Steel targets--possible damage?

[Stegall Law Firm]

I have 3/8" ar500 steel targets from JC steel.  Recently I've noticed in a couple places that there is a slight indentation in the surface.  Running my finger across it I can feel it but they are not very deep, maybe the width of a few pieces of paper.  Is this normal wear and tear or the start of some real damage?  I shoot 223 and 7.62x39, closest distance being 50 yards.  The 223 is not varmint rounds, just standard 55 ball.  The targets hang on chains.

[Omega]

I have 3/8" ar500 steel targets from JC steel.  Recently I've noticed in a couple places that there is a slight indentation in the surface.  Running my finger across it I can feel it but they are not very deep, maybe the width of a few pieces of paper.  Is this normal wear and tear or the start of some real damage?  I shoot 223 and 7.62x39, closest distance being 50 yards.  The 223 is not varmint rounds, just standard 55 ball.  The targets hang on chains.

I think most plates say 100 yards for rifle shots. But yes, that is normal wear and tear so you would eventually get that even at 100 yards.

[Lowpower]

I shoot a lot of steel and I'd consider that a might close with jacketed/FMJ pills. The bullets hitting the steel creates cupping which 

is the spot where bullets can ricochet right back at you.You will see some bending and cupping but if you shoot it out to 100 yds you should be fine.

Lead bullets are a different story.They usually flatten out on the steel.

[leroy]

Don't worry about it... It's the steel absorbing the energy of the bullet... The steel used for targets is strong and ductile (... will stretch elastically...)... The cup shaped dents show it's doin it's job well...  The targets will looks "used" over time, but they won't suffer too much damage...

 

leroy

[Erik88]

Once they become pitted aren't the plates dangerous? Or does it depend on how they are angled?

 

A few months ago a friend of mine was shooting his M&P Shield at steel when a round came back and hit him in the ribs. He was driven by ambulance to the hospital and still has a piece of whatever hit him under his rib. 

 

They never did determine for sure why the round came back at him. He said the steel plate was well used and not perfectly smooth. 

[Omega]

Once they become pitted aren't the plates dangerous? Or does it depend on how they are angled?

 

A few months ago a friend of mine was shooting his M&P Shield at steel when a round came back and hit him in the ribs. He was driven by ambulance to the hospital and still has a piece of whatever hit him under his rib. 

 

They never did determine for sure why the round came back at him. He said the steel plate was well used and not perfectly smooth. 

Distance distance distance, if he was closer than 15 yards or so he was in the danger zone.  A badly pitted plate contributes to bullet or plate fragment ricochet so there will come a time when the plates should be replaced.  For the average shooter these plates last for years if not a lifetime, club plates may see a 2-3 year lifespan depending on what gets shot at it and how many.

[peejman]

Ricochets off steel targets are to be expected, that's why they're supposed to be mounted or held in such a way as to direct the energy downward.  Sometimes the bullet doesn't completely disintegrate and large fragments can go flying.  The direction is unpredictable if the plate has a rough surface.  It'd be easy enough to have a beat-up plate re-surfaced, though that may not be cost effective. 

 

The denting in the OP's steel target is normal.