Homemade backstop? - Page 2

aus71383 · February 18th, 2008, 01:59 PM

I think sand is the best idea - you're going to get a lot more penetration where the sand is less densely packed (like at the top) and you're going to get a lot more penetration from rifles than handguns (go figure). I think 7.62 NATO can go through a couple sandbags - so I'd plan on 3 feet of sand minimum if you're going to be using rifles. There's quite a bit of information out there on sandbag penetration. I have it all in books packed away somewhere, but I'm sure its online too. Try to find "The Machinegunners Bible" - not sure if that's the official name or a nickname.

Austin

ridurall · February 18th, 2008, 02:09 PM

I've got 3 tractor tires 100 yards from my front porch stacked on top of each other and filled with dirt for a back stop behind my targets. Works great for me. I need to set some more up at longer ranges to put behind my gongs.

morintp · February 18th, 2008, 03:00 PM

My parents have a pile of dirt 10 ft high and 20 ft wide that we use as a backstop. Behind it is over 2 miles of undeveloped woods. We just pick up our shells every time we shoot. It works nice if we spread a tarp out before we start.

aus71383 · February 18th, 2008, 04:48 PM

I just checked and 7.62 NATO was only good for one sandbag - I must have been thinking of .50cal.

Austin

PcMakr · February 18th, 2008, 05:41 PM

Determine the size of target you want. Then due the math to find out what size you would have to get if you mounted a steel plate at a 45 deg. angle, to achieve that size. The hypotenuse, if you will. For example, a 12 in. vertically visible target plate would actually be about 17 in. tall. The figure out the best way for you to mount that plate at a 45 deg. angle to the ground. Side shields would be a good idea. Below the plate put a pit of sand to catch the bullets. You could fire a test round or two to determine the best center of impact. Bordered in by 2X12's to help hold sand in place. It will tend to splatter or splash when impacted. When you feel you need to clean trap, sift sand with a sifter to remove lead and copper for recycling. At the price of metals these days, you might be able to save a fair amount of money.

Sig 210 · February 18th, 2008, 11:03 PM

Lead in the ground is quick becoming a hot button environmental issue. The first big cleanup job was in MA. The MA environmental people and the EPA claimed that Cape Cod ground water was in danger of being contaminated by lead from a Camp Edwards firing range. The cleanup of lead alone cost tens of millions of dollars.

There are a few high profile cases where civilian firing ranges have been taken to court over the issue of lead in the soil.

It is good to have a system where the bullets can be sifted out.

You need about three feet of loose sand to stop a .357 bullet.

"Guard seeks to end ban on lead bullets
Steps proposed to protect Upper Cape water supply
By Beth Daley, Globe Staff | November 7, 2006

The Massachusetts National Guard wants to resume firing lead bullets at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod, nine years after such ammunition was banned because of fears that the toxic metal could contaminate drinking water supplies."

Guard seeks to end ban on lead bullets - The Boston Globe

"Breaking News Alerts The Guard is proposing a number of methods that officials say will contain the bullets and keep them from degrading and leaching into an underground reservoir that is a major source of the Upper Cape's water supply.

"We have a very high level of confidence . . . we will be able to train all of our soldiers in a compatible way with the environment," said Shawn Cody, director of environmental affairs for the Massachusetts National Guard.

After the ban in 1997, the approximately 6,000 New England guardsmen and women who train at Camp Edwards every year had largely been using tungsten ammunition, often referred to as green bullets, because it is lead-free and because the military believed that tungsten was insoluble. But in February, when small amounts of tungsten were discovered dissolved in groundwater below the base, the Guard stopped training with tungsten bullets and sought alternatives."

ridurall · February 18th, 2008, 11:13 PM

They have rigs built for mining lead from skeet & trap ranges. It runs the top few inches of soil through it and collects all the lead shot over the years. It's hard for me to understand how it could be such an environmental issue as it is a natural occurring substance. We've got lead mines here in Oklahoma. I know there was a big deal about Leadville and worrying about the dirty water there hurting the kids, that is until they found out that they were some of the healthiest kids in the country.

wizardofgore · February 19th, 2008, 04:09 AM

I have use simple target stands in front of the logs or if I have an old plywood board I lean that up on the logs.

coffeecup · February 19th, 2008, 07:52 AM

I once saw a bullet trap made from an old dumpster--pretty neat rig!

Myself, I just shoot into my backyard woodpile or head out to the range at the gun club. I find a lot of my "woodpile" bullets in the winter when the pile gets used up.

Reborn · February 19th, 2008, 08:35 AM

I was told once; the part to clean up was the actual exit point when the bullet first leaves the barrel of the weapon. There is like a fine mist of lead created. It falls pretty much straight down. I learned this at the Texas DPS shooting range.

February 18th, 2008, 02:09 PM	#12
ridurall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SW Oklahoma Posts: 735	I've got 3 tractor tires 100 yards from my front porch stacked on top of each other and filled with dirt for a back stop behind my targets. Works great for me. I need to set some more up at longer ranges to put behind my gongs. __________________ Life member NRA since 1983 I normally carry a Sig Pro .40 in a Crossbreed IWB but when necessary will switch to: Baby Eagle .40 W/Kramer holster Bersa Thunder380 Kel-Tec P3AT Skyy 9mm

February 18th, 2008, 11:13 PM	#17
ridurall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SW Oklahoma Posts: 735	They have rigs built for mining lead from skeet & trap ranges. It runs the top few inches of soil through it and collects all the lead shot over the years. It's hard for me to understand how it could be such an environmental issue as it is a natural occurring substance. We've got lead mines here in Oklahoma. I know there was a big deal about Leadville and worrying about the dirty water there hurting the kids, that is until they found out that they were some of the healthiest kids in the country. __________________ Life member NRA since 1983 I normally carry a Sig Pro .40 in a Crossbreed IWB but when necessary will switch to: Baby Eagle .40 W/Kramer holster Bersa Thunder380 Kel-Tec P3AT Skyy 9mm

February 19th, 2008, 08:35 AM	#20
Reborn Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rowlett, Texas Posts: 1,243	Lead on the Range I was told once; the part to clean up was the actual exit point when the bullet first leaves the barrel of the weapon. There is like a fine mist of lead created. It falls pretty much straight down. I learned this at the Texas DPS shooting range. __________________ Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. Senior Instructor for Tactical and Defensive of Texas CHL INSTRUCTOR Retired LEO NRA member TCHA member

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February 18th, 2008, 01:59 PM	#11
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,691	I think sand is the best idea - you're going to get a lot more penetration where the sand is less densely packed (like at the top) and you're going to get a lot more penetration from rifles than handguns (go figure). I think 7.62 NATO can go through a couple sandbags - so I'd plan on 3 feet of sand minimum if you're going to be using rifles. There's quite a bit of information out there on sandbag penetration. I have it all in books packed away somewhere, but I'm sure its online too. Try to find "The Machinegunners Bible" - not sure if that's the official name or a nickname. Austin

February 18th, 2008, 03:00 PM	#13
morintp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fairfax, Vermont Posts: 1,007	My parents have a pile of dirt 10 ft high and 20 ft wide that we use as a backstop. Behind it is over 2 miles of undeveloped woods. We just pick up our shells every time we shoot. It works nice if we spread a tarp out before we start.

February 18th, 2008, 04:48 PM	#14
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,691	I just checked and 7.62 NATO was only good for one sandbag - I must have been thinking of .50cal. Austin

February 18th, 2008, 05:41 PM	#15
PcMakr Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 90	Determine the size of target you want. Then due the math to find out what size you would have to get if you mounted a steel plate at a 45 deg. angle, to achieve that size. The hypotenuse, if you will. For example, a 12 in. vertically visible target plate would actually be about 17 in. tall. The figure out the best way for you to mount that plate at a 45 deg. angle to the ground. Side shields would be a good idea. Below the plate put a pit of sand to catch the bullets. You could fire a test round or two to determine the best center of impact. Bordered in by 2X12's to help hold sand in place. It will tend to splatter or splash when impacted. When you feel you need to clean trap, sift sand with a sifter to remove lead and copper for recycling. At the price of metals these days, you might be able to save a fair amount of money.

February 18th, 2008, 11:03 PM	#16
Sig 210 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwestern OK Posts: 633	Lead in the ground is quick becoming a hot button environmental issue. The first big cleanup job was in MA. The MA environmental people and the EPA claimed that Cape Cod ground water was in danger of being contaminated by lead from a Camp Edwards firing range. The cleanup of lead alone cost tens of millions of dollars. There are a few high profile cases where civilian firing ranges have been taken to court over the issue of lead in the soil. It is good to have a system where the bullets can be sifted out. You need about three feet of loose sand to stop a .357 bullet. "Guard seeks to end ban on lead bullets Steps proposed to protect Upper Cape water supply By Beth Daley, Globe Staff \| November 7, 2006 The Massachusetts National Guard wants to resume firing lead bullets at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod, nine years after such ammunition was banned because of fears that the toxic metal could contaminate drinking water supplies." Guard seeks to end ban on lead bullets - The Boston Globe "Breaking News Alerts The Guard is proposing a number of methods that officials say will contain the bullets and keep them from degrading and leaching into an underground reservoir that is a major source of the Upper Cape's water supply. "We have a very high level of confidence . . . we will be able to train all of our soldiers in a compatible way with the environment," said Shawn Cody, director of environmental affairs for the Massachusetts National Guard. After the ban in 1997, the approximately 6,000 New England guardsmen and women who train at Camp Edwards every year had largely been using tungsten ammunition, often referred to as green bullets, because it is lead-free and because the military believed that tungsten was insoluble. But in February, when small amounts of tungsten were discovered dissolved in groundwater below the base, the Guard stopped training with tungsten bullets and sought alternatives."

February 19th, 2008, 04:09 AM	#18
wizardofgore Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 111	I have use simple target stands in front of the logs or if I have an old plywood board I lean that up on the logs.

February 19th, 2008, 07:52 AM	#19
coffeecup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cadiz,Ky Posts: 574	I once saw a bullet trap made from an old dumpster--pretty neat rig! Myself, I just shoot into my backyard woodpile or head out to the range at the gun club. I find a lot of my "woodpile" bullets in the winter when the pile gets used up.