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Steel Targets

A steel target tells you immediately whether you hit or missed. No walking the range, no squinting through a spotting scope, no stapling up fresh paper every twenty minutes. Just shoot, hear the ring, adjust, repeat and see the target react.

At H. Rehfisch & Co., we stock steel shooting targets built for Australian conditions, including rimfire practice, centrefire zeroing, pest control drills, and everything in between. Order online for fast Australia-wide delivery, or visit our Ballarat gun shop and talk through your setup in person.

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Why Shoot Steel?

Paper has its place for group measurement, precise zero work, and shot-placement analysis. But for building practical shooting skills, steel targets for shooting are hard to beat.

The feedback is instant and unmistakable. A solid hit rings out clearly; a miss tells you to adjust without wasting a trip downrange. That loop, shoot, hear, correct, builds better habits faster than paper ever will, especially for field shooting where you don't get a second look at where your shots landed.

Steel shooting targets also last. One good Bisalloy steel plate handles thousands of rounds. Over a season of regular practice, that adds up to real savings compared to burning through paper.
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Choosing the Right Steel Target for Shooting

Not all steel targets are created the same. The main variables are steel hardness, plate thickness, target design, and calibre rating. Get these wrong, and you'll either damage your target or create a dangerous ricochet situation.

Steel hardness

Bisalloy is the industry standard for centrefire use, hard enough to resist deformation from rifle rounds at appropriate distances. Mild steel and cheaper alternatives dent, crater, and eventually fail. For any centrefire work above .22, Bisalloy steel shooting targets are the only sensible and safe choice.

Minimum safe distances

As a general guide: rimfire at 15m minimum, pistol calibres at 10m, centrefire rifle at 100m or further depending on velocity. Always check manufacturer specs for your specific steel shooting target before setting up.

For rabbit silhouette-style reactive targets, see our Bunnies of Balyang range. For full animal silhouette formats, browse animal targets. Shooters running thermal gear after dark should look at thermal targets.

Setting Up Steel Targets for Shooting Practice

A good steel target setup doesn't need to be complicated. A few solid principles keep it safe and effective.

Hang plates from chains or straps, but never bolt them rigidly. A hanging steel shooter’s target swings on impact, which reduces back-splash and extends plate life significantly. Rigid-mounted steel takes the full force of every hit and wears faster.

Set your range for the calibre. Running a centrefire rifle too close to a steel target for shooting is the most common mistake. Fragments and jacket material can travel back at speed. 100 metres is a sensible minimum for most centrefire rifle work; some high-velocity rounds need more.

Combine different target types for varied sessions. A plate rack of steel shooting targets builds speed and transitions. Mix in a hanging silhouette for precision work. Add distance to test your gun scope and confirm your ammo is performing where you expect it.

Complete Your Shooting Setup

Steel targets are one piece of a properly kitted range setup. At H. Rehfisch & Co., you can source everything else alongside them:

  • Firearms – suited to all rifles, rim and centrefire, for pest control and target work
  • Scopes – matched to your rifle and shooting distances
  • Thermal optics – for low-light and night shooting
  • Ammunition – stocked across common rimfire and centrefire calibres
  • Gun safes – secure storage that meets your licensing obligations

One store, one order, everything sorted.

Shop Steel Shooting Targets at H. Rehfisch & Co.

Rehfisch & Co. has been supplying Australian shooters for over 160 years. We stock steel shooters targets that hold up to regular use because that's what our customers expect – gear that works, from people who know what they're talking about.

Order online with fast Australia-wide shipping, or visit us in Ballarat to see the range and talk through your setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What steel hardness do I need for a rifle steel target?

Bisalloy hardened steel is the ideal choice for both rimfire and centrefire rifle use. Its high hardness rating helps resist deformation, cratering, and damage from repeated impacts, providing a durable and long-lasting shooting target solution. Rehfisch steel shooting targets are built from quality Bisalloy steel to handle a wide range of calibres when used correctly.

What's the minimum safe distance for shooting steel targets?

Minimum distances depend on calibre, roughly 15m for rimfire, 10m for pistol, and 100m or more for centrefire rifle. High-velocity centrefire loads may need a greater distance. Always follow manufacturer specs for your specific steel shooters target and never shortcut safe distance recommendations.

How do I mount a steel shooting target safely?

Hang steel targets from chains or heavy-duty straps so they swing freely on impact. A hanging steel target for shooting absorbs impact energy through movement, reduces fragment blowback, and lasts significantly longer than a rigidly mounted plate. Avoid bolting plates directly to fixed frames for centrefire use.

Can I use the same steel target for both rimfire and centrefire?

Bisalloy steel shooting targets rated for centrefire use handle rimfire without issue. The reverse isn't always true – mild steel or thin plate designed for rimfire may not safely handle centrefire rifle rounds. Check the calibre rating on any steel shooter's target before stepping up in power.

How long do steel targets last?

A quality Bisalloy steel target for shooting handles thousands of rounds under normal use before showing meaningful wear. Plate life depends on calibre, distance, impact velocity, and whether the target is properly hung to swing. Shooting too close with high-velocity rounds accelerates wear and creates safety risks.
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