Steel Target Distance Calculator

Minimum safe distance for steel targets by caliber and hardness.

Muzzle velocity (fps)

Bullet weight (grains)

Bullet type (0-2)

Steel hardness (0-2)

Target angle (degrees)

Tab to move between fields

Minimum safe distance (yds)

Recommended distance (yds)11

Muzzle energy (ft-lbs)396

Impact energy (ft-lbs)393

Impact velocity (fps)1,195

Bullet Type NameFMJ/Ball

Steel NameAR500

Tof0.02

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the Muzzle Velocity in fps and Bullet Weight in grains.
Select Bullet Type (FMJ, JHP, or Frangible) and Steel Hardness (AR400, AR500, or AR550).
Set the Target Angle in degrees (forward tilt reduces splashback risk).
Review Minimum Safe Distance, Recommended Distance (with 25% safety margin), and Impact Energy.
Always use the recommended distance or greater — never engage steel targets at closer than minimum safe distance.

What each input means

Muzzle velocity (fps): Bullet muzzle velocity in feet per second.
Bullet weight (grains): Bullet weight in grains.
Bullet type (0-2): 0 = FMJ/Ball, 1 = JHP, 2 = Frangible.
Steel hardness (0-2): 0 = AR400, 1 = AR500, 2 = AR550.
Target angle (degrees): Forward tilt angle of the steel target (0 = perpendicular to shooter).

Minimum safe distance (yds): Minimum engagement distance to avoid dangerous splashback.
Recommended distance (yds): Minimum distance plus 25% safety margin.
Muzzle energy (ft-lbs): Kinetic energy at the muzzle.
Impact energy (ft-lbs): Estimated kinetic energy at minimum safe distance.
Impact velocity (fps): Estimated bullet velocity at minimum safe distance.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Muzzle velocity (fps) = 1200, Bullet weight (grains) = 124, Bullet type (0-2) = 0, Steel hardness (0-2) = 1 = 5 input(s) provided
Calculate Minimum safe distance
9 = 9
Calculate Recommended distance
Recommended distance = minSafeDistYds * 1.25
11 = 11
Calculate Muzzle energy
Muzzle energy = (bulletWeightGr * muzzleVelocityFps ^ 2) / (2 * 7000 * 32.174)
396 = 396