Quick answer: get 1/4" steel if you shoot non-magnum handguns and .22 LR, and 3/8" steel if you shoot centerfire rifles or want one target that handles pistol and rifle. 1/4" is lighter and reacts more to small calibers. 3/8" is the thickness we rate for most centerfire rifle at proper distance, and we don't recommend 1/4" for centerfire rifle or magnum handguns at all.
Thickness is one of the first choices you make when buying steel, and it's one of the most misunderstood. Thicker isn't automatically "better." It's a trade-off between what the plate can survive, how much it moves and how much it weighs. Here's how to choose.
1/4" vs 3/8" at a glance
| 1/4" steel | 3/8" steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Rated for | Non-magnum handguns and .22 LR | Pistol and most centerfire rifle at proper distance |
| Non-magnum pistol (9mm, .40, .45 ACP) | Yes, from 10–15 yards | Yes, from 10–15 yards |
| Magnum handgun (.357 Mag, .44 Mag) | No | Yes, from 25 yards |
| Centerfire rifle | Not recommended | Yes, from 100 yards (200 yards if the load leaves the muzzle over 3,000 fps; more for very fast varmint rounds) |
| Magnum rifle (.300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, .50 BMG) | No | Not recommended |
| Weight (same size plate) | Lighter | About 50% heavier |
| Reaction to light hits | Swings and moves more | Moves less |
| Best for | Pistol bays, .22 plinking, carrying gear to the range | Rifle lanes, mixed pistol/rifle ranges, long-term setups |
What thickness actually changes
Every steel target has a job: stop the bullet, break it apart and send the fragments safely down into the dirt, without denting, bending or cratering. Hardness and impact velocity decide whether a bullet craters the face. Thickness is what keeps the plate from dimpling, bending or being punched through when a bullet hits it with a lot of energy.
Non-magnum handgun rounds and .22 LR are relatively slow. They splash on a hard plate and don't put enough focused energy into one spot to hurt 1/4" steel when you shoot from the right distance. Centerfire rifle bullets are a different story. A small, fast rifle bullet concentrates huge energy on a tiny area, enough to dimple, bend or even punch through thin plate. A 3/8" plate has the extra mass and stiffness to stand up to it at 100 yards and beyond. Thickness doesn't stop cratering from a bullet that hits too fast, though, which is why we keep impact velocity under 3,000 fps on every thickness.
That's why our rule is simple: 1/4" is for non-magnum pistol and .22 LR. 3/8" is for pistol (magnum handguns at 25 yards) and most centerfire rifle. If a rifle is part of your plans, start with 3/8".
Why 1/4" is often the better pistol target
It's easy to think the heavier plate is always the smart buy. For a pure handgun or .22 range, it usually isn't.
- More movement. A lighter plate swings farther on its hanger, so you get clear visual feedback, especially from a .22 or a 9mm at longer pistol distances.
- Easier to carry. For the same size plate, 3/8" weighs about half again as much as 1/4". When you're hauling a handful of gongs, stands and hangers out to a field, that adds up.
- Plenty tough for the job. Our 1/4" steel is rated for non-magnum handguns (9mm, .40, .45 ACP) at 10 to 15 yards and for .22 LR from 10 yards. Magnum handguns belong on 3/8" steel at 25 yards or more.
Our Dueling Tree is a good example of matching thickness to the gun. The pistol version uses 1/4" SR500 paddles for non-magnum handguns, and the rifle version uses 3/8" SR500 paddles to handle rifle rounds.
Why 3/8" is the all-around choice
If you want one set of steel that the whole group can shoot, non-magnum pistols at 10 to 15 yards, magnum handguns at 25 and rifles at 100, 3/8" is the answer. It's the thickness we use for our rifle gongs, gong kits like the Gong Starter Kit, and our USPSA/IPSC torso, and it's what we'd put on any range where centerfire rifles show up. One caveat if the same plate takes both pistol and rifle: check the face after rifle sessions. Any pitting means more distance for pistol, or retire the plate.
The minimums on our 3/8" steel:
- .22 LR: 10 yards
- Non-magnum pistol (9mm, .40, .45 ACP): 10–15 yards, lead or jacketed ammo only
- Magnum handguns (.357 Mag, .44 Mag): 25 yards, lead or jacketed ammo only
- Centerfire rifle (.223/5.56, .308, .30-06): 100 yards, with impact velocity under 3,000 fps
- Fast rifle loads: If your load leaves the muzzle over 3,000 fps — many 55-grain .223/5.56 loads like M193 do — use 200 yards. Very fast varmint rounds (.204 Ruger, .220 Swift, .22-250) need more: back up until the bullet hits under 3,000 fps.
- Magnum rifles (.300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, .50 BMG): not recommended on 3/8"
For the full breakdown, read how far away to shoot steel targets.
Thickness vs steel grade
Thickness and hardness are two separate things. Our basic gongs and torsos are AR500, an abrasion-resistant plate that typically tests around 477–534 Brinell. Our interactive targets, like the Texas Star, Dueling Tree and Elite Series, are SR500 ("Shooting Range" 500, SSAB's Ramor SR500), a steel made specifically for targets with a guaranteed minimum of 500 Brinell. Both come in different thicknesses depending on the target. If you want to dig into the steel itself, see AR500 vs SR500 steel targets.
Common mistakes
- Shooting a centerfire rifle at 1/4" steel. This is the big one. Keep rifles on 3/8" plate at 100 yards or more.
- Thinking thicker steel lets you shoot closer. It doesn't. A thicker plate survives more energy, but fragments fly the same way. Follow the minimum distance every time.
- Assuming 3/8" handles everything. Magnum rifles aren't recommended on 3/8", and fast loads need 200 yards or more.
- Shooting magnum handguns at 1/4" steel. .357 Mag and .44 Mag go on 3/8" steel at 25 yards or more.
- Buying heavy rifle plate for a .22-only range. It works, but it barely moves. Lighter steel is more fun for .22 LR.
- Ignoring ammo type. No steel-core, armor-piercing, green tip, tracer, incendiary or steel shot on any thickness.
- Shooting damaged steel. Retire any plate that's pitted, cratered or bent, whatever its thickness.
What to buy
Non-magnum pistol and .22 LR (1/4"):
- 1/4" Gong Set – 4", 6", 8" and 10" 1/4" AR500 gongs with four hangers
- 1/4" AR500 Gong Target – single gongs in your choice of size
- AR500 Bullseye Torso 1/4" – torso with a 5" center hole and a 6" gong behind it
Pistol and rifle (3/8"):
- Gong Starter Kit – 8", 10" and 12" 3/8" AR500 gongs plus three hangers
- 3/8" AR500 Gong Target – single gongs from 4" to 16"
- Big Gong Set – 12" and 16" 3/8" AR500 gongs, easy to see at distance
- USPSA/IPSC Torso Target – 3/8" AR500 torso for competition and defensive practice
Need something to hang them on? Browse stands and parts.
FAQ
Is 1/4" steel thick enough for 9mm?
Yes. Our 1/4" steel is rated for non-magnum handguns like 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP at 10 to 15 yards. Use lead or jacketed ammo. For .357 Mag or .44 Mag, use 3/8" steel at 25 yards or more.
Can I shoot an AR-15 at 1/4" steel?
We don't recommend 1/4" steel for centerfire rifle. Use 3/8" steel at 100 yards or more. If your load leaves the muzzle over 3,000 fps — many 55-grain .223/5.56 loads like M193 do — use 200 yards. Very fast varmint rounds (.204 Ruger, .220 Swift, .22-250) need more: back up until the bullet hits under 3,000 fps.
Is 3/8" steel good for pistols too?
Yes. 3/8" is rated for non-magnum pistol at 10 to 15 yards and magnum handguns at 25 yards. It just moves less than 1/4" on a handgun hit. If the same plate also takes rifle fire, check the face after rifle sessions. Any pitting means more distance for pistol, or retire the plate.
Does thicker steel last longer?
For the same steel, a thicker plate stands up better to high-energy hits. But shooting at the right distance with the right ammo matters most. Any plate shot too close or with steel-core ammo can be ruined.
Should I go thicker than 3/8"?
For most shooters, 3/8" covers pistol and centerfire rifle at proper distance. If you shoot magnum rifles, contact us before you buy so we can talk through your setup.
Still not sure which thickness fits your guns? Contact us and tell us what you shoot. We'll point you to the right steel.