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Choose shooting targets for practice, and set them up safely

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-18.

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Quick answer

Paper targets show exactly where each shot landed, steel gongs ring when hit, and self-healing targets reseal after bullets pass through. Champion's VisiColor and Score Keeper paper targets come in pistol and rifle styles. Do-All Outdoors sells an 8 inch AR500 steel gong rated 9mm to .30-06, a self-healing gong rated .22 to .50 caliber and a .22 auto-reset steel target. For steel, Champion lists minimum distances such as 15 yards for non-magnum handgun and 100 yards for standard rifle, plus a proper backstop and eye and ear protection.

Paper, steel or self-healing

Paper targets record every hole, so you can see groups and sight in a rifle. Champion says its Score Keeper targets include a record-keeping section to track data and zero-in on tight groups.

Steel targets give instant feedback. Do-All Outdoors says its steel targets give both an audible and a visual response when struck. Self-healing targets are made of a material that, Do-All says, lets the bullet pass through with minimal damage and reseals itself.

Match the target to the caliber

Every steel or self-healing target has a caliber rating. Do-All rates its 8 inch AR500 steel target for 9mm to .30-06, and its High Caliber Steel Rifle Gong for 9mm up to .30-06, both in 3/8 inch powder-coated steel. Do-All rates the Big Gong Show 9 inch self-healing target for .22 to .50 caliber rifles and pistols. The .22 Auto Reset is a rimfire target.

Champion's steel target warnings say 1/4 inch targets are for non-magnum handgun, shotgun birdshot and supersonic .22LR only, and 3/8 inch targets handle handgun, rifle, supersonic rimfire, birdshot, buckshot and slugs at the listed distances.

Minimum distances for steel

Champion lists these minimum shooting distances for its steel targets:

• 15 yards for non-magnum handgun, supersonic .22LR and shotgun birdshot.
• 25 yards for buckshot.
• 50 yards for magnum handgun and shotgun slugs.
• 100 yards for standard rifle ammunition under 2,500 fps and 3,000 ft/lb at impact.
• 250 yards for magnum rifle ammunition under the same limits.

Champion says its steel targets are not rated for subsonic rimfire, steel shot, BBs, steel core, armor piercing, tracer, solid copper or solid brass bullets, and are for lead and copper jacketed lead core bullets only. Check the instructions for the exact target you buy.

Set up the target and backstop

Champion says steel targets must have a proper backstop, must never be shot at an angle from the side, should sit over a surface that limits fragments, and should be mounted with the face angled down 10 to 20 degrees from vertical. Everyone must stay behind the shooter. Use steel only where hot fragments or sparks will not start a fire.

Do-All says its large .22 auto reset targets use ground spikes and a forward-leaning angle for downward bullet deflection.

Range safety basics

NSSF's firearm safety rules say not to shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike, to be sure your bullet will not injure anyone or anything beyond the target, and to keep in mind how far a bullet travels if it misses or ricochets. NSSF also says all shooters should wear protective shooting glasses and hearing protection. See our shooting earmuffs guide.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

How far away should you shoot steel targets?

Champion lists minimums of 15 yards for non-magnum handgun and .22LR, 25 yards for buckshot, 50 yards for magnum handgun and slugs, 100 yards for standard rifle and 250 yards for magnum rifle.

What ammo is safe on steel targets?

Champion says its steel targets are for lead and copper jacketed lead core bullets only, not steel core, armor piercing, tracer, solid copper or steel shot.

Do self-healing targets need a backstop?

Yes. Do-All says bullets pass through the self-healing material, so you still need a safe backstop.

Do I need eye and ear protection?

Yes. NSSF says all shooters should wear protective shooting glasses and hearing protection, and Champion lists eye and ear protection as the first steel target rule.

Sources

• 8 in. AR500 Steel Target (doalloutdoors.com), Do-All Outdoors
• The Big Gong Show 9 in. (doalloutdoors.com), Do-All Outdoors
• .22 Auto Reset (doalloutdoors.com), Do-All Outdoors
• High Caliber Steel Rifle Gong and Stand (doalloutdoors.com), Do-All Outdoors
• VisiColor Targets (primos.com), Champion (Primos)
• Score Keeper Fluorescent Orange and Green Bull Targets (primos.com), Champion (Primos)
• Steel Target Warnings (primos.com), Champion (Primos)
• Rules of Firearms Safety (nssf.org), NSSF

Sources checked 2026-10-18.