[kestak]

Greetings,

I do not know if it is the right place, but, I guess, it is linked to my reload activities.

Usually, I make 10 rounds then drive 5 miles to the range and shoot them to make sure...you know...the gun does not blow up, the slide goes back enough to eject the round, etc.

Soooooo, I was thinking how dangerous and unwise it would be to get a big steel barrel, fill it up to 3/4 with sand, cut a hole in the metal cover and use that to shoot.

I know...I know... It may be a very bad idea. I am quite sure my wife would freak out (and she is not a gun freak out, she just made me buy her a 44 mag this week). But is it doable or completely unsafe?

Thank you

[rcmodel]

Completely do-able, if your neighbors don't mind.

But I wouldn't use a steel barrel, and I wouldn't cut a hole in it to stick the gun in.
(Sure to cause finish damage when the gun hits the barrel)

I would get a big plastic barrel, or a 33 gal plastic garbage can.
Or stack up some used tires and fill with sand.

Any of those full of sand will stop anything you are likely to shoot at it.
Barrels & Cans = Patch the holes with duct tape when they start leaking sand.
Tires = self sealing for a very long time.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[strat81]

Check your local laws about discharging a firearm within city limits, within x feet of a building, etc. Sand is a good backstop for most stuff. Be careful.

[kestak]

Greetings,

I know for a fact that I can't discharge a firearm in my area (Except maybe in my garage, but I am not sure up to where the law applies).

I like the tire idea.

So, that means there would have no danger of bad trajectory or bounce back if I would stack up 4 tires, fill them with sand and shoot straight into the inside from top to bottom to discharge my handguns?

Thank you

[rcmodel]

If you shoot directly down into the sand, you will get a face full of high velocity sand!

Shoot into the side of the stack.
Although at close range, I would worry about hitting a steel band in the bead of the tire and getting a bullet back at me. Tires are best used at normal outdoor pistol range, not close up & personal.

You would probably be way better off with a plastic barrel with a lid on it for close range inside use.

But if you are sure it is against the law where you live, I wouldn't do it at all.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[zxcvbob]

Isn't the plastic barrel gonna break after about the 2nd shot? How about filling (and I mean full) a 50 gallon trash bag with sand and putting that in a kiddie swimming pool to catch the sand when the bag eventually rips?

Or how about a bale of hay with cordwood stacked behind it?

[highorder]

a bale of hay has the stopping power of angel food cake.

a blue 55 gallon drum half full of sand with a simple cover (with a 4" hole in the middle) will do.

[rcmodel]

Isn't the plastic barrel gonna break after about the 2nd shot?
Plastic barrels are made out of Polyethylene plastic.

Think Industrial Strength Tupperware!

You couldn't break one with a sledge hammer, and certainly not just by shooting holes in it.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[Roccobro]

Are snail traps that expensive?

Justin

[rcmodel]

For centerfire guns, Yes they are!
http://www.snailtraps.com/gunsmithTabletop.php

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[Roccobro]

Wow. Your right.

How about stacks of sand bags wrapped in self healing mat like that available from Harbor freight or the hobby store, backed with some heavy ply? Maybe even lay it in a heavy steel pipe of 5-6" diam of whaqtever length. You can make it smaller than a 55gal drum or tire stack and possibly even have it lay horizontal for convenience. Modular for movement or R&R.

Justin

[jmorris]

How about taking your machine to the range with you, find the load you like and write it down? It's legal and shows you can see how it shoots (not just that it functions.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=264459&highlight=portable+reloading

[eliphalet]

I usta use a hardwood log in the garage.