I want to build an indoor bullet trap that also incorporates a chrono.

[gun'sRgood]

I can shoot out my back door, but I don't like to bother the neighbors. So, I'd like some ideas on how to build an indoor trap that incorporates a chrono. It won't be used much so smoke is not an issue. I also don't want to used water or make it large. I'm thinking of something like a sand trap with a cover so the chrono can sit atop of it. I've got plenty of steel and can weld. Ideas?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

AR 500 steel i recommend. You can get ideas how to angle it from looking up bullet traps. The chrono set up im not sure either. I put mine on a heavy camera tri-pod.

 

[Varminterror]

Magnetospeed for the chrony, and any snail trap will be fine. Sand is ok, but a pain in the butt. Ventilation is a major concern.

 

[Otto]

What caliber are you shooting? What distance?
Safety is the biggest concern.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have an idea to use two of the semi-sized shipping containers set end to end as the framework for a personal indoor 25 yd range. Something like that may work if you have the room (and a wife that will let you set something like that up!)

Since I don’t own a place where anything like that is practical, yet, it’s still just a plan.

Stay safe.

 

[Atavar]

I have an idea to use two of the semi-sized shipping containers set end to end as the framework for a personal indoor 25 yd range. Something like that may work if you have the room (and a wife that will let you set something like that up!)

Since I don’t own a place where anything like that is practical, yet, it’s still just a plan.

Stay safe.

Those shipping containers are not going to stop an errant bullet. The entire tunnel must be armored.
I guess if you buried them with six feet of earth on top you might be ok.
You say that for occasional use smoke is not an issue but in practice I think you are going to find it is an issue for just one use.
The big problem with ventilation is that it not only smoke and lead dust that gets exhausted, noise also gets exhausted. You will need significant baffling to ameliorate that.
If you are within city limits check zoning. It would suck to have to take it all out after you built it.

 

[Riomouse911]

Those shipping containers are not going to stop an errant bullet. The entire tunnel must be armored.
I guess if you buried them with six feet of earth on top you might be ok.
You say that for occasional use smoke is not an issue but in practice I think you are going to find it is an issue for just one use.
The big problem with ventilation is that it not only smoke and lead dust that gets exhausted, noise also gets exhausted. You will need significant baffling to ameliorate that.
If you are within city limits check zoning. It would suck to have to take it all out after you built it.

I know, thanks. It is just a plan for a shooting range framework that’s rattling about in my head, if I ever put it into motion it will be dialed in.

Stay safe.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have one of these for shooting shooting my air guns in the house.
Amazon.com : Highwild Bullet Trap Box Rated for .22/.17 Caliber (Rimfire Only) - Air Rifle Pellet Gun Targets - Paper Shooting Training Target for Indoor Outdoor : Sports & Outdoors

 

[edwardware]

I'd like some ideas on how to build an indoor trap that incorporates a chrono.

Don't. Instead, build a trap, and buy a chrony.

Mine is a scuba tank (because that's what I found at the roadside), pointy end loped off, rocks in the bottom, sand in the middle, plywood baffles in front. Change the baffles when it starts leaking sand, and it's golden.

 

[Atavar]

I like the idea of buried shipping containers. You would have to build a baffled air handler for exhaust at the downrange end. Preferably off to the side and not behind the targets.
Having worked at a company that had buried shooting tunnels noise is going to be another issue. Noise is acoustically amplified when shooting in an enclosed space.
A firing wall with gun ports would probably be a good idea.

 

[jmorris]

I built this to fit inside a small conex inside an ammunition mfg. in Dallas. The chronograph reads through two slots before the leg. There is an AR 500 deflector into sand at the bottom and a swing out door to recover bullets from sand.



Obviously only good for function and velocity testing but that’s all they wanted.

 

[jmorris]

I am still in my testing phase of the Shotmarker setup but it not only tells you where the bullet impacts on target but how fast it’s going when it gets there.

Only 1 fps off from my prochrono.

 

[Howa 9700]

My ideas have always gravitated to something that looks like this..........shooting into a barrel. Don't know how often you would have to swap out the sand, but would need a way to do it eventually. Also means you have to be able to hit that........or have adequate backstop above, around and behind it......or both.

Not well known, but they also make an 80 gallon steel haz mat drum.

On this guy's setup, would like to know longevity of his rubber mat.

 

[jmorris]

I can shoot out my back door, but I don't like to bother the neighbors.

This one is more for Mrs. Morris than any neighbors but if I am shooting unsuppressed centerfire while she’s at home this is what I use to contain noise and keep her happy.



Bullet trap at the other end is about 4000lbs of steel.

 

[gun'sRgood]

What caliber are you shooting? What distance?
Safety is the biggest concern.

Mostly 9's. All pistol though.

 

[gun'sRgood]

T

This one is more for Mrs. Morris than any neighbors but if I am shooting unsuppressed centerfire while she’s at home this is what I use to contain noise and keep her happy.

View attachment 1159209

Bullet trap at the other end is about 4000lbs of steel.

hx. I want to make this an indoor build. Low use. Not really concerned about ventilation.

 

[gun'sRgood]

I built this to fit inside a small conex inside an ammunition mfg. in Dallas. The chronograph reads through two slots before the leg. There is an AR 500 deflector into sand at the bottom and a swing out door to recover bullets from sand.

View attachment 1159196

Obviously only good for function and velocity testing but that’s all they wanted.

I've got a fair amount of steel... not that much! Kool! Thx.

 

[gun'sRgood]

Don't. Instead, build a trap, and buy a chrony.

Mine is a scuba tank (because that's what I found at the roadside), pointy end loped off, rocks in the bottom, sand in the middle, plywood baffles in front. Change the baffles when it starts leaking sand, and it's golden.

The "Don't" is waaaay off, but the tank idea I like. I've cut gas cylinders into gongs that are a lot of fun at the range. This may be a good start. Thx.

 

[Varminterror]

Not really concerned about ventilation.

Coating your home with aspirated lead creates a bit of an issue. Maybe not for yourself, but if not, then for your heirs.

Take a stroll down the Memory Lane of American home-selling history, check out some of the law around lead-based paint disclaimers and relation to home values. And THAT law is relating to SEALED leads which are relatively inert (don’t eat paint chips, and you’ll be fine), whereas your aspirated lead will be anything but bio-inert…

 

[EricBu]

I can shoot out my back door, but I don't like to bother the neighbors. So, I'd like some ideas on how to build an indoor trap that incorporates a chrono. It won't be used much so smoke is not an issue. I also don't want to used water or make it large. I'm thinking of something like a sand trap with a cover so the chrono can sit atop of it. I've got plenty of steel and can weld. Ideas?

What calibers and distance? If handgun at > 20 yards, and you are going to stick to coated or plated, a sheet of 3/8 AR400 laid at an angle to drive bullets down and into a trap will work. You can cover the sides with sandbags, but spall will require you to periodically replace them. I used a metal tray with a rope under mine, and when it filled with lead and copper pieces, I'd pull it out and dump in a recycling jug. If you are going to shoot 5.56, or other rifle calibers, or a lot of hot pistol rounds with FMJ, then bump up to AR500. AR400 will stop pistol FMJ, but will dimple, and once it dimples, you can never be quite sure which way the bullets will deflect. 5.56 under 50 yards will wreck AR400 with FMJ.

Old tires stacked up and filled with sand work good too, but that might not be feasible in an indoor range.

FYI, lot of people don't realize this, but the dangerous component of indoor ranges is the lead in primers. You'll be breathing that in, so keep that in mind. Use non-toxic, or make sure you have some sort of ventilation there.

 

[Varminterror]

the dangerous component of indoor ranges is the lead

Not just in primers.

Don’t forget what is waiting inside of your copper jacketed bullets when they run into steel and splatter themselves to bits.

 

[edwardware]

. . . how to build an indoor trap that incorporates a chrono.

The "Don't" is waaaay off

What benefit will you enjoy for incorporating a chrony (a fragile machine easily purchased off the shelf) with a bullet trap (a robust custom fabricated metal object)?

I don't see how either works better for being incorporated together; it seems far simpler to build a trap, and set an entirely unincorporated chrony infront if it.

And I can testify to the air quality concerns voiced above. I shoot across my chrony, into my trap, in the basement. About 10 pistol shots is enough to call it quits and ventilate the place.

 

[jmorris]

I've got a fair amount of steel... not that much! Kool! Thx.

That little one in the back, makes it real easy to recover the lead.



My “less steel” version of one Miculek has at his range.

 

[EricBu]

Not just in primers.

Don’t forget what is waiting inside of your copper jacketed bullets when they run into steel and splatter themselves to bits.

Yeah, nobody forgot, but you missed the point I made, completely. Because yeah, I might have forgotten that most bullets are lead <eye roll>. You, like most, seem to think that the bullet is the most threatening health wise, but it's not...which was my point, and the reason I brought it up...because these discussion always talk about the bullet...which isn't the biggest risk. There's two areas where lead becomes aerolyzed, and of immediate threat to health in an indoor or unventilated shooting area. The primer, and the base of the bullet where the powder contacts it. The bullet can be mitigated by using a TMJ or completely encapsulated bullet, even a poly coat mitigates that. The primer is almost never even considered, even though it's the most significant contribution to an immediate health risk. The minute you fire your gun indoors, you are breathing in vaporized lead, antimony, different nitrates, even aerolyzed aluminum or other other metals. This isn't a "it doesn't bother me for a few minutes" kind of thing, and over and above the risk of "lead poisoning"...this is exposing yourself to something that can have an impact almost immediately, and over a surprisingly short period of time. The downrange impact of the bullet is of virtually no concern at all, other than spalling, and long term contamination....but the immediate health consequences of the primer is a risk that is almost never considered, and the highest risk associated with indoor shooting.

 

[jmorris]

FWIW Our club quit shooting indoor matches after all of us weekly shooters, came back with high lead levels.

Took several years for it to go back down but I still cast, reload and shoot outdoors, just stopped shooting indoors for anything except sanctioned matches.

If you ask your doctor to test your, when they draw blood for your physical, they probably won’t charge you any extra but you do have to instruct them to do so as it’s not something they normally test for.