I have done experiment's with several materials for backstops. I have found that simply buying a case of Duraflame type fireplace logs works well enough for years of shooting. The log material is soft enough to absorb the pellet with no ricochet worries. You can shoot for years on one side of the box then simply turn it around as the pellets never came close to penetrating the logs. No messy fragments to worry about.
Very helpful. Thank you! I ordered a piece of polycarb and am giving it a try with my Weihrauch HW30s in .177. I put a piece of EPP foam over the poly. The pellets are probably traveling around 650fps. Two observations: 1) This polycarb, at least so far, has stopped the pellets completely. They flatten out and fall to the floor or stay in the foam, 2) The sound of the impact is loud (IMO) for use inside our home. I'd never do this when my wife was around. But when she's away...Well, you know! :-)
Living in Colombia we have strict rules about where you can even pull your rifle out leastwise use it. So my shooting gallery is planned to be in my home from the living room, through the kitchen and hallway, to the boys bedroom. The problem was what to do for that backstop. My wife sews a lot (it's her job) so she can get the ballistic nylon. And our local big store HomeCenter has the polycarbonate sheet as well as the pvc framing. I plan on getting a wide refrigerator organizer to use as a catch tank for the pellets and slugs as I shoot. Thank you for finally a useable solution. I thought I'd have to use an oak box filled with clay (which would need renewal on a regular basis)
@Melanie Johnston how do you figure "reasonable cost" ?? Sorry to burst your bubble babe, but material like this ISN'T cheap even 1/4" sheets. This guy himself lucked out because he found a certain piece in scrap that was useful. Also there won't always be carpet available to usurp. The materials I use cost less than $10 and have proven extremely durable with Co2 guns shooting 410fps minimum from 45ft Max.
As a former ROTC cadet (Navy), lemme just say our conditions were way worse. #1. We didn't have a fancy range --- we shot in the hallway much the dismay of school staff at about 30-35ft range. Our traps were also rudimentary --1/2" thick plywood boxes filled with newspaper, phonebook, junk magazines and held by a large steel frame. 5 cadets could shoot at a time. Having learned from this, I've experimented & found that 1/8" cardboard, with either foam or fiberglass insulation, bound with packing bubble sheet works great to stop ricochet. This is tested using guns with 410+ FPS, zinc-coated BBs and bout 45 foot range. The trap itself is made of the same material & thickness --- minus the steel & paper
Great video Colonel. Recently purchased a Gamo .22 cal Maxxim rifle, and am looking for ideas to make a good backstop, for some backyard shooting. Your ideas are great :).
That angled backstop wall was pretty nice of an idea.. Sadly, apprently they did just not angle it enough. Made several pellet/BB traps of sheet metal for myself. 45° backplate angle and a deep enough box underneath the angled portion - both pellets n BBs stay inside. Giving the backstoo that wall height just will take lots of space..
I am trying to start a shooting range for air guns. What I need is some help with all the ins and outs. If you could give me some guidance it would be appreciated. Thanks Joe Seagroves.
This is an awesome design and I will be building this for my back yard! Three questions: 1. What size pellets are you shooting (.177? .22?) 2. How much power (1200 fps at 30 yards?) 3. How well do things stick to the carpet? For example - will reactive targets with adhesive backing stick to it without a problem?
I made 1 and have shot it almost point blank with my .22 Gamo Magnum at around 1200 fps and no problems. At 30 yards only thing that even dents it is real heavy pellets and slugs but just dimples the polycarbonate. I used the self adhesive carpet but I also sprayed the Poly and the carpet with contact glue and it holds very well. Im going to try my new 25 cal pcp and see what it does when it gets here but I would bet would need a thicker panel than 1/4 inch. More than likely will need a 1/2 but maybe a 3/8 might work as well.
@@timbuckohfive2751 How does it hold up where there is no carpet ? does it ricochet at all on the polycarbotate or do you feel safe at short distance ? Thanks a lot !
@@delphinebez3045 Haven't shot it without carpet so I don't know for sure but as long as you hang from just the top and allow it to move freely at the bottom im pretty sure it wont be a problem. Depending on what pellet you are using most of them completely flatten out not too much tto really ricochet. I did find that 1/4 does not work for anything more powerful than the .22 springer. PCP just a bit too poewerful. 1/2 should work though. My 25 just split the 1/4 polycarbonate.
@@timbuckohfive2751 Thanks a lot, I own a .177 Stoeger pcp, it is powerful 1200 fps and this would be for 10 meters shots on my veranda... so I don't feel overconfident. 1/2 inch feels ok to you ?
What power air rifles have you tested - is it able to stop high power pcp air rifles, or is it for target shooting lower velocity Olympic style air rifles? Thanks.
Thanks for sharing this! I also am curious what caliber and FPE this 1.4" material can withstand. I am shooting a .35 pellet (81 to 140 grain) with 150 to 200 fpe at about 700 fps. I've also tried several places online to find the polycarbonate you use but they all want around $140 (or more) for the same sized sheet at 1/4" thick. I wish I could find a price like you did! I'm extremely interested in building this and I love the simplicity of the design.
It's commercial quality carpet squares with self adhesive backing. You can buy 8nexpwnsive indoor/outdoor carpet rugs almost anywhere that'll probably have the same results.
You didn’t put too much thought into your indoor range did you. Only an idiot would put steel plate directly behind a target. When I made mine, I put shredded rubber in for the bullet trap area.