steel backstop question

[WhittTX]

Was wondering what was the smallest gauge metal that would stop a 177/22/25 caliber high power air rifle.  It would be attached to plywood but looking for the steel to do all the stopping.  Ranges would be 20 plus yards.

Thanks, Ron

[RedFeather]

Answered on Yellow.

[joe-joe guns]

I make my own pellet traps out of 16 ga. it will dent at close ranges but won't penetrate. You can get a 2' x 2' piece at Lowes for 20 bucks. I imagine you could use 22 ga. if you backed it with wood but I would keep the metal at a steep angle for safety.

[WhittTX]

Guess I was being lazy.  I have some 16 gauge left over from a project.  I will try some hits on it this weeked.  Problem is I don't have any high powered PCPs to try, just an AA 400 that is not even FAC.  Best I can do is something along the lines of a Kodiac in 25, RWS 52,  or an RWS 460.  Have you ever checked the prices of your local steel and pipe suppliers?  They tend to be much better the the Lowes/Home Depot stores.

[joe-joe guns]

I shoot my traps with all the guns in my sig..I'm a sheet metal worker so I have access to whatever I want.I just bought a 4' x 8' sheet of 16 ga. yesterday for 70 bucks.Thought I'd trow out the lowes mention for people that aren't lucky enough to have a metal hook up.

[North Pack]

16 ga. should do what you've described easily. One thing to keep in mind, pellets are lead (soft) and steel is a tad tougher. Now, if things were the other way around, ...

[WhittTX]

That is good to know on the 16.  Where I live 16 runs $35 and the 14 is $45 for a 4x8 (checked today).   I was leaning toward the 14 for the price difference but I forgot to ask about the difference in weight.  Want it to be easy to carry around with the plywood attached.  Course I really only need the plywood for target attachment so I could drop down to 3/8.  Nice to have choices.