Steel vs Paper Targets

Howdy all! This week I want to share some thoughts on the pros and cons of steel vs paper targets when it comes to shooting.

Paper targets are the most common because they can be used both indoors and outdoors. They are cheap, easily available, and come in a variety of styles besides the classic bull's-eye or silhouette. Today you can find targets with bad guys on them, zombies, etc.

The biggest advantage of paper targets is that you can see where you're misses are going and then you can correct whatever mistake you were making. If you're not familiar with the Pistol Correction Chart it's a great tool in refining your skills. So, for example, if you are shooting low and right (5 o'clock) consulting the chart lets you know that you're tightening your grip while pulling the trigger.

Paper targets are also nice for seeing improvement over time. If you write the date on them it's easy to look back and see the difference.

Steel targets, on the other hand, need to be used outside. They are heavy, expensive, and can be dangerous because when a round hits them it splatters and if you're too close that splash back can strike you.

There are a wide variety of steel targets available; everything from simple circle shapes of varying sizes all the way to advanced spinning targets like the Texas Star. Some targets are designed to react when hit, such as the famous Pepper Poppers created by John Pepper in the late 70's. Others, like the Dueling Tree, have targets that swing side to side.

(Laci Szabo shows a cool portable steel target on Modern Knives #10: Fire & Steel if you're looking for something you can take with you to the range or your buddy's place that doesn't break the bank or your back!)

The greatest advantage of steel is the instant feedback you get. When you hit a steel target within 300 milliseconds (less than 1/3 of a second) your brain has the feedback on the shot because of the sound and target's reaction.

With paper, if you fire 10 shots and then look the target you have no idea which hole was made by which shot. But if you fire 10 rounds on steel you know exactly which rounds hit and which ones missed.

Like most things, I don't think one or the other is THE answer, but that ideally you should use both depending on what you're working on.

All the very best,

Pete Kautz

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