Shooting Steel With Solid Copper Bullets

coyotekillerNE

coyotekillerNE

New member
Are solid copper bullets safe to use on AR500 steel at a minimum distance of 200 yards? Or in other words, is there increased risk of ricochet from these bullets compared to lead core? Targets are hung from baler belt so as to absorb the impact and deflect the bullet into the ground; never experienced any kind of ricochet with lead core, just splashes. Targets are in great shape with no craters.
 
All my Barnes bullets have splashed on steel. The only time I worry would be close range on solid target that don't give.I took a .22 in the chest from a solid piece of oak once. Pulled the trigger and saw a black dot coming back at me. It hit right inline with my right eye just below the collar bone. Lesson learned.
 
Yup. I shoot my 7 mag at 200 and out. A pretty flash is all I get. I took a 40 cal to the head off a rock back in 2006. Felt like I got hit by a 2x4. Ever have to fill out a witness statement against yourself ? lol. No fmj for this guy lol
 
Thanks guys, I've read varying reports on this and have actually shot my steel before with a copper bullet. After examining the splash compared to my lead rounds, I was just a little bit afraid that there was a good chunk of copper flying somewhere because of the small splash signature compared to lead (fist sized splash compared to a small dime sized splash). I put on a small steel match with ranges going from 200-500 yards. Have several people who watch " in the gallery" behind the shooter per say, and safety is always the highest priority.
There's a guy who shoots solid copper bullets from his 300wsm and it really rings the targets at 200 yards, that has been my biggest concern.
 
Thanks for the info.. I'm loading up some 70gr TSX for 5.56. Just ordered some AR500 targets that will be set out at about 130yds (about the furthest I can shoot in my yard). Will let you know if anything strange happens.
 
70gr TSX from 100yds just leaves a shiny spot on 1/2" AR500 from JC Steel

Hornady Zombie Max - just takes off the paint

Federal M193 - leaves a little dimple... even at 130yds, so probably won't shoot too many of these at it.
 
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