Best economical Brass Catcher mat, tarp, sheet, other?

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Aim1

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I can shoot in my lawn but I want to pick up all the brass to save and so that I don’t hit it with my lawnmower. This is for rifle and pistol. I did purchase a Tacstar brass catcher to hang off of my AR that was on sale. I’m wondering what’s the best value priced option to lay on the ground and catch my brass. First I thought a tarp would be the most economical option then perhaps a cheap bed sheet would be the better option and could also be more easily rolled up than a tarp to get the brass out. I know a bed sheet can be very cheap. I thought a thick blanket could be good because the brass would land on it and stop rather than roll and bounce but then it would be more expensive.

So, what’s the best option to catch brass that is also economical?
 
Harbor Freight tarps. You can get them as freebies with a coupon. I can buy a box cutter and a tarp for under $0.50 total when I use a 20% off coupon and free tarp coupon.
 
I tried a tarp. You would need a gigantic tarp to catch everything that comes out of a semiauto. Something in the 8 x 12 range doesn't even come close.
 
stevehgraham said:
I tried a tarp. You would need a gigantic tarp to catch everything that comes out of a semiauto. Something in the 8 x 12 range doesn't even come close.
Click to expand...


This is mostly for pistol.


I have an AR brass catcher that mounts to the gun for AR shooting.
 
Plastic mesh and tarps may melt to a hot brass casing. I have been using the HF mesh for years as sunshade clamped to EZ Ups and RV awnings... and it will melt if it gets too hot (like touching an air compressor :fire:).

The cheapest tarp-like stuff I have found are the cheapo canvas-like painting drop cloths from Home Depot, Lowe’s etc. They’re about one-third the cost of a canvas tarp and not as heavy to fold up and carry. You can buy enough to spread out over a decent area without breaking the bank.

Stay safe!
 
I don't generally shoot from a static location, so a tarp or sheet is not a potential solution.

On the rare occasion when I do shoot from a single position, I use an old, worn-out full-size fitted sheet that my mother gave me before she passed. It lives in the garage doing double duty by keeping moisture from getting to sacks of cat food, so I always know where it is when I need it. The elastic at the edges was pretty much worn out so it lies flat, but the fact it has those edges makes it easier to pick up than a flat sheet or a tarp.
 
Nothing works great in every condition. When at our private range I use a blue tarp. I think its 20 X 20 ft and I stake the corners down with cheap tent stakes. I have never noticed it melting from hot brass. A few cases will sometime roll off or just miss it completely so bigger than 20 X 20 may be better. Some guns throw brass more erratically than others.
 
Last time out I took a old comforter that was on its way out the door and hung it from the rafters at the range. It did two things, blocked the direct sun that was getting in my eyes and it caught all the brass from my mini. I found if I put a bin in the right spot it would catch and then deposit the brass nicely into the bin. Cheap alternative.
 
The rafter trick is a good idea with the mini, mine throw brass like Tom Brady throws footballs... all over the field and no where I can defend against it!
 
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