Anyone ever built a bullet trap?

[antsi]

Just bought a house with a 25 yard basement so naturally I am considering building a bullet trap to use down there.

Low-velocity non-jacketed .22 rimfire only.

I was thinking about a 2 or 3 foot cube made of sheet metal with an angled back panel - similar design to bb/pellet gun bullet traps - but heavier duty for .22's.

I am not an expert welder/fabricator but my dad is, and so I have access to tools, expertise, materials, etc.

Looking for any relevant experience, plans or ideas for plans, hints, tips, suggestions, or even just random personal ruminations.

If someone makes this product already, I'd consider just buying one.

 

[DonNikmare]

I have pondered this idea in wondering what I would do if and ever I owned the house/land that would allow it.

Most bigger junk yards will have very thick to thin slightly rusting steal sheets in good quantities. You could get a thicker one to serve as the final back stop and thiner ones that you could angle. I would think with the matirials available you would be able to build something suitable for calibers even bigger than .22.

I also thoght about the idea of incorporating some sort of behind the steal spring system to absorb part of the bullet's impact and thus reduce wear on the steal itself.

Noise insulation - a few layers of carpet padding would do a lot especially if attached to the ceiling too.

25 yards - Dang that's a big basement and big house. Congrats on the new house.

Nik

 

[4570Rick]

antsi

You might check out the Super Trap Tactical Targets here.

http://www.supertrap.com/Main.htm

 

[Khornet]

What I did

for basemant shooting with airguns and .22 CB Longs, but will also stop .22 LR nicely:

I made a plywood box about 12"high, 18"deep, 12"wide. Cut an opening in the fron to match the dimensions of targets, mounted a bulldog clip above that to hold them, and filled the box with glossy magazines standing up with their edges-not the spines-facing the shooter. Works great, is quiet, cheap. When the lead builds up, I remove the top (which is not permanently fastened) and shake the mags out over a barrel.

Nuthin' to it. Prolly would stop .45 ACP, at least for a while.

 

[dustind]

I have not built one, but if you do a search you should find some threads on the subject.

 

[uglymofo]

To me, "non-jacketed" means lead. That's a second reason to affirm that you've got a good ventilation system replacing the air.

 

[M2 Carbine]

They are easy to make out of 1/4 inch plate.
Here's some I have in my back yard.
The top and bottom ones are 3/8 inch plate and the one the target is in is 1/4 inch plate.

Shooting inside, of course the smoke and lead is the big thing.