Quick answer: for .308, use 3/8" rifle-rated steel shot from at least 100 yards. Common .308 loads leave the muzzle under 3,000 fps, so 100 yards meets our rule, but the .308 carries a lot of energy, so bigger plates, a good hanging setup and a clean face matter. Never use 1/4" steel, and never shoot steel-core, armor-piercing, tracer or incendiary rounds.
The .308 Winchester is the round a lot of shooters reach for when they want to stretch out past 100 yards. It's accurate, it's everywhere, and few things beat the delayed "ding" of a hit at distance. It also hits steel a lot harder than a 5.56. Here's how to pick targets that can take it and set up a .308 line you'll enjoy for years.
.308 gong sizes by distance at a glance
| Distance | Comfortable plate | Challenge plate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 100 yards | Not on steel | Use paper or cardboard | |
| 100 yards | 8"–10" | 4"–6" | Our minimum for .308 on 3/8" steel |
| 200 yards | 10"–12" | 6"–8" | Good spot for positional practice |
| 300–400 yards | 12"–16" | 8"–10" | Wind starts to matter |
| 500 yards and beyond | 16" and torsos | 12" | Big plates are easier to spot and confirm |
These are starting points, not rules. Pick smaller plates as your skills and your rifle allow.
Is 100 yards really enough for .308?
On our 3/8" steel, the minimum for centerfire rifle is 100 yards with impact velocity under 3,000 fps. Typical .308 loads are comfortably under that line before they even leave the barrel: 147- and 150-grain bullets usually run around 2,800 fps, and heavier 168- and 175-grain match bullets are usually a bit slower, roughly 2,600–2,700 fps. So for most .308 shooters, 100 yards is the floor.
Velocity still varies with brand, bullet and barrel length. If you're running a hot handload or an unusual light bullet, check the number. If your load leaves the muzzle over 3,000 fps, use 200 yards, and back up further if needed until the bullet hits under 3,000 fps. Our full chart lives in how far away to shoot steel targets.
Why .308 needs 3/8" steel
The .308 is slower than a 5.56 but throws a much heavier bullet, so each hit delivers more energy into the plate and the hardware holding it. That energy has to go somewhere. On thin steel it shows up as dents, bends and a face that won't deflect fragments cleanly anymore.
That's why we don't recommend 1/4" steel for centerfire rifle at all. 3/8" plate is built to take pistol and most centerfire rifle at the proper distance, and it's the thickness of every gong, torso and silhouette we suggest below.
What about the bigger magnums? If you also shoot something like a .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua or .50 BMG, keep those off 3/8" steel. We don't recommend them on this thickness.
Let the plate move
With a .308, how you hang your steel matters almost as much as what you hang.
- Swinging beats rigid. A gong hung from chain or a hanger swings back on impact and sheds energy. A plate bolted tight to a post takes the full hit and passes it straight into the frame.
- Angle it down. A slight forward tilt sends fragments into the ground in front of the target instead of back up the line.
- Protect the hardware. Set up so low or wide shots go into dirt, not into your stand, chain or T-post.
- Size up the hangers. Big plates at distance are heavy. Use hangers and posts that can carry them and keep the plate stable in wind.
Picking targets for a .308 line
- 3/8" AR500 gongs. The backbone of any long-range line. Run a "ladder" of sizes at increasing distances and work your way out.
- Torsos. A full-size torso is a great long-range target because it's easy to spot. Our 3/8" AR500 USPSA/IPSC torso and the 18" x 30" SR500 Triple Threat both fit the job.
- Compact E-type-style silhouette. The Battle Rifle Target measures 19.5" x 19.5" in 3/8" SR500, with built-in ground stakes, designed for rifle drills and quick setup.
- Reactive targets. The 7" SR500 Rifle Spinner is rated up to .30 cal at 100 yards, so it's built for exactly this round. The Texas Star is rated for rifle from 100 yards and up.
Before you add any interactive target to a .308 line, read its product page. Some are rated by caliber, some by velocity, and some by energy at the target, and the rating on the page is the one that counts.
Setting up your .308 range
- Confirm every distance. A rangefinder takes the guessing out of it. No steel inside 100 yards.
- Check your backstop. A .308 travels a long way. Make sure every lane has a safe berm or hillside behind it, and know what's beyond that.
- Clear the impact area. No rocks, concrete or hard surfaces in front of or around the plates.
- Use the right ammo. Lead-core, copper-jacketed bullets only. No steel-core, armor-piercing, tracer or incendiary surplus.
- Paint and inspect. Repaint between strings so you can call hits through the scope, and retire any plate that's pitted, cratered or bent.
- Protect everyone. Eye and ear protection for every person on the line. See our safety information.
Common mistakes
- Putting .308 on 1/4" plate. It's not built for centerfire rifle. Use 3/8".
- Bolting plates rigid. A frozen plate takes the full blow, wears faster and stresses the mount.
- Buying gongs too small for the distance. A plate you can't see well is a plate you can't learn from. Go bigger at long range.
- Mixing in surplus you can't identify. If you don't know what's in it, don't shoot it at steel.
- Treating magnums like a .308. Magnum rifles aren't recommended on 3/8" steel.
What to buy
For a long-range line: the Big Gong Set (12" and 16" 3/8" AR500 with hangers) is easy to see way out there. The Gong Ladder Set (16", 8", 6" and 4") gives you a big plate to find your zero and small ones to push your limits.
For 100–300 yards: the Gong Starter Kit (8", 10" and 12"), or build your own from our individual 3/8" AR500 gongs in sizes up to 16".
For silhouettes: the USPSA/IPSC Torso Target, the Triple Threat Torso and the Battle Rifle Target.
For feedback: the Rifle Spinner, the Elite Series Gong (10" 3/8" SR500 with J-hooks and hanging frame) and the Texas Star.
To hang it: T-Post Hangers and a can of target paint.
Want to know why our interactive targets use SR500? Read AR500 vs SR500 steel targets.
FAQ
How close can I shoot a .308 at steel?
No closer than 100 yards on our 3/8" rifle-rated steel, with impact velocity under 3,000 fps. If your load is over 3,000 fps at the muzzle, move back to 200 yards, or farther until the bullet hits under 3,000 fps.
Will .308 damage AR500 targets?
Not when you shoot 3/8" AR500 at the right distance with ordinary jacketed ammo. Shooting too close, using thin plate or using steel-core rounds is what damages steel.
What size gong is best for .308?
An 8"–10" gong at 100 yards and a 12"–16" gong past 300 yards is a good place to start. Go smaller as your shooting improves.
Can I shoot 7.62x51 surplus at steel?
Only if it's ordinary lead-core, jacketed ball. Keep any steel-core, armor-piercing, tracer or incendiary surplus far away from your targets.
Can I use the same steel for my .308 and my 9mm?
Yes, if it's 3/8" and rifle-rated. Shoot non-magnum pistol from 10–15 yards (magnum handguns from 25 yards) and the .308 from 100 yards or more. Inspect the plates closely after rifle use before shooting pistol up close, because rifle pitting is dangerous at handgun distances.
Building out a long-range line? Contact us and we'll help you choose plate sizes and setups for your property.