Backstop for range?

**HoggerNaut** · 15-07-2014, 09:16

Morning gent.

Im busy building a new range in the basement under the shop.
I want to be able to shoot long guns down there and not only pistol.

The quotes that Ive got for the steel of the backstop is VERY STEEP.

Anyone have any experience on a cheaper way so build a backstop that can take up to 375h&h rounds?

Regards.

**tims** · 15-07-2014, 09:21

Sending you a PM.tims

**racingfreak** · 15-07-2014, 09:43

Originally Posted by HoggerNaut

Morning gent.

Im busy building a new range in the basement under the shop.
I want to be able to shoot long guns down there and not only pistol.

The quotes that Ive got for the steel of the backstop is VERY STEEP.

Anyone have any experience on a cheaper way so build a backstop that can take up to 375h&h rounds?

Regards.

I bet the steel is still cheaper than a potential law suit? What's on the other side of the wall?

**Freakazoid** · 15-07-2014, 10:02

a few 1000 phone books perhaps :) . Steel would probably be the best option or perhaps concrete slabs filled with cement in the core or sand.

**Vaal** · 15-07-2014, 10:12

What about sandbags?

**SafeAction** · 15-07-2014, 10:16

Question would be how much space do you have, most other substances might not last as long as propper steel. so you could look at layers, and then replacing/topping up the front/first layer as needed. e.g. sandbags||Tires filled||Concrete||Thinner steel plate

**HoggerNaut** · 15-07-2014, 10:24

Its in a basement.
Sand is probaby going to be the answer

**driepootx** · 15-07-2014, 10:31

Place sandbags in front and back of steel plate at 45 degree angle so that if the sand does not stop the bullet it is deflected downwards. Also hang conveyor belting in front to take targets and that will also help to stop ricochets.Tugela Hardware in Vanderbijlpark have a 25m indoor range that is rifle safe. Contact Hennie and he might be able to give good advice.

**A-R** · 15-07-2014, 11:04

Sand works just fine for low volume shooting. Contain it behind wooden posts and conveyor belting. The downside to a sand-trap is that it's high on maintenance. Periodically, you will have to break it down, sift the bullets out of the sand, and rebuild.

A low-maintenance option is to construct a snail-type bullet catcher. This costs more, and takes more space, but is cheap and easy to maintain. If your design is good, normal mild steel can be used, limiting the cost. For indoor use, a wet system would give the best control over airborne lead particles. All bullets are deposited in a catcher tray, for recycling.