The Target Standard Is Changing — We’re Already There
Most steel targets on the market are AR500. It’s been the go-to for years — but here’s what most companies won’t tell you: AR500 was designed for mining equipment, not bullets. It’s abrasion-resistant steel made for dump truck beds and rock crushers. The target industry just grabbed it because it was the hardest plate widely available.
That changed when SR500 hit the market.
SR500 stands for Shooting Range 500 — the first commercially available steel plate developed specifically for one job: taking repeated bullet impacts without pitting, cratering, or throwing dangerous fragments.
Why SR500 Outperforms AR500
Harder, every time. SR500 consistently runs in the mid-500s Brinell — measurably harder than most AR500 plate, which can legally spec out at 500 BHN or below. Harder steel means a strike face that stays smooth through thousands of rounds.
Longer target life. Less pitting. Less cratering. You’ll put significantly more rounds into an SR500 target before it shows any wear compared to the same thickness in AR500.
Safer downrange. A pitted, cratered target deflects bullet fragments unpredictably. A flat, undamaged strike face sends fragments consistently down toward the ground where they belong. Flat steel is safe steel.
Less weight, same durability. Because SR500 is harder, it can achieve at a thinner gauge what AR500 needs extra mass for. That means a lighter target without sacrificing performance — easier to transport, easier to hang.
What You’re Getting
- Shape: Full IPSC / USPSA A-zone silhouette
- Material: SR500 shooting-range steel
- Cut: CNC plasma cut in-house — Falmouth, KY
- Finish: Raw steel (will develop surface rust; this is normal and does not affect performance)
- Made in USA — we cut it, we weld it, we ship it
Note: Always follow recommended minimum engagement distances for your caliber and firearm. Not sure if your setup is safe for this target? Call us before you shoot — we’d rather answer the question. (859) 206-3971
Why Dead Center?
We’re a small shop in Falmouth, Kentucky. The guy who cut your target is the guy who answers the phone. No outsourcing. No mystery steel from a warehouse. We made the call to build our target line on SR500 early — before the big guys switch — because we’d rather do it right than play catch-up.
Pricing & Availability
We’re building the SR500 line now. Pricing depends on size, thickness, and quantity.
Want to be first to know when SR500 targets hit the shop? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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