Description
There's something about the ring of steel that paper just can't match, and this Birchwood Casey kit brings that to your rimfire and airgun sessions. The paddles are cut from 1/4" AR500 steel and rated to handle up to 400 foot-pounds of energy, which puts them right in the wheelhouse for .22 Long Rifle and appropriate airguns. Instead of walking downrange to check your hits, you get instant audio and visual confirmation every time you connect.
What Makes This Rimfire Animal Target Set Worth a Look
The animal silhouette shapes add a fun challenge over a plain round gong, giving you varied sizes and profiles to work through as you dial in accuracy. A bright white powder coat finish keeps the plates easy to pick up against a dirt backstop or brush, so you can spot your groups from a distance without squinting. The edges are precision laser-cut for a clean, burr-free finish, which is the kind of detail you appreciate when you're handling and setting these up.
Setting Up the AR500 Rimfire Target Kit at the Range
The kit includes hanging hook stakes, so you can get everything staked into the ground and shooting in just a few minutes. Hanging the plates lets them swing when hit, which not only reads as a clear signal that you connected but also helps direct splatter down into the soil. When you're done, the whole set breaks down flat for easy storage in a range bag or truck bed and travels light for the next outing.
Birchwood Casey has been making targets for a long time, and this set carries that reputation. AR500 is the go-to steel for target work because it shrugs off rimfire impacts and keeps its shape session after session. For anyone who wants to add reactive steel to their .22 or airgun plinking without a lot of fuss, this is a straightforward, durable pick.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer: Birchwood Casey
- Manufacturer Part Number: 41579
- UPC: 888151082867
- Model: AR500 Gong
- Steel Type: 1/4" AR500
- Energy Rating: Up to 400 FPE
- Recommended Use: Rimfire firearms and airguns (.22 LR)
- Target Style: Animal silhouette set
- Finish: Bright white powder coat
- Edge Finish: Precision laser-cut, burr-free
- Mount Type: Hanging hook stakes
- Product Type: Steel
- Shipping Weight: 9.825 lbs
What’s Included
- AR500 steel animal silhouette target paddles
- Hanging hook stakes for mounting
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I shoot at the Rimfire Animal Target Kit?
These 1/4" AR500 paddles are rated to handle up to 400 foot-pounds of energy, which makes them a match for .22 Long Rifle and appropriate airguns. Stick to rimfire and airgun loads within that rating to keep the steel in good shape. Centerfire rifle and magnum handgun rounds are outside what this set is built for and belong on thicker 3/8" steel.
How do the targets mount at the range?
The kit comes with hanging hook stakes, so you drive them into the ground and hang the plates in a couple of minutes with no tools. Hanging the targets lets them swing on impact, which gives you a clear signal that you connected. It also helps direct splatter down into the dirt rather than back at you.
Does the AR500 rimfire target set hold up over time?
AR500 is the standard steel for target work because it resists denting and pitting from rimfire impacts. Used within its 400 FPE rating, this set will keep its shape and finish through a lot of range time. It's waterproof too, so leaving it out in the weather won't ruin it.
Is this target set easy to transport?
Yes, the whole kit is designed to break down flat for storage and travel. That means it packs into a range bag or the bed of a truck without taking up much room. Setup and takedown are quick, so it's easy to grab for an impromptu plinking session.





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