.22RF rifle backstops... a question

[RainDodger]

Need a bit of info from someone who knows. I want to put a piece of sheet steel behind a target setup, angled into the ground to deflect .22LR rounds down. It's simply an added safety precaution that I thought was a good idea.

Anybody know what gauge of steel I need that a .22LR bullet won't penetrate? Range is about 30-40 yards.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

For the longest life you need AR500....FWIW, it won't be cheap.

 

[cfullgraf]

AR500 would work, but as long as you limit your shooting to 22 Long rifle or less, it is way over kill.

1/4" would work. The Outers 22 bullet trap looks to be about 1/8". As it is 50-70 bucks or so, I doubt it is super strong steel.

Do a search of the web, the question has been asked on other forums.

Hope this helps.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Hammer in the same spot over and over on lesser material even with a .22 and you will get cratering.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I would think with a .22lr 10 gauge black iron would suffice. 10 gauge black iron is MUCH cheaper than AR500. You could replace the mild steel several times over and still spend less than you would on AR plate. 3/8" AR plate runs about $3000-4000 for a 4ft by 8ft sheet in most areas. AR plate is also much harder to work with if you need to drill/cut/weld. If cratering is a concern 1/4" mild steel could be used. But using anything bigger than a .22lr is likely to cause safety issues.

 

[BCRider]

For the speed that .22LR gives you some 3/16 to 1/4 regular mild steel would be fine. Or for a few bucks more you could go CRAZY and get one of the more springy alloys which would easily resist any long term cupping in the most frequently shot at area.

This alloy simply does not need to be up to the ability and cost of the AR alloys. You would simply want one which is a little more "springy" than basic mild steel.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i'd just pile up some railroad ties

 

[SouthernYankee]

I think you might find what we've done to be cheaper and as effective. We hunted around for 6' wooden Pallets. We got 5 solid oak after about an hr and a half of hunting. We then got 3' re-bar scrap from a construction site as well as 3/4" and 1/2" plywood. We then went to work. We set the 5 pallets on end over the re-bar that was driven 18" into the ground. Next we screwed the 3/4" ply to the front and the 1/2" to the back fully covering the pallets. Finally we filled the inside with sand, watered and packed. It's easy to attach targets, repair (a new skin of Luan). Oops forgot! We put 2x6's around the sides and top of the frame and covered it all with Thompson's Water Seal. Stops pretty mach any hand gun and .22 rifle. And we made the whole thing from found materials, except the 2x6's and the Thompson's.

 

[RainDodger]

Thanks, guys. Exactly the kinds of ideas I'm looking for. I was thinking that I wouldn't need too heavy a steel plate, as it will also be angled to deflect the bullet down. SouthernYank, I think you have some ideas for me though. I think I may just use a bunch of green alder logs that I've got laying around. Where I live, it will be easy to simply replace them when they get ineffective or whatever. Cheaper too. I like cheap.

Once again, this forum rocks. Lots of ideas I never thought of.

 

[mafeta]

Raindodger:

If your intent is to deflect and not STOP the 22 bullets, you may be interested to know that, for years, my brothers and I hung our targets in front of the hood of a 1953 Plymouth set at about a 45º. to shoot our .22's into. The bullets barely made a dent in the metal and followed the curve of the hood all the way to the ground and there put large dents into the lip of the hood. (Hood ornament toward the ground).

mofeta