targets, we point out that spray is distributed in a circular pattern perpendicular to the angle of impact. It goes up, down and sideways regardless of the aspect of the target. (You can test this with cardboard shrouding if you wish.) Thus, nothing much is accomplished by slanting the target at minor angles. Eventually, of course, you will achieve ricochets, but target display will suffer." - Jeff Cooper 2003
Steel Challenge __________________ .
 .. Colt 11101110111..MEMBER: FAAM, NRA, GOA, DAV, USSV, SAE
Colt, everything else is stamp collecting! - cane
"Given ten days for a project, a good engineer spends nine days figuring out how to finish it in one day."
Resistance is not futile.
It's voltage divided by current (R=V/I).
"If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it on a large scale." | |
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| 08-28-2011, 08:01 AM | #6 | Retired Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: LA (Lower Alabama), FL Posts: 5,224 Liked 2 Times on 2 Posts
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We ran tests for the USAF on shooting steel back in 1987 using the same setup as Cane's reference to Jeff Cooper explains.
The USAF determined that on the range we used, a distance of 15' was the minimum we were allowed to shoot steel with pistol ammo. There was no restriction on what ammo, only the distance and that the target was perpendicular to the ground. __________________
Murphy's law has not be repealed.
Life Member NRA
Life Member NAHC | |
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| 08-28-2011, 08:47 AM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2 |
Thanks for the input everyone. | |
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| 08-28-2011, 11:22 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 659 |
Out of curiosity, does birdshot tend to ricochet more, and more directly, rather than splatter? I've heard someone mention ricochets during shotgun steel matches, but I've shot steel with birdshot and never noticed it. | |
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| 08-29-2011, 12:13 AM | #9 | Happy Kahr Family! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,904 |
Are you talking lead birdshot? I don't have any experience, but I read that entire ActionTargets article and it sounds like the smaller size of the lead birdshot would NOT make it react differently, only speed. As long as the distance is such that the velocity is still over 750 fps, then you're fine. __________________
.45 acp, 9mm, .38 spl +p, .380 acp, .22 long rifle
12 gauge, 5.56x45mm NATO, .30-30 Win
1 Peter 3:15-16 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." | |
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| 08-29-2011, 01:51 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 659 |
Ah gotcha. I was just curious since someone mentioned it  .
I wonder if the guy's observation was due to the higher volume of lead hitting the target simple resulting in more lead being dispersed on impact? I mean, a 1-1/8oz load is like 4x the lead as a standard 9mm bullet, so it would make sense that there would be more of it splattered around? | |
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