Steel plates, fun, but not at close range

[RogueUSMC]

You never know what will happen. I've been shot multiple times by ricochet's, last one being about say, three months ago. Myself and three other people were shooting targets I set up on a stock tank embankment, and I was observing their 25-30yrd crack shots at bottle caps and spent shot shells, when somebody shot, and as soon as I hear the vvvvrrrmmm, of a ricochet, I was trying to hit the deck, but as I was heading for the ground, I heard "thud," quickly followed by a great big "Ughh." Before I realized it, It was me curled over, holding my right side. A .40cal slug angled off of some rocks just under a tad of dirt and smacked me dead in ribs. I always wear eye protection, and depending on who I'm with, and what we're shooting, I'll wear a light vest. Even if you can't see a ricochet hazard, they're always there.

You move faster than I do...I hear a ricochet and then stop to think, "good thing it missed me." Knowing my luck, I'd dive right in front of it, where if I stood still it would go around me...

[VMI77]

I have never had an issue with steel as long as the plate is set it up so it is not rigid. IMO, any steel targets at close or intermediate range should be set up to hang or fall over so they always move when they are hit. Allowing movement helps absorb the bullet impact even if you are not using soft lead ammo.

I would also agree with the post above about setting it up with a slight angle. Not hard to do hanging a heavy plate by a bolt on the back side.

Of course, you should still use eye protection, but that goes for any shooting at all.

This. The movement also changes the angles of incidence and reflection.

[mojo84]

Some really good info and insights in this video.

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[Charlies.Contingency]

You never know what will happen. I've been shot multiple times by ricochet's, last one being about say, three months ago. Myself and three other people were shooting targets I set up on a stock tank embankment, and I was observing their 25-30yrd crack shots at bottle caps and spent shot shells, when somebody shot, and as soon as I hear the vvvvrrrmmm, of a ricochet, I was trying to hit the deck, but as I was heading for the ground, I heard "thud," quickly followed by a great big "Ughh." Before I realized it, It was me curled over, holding my right side. A .40cal slug angled off of some rocks just under a tad of dirt and smacked me dead in ribs. I always wear eye protection, and depending on who I'm with, and what we're shooting, I'll wear a light vest. Even if you can't see a ricochet hazard, they're always there.

You move faster than I do...I hear a ricochet and then stop to think, "good thing it missed me." Knowing my luck, I'd dive right in front of it, where if I stood still it would go around me...

My other experiences have been the opposite, usually it's, "thud" followed by "Vrrrrmmm" and "ahh!" I've had worse experiences with hot brass getting caught in a glove or such, but it's still an eye opener for sure.

[RogueUSMC]

You never know what will happen. I've been shot multiple times by ricochet's, last one being about say, three months ago. Myself and three other people were shooting targets I set up on a stock tank embankment, and I was observing their 25-30yrd crack shots at bottle caps and spent shot shells, when somebody shot, and as soon as I hear the vvvvrrrmmm, of a ricochet, I was trying to hit the deck, but as I was heading for the ground, I heard "thud," quickly followed by a great big "Ughh." Before I realized it, It was me curled over, holding my right side. A .40cal slug angled off of some rocks just under a tad of dirt and smacked me dead in ribs. I always wear eye protection, and depending on who I'm with, and what we're shooting, I'll wear a light vest. Even if you can't see a ricochet hazard, they're always there.

You move faster than I do...I hear a ricochet and then stop to think, "good thing it missed me." Knowing my luck, I'd dive right in front of it, where if I stood still it would go around me...

My other experiences have been the opposite, usually it's, "thud" followed by "Vrrrrmmm" and "ahh!" I've had worse experiences with hot brass getting caught in a glove or such, but it's still an eye opener for sure.

ahhh, hot brass...night fire in boot camp saw a half dozen pieces go down the back of my shirt. I laid my rifle down and commenced to rollin' around tryina get that brass outta my shirt...that was tucked in my trousers...under my blouse...under the flak jacket...while the DIs were all over me like white on rice...lol

[Charlies.Contingency]

You never know what will happen. I've been shot multiple times by ricochet's, last one being about say, three months ago. Myself and three other people were shooting targets I set up on a stock tank embankment, and I was observing their 25-30yrd crack shots at bottle caps and spent shot shells, when somebody shot, and as soon as I hear the vvvvrrrmmm, of a ricochet, I was trying to hit the deck, but as I was heading for the ground, I heard "thud," quickly followed by a great big "Ughh." Before I realized it, It was me curled over, holding my right side. A .40cal slug angled off of some rocks just under a tad of dirt and smacked me dead in ribs. I always wear eye protection, and depending on who I'm with, and what we're shooting, I'll wear a light vest. Even if you can't see a ricochet hazard, they're always there.

You move faster than I do...I hear a ricochet and then stop to think, "good thing it missed me." Knowing my luck, I'd dive right in front of it, where if I stood still it would go around me...

My other experiences have been the opposite, usually it's, "thud" followed by "Vrrrrmmm" and "ahh!" I've had worse experiences with hot brass getting caught in a glove or such, but it's still an eye opener for sure.

ahhh, hot brass...night fire in boot camp saw a half dozen pieces go down the back of my shirt. I laid my rifle down and commenced to rollin' around tryina get that brass outta my shirt...that was tucked in my trousers...under my blouse...under the flak jacket...while the DIs were all over me like white on rice...lol

Good times!

[KD5NRH]

There's a sign on the plinkin' range (Range 8) at the Fort Bliss Rod & Gun Club: 'No fruit or vegetables.' Seems the range workers got tired o' cleanin' up the mess.

Raccoons did a great job of cleaning up the cream cheese shrapnel from one experiment. Birds and bunnies ate well after the oranges.