Back stop for hand gun shooting in a barn

Hey gang.... I've been toying with an idea for some time and thought I'd float it hear and see if anyone else has tried this.

I have a clear 30' space in my barn and during the cold winters up here in Mainiac land I've pondered setting up a backstop to shoot "indoors".

My thoughts are to make a 8" deep (front to back) "box" out of two sheets 3/4 plywood, then fill it with sand. I'd add a 1/4" plate of steel on the outside surface of the back side as an "insurance policy" that no projectiles could get through, and then I'd put several layers of a rubbery membrane (like Bitchethane) on the inside surface of the front side, to help prevent the sand from spilling out of the perforated surface. Replaceable spoil boards could be made for the front side as well. Then make a removable plate for the top side to check the sand level and add additional sand if needed.

I'd put this contraption against the end wall of the barn (with a wood pile and another shed, and then woods on the back side) and shoot from the other end of the barn some 30' away, limiting my use to normal hand gun loads (no magnum stuff) and .22 LR.

Note that we live in the woods with the closest neigbor some 700 ft. away through the woods and no houses behind the side where the bullet trap would be.

My inspiration comes from a co-worker who grew up shooting .22 LR in his basement with his brothers using a home made bullet trap. He says it was a popular thing to back in the day, and the bullet trap plans were published in a magazine.

Any constructive input is much appreciated.... especially from any who have made private use indoor ranges.

Good Ol' Boy said:

I actually use basically the same thing for a backstop shooting at home. 1.5yrs and nothings made it through so far.
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That's pretty much exactly what I'm talking about... only for indoor use.

I've heard that 6" of sand stops almost anything.

Thanks for the replies.... I'll look into the shredded rubber, and using a dust mask is a good idea.

Re. ventilation.... the barn is more than a bit drafty and I can open a door at the firing line end. I also don't anticipate that the "range" will get used much, as I only live ~3 miles down the road from the pvt. range I use. But in the winter months, it would be really nice to go test fire some of my hand loads without making a trek.

Re. lead.... I've been reloading for over a decade now and I understand that lead is a real issue... so I'm always happy for a reminder. But since I don't eat Fritos or suck my thumb while I reload and I shoot almost exclusively at outdoor ranges, I don't expect any problems. I did have the blood test for lead checked a few years back and it measured less than the detectable amount (<1 µg/dL) .



P.S. though I used to cast and have a stash of loaded cast Pb boolits, I have pretty much given up on it. I hate cleaning it out of my barrels and plated bullets are cheap enough for the limited volume of rounds I'm able to put down range.
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edwardware said:

Also keep in mind that the lateral pressure at the bottom of an 8' pile of sand is considerable. You'll want through-bolts near the bottom.

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Good point... I think I'd be OK if I made the target 4'x4' and mounted it on to a pair of 2x10s spanning between two of the barn posts (pole barn construction).

If I can't hit a 4'x4' target 100% of the time at 30 ft, I should probably just hang up shooting altogether.

DairyVet said:

I’m willing to bet your lead levels rise if you go ahead with your plans as-described...
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“Drafty” is likely not up to snuff...
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Good luck.

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I appreciate the feedback and will give it strong consideration.

I think the key factor for me is balancing what I really want to do with this set up... and all the input is forcing me to more carefully define this in my head.

To call it "a range" doesn't really match up with my intent, as I'm really looking for a place where I can set up a chronograph and pop off a few test rounds every once in a while without making a trek. Add to that popping off a few mags in the winter months once every couple of weeks for proficiency (and of course, for kicks and giggles).

Zoning, local ordinances and safe shooting practices all allow me to walk out into my side yard and shoot into a plywood target stand. But this has "concerned" one of my neighbors to call the police in the past. Of course they came, ogled my firearm lustfully, and then told me what I already knew.... that what I was doing was both safe and legal. But this is not a social gathering I care to indulge with any frequency. So my thoughts are that shooting in the barn will dampen most of the noise and placate the nosy neighbors. (heck, with the gun club just three miles down the road, you can hear gunshots most any day once the trees drop their leaves).

So with that in mind.... perhaps sound dampening material would be a good idea. Fortunately, I know a little about that already.

LiveLife said:

How about this to reduce gun blast noise? (Jump to 3:00 minute for pistol shooting comparison)

And wearing $12 3M respirator with proper filters would prevent inhaling lead dust to keep you healthy.

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I found this article linked into an old THR thread. Similar idea, but on steroids. A couple peeps posted that they had done similar set ups with mixed reviews.... but most were trying to dampen the sound from high power rifles. Unfortunately that thread got side tracked and shut down after the safety police started squabbling about how it is never safe to shoot on your own property.