Bullet Trap

[dagger dog]

I have enough room on my property to shoot handgun and hand gun round rifles. I also reload and cast my own bullets .45, .357,.22 cal, lead bullets only, distances up to 60 yds or so.

The back stop I use now is made of logs stacked double and triple, I shoot a lot of reactionary steel targets ,mostly swingers. I can recover some of my cast bullets, but a lot are buried deep into the log back stop and are tough to recover.

Thinking of making a bullet trap styled on pellet type trap on steriods,using 3/8" plate steel welded into a 45 degree slanting back stop with a ledge type trap at the bottom and solid sides. The trap portion will eventually pay for the purchase price of the steel in lead saved for recasting.

Has anyone seen or made anything of similar design, or maybe some one has some plans? Would like to see what you have or have seen, used, or discuss any designs you may have.

 

[rjrivero]

I wonder how long it would take to cast bullets to pay for 3/8" steel.......Gonna be at least a decade, I would think!

I will follow this thread with interest, considering I just bought a nice little 5 acre parcel that I can now shoot on. Looking forward to building my own backstop and follow a similar path!

 

[FatPants]

Couldnt you build a sand backstop, then just sift the lead out of the sand?

 

[irondavy]

I have an old heavy gauge fridge that I turned over. I shoot into the top and from 100 yards or so none of my 30-06 rounds have made it out the bottom. If those rounds were lead I would expect to be able to open the door and pick them out of the top freezer compartment. Especially if it was filled with sand. Lots cheaper than buying steel plate.

ID

 

[dagger dog]

A couple good sound ideas!

 

[gordy]

Your plans will work.
But you may want to use a 1/2 inch for your slant.
I made one myself using a pellet gun trap for a plan.
I used 3/8 also and the thing warped over time. In about a year. So if you start with 1/2 inch right away you wont have to revamp like I did.
Put a small peace of angeled steel on the bottom back side corner and you will help to keep the bottom from warping also. Try to round the inside out as much as you can. Hang a bit of carpet in front and the small stuff wont come back out and tear your targets.
Add a drawer to the bottom and you will like it. I know.
Good luck.

 

[dagger dog]

Will keep your advice in mind.

thanks gordy