First Time Shooting Steel Targets | AR500 Steel

Ted from Line45 advises stockpiling specific ammunition calibers before anticipated shortages in 2026. He details why .22 LR, 9mm Luger, .223/5.56 NATO, 12-gauge slugs and buckshot, 7.62x39mm, and .308/7.62 NATO are critical, citing historical patterns, production limitations, and demand pressures from various user groups. The guide emphasizes maintaining separate stashes for training and defensive use across all firearm types.

This video provides a fundamental aiming technique for new shooters engaging steel targets. By dividing the target into thirds and aiming for the top third, inexperienced shooters can better compensate for common errors like shooting low and left, effectively making the target larger and increasing the probability of a hit.

This video, presented by Concrete Cowboy, argues that 9mm and 5.56x45 NATO are the most practical calibers for the majority of firearm owners. The instructor highlights the widespread adoption of 9mm by law enforcement and military, its affordability, manageable recoil, and high capacity in handguns. For 5.56, the focus is on its effectiveness in rifles for various applications, including home defense and sport shooting, due to its accuracy, manageable recoil, and ammunition availability.

This video demonstrates a dynamic shooting drill focusing on rapid engagement of multiple steel targets with an AK-style rifle. The shooter, exhibiting experienced handling, moves between positions and executes accurate shots, including double-taps, highlighting the rifle's surprising performance. The drill emphasizes speed, accuracy, and efficient transitions, concluding with a positive assessment of the firearm's capabilities.

This video demonstrates the setup and use of the TA Targets Reactive Steel Target System. The guide covers manually resetting the AR500 steel plates and engaging them with a handgun for rapid target transitions. The content highlights the reactive feedback of the steel targets, emphasizing proficiency and speed in shooting drills.

This video demonstrates a live-fire training drill using the Glock 43X at an outdoor range. An experienced shooter showcases proper grip, recoil management, and accurate engagement of multiple steel targets. The focus is on practical application and demonstrating the pistol's performance in a dynamic shooting scenario.

This video from Buckeye Ballistics provides a practical, albeit unconventional, comparison of five common pistol calibers (.22LR, .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) by shooting watermelons. The expert demonstrates varying levels of terminal performance, from the .22LR's significant splitting to the .45 ACP's complete watermelon fragmentation, highlighting the differences in hydraulic shock and expansion. The test utilizes specific hollow-point ammunition, including Speer Gold Dot, Aguila Super Maximum, and Underwood XTP, showcasing their effects.

This video provides a practical, safety-conscious comparison of common pistol calibers (.22LR, .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) against concrete blocks. The host, demonstrating high authority and expertise, details the testing methodology and results, emphasizing the risks of ricochet. None of the tested pistol calibers fully penetrated the concrete block's second wall, suggesting their limitations for certain penetration scenarios.

This review of the Taurus TX22 .22 LR pistol details its features, including a 16+1 capacity and excellent trigger. While initial testing with CCI Mini-Mags was flawless, subsequent tests with various ammunition types revealed cycling issues and culminated in a catastrophic failure. The failure was attributed to a squib load followed by a second shot, causing a barrel bulge and ruptured casing, highlighting potential ammunition inconsistencies. The review provides a detailed look at disassembly and damage assessment.

This video from Buckeye Ballistics provides an experimental comparison of three popular rimfire calibers: .22LR, .22WMR, and .17HMR, using cantaloupes as ballistic mediums. The host, an experienced shooter, demonstrates the distinct terminal ballistics of each round, highlighting how bullet construction and velocity affect target interaction. The comparison offers practical insights into the performance differences between these rimfire cartridges on soft tissue simulants.