I'm building an indoor .22 (.38 sp?) range

[Jack D]

I'm glad you mentioned the wheels in jest George, it reminded me I had forgotten to suggest locking castor wheels to prevent target walking with a larger caliber.

R,
Bullseye

It does have locking casters (two) to hold it in place. We put 120 rounds into it today. All .22. Noise may still be a problem with the 22/45. Even with the doors shut, it still is loud outside. Maybe a 55 gal drum with top and bottom out, lined with carpet. to fire inside of. Sort of a huge silencer. Unattached, of course.

[Bullseye]

Sorry, from the orientation of the picture I couldn't see the wheel locks.

You don't have to use metal drums. Plywood boxes would work just as well and that would give you a surface to staple into for fastening the carpet. The thicker the pile the better, shag would be best for sound absorption. Something else I've used is fiberglass insulation. However, even though it absorbs sound better the insulation tends to wear out faster from muzzle blast damage.

R,
Bullseye

[Jack D]

Sorry, from the orientation of the picture I couldn't see the wheel locks.

You don't have to use metal drums. Plywood boxes would work just as well and that would give you a surface to staple into for fastening the carpet. The thicker the pile the better, shag would be best for sound absorption. Something else I've used is fiberglass insulation. However, even though it absorbs sound better the insulation tends to wear out faster from muzzle blast damage.

R,
Bullseye

Very good idea. Being a metal worker, I hadn't even thought about plywood. You say you've tried it? How well does it work? I was very surprised at how little the shop building surperssed the sound. It is fully insulated, but does little.

[Bullseye]

It will arrest the sound some but will still carry quite a report. Muzzle blast will escape at the front and rear of the box assembly as these ends need to be relatively open to aim and insert the pistol.

R,
Bullseye

[Jack D]

It will arrest the sound some but will still carry quite a report. Muzzle blast will escape at the front and rear of the box assembly as these ends need to be relatively open to aim and insert the pistol.

R,
Bullseye

It's worth a try. I do have other options. Most of my neighbors work days, so I can shoot during the week days while they are out. Also it rains here on occasion.....I can shoot when they holed up due to weather.

[Jack D]

I've fired maybe a thousand rounds (.22) into the bullet trap and still no problems. A few weeks ago, my sons tried their Ruger .357's (target loads) and still no damage to the trap. It splatters the lead and traps it all inside. Removing the plywood front, I found about 2" of dust, lead fragments and splinters in the bottom. By dumping the 'stuff' into a bucket of water and skimming the splinters off the top, I can salvage much of the lead. I don't cast my own bullets, but if I did, the lead could be recycled into new bullets.

[Bullseye]

Sounds like you made a winner!

R,
Bullseye

[mrfcobf]

You moved the propane tank out from behind it since the first picture, right?

[Jack D]

Good eye. Actually, the propane tank was never behind it. That photo was just to show the test trap and at this point I hadn't fired any test shots.

[Bullseye]

And here I thought you were going for those spectacular movie style explosive target scenes. Seriously I'm glad your trap is working well.

R,
Bullseye

[Jack D]

Ahhh! Hollywood. The only place you can get sparks with non-ferrous bullets on aluminum helicopters with plexiglass bubbles. Or electrocute someone by dropping battery jumper cables into water running from the radiator. Fantasy land. ☺

[mrfcobf]

That's for sure.

Took the whole family down to Disney's Hollywood Studios (and the other parks) just last month for the week of Xmas. Got to see some pretty neat tricks!

I wish we had some land where I could build a trap, but alas we're in the burbs. I joined a local range and they're closed on Mondays. I'm wishing I could exercise the new toy a little, but there's always tomorrow!

[Jack D]

Yesterday, my son tried his new 9mm on this bullet trap.....about 100 rounds at 17' and 21' and still no damage. Several .357 mags also. Looks good for about anything I can throw at it in the way of a pistol cartridge. Don't own any of the big bad ones, however.

[Bullseye]

Your detailed testing is proving that design works under varied conditions.

R,
Bullseye

[blue68f100]

Does it have a ring to it with the flat back?

I assume the wheels are a energy assourbing feature.