Range Safety Update: Due to changes in SAFETY OF USE MEMORANDUM 15-23; POLICY FOR STEEL REACTIVE TARGETS and the new WTBN Ironman Range SOP dated 12-14-23, the QSC has revised our safety guidance on minimum engagement distances for steel targets.
Effective immediately
Minimum engagement distances for portable Steel Reactive Targets (SRTs)
- Pistol - 10 yards (No pistol magnum calibers, FN 5.7 or +P ammo on steel)
- Pistol (Braced) / PCC / Rimfire Rifle - 25 yards
- Shotgun (Buck / Bird Shot) - 11 yards
- Shotgun (Slug) - 55 yards
- 5.56mm / .223 Ball - 110 yards
- 7.62mm / .308 Ball - 165 yards
- .300 Win Mag - 410 yards
- 6.5 Creedmoor - 410 yards
- No dueling trees, Texas Stars, or other gimmick-like targets
- Steel shooters may be segregated to one side of the firing line or other, and with a minimum lateral distance of 6 feet between steel shooters
Exception: SAT Range Matches (only) allow Pistol and Pistol (Braced) / PCC calibers (9mm, .40 and .45 ACP) and Rimfire Rifle / Pistol (.22LR) at a minimum of 7 yards. Previous Range Control determinations and safety reviews support the logic.
For additional information, The Marines test every caliber shot on their ranges, which includes simulations of every conceivable scenario to a 1 to 1,000,000 occurrence. Those result in the range safety fans and restrictions for range operations. The Marines have done the same with steel targets, which resulted in the minimum distances for steel reactive targets to prevent injury from ricochet or spalling that includes the range safety fan. You have to remember that when we shoot, we are potentially impacting on an adjacent range.
The guidance applies to the targets, not the stands. So, you can use hangers, stands, etc., for your targets. The important consideration is that the steel hanger/holder has movement so it deflects the spalling, and that the target is not parallel to the ground, which would cause the round to ricochet directly back to the shooter.