Safe Backstop?

[JV_2108]

My backyard backstop is a very large log that I staple targets to. Had been thinking of it as quite safe, given it's size, the safe direction I'm shooting, etc. Here's a photo of my setup:



I noticed today that a 38 bullet had only penetrated into the log a very short distance. I rather wonder if my backstop's not as safe as I had assumed. Seems to me there's some potential for ricochet if I happened to hit the same spot as this:



For now, I'll certainly not shoot the 38 at this backstop, but may choose to shoot the 22. I love the convenience of my backyard setup, but consider this a safety hazard to give some thought to. For reference, The ground the backstop is on is at a lower elevation (1-1/2 to 2') than I stand, and the backstop height is about a yard lower than my extended shooting hand.

Any thoughts that any of you have on this will be appreciated.

 

[P95Carry]

I guess much depends on what lies beyond - within shall we say a 30º cone of safety. If handgun rounds and plenty of space beyond probably little or no risk but there really is nothing like dirt to absorb spent rounds. Even .22's can do a good skipping/ricochet effect!

Maybe when it is warmer, get and fill a bunch of sandbags with dirt and make a small wall pile, in front of which to have your log - or perhaps just a simple target frame - that is better.

 

[kennyboy]

For .22, that looks alright. However, I suggest what I did. For my backstop, I have posts in the ground in the shape of a rectangle. In between the posts, I piled logs, stumps, trees, and put corrugated tin near the back as well. The backstop is about 6ft wide, 7ft tall, and 10ft from left to right. It has stopped everything from .22, .38. .357, .40, .223, and .30-06. For informal shooting (1-2 times yearly), your backstop is alright, but if it was me, I'd like a little more reassurance. Better safe than sorry.

 

[jmtgsx]

You could use your safe for a backstop but wouldn't accessability be inconvenient?


Sorry...........someone had to.

 

[ulflyer]

I'm using a dump truck load of dirt as a backstop. Looks like that would work in your area too.

 

[JV_2108]

Interesting.

I was thinking of backstop safety to the shooter in terms of ricochet potential, and less so to downrange issues. Anyone see ricochet issues here?

 

[JV_2108]

You could use your safe for a backstop but wouldn't accessability be inconvenient?


Sorry...........someone had to.

Now there's a potentially serious ricochet issue - a safe as a backstop.

 

[P95Carry]

Re shooter's own safety - I would expect the large log to not be too much problem (and dirt certainly not unless full of small rocks) - but if tires as some folks use, then yes - IMO plenty of potential for bounce back.

 

[birddog]

When the weather warms, just take a shovel out with you and pile up a couple of feet worth of dirt against the log. It'll be a good workout, and make your backstop much safer.

I was shooting some newly loaded 300gr cast bullets against a dirt backstop with my S&W 629. For kicks, I mean err....for penetration analysis...I took a piece of 6x6 landscape timber to see what the cast slugs would do. In one side and out the other, like butter!

Be careful with that log.

 

[1911Tuner]

Logs

Beware of firing FMJ bullets into hardwood...the kind with lead exposed at the base. I shot an M2 ball round into a Black Oak from about 30 feet once...just to see if it would go through it. The bullet core was squirted back out of the jacket and hit my truck...hard enough to dent and nearly break the sheet metal.

 

[JV_2108]

I'm going to guess that I'm getting less penetration because the log is frozen. That's got to slow a bullet down. So far I've noticed 3 38s that have gone no more than 2" into the wood (otherwise I wouldn't see them) and none that have come through. I'm intentionally not setting up targets where I see the back side of bullets, so as to minimize ricochet potential.

I've also had no luck extracting bullets, though I should think that easier after a good melt.

Thinking about TMJs to avoid the lead/jacket separation described above.

 

[1911Tuner]

Backstop

I've used a stack of old tires filled with dirt or sand. Works well and will contain .308 from 50 yards.