Range Upgrades – Caldwell AR500 Steel
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been making some updates to my range. Yes, I am extremely fortunate to have a private range to shoot on. It makes my job as a pro shooter so much easier. Though I’ve been making improvements, my range setup isn’t overly fancy and the truth is you don’t need it to be to improve your skills. The minimum is a safe backstop with a way to hang targets. You can splurge on cardboard targets used in shooting sports or simply make your own from cardboard boxes, paper plates, or even a reem of copy paper.
My range updates include setting up shooting positions for action pistol and adding new steel. We moved and stabilized my Bianchi plate rack and embedded PVC pipe in the ground to hold furring strips for fixed target positions. Putting together my new Caldwell AR500 targets was incredibly easy compared to all sod removal and gravel hauling.
I’ve lived the life of hauling target stands and makeshift props to my local range, hoping to secure a bay for a solid practice session. Simple setups and lightweight props and stands made it all so much easier. That’s why I’m a huge fan of Caldwell’s AR500 steel design. With a variety of sizes and shapes to choose from, you can bring your own steel to the range and incorporate it into your practice.
Rated for up to a 3000 fps impact velocity and a 3500 ft-lb impact energy, these targets feature 3 different hanging options and are strong and easy to use. You can affix steel to any steel target hanger with the strap plate hanger set. Use a hammer or post pounder to put up your steel with the t-post hanger. The last option is my top choice and utilizes 2×4’s. If you have a steel target stand that works with a 2×4, simply assemble and slide the 2×4 hanger over the top. Don’t have a stand? Here’s a link to an inexpensive DIY option you can build with scrap 2×4’s.
My favorite Caldwell steel should be no surprise. I love the IPSC steel targets. The full size is the heaviest at 48 pounds. It’s not one I plan to move around all that much and I like it best for shooting past 25 yards. The 33% is IPSC target is small, and at just over 5 pounds it’s the easiest to position. If you use a 2×4 hanger you can easily change the height of the target to mimic that of a mini pepper popper. Finally, the 66% option is what I view as the Goldilocks size. Set up at 10 and 15 yards it increases the challenge over a full-size target significantly. Weighing in at 21 pounds, with the option to change the height, it’s a valuable and versatile choice for most ranges.
The other great thing about steel targets is how well they work with airsoft. Everyone is feeling the effects of the ammo shortage. One way to deal with it is by purchasing airsoft, BB, or even paint gun replicas. Check out these options from Smith & Wesson. Practice target acquisitions, transitions, and gun handling skills with these non-firearm skill builders. When you do get to the range for live fire, you’ve put in the work to make every single round count for a productive session.
Let me know on social media if you enjoy shooting on steel and if you’d like to me share some drills you can use with these targets. I’d love to hear from you!
