Built a bullet trap

[OldBlood]

Built this recently, thought you guys might be interested. Great to go down stairs and BLAM away. 3/8 inch steel plate at about a 45 degree angle. 2/4 frame. I will add a steel bottom, ricochets have surpising amounts of energy, and lock down casters, this thing is getting heavy. I've shot mostly 22 and 38, with a 357 now and then. THIS WILL NOT STOP A RIFLE BULLET! Don't miss!

 

[dsbock]

In addition to a steel bottom, you may want to put in a tray filled with sand to absorb any remaining energy.

Looks good, wish I could set up something like that in my basement.

As you said, don't miss!

David

 

[OldBlood]

Good idea about the sand. Any idea how thick? If you look closely, you can see a couple of high flyers on the front and little chips in the wall behind. Darn Smith's in single action just go off so easy.( Never operator error)

 

[InTheWoods]

I hope you have really, really good ventilation in your basement. Lead from both bullet splatter and primer composition will really boost the lead levels in your blood. The lead will be inhaled when shooting and then, again, when you raise the dust during floor sweeping. Be careful.

One of our local indoor shooting ranges had a malfunctioning ventilation system and customers complained. Somehow the health department got involved and all the employees tested with extremely high lead levels in their blood.

 

[dsbock]

Good idea about the sand. Any idea how thick? If you look closely, you can see a couple of high flyers on the front and little chips in the wall behind. Darn Smith's in single action just go off so easy.( Never operator error)

I can't find the reference for sand depth, but I would suggest no less than 6" deep. More would be better.

Enjoy.

David

 

[brucev]

Get a 55 gallon steel drum. Construct a simple 2x4 frame to hold it level while it is on its side. Fill the bottom of the drum with sand. Put the bullet trap at the back of the drum. To exhaust any lead residue that might be created when the bullets hit the plate, etc., cut a hole in the side of the drum behind the bullet trap. Run any kind of plastic pipe from the hole to exhaust outside the basement. Power it with a common small electric motor w/ a fan mounted, etc. Do the same thing for exhausting the residue from firing the handgun mounting a exhaust fan in a window. Have fun!

 

[larry8]

And use no-lead ammo.

 

[OldBlood]

I cast all my bullets from tofu.