SR500 Steel Targets Made in Kentucky
Purpose-built SR500 steel targets for individual shooters, gun ranges, training facilities, and commercial range projects. Precision-cut in-house and shipped nationwide.
We’re one of the first shops in the country cutting SR500.
SR500 was engineered specifically for shooting ranges. It runs harder than AR500, pits less, and holds up significantly longer under repeated fire. You can run thinner SR500 steel than AR500 and get better performance — less weight, lower cost over time, and a strike face that stays flat longer.
We cut everything in-house right here in Kentucky. Custom shapes and sizes available. No outsourcing, no mystery steel.
SR500 targets are in stock and shipping now.
(859) 206-3971
What Is SR500 Steel?
SR500 is a ballistic target steel developed specifically for shooting ranges and steel-target applications. It is manufactured to provide a controlled balance of hardness and toughness, helping the target resist deformation and repeated impact when used under appropriate shooting conditions.
SR500 is not simply generic abrasion-resistant plate relabeled as target steel. The material is produced for ballistic-target use, with a specified hardness range of 500–590 HBW. Actual target performance still depends on target thickness, ammunition type, projectile velocity, shooting distance, mounting method, and target condition.
SR500 vs. AR500 Steel Targets
SR500 and AR500 may have similar hardness ratings, but they were developed for different applications. SR500 is produced specifically for ballistic target use, while AR500 is abrasion-resistant steel commonly used for industrial wear applications and later adapted for shooting targets. Material source, hardness consistency, thickness, mounting, ammunition, velocity, and distance all affect real-world performance.
SR500 Target Steel
- Designed specifically for shooting-target applications
- Manufactured for a balance of hardness and impact toughness
- Intended to resist deformation, pitting, and cratering under appropriate conditions
- Available for standard targets, custom silhouettes, and commercial range systems
- The primary target steel used by Dead Center Fabrication
AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel
- Originally developed for industrial abrasion and wear applications
- Commonly adapted for steel shooting targets
- Performance can vary by mill, supplier, hardness consistency, and cutting method
- Suitable for many target applications when correctly specified and used
- Available from Dead Center Fabrication for customers who specifically request AR500
Dead Center Fabrication offers both SR500 and AR500 targets, but SR500 is our preferred material for customers seeking steel produced specifically for ballistic-target applications. No steel target is indestructible, and proper thickness, ammunition, distance, mounting, and target condition remain critical.
Available SR500 Target Options
We manufacture SR500 targets for individual shooters, gun clubs, training facilities, commercial ranges, and custom projects. Standard products are available online, while custom sizes, silhouettes, mounting patterns, and bulk orders can be quoted directly.
Choosing the Right SR500 Target Thickness
Choosing the correct steel-target thickness requires more than matching a target to a caliber. Projectile construction, ammunition type, impact velocity, shooting distance, mounting method, target angle, and the condition of the target all affect safety and service life. Thicker steel may provide additional resistance in demanding applications, but it does not make a target indestructible.
Factors That Determine the Correct Target
- Firearm caliber and cartridge
- Projectile construction, including steel-core or penetrator ammunition
- Projectile velocity at the target
- Shooting distance
- Target thickness, size, and shape
- Target angle and mounting method
- Existing pitting, cratering, bending, or other damage
- Expected shooting volume and commercial-range use
Not sure which thickness fits your application? Contact Dead Center Fabrication before ordering. We can evaluate your intended firearm, ammunition, distance, mounting system, and expected shooting volume.
Real-World SR500 Testing
We do not rely only on marketing claims. Dead Center Fabrication tests SR500 targets with real firearms, ammunition, shooting distances, and mounting setups. We also send targets to independent shooters and content creators with one request: do not go easy on them. The results—both successful and destructive—help us improve our products and give customers realistic expectations.
Testing Results We Publish
- SR500 and AR500 side-by-side impact comparisons
- Rifle and pistol testing at documented distances
- High-energy and large-caliber testing outside ordinary target use
- Independent testing by experienced shooters and content creators
- Honest reporting of penetration, pitting, deformation, and failures
- Testing used to improve target design, thickness recommendations, and mounting systems
Extreme tests do not establish normal firearm ratings or safe shooting distances. For example, penetration from a high-energy cartridge at close range demonstrates the limits of the material and test setup—not that every SR500 target will fail under ordinary use. Always follow the rating, ammunition, distance, and mounting guidance provided for the specific target.
SR500 Targets for Gun Ranges & Bulk Orders
Dead Center Fabrication works with gun ranges, shooting clubs, training facilities, retailers, and commercial customers nationwide. We can manufacture standard targets in volume or produce custom target systems based on your dimensions, mounting requirements, and intended use.
Commercial Capabilities
- Bulk SR500 target orders
- Custom IPSC targets, gongs, silhouettes, and specialty shapes
- Custom mounting holes, slots, bolt patterns, and attachment points
- Targets for rifle ranges, pistol bays, training facilities, and competitions
- Custom sizes and thicknesses based on the intended application
- Range packages and replacement-target programs
- Freight and nationwide shipping quotes for large orders
Every commercial project is reviewed individually. Send us your target list, drawings, dimensions, mounting requirements, quantities, and intended use. We will evaluate the project and provide a written quote.
