I’ve experimented with a few iterations to keep my 10mm brass from sailing 15-25 feet into the hinterlands. I use a blocker to gently knock the brass out of the air so it lands at/near my feet on a tarp. The salient features of an effective blocker:
- the closer to the ejection port, the smaller the blocker. Important for windy conditions. If not windy, I'll use a big blocker to allow modest left/right aiming to near/distant targets for variety.
- the blocker material must absorb the energy - think curtain. If brass hits a hard surface, incl framework, it will ricochet and disappear. Careful of facial ricochets. I'll lay or clothespin a small rag or hat on the backside of the blocker to keep the brass momentum from hitting the frame.
- weight (up high) and wind-load should be minimized. Ballast on the framework at ground level during breezy conditions is critical. A solid blocker material and wide framework is like a spinnaker in the wind.
- framework must cover all angles of ejection. My ejection runs from vertical to lateral, thus my blocker extends above, behind and right of the port from 1 to 6 o'clock.
- set-up/take-down must be quick/simple.
I bought a couple mesh laundry bags, cut one side and the bottom seam so it is splayed open. I use a tall, telescoping light stand (from photography) and mount a light frame from which I can drape the mesh material and attach with clothespins and twisty-ties, ever mindful of weight and windload. Brass hits the mesh and falls to the tarp.