The Best Shooting Drills Using Steel Targets: Improve Speed, Accuracy, and Tactical Skills

Steel targets are an essential tool for shooters looking to enhance their accuracy, speed, and tactical proficiency. Unlike paper targets, steel provides instant auditory and visual feedback, allowing shooters to focus on refining their skills in real-time. Whether you're a competitive shooter, law enforcement officer, or recreational firearms enthusiast, steel targets can elevate your training regimen. In this blog, we’ll cover the best shooting drills using steel targets to improve your marksmanship and tactical efficiency.

The Bill Drill

Purpose

Develop speed, recoil control, and sight alignment.

Setup

• One steel target at 7 yards.
• Use an AR500 silhouette target for best results.
• Start position: Firearm holstered, hands at sides.

Drill Execution

• On the buzzer, draw and fire six shots as quickly as possible while maintaining accuracy.
• Record your time and focus on improving it while keeping all rounds on target.

Benefits

• Enhances sight acquisition and recoil management.
• Builds confidence in rapid-fire scenarios.
• Improves draw speed from a holster.

The El Presidente Drill

Purpose

Improve target transitions, reload efficiency, and shooting from different angles.

Setup

• Three steel targets in a line, spaced 1 yard apart, at 10 yards.
• Shooter starts with their back to the targets, hands raised.
• Pistol holstered with at least one magazine reload available.

Drill Execution

• On the buzzer, turn 180 degrees, draw, and engage each target twice from left to right.
• Perform a mandatory reload and engage each target twice again from right to left.
• Record your time and track accuracy.

Benefits

• Enhances speed and accuracy under pressure.
• Reinforces muscle memory for quick reloads.
• Develops situational awareness and rapid engagement from different directions.

The Mozambique Drill (Failure Drill)

Purpose

Train for defensive shooting situations with precise shot placement.

Setup

• One steel silhouette target at 7 yards.
• Shooter starts from a ready position or with a holstered firearm.

Drill Execution

• On the signal, fire two shots to the chest and one shot to the head.
• Repeat several times to improve muscle memory and accuracy.

Benefits

• Teaches effective shot placement for self-defense.
• Reinforces quick transitions between target zones.
• Develops rapid target assessment and response.

Transition Drill

Purpose

Improve target transitions and fast engagement between multiple threats.

Setup

• Three steel targets set at different distances (5, 10, and 15 yards).
• Shooter starts in a ready position.

Drill Execution

• On the buzzer, fire one shot at the closest target, one at the middle target, and one at the farthest target.
• Reverse the order and engage from farthest to closest.
• Focus on moving your eyes first, then the gun.

Benefits

• Improves tracking and transitions between targets.
• Develops precision when engaging targets at different distances.
• Enhances speed and efficiency in multiple-threat scenarios.

The 2x2x2 Drill

Purpose

Enhance quick target transitions and accuracy under time pressure.

Setup

• Three steel targets spaced 3 yards apart, at 10 yards distance.
• Shooter starts from a low-ready position.

Drill Execution

• Fire two shots at each target, moving from left to right.
• Reset and fire two shots at each target moving right to left.
• Keep track of time and accuracy.

Benefits

• Reinforces fast and controlled target transitions.
• Helps shooters maintain a steady rhythm under time pressure.
• Improves shot cadence and trigger control.

Box Drill

Purpose

Train movement and shooting from different angles.

Setup

• Four steel targets arranged in a square, spaced 5 yards apart.
• Shooter starts at the back-left corner of the square.

Drill Execution

• Move to the front-left corner, engaging one target.
• Continue to the front-right corner, engaging another target.
• Move to the back-right corner, engaging a third target.
• Finally, move to the starting position and engage the fourth target.
• Repeat the drill in the opposite direction.

Benefits

• Develops movement and engagement skills.
• Improves shot placement while on the move.
• Enhances spatial awareness and tactical positioning.

Shoot, Move, and Reload Drill

Purpose

Improve dynamic shooting, movement, and reload efficiency.

Setup

• One steel silhouette target at 10 yards.
• Shooter starts with only a few rounds in the magazine.

Drill Execution

• Engage the target with controlled shots.
• Move laterally while shooting.
• When the firearm runs dry, perform a reload while maintaining movement.
• Re-engage the target.

Benefits

• Builds confidence in reloading under pressure.
• Encourages smooth movement while maintaining accuracy.
• Develops real-world tactical shooting skills.

The One-Handed Shooting Drill

Purpose

Train for one-handed shooting scenarios (dominant and non-dominant hand).

Setup

• One steel target at 7 yards.
• Shooter starts from a ready position.

Drill Execution

• Fire three shots using only your dominant hand.
• Switch to your non-dominant hand and fire three more shots.
• Repeat the drill while moving laterally.

Benefits

• Builds strength and control for one-handed shooting.
• Prepares shooters for emergency situations where one hand is unavailable.
• Enhances grip strength and trigger control.

The Shoot and Cover Drill

Purpose

Develop tactical cover usage and quick re-engagement skills.

Setup

• One steel target at 10 yards.
• A barrier or barricade to simulate cover.

Drill Execution

• Start behind cover.
• Step out and fire three rounds at the target.
• Move back to cover and assess.
• Change shooting positions (kneeling, standing, leaning) and repeat.

Benefits

• Reinforces using cover in tactical situations.
• Improves shooting from different stances.
• Enhances decision-making under pressure.

Final Thoughts

Training with steel targets is an excellent way to develop essential shooting skills. Whether you’re working on speed, accuracy, or tactical engagement, these drills will take your shooting to the next level. Legion Targets provides high-quality steel targets built to last, ensuring you get the best training experience possible.

Ready to elevate your shooting drills? Check out Legion Targets’ lineup of durable, high-performance steel targets designed for every level of shooter. Invest in your training today and start shooting smarter!