Why steel targets teach you things paper cannot

[R rated]

Shooting steel at distance gives you immediate feedback. You either hear the hit or you do not and that instant response forces you to pay attention to where your shot actually went. Paper has its place but steel teaches you to call your shots in a way that paper cannot.

 

[christak]

I like shooting steel and tend to agree with you, but splatter targets are pretty good too.

 

[A-300 Dave]

I can see where steel would be good on long range shooting and maybe close range pistol defense training, but I do a LOT of group improvement shooting (100-200 yd) and prefer the paper targets along with a GOOD spotting scope. IHO

 

[Kingshanks]

Paper lets you guess. Steel ends the debate immediately with a loud reality check every single shot.

 

[Ultimate Boss]

Shooting steel targets forces you to be honest with yourself. That instant feedback means you can't just pretend a bad shot was close enough. You either hear that ding or you're just kidding yourself.

 

[Alpo]

If you put up a 3' square paper target and you aim for the exact dead center, and you fire five rounds, you can then go look at the target and see where you hit. If they all hit in the same area. If they hit in the center.

But if you put up a 3' square steel target and aim for the exact dead center and fire five rounds, you get ping ping ping ping ping. You have no idea where they hit. You have no idea whether they hit in the same area or whether they're scattered all over the piece of steel.

If you prefer steel to paper, that's wonderful. But don't say it's better.

 

[Alan]

If you put up a 3' square paper target and you aim for the exact dead center, and you fire five rounds, you can then go look at the target and see where you hit. If they all hit in the same area. If they hit in the center.

But if you put up a 3' square steel target and aim for the exact dead center and fire five rounds, you get ping ping ping ping ping. You have no idea where they hit. You have no idea whether they hit in the same area or whether they're scattered all over the piece of steel.

If you prefer steel to paper, that's wonderful. But don't say it's better.

Steel is great for feedback and fun, but yeah paper tells the truth a lot more clearly.

 

[Diver43]

It doesn't make a loud ping but the spinners of a Know Your Limits spinner set is quite humbling.

 

[TheDogDidIt]

Steel is fun, but paper is a heck of lot cheaper and easier to get for an indoor range. I find myself frustrated when I don't get to hear the clink and dings of a steel. Then I just start missing more and more. Vicious cycle.