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Gun range backstops
- Thread starter Devdev08
- Start date
Various grades of steel are used in some backstop systems angled to deflect the projectile either down into a sand box or pitched back into a scroll device. A vertical stop will cause the bullet to stop dead but splatter lead bits in all directions. An angled stop tends reduce potential splatter and direct it into a catching media. Another popular backstop material is a ground rubber media. Ranges with this type backstop tend to allow more powerful ammunitions as the rubber media catches the bullet with little penetration and deformation. It requires regular service but reduces lead dust substantially. With OSHA bullying itself into the world of shooting ranges lead contamination has become a hot topic for range operators.
FrankenMauser
New member
Different backstops are built to different standards.why do some only accept handgun caliber a and others can take anything?
If the range has a backstop that's only rated for handgun rounds, whacking it with higher power cartridges will damage or destroy it.
The little steel rimfire 'spinner' targets that you can buy at big box stores are a good example. You can shoot them with rimfire cartridges all day long, and it doesn't hurt them. But, if you pull out your .45 Auto, and whack the target, it will cause significant damage (denting, bending, cracking). If you jump up to a .223 Rem, it'll punch holes right through the steel.
g.willikers
New member
That ground up rubber, piled high and deep, really works as a backstop.
It captures the bullets, just about eliminating ricochets and splatter, and keeps the air cleaner, too.
Very good stuff.
It captures the bullets, just about eliminating ricochets and splatter, and keeps the air cleaner, too.
Very good stuff.
Uncle Buck
New member
A Little Off Target Here
G. Willikers mentioned the ground up rubber.
For my backstop I have found that cutting the tread off of tires and screwing it to a piece of 3/4 inch plywood works wonders at stopping a bullet from a handgun. Right now I only have two layers of tread and it stops most handgun bullets.
G. Willikers mentioned the ground up rubber.
For my backstop I have found that cutting the tread off of tires and screwing it to a piece of 3/4 inch plywood works wonders at stopping a bullet from a handgun. Right now I only have two layers of tread and it stops most handgun bullets.
g.willikers
New member
Yeah, tires are amazing.
We were shooting at stuff on the ground, in front of an old tire, with .44 mag revolvers.
The bullets were skipping off the ground and hitting the tires, like they were supposed to.
But they didn't penetrate, just got stuck in the tread.
At the local club, they used to use stacks of tires for side berms, to divide the range into separate ones.
They worked good for many years like that.
We were shooting at stuff on the ground, in front of an old tire, with .44 mag revolvers.
The bullets were skipping off the ground and hitting the tires, like they were supposed to.
But they didn't penetrate, just got stuck in the tread.
At the local club, they used to use stacks of tires for side berms, to divide the range into separate ones.
They worked good for many years like that.