Do Bullets Ricochet Off Steel Targets?

• April 8, 2025
• By Jared Daub

Do Bullets Ricochet Off Steel Targets?

Do Bullets Ricochet Off Steel Targets? The short answer is: yes, they do. But the reason they return to the firing line will almost always be a result of using a poorly designed target with improper steel. It is so critical that you are using tried and true systems when you are engaging steel targets on your range. The truth is: low quality and poorly designed systems can absolutely hurt you. They can pit and crater, the poorly designed brackets can redirect fragmentation, and you could ultimately find yourself in the hospital with a major wound. This is NOT something to take lightly. Yes, we make steel targets. Yes, we are biased towards OUR products. But ultimately, no matter who you purchase from, be sure you are auditing their designs to ensure you have a safe range experience.

Why we are doing this test

We see too much bad information and poor opinions on the internet surrounding steel targets. As a manufacturer / designer / retailer / marketing entity of steel targets for a decade, we take this personally. We have always strived to make and offer the highest quality systems possible. When we hear bad takes spread across the internet, it harms you more than anyone. Bad “information” can skew your perception of steel target safety. Additionally, it can make you feel confident in a system that is downright dangerous. Here are a few things we think you should always have on the top of your mind / actions:

• Never EVER shoot mild steel target systems. They are NEVER safe!
• Never shoot mild steel components
• ONLY purchase steel targets from a reputable source that can prove to you the material they claim to use.
• If you ever are concerned about the targets you see downrange: STOP! Don’t continue using them. If you feel that your safety is at risk, walk away. Never risk your safety.
• ALWAYS follow manufacturer distance requirements. These are non-negotiable distances you MUST adhere to at ALL TIMES.
• ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. No matter if you are shooting paper or steel, ALWAYS wear eye protection.

Misunderstanding steel target systems

Many people have bought into bad opinions on the internet. There is a misconception that all bullets ricochet off steel target plates upon impact. In reality, the MOMENT they contact a steel plate (assuming proper ammo is used and the target is proper steel), the round will IMMEDIATELY begin disintegrating. Even before the target plate begins to move, the projectile has fractured. It happens incredibly fast. The bullet will turn into a plume of tiny fragments of copper, brass, and lead. These fragments will do the following:

• they will follow the plane of the steel target plate along the surface in a 360 degree fan
• Much of the kinetic energy of the fragmentation is dissipated upon impact
• The energy dissipation is even greater with target systems that allow the plate to move when struck
• MOST fragmentation will bias towards the ground, assuming the plate has a forward lean angle
• Fragmentation CAN leave the target plate from 0 degrees to about 12-15 degrees from the face of the target plate.

This effectively means that some fragmentation will leave the plane of the plate, but, due to physics, they will not “bounce back” towards the shooter. Adhering to steel target distance requirements and using our quality steel targets ensures you are never in the line of fragmentation. This is so important. Additionally, this is assuming the target plate you are shooting is FREE of craters, divots, and/or holes. A marked up target face will make the fragmentation spread inconsistently. This can be extremely dangerous.

The logic behind the test

We completely covered our Reduced C Zone Steel target plate with cardboard on all sides. In order to answer the question: ‘Do Bullets Ricochet Off Steel Targets?’, we need a way to track where the fragmentation is going. By completely covering and surrounding the target plate with cardboard, we are effectively creating a medium that can track this fragmentation. We picked several common calibers to showcase the results. Although we did not exclusively test ALL available calibers on the market (that would be unrealistic), all calibers with proper ammo will display the same results.

Larger calibers with thicker jackets will have fragmentation more prone to experiencing that 1-12 degree deflection from the plate. Smaller, faster calibers with lighter bullets turn almost into a dust upon impact. Most of that fragmentation follows the plane of the plate. The calibers we filmed are:

• 9mm 115 grain FMJ ammunition
• 10mm 180 grain Jacketed Hollow Point ammo
• 10mm 220 grain Hard Cast Lead Underwood ammo
• .223 PMC Bronze 55 Grain FMJ from a 16″ AR15
• 150 grain Federal PowerShok ammo from 300 winchester magnum rifle

“223 is one of the most misunderstood rounds used against steel. It is small, fast, and capable of damaging steel targets. Because of this, there is ample misinformation on the internet.”

9mm results

9mm is arguably the most common sidearm caliber used in training. For that reason, we included it in the ‘Do Bullets Ricochet Off Steel Targets?’ test. We fired one round from 10 yards on the center of the fresh cardboard target.

In the first photo above, you can see the fragmentation tearing through the cardboard. Note where it is coming from. It is biased along the plane of the plate. In the second photo, you will see the fragmentation has already substantially slowed. Look at the front of the cardboard. No other fragmentation has passed through the cardboard. Pretty incredible, isn’t it?

The results after the 9mm shot

In the photos below you can clearly see that most of the fragmentation left through the bottom of the cardboard. The sides are the second most penetrated component of the cardboard. Last, there is SOME evidence of fragmentation following the plate of the target plate towards the top. But remember: This is not “coming back to the shooter”, this is simply physics. If you follow proper distances and all other requirements, you will never find yourself in the fragmentation zone.

10mm 180 grain JHP results

Just like the 9mm projectile, the 10mm is fully contained inside the cardboard upon impact. Then, you will see the fragmentation following the exact same direction and pattern as the 9mm ammunition did. This is consistent with our years of testing of all major calibers. Isn’t science amazing?

When observing the fragmentation pattern of the 10mm JHP round, you’ll find the same results. Most fragmentation is biased towards the bottom of the cardboard. Then there is some from the sides, the remainder, a SMALL amount, leaves the top gently.

10mm 220 grain Hard Cast Lead Projectile

The underwood 220 grain hard cast lead ammo is extremely potent. This is a full power 10mm round that is capable of putting down even the largest of game. But, once again, we will see a similar result to all the others so far:

The 220 grain underwood ammunition proved even more violent than the 180 grain jacketed hollow point ammo. Not only is it faster, it is a VERY hard projectile. Look at the fragmentation pattern of this beast in the photos below:

Once again, the fragmentation followed the exact same pattern. It was more destructive to the cardboard, but it followed the same principles already discussed previously. Pistols are great, but what about common rifle calibers?

.223 from 10 yards onto the test target plate

Please never do this. We engaged the target at 10 yards with PMC bronze 55 grain full metal jacket ammunition. Not only does this flex the strength of our steel and design, it showcases the safety of the system as a whole.

Even with a fast rifle projectile like a .223 / 5.56, the bullet completely turns to tiny fragmentation. Due to the velocity, the fragmentation will leave the cardboard container at a much higher velocity than a pistol. But, the pieces will be much, much smaller. This can be seen from the photos below. The rifle round still followed the same example as the rounds prior. Crazy stuff, isn’t it?

Pay very close attention to the left photo above. Look at where the smoke / lead plume is concentrated. Do you see it? It’s MOSTLY down towards the ground! 223 is one of the most misunderstood rounds used against steel. It is small, fast, and capable of damaging steel targets. Because of this, there is ample misinformation on the internet. A quality steel target plate that is engineered properly will do what it is meant to do shot after shot. Even with small, fast projectiles. Below you can see how the 223 wreaked havoc on the bottom of the cardboard container. Once again, the sides show quite a bit of fragmentation pattern, and there is a light pattern on the top of the plate, safely away from the shooter.

300 winchester magnum 150 grain ammunition

300 Winchester Magnum is no joke. So, in our typical fashion, we decided to fire it during this test at about 60 yards. The ammunition used is federal 150 grain powershok ammo. From our Bergara B-14 HMR wilderness rifle, this ammo is about 3300FPS. Further, this ammo features a heavy crimp and thick jacket. For this reason, you’ll see more destruction from this round. You’ll also see more fragmentation leaving the front of the cardboard. But, do not fear: it is simply following the upward trajectory at the 0-15 degree deflection angle.

So what’s the deal? Do bullets ricochet from steel targets? What about this 300 Winchester Magnum? Analyzing the photo above, you can already see the immense energy that was transferred to the target plate. Yet, once again, look at where the fragmentation and smoke is concentrated. You guessed it: towards the bottom of the plate. Even at the ABSURDLY close distance of 60 yards, our 1/2″ AR550 reduced C zone didn’t flinch. Let’s check out the impacts after the plate was struck.

Results from 300 winchester magnum

Even in the face of a giant like the 300 winchester magnum, the cardboard doesn’t lie: The fragmentation went exactly where it was supposed to go. What a fascinating test and the data proves it again: Steel targets CAN be incredibly safe. But only when they are designed properly and to exacting standards.

Above you can see the absolute devastation of the fragmentation of the 300 winchester magnum, This further points to the fact that you MUST only engage properly designed, quality steel targets. If that was shot at an improper plate, it could be sending fragmentation back to shooters. That’s a serious injury risk. This is especially prevalent for folks shooting recycled or mild steel. Please never do that. It is so incredibly dangerous.

What can we learn from this experiment

Hopefully you can see now that with a properly designed system, fragmentation is directed away from you harmlessly. However, with an improperly designed system or one with questionable or unknown steel quality, it can be extremely dangerous. Steel targets that are unsafe can cause injury or death. It is simply not worth gambling your life with a questionable target. We know the temptation is strong to “save money” and buy a cheap system. But at the end of the day, you are gambling your safety, your life and the safety and lives of others. What is that worth to you to keep everyone on your range safe? We think that is priceless.

Do Bullets Ricochet from Steel Targets? Yes, and the design of the system determines where that shrapnel goes. If you are using improper ammunition, at improper distances, on questionable steel target systems, you are gambling with your life. That’s just the cold, hard truth. If you find yourself being violently attacked by fragmentation from your steel target, you should consider ditching it and getting something higher quality that is safer.

The good news is: We can help you. We are an industry leader in quality AR500 and AR550 steel target systems. Not only that, we make media that changes lives and we do business well. Our entire community benefits from us. This is about far more than steel targets. This is a cultural revival. And we are honored to play a small part in it. Have questions? Email us at: info@tatargets.com. Consider subscribing to our YouTube channel. While you are at it, check out our latest Armor Piercing test showcasing the absolute strength of our 1/2″ AR550 target systems. See you all next time.