Working the 100 yard steel "turkey" silhouette at a club range with a Ruger Mark IV Competition model and Remington "Golden Bullet" ammunition. The TacStrike "FRB" (flat rate box) target formerly sold before the company stopped operations. The company is back in business, but the FRB line isn't listed on their website.

Reactive targets have always been more fun to shoot than simple paper targets. There's something satisfying about the ring of steel, a falling target or a target that splashes when hit. Judging from the numbers of subscribers and views on internet media for content providers like Hickok45 – who makes extensive use of steel targets and 'unconventional targets' – it's something that interests spectators as well. Some years back, a small steel target provider had a line of "Backyard Memories" targets. The company, TacStrike, no longer makes that line but offered an innovation with it: use of the US Postal Service Flat Rate Box for shipping the fairly light, rimfire rated targets. I bought some for my son to use near his home. As far as I know they're still in good shape. TacStrike had stopped production of targets for some time. While the targets I refer to are no longer in the line, TacStrike is back in business. I had good luck with the company. If you're in a place where you'd like reactive targets – perhaps an indoor range or any other location where steel targets are verboten, take a look at the RTS Self-Healing Reactive Target. I did, got the base, stand and two of the "torso" targets, both in yellow. A quick exam made me conclude that the bullet would pass through the target body without a "reaction" – necessitating purchase of the "reactive" target stand. I also figured this would be a great target on a "no-steel" range –where there's a good backstop -- as we could put a shirt on over the target and get people out of the "target-shooting" mindset.

FAB Defense Reactive Target, made of self-sealing elastomer. Competition Target Systems' "ABC Zone" steel target.

The elastomer material is self-sealing – the back of the target had hit indications but there was no through-and-through hole. I did not see the target "react" to the hit when I shot it. It seemed much like an aluminum soda can taking a hit from a .22 rifle – just stood there. Running video, I saw the target move with each hit. An instructor taking a shooter through a course of fire would see what the video saw. A shooter watching the sights may not see the target movement. Put a shirt on over the target so you don't see the impacts on the target front and the shooter would have no idea – until we opened the shirt. The ways to use this target are legion. Check them out Reactive Target. I've also made use of a target by Competition Target Systems. It's their "ABC" zone target. Covering the USPSA "A" and "C" zones as well as the "B" headbox, it's a 12" by 24" plate in 3/8" AR500. For the shooting I do, I consider "D" zone hits as misses – expecting the worst – but I'm not in it for competition. Mounted on their X-base and using the Pro Hanger to mount the target to a (customer-supplied) 2"x4" board, it's easily transported, assembled, used and removed. I'm a fan of this form of steel target and the CTS sample is well made. My son, having come into possession of a centerfire rifle, wanted some rifle steel, simple round plates to hang from "shepherd's hook" style plant hangers. He sought out help, fairly local to him, at Secure Firearms Products. They outfitted him with a pair of AR500 disks. The company makes a variety of targets – a Shooting Star, single/double target 'swinger' units, plate racks, static targets – as well as security products to keep your firearms from being purloined. Setting these at about a hundred yards – in compliance with the maker's recommendation – makes a challenging target.

MGM photo. Reactive targets don't have to be bulky and heavy, as this Birchwood Casey "Shoot-N-C" target shows.

Steel is heavy and can get pricey. The MGM Sportsman Series Steel Challenge plate rack features low cost and easy transport. The plates are 3/8" thick AR-500 8-inch HexPlate hexagon shaped target plates and the rack uses the same target hanging principle as their Steel Challenge sets. That's an AR500 hook welded to a section of rectangular tubing which simply slides over the 2x4 beam that you supply. Set the beam caps on 2x4 posts, hang the targets on the hooks, paint them any color you like and you're ready in minutes. The setup requires no tools. The set (6 targets, 6 hooks, 2 beam hangers/leg brackets) ships and stores in its own steel bucket. The set has a 12 month limited warranty and sells, right now, for $299 – and they're currently offering free shipping. As to steel targets, do yourself a favor: observe manufacturer's recommendations for their use. Comply with safe distance recommendations, wear ANSI-rated eye protection – and somewhat protective clothing (trousers, long-sleeve shirts) don't hurt a thing. Safety first. If you want something less bulky than elastomer figures and steel targets, Birchwood Casey offers their lines of reactive sheet targets in the "Shoot-N-C" and "Dirty Bird" brands – as well as now offering some steel targets. For fun shooting, there are more target options now than ever before. - - Rich Grassi