10-15 yards for handgun, 50 for rifle, IIRC. Dimpling of the plates is also a problem, as hitting a dimple can send a stream of lead chunks directly back at you. Have been at a cowboy shoot, watching to the side and slightly behind shooter, and had sliver of lead hit me, and land on arm, as I had my arms crossed. (Closer than 100, for rifle, can also dimple plates.) I have a nice big plate that I shoot at on my property, and .223 prays lead around, putting slivers of copper and lead into wood frame, and .308 just chews the crap out of the frame. More bullet, more/heavier spray. Don't have to trim weeds directly in front of plates, either. First few rounds chops them right down.