Spinner targets - richochet/bounce factor?

[Stand_Watie]

A friend of mine made me a really nice spinner target - the biggest plate is 1/2 inch and the smaller plates are 1/4 inch steel - I'm planning on doing some target shooting and thought I'd poll the board on what they thought the hazard from ricochet and bouncing bullets would be likely to be.


I'll probably only shoot .22 LR at it through a pistol unless I get a lot of advice otherwise, as I don't want to tear it up.

I thought that primarily the bullets would tend to deflect downward into the ground...what is your experience with this type of target? Is there any real likelyhood of bullets bouncing directly back, and if so is the energy mostly spent from them? What would you consider a safe range to shoot at?

Are ricochets at an oblique angle likely to fly very far? The area behind the target is several miles deep, but I do have neighbors within a few hundred yards at a 90 degree angle to the target.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on safety, backstop regarding spinner targets.

 

[sm]

I have used the spinner targets that one sees in the Hoppe's and Outers' lineup. I have not encountered a problem. exception - rimfire targets are for rimfire - 9x23mm has a tendency to ...err...where'd the spinner go? Same Caveat for using a spinner for centerfire with rimfire - the steel is too heavy to "give" ( spin) therefore a richocet is very very possible. You knew this....just a reminder for new shooters.

I use a good safe backstop. Always.

I prefer the ones with a steel base , instead of having to poke in the ground - hard ground is no fun, soft muddy ground gives way. The ones with a steel base - just "set" upon the ground .

For the ones that stake -easy remedy. Old pc of plywood, cut to size, then threaded PVC or steel with the "nuts" or "endpieces" attached. the hole is big enough for pipe - not endpc. Insert pipes, put onto ground, stakes in open end of pipe. Easy to replace / repair and portable for carry.

I kept cans of spray paint handy , anything will do to paint over the hits. Fifty Cent Green and Yellow spray paints in the bargain bin at the hardware store works.

These are great targets, especially for new shooters and teaching. Reactive targets are just plain fun.

 

[AK47TIM]

With a 25 yard Minimum distance you could probably use any pistol round you wanted. IT depends alot on the Birnell Rating of the steel used. i have never had any ricochets come back at me that i know of using rimfire rounds.


YMMV



Edited to add

Do not shoot 1/2" plates with rimfire rounds

 

[Okiecruffler]

I got too close to mine with a 22 pistol, about 10 feet. I didn't get any richochet, but I got "splatter" from the soft 22 bullet when it hit the target. No real damage, just stung the shins and a lesson learned.

 

[hksw]

I've got a few of those Birchwood Casey spinners for .22s (the self re-setting one and metallic silhouette ones). Haven't had any problems with them concerning ricochets. Always wear safety glasses. However, I've neverplace the targets less than 25 yards. (BC also private labels their spinners for other companieslike Remington.)

If ricochets are a serious concern for you, there are no ricochet self sealing spinners made of a foamy materialthatthe bullets pass right through (but still transfer enough force to spin them). http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=92018

 

[Dienekes]

Have been using commercially made swinger targets for probably fifteen years now; .22 LR, .38 spl., .357, .45 ACP and a few odd rounds. Zero comebacks and no serious ricochets that I know of, although you want a proper backstop in any case. I won't get closer than 12 yards anymore to steel and further back is prudent. With those precautions and safety glasses you should be okay.

I have had some fragments come back from battered steel plates at closer distances and learned the lesson. Had to take one fair sized fragment out of my cheek years ago which left a small duelling scar. It sort of makes you think.

 

[Mal H]

I know everyone already knows this, but a reminder isn't a bad idea - Always wear safety glasses when shooting, especially when shooting at steel.

I totally agree with sm on the solid heavy base vs the stick-it-in-the-ground variety of spinner. The whole idea is that you don't need to keep walking up and changing the target. But, if the spikes keep tilting backwards every 10 shots or so, that's what you end up doing.

I also use the bright spray paint like sm mentioned. You always have a fresh target. I keep a can of international orange paint with the spinners. Get 'em cheap at the various "dollar" stores.

I have a steel 'dueling' post which has 4 6" round targets that swing sideways when you hit them. You start out with 2 on either side of the post, then you and another shooter try to get all of them on the other side. First person to do that wins. It takes quite a few shots to accomplish since each person shoots at a target as soon as it gets back to their side, sending back over to the opponents side who promptly shoots it back to you, etc. The very first time we tried it out, I was beat solidly by a young lady who I later found out was Annie Oakley reincarnated! She was one of the best natural shooters I've ever seen.

The dueling post targets are designed for anything up to .44 Mag with lead bullets.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Mal,

Have you got a good line on where to get a dueling post? The wife has wanted one ever since she saw one on some shooting show, just to show me up no doubt, but I haven't found one. Or looked that hard either, I'm in no hurry to get shown up.

 

[lvl1trauma]

As long as the target gives downward with the impact you should be OK. I have been standing upwards of 20 yards behind folks shooting steel plates that didn't give too much or even at all. Bullet fragments were coming back and hitting our vehicles. The shooter was OK because the bullets brok up and went out away from him. We left. As a general rule i will leave for that reason when someone sets up beside me with anything other than the small Birchwood Casey spinners. The don't break up the bullet too much if at all.m It just knocks the target out of the way.


lvl1trauma

 

[Mal H]

Okiecruffler - I bought mine from Midway and I just checked, they still sell them (do a search on "dueling"). Looks like they've added a 22 cal post as well. With the big bore version a .22 would move the plate, but sometimes it would stop halfway to the other side - not enough oompf for the heavy steel plates.

I also see that the prices are a lot higher! Probably related to the obscene cost of steel curently. I think I paid about half of what they cost now, and shipping was free in those days.

 

[Stand_Watie]

Well I didn't have to worry about tearing up the plates. I shot the big one exactly once (crouched down behind cover) with the .22 and it didn't budge. The medium sized plate just swung back a few inches with the .22 and the little plate swung up about halfway. None of them actually 'spun'.

I shot the big plate with a .38 and .357 and it swung a little. My brother was spotting for me and when all of the bullets hit the plates (except for the .22 on the big plate) they were going down into the ground a couple feet behind the plates. None of the bullets did anything other than leave lead smears on the plates - I think I could have actually shot the 1/4 inch plates with the .38 or .357 without harming them (they might have actually 'spun' then).

I think this particular target should be good for a lifetime unless I start shooting large caliber rifle rounds at it. The frame and the sticks that the plates hang on are made of rebar.

 

[Darkside]

Yes, Ricochet is a concern even with targets that swing(bullet is supposed to deflect down) If the target is swinging and the plate is angled upward at the time of the next hit the bullets do deflect upwards. I WATCHED two of my .45 200gr. HP skip off the plate and over the backstop while practicing double taps. I didn't realize what happened and what I had just seen the first time(sometimes you gotta draw me a picture).

My plates are made out of 5/8" ar400 and I had them on a short chain when this happened. Since then I have lengthened the chain and the plates don't swing as much.

Darkside

 

[Bravo11]

I have a Outers .22 swing type reactive target and I love it. Shooting at paper is good for checking groups and setting sights but shooting reactive targets is just plain fun. You don't have to keep going down range to set up new targets. My Outers was the stick in the ground type but I made a wood base to set the target in and it keeps it from leaning back and raises off the ground more.