Large-Scale Pellet Backstop?

[daveshoot]

So I am trying to get back in the pellet groove, and maybe get set up to host some fellow shooters. I can shoot 60 yds in about any direction, and 100 or more in a couple directions. Unfortunately, it is theoretically possible to strike neighboring property (or a busy highway)in almost any of those directions with an errant round.

This would be easily corrected with a larger scale pellet stop. The highway direction is out but the others are do-able. What would you build, not counting an earthen mound? A 15 ft. berm is not acceptable. I can't afford enough duct seal to host 6 shooters at 80+ yards. I can make smaller target boxes for targets, but odds and luck and wind being what they are, some rounds are going to go wide.

I was thinking about a plywood structure that angled downward into some earth (maybe something I could sift for lead every year or two). Someone somewhere mentioned discarded dozer blades- even if I found one I am not sure I could transport it here, and it would look a little trashy. Still, it was an idea. A block wall would do it but I would be stuck with the placement and angle. And, I would have to build a block wall.

I am thinking it would have to stop up to .25 PCP rounds (at longer ranges). The goal is not to hammer the thing and chew a regular hole through it, but to create enough of a safety backstop for overshots. It would be extra great if it was portable, or at least movable to face different directions.

Have you ever seen anything like this that worked well?

[michael90t]

I would think something of plywood would be a good idea.... could put some folding legs on it so it would fold flat for storage... When an area became worne you could patch it or just build a new one.... heck you could probably face it with some tin or other sheetmetal to cut down on wear and tea... And maybe for the magnum guys you could use that with a patio block to back the targets... would keep wide shots from going anywhere and the on targets would just splatter without chewing up the backstop....

[Gene_SC]

Dave that is doable but you should try and keep your range under 60 yards if possible. I find that shooting at targets set in the ground is best for me. The angle of projectory is always down. I do not have your problem but I love them auto reset targets. Bought a bunch of them last year from one of our members who was selling them . Great price for the quality. Shooting horizontal in any direction can be un safe when there are neighboring homes around. You will always have flyers and that is normal. Good luck

[kiwi]

I have a peice of 900mm wide 12mm thick conveyror belt..
set at 10m hagging in front of a tin fence & theres not a mark on the fence..
"" since I put it up""
Not even from the AR6... no normal air gun even comes close to going though..
Let it hang from the top so it moves when hit...& its almost silent...

[daveshoot]

Those are all good. The conveyor belt is an interesting twist. I might start keeping an eye out for one.

[michael90t]

thats an EXCELENT idea! brings back memories of when I was a kid I would build bb traps out of a box with about 6 layers of old denim. Each curtain about an inch or so away from the one in front of it...  4-5 pumps with an old 760 pumpmaster and in basment ranges never had a bb go through... also dunno if I would do it now but back then I would reuse the bb's lol bottle of bb's would last me darn near forever and for a 11-12 year old on a budget that was worth more then anything

Damn now I have to go looking for some used conveyer belt.... where would one even find such an animal...

[clip]

Carpet strips work for me....although I've never used a higher caliber than 177 and 22. My rifles are all of the break barrel with a couple of side-cockers  and under-levers thrown in.....so you get the idea of the power involved. I hang the carpet in front of my backstop...it hangs loosely so pellets just fall to the ground. It's set at 20 yard mark and so far, so good.

[Bogey]

I tried carpet  as a back stop.   Did not work very well.   What I was shooting zipped right through.  However, using the conveyor belt, if you can find it, could most likely stop a bull elephant.   Since I am more or less in the fence business,  I just built a back stop that is 16 ft long by 8 ft high.  Double lapped 1x6s.    This is in  addition to a trap system that we actually shoot into.

[djmyers]

2 sheets of ply wood with sheet metal screwed to it. Place them at angle to deflect the rounds it to the middle like a chute, then have another sheet set up like a box to stop the deflected rounds. For the targets plumbers puttiy is $5 for a tub thats about 10 lbs. Its way cheaper than duct seal and works great. I get about 3 in of penetration into it at 35 ft down to 2 at 30 yds. The harder its hit the more resistance like water. This would all be movable so you can hide it when necccessary.

[HNT5]

Peter's conveyor belt idea is really good. You could cut some into strips and hang them over a frame that you build/aquire. That way it could be transported. Conveyor belting can get heavy so cutting into strips would make it easier to move. Just remember that if you're too close you could get bounce back. If you have any grain elevators or mills in your area, they might have some old belting, they might even give it to you if you ask them.

Nathan

[bcshooter]

Hi David, Try mudguards from semi trucks, two or three spaced about two inches apart should stop any pellet at 60yards. If you can put carpet in between them that will work also, hang everything vertical like a carpet display. This way each panel can freely swing upon impact of pellet. I think mudguafds are two feet wide and three feet long.......Bill

[TCups]

Here is what I use:

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9740&posts=5&highlight=%3Cspan%20class='highlight'%3Ebackstop%3C/span%3E&highlightmode=1#M72513

[shady816]

djmyers said it...that is what i have seen on many occasions and works exceptionally well even on 22 rim fire and with proper front leg attachment easly folds down and out of the way.

[redroush00]

All so complicated. ive been using a 3' x 2' 1/2 inch plywood with one piece of outdoor carpet on it to quiet the thid. Havent had one go through at 20 yards yet. Its angled down somewhat.

[WhittTX]

If you have access to a trailer you might try bales of hay.  The larger round ones.  I have found them for as little as $10 each that were two year old cuttings on Craig's List.  Just stagger them and you are covered.   Moveable at least for awhile and later on you mulch with them.