Pellet trap?

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mikld

mikld

Member
Mar 26, 2021
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Oregon, United States
Just getting started with air rifles and at first I'll be shooting in my shed at 30'. I've used magazines taped together for testing my handloads (centerfire pistols) and it works OK but when retrieving bullets I get confetti all over the place and it's a hassle taking apart the bundle. So I'm looking for ideas for a bullet trap/pellet trap for shooting my new Gamo. Anyone have any pics or ideas for a home made trap? I plan on saving the lead for my pistol bullet alloy.



Just discovered this may be in the wrong forum. I tried to move it to "Other parts, Accessories..." forum but was not allowed (?). Could a mod move it?
 
Here area couple of fairly silent traps people often use.

For a nice quiet portable trap Duct seal can be used. It is heavy and has some upkeep but not much. Three of the 5lb bricks in a wooden box will last many years. This is my favorite for the basement.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-5-lb-Plug-Duct-Seal-Compound-DS-530/310616351

Rubber mulch in a box will werq also but it smells well like rubber. But it will stop pretty much any pellet if there is enough there. It can be put in a tote box of some kind with a hole covered by cardboard for your target. It has some upkeep as well but not much.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Landscaping-Supplies-Mulch-Rubber-Mulch/N-5yc1vZc9ny?NCNI-5&searchRedirect=rubber%20mulch&semanticToken=d00r20r01122000000_2021032717572817415011663593_us-central1-wcb0%20d00r20r01122000000%20%3E%20%20rid%3A%7B52d3399740de77a5d1d6092e5c23c19a%7D%3Arid%20st%3A%7Brubber%20mulch%7D%3Ast%20ct%3A%7Brubber%20mulch%7D%3Act%20tgr%3A%7BNo%20stage%20info%7D%20qu%3A%7Brubber%20mulch%7D%3Aqu

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Storage-Organization-Storage-Containers-Storage-Bins/N-5yc1vZcl3z?NCNI-5&searchRedirect=tote%20box&semanticToken=d00r20r03122000000_2021032717584501503211672740_us-central1-cb04%20d00r20r03122000000%20%3E%20%20rid%3A%7Bea73a35318332257a7d0c45b324a49aa%7D%3Arid%20st%3A%7Btote%20box%7D%3Ast%20ct%3A%7Bstorage%20bins%7D%3Act%20tgr%3A%7BNo%20stage%20info%7D%20qu%3A%7Btote%7D%3Aqu



Otherwise there is always the steel box type or funnel traps but they are noisy.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015733039?pid=117259


 
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I use a 5 gal. bucket half full of rubber mulch similar to Biohazardman has suggested I put a piece of plywood in the bucket to only fill halfway . The metal strip with magnets holds paper targets , magnets are from the (dollar store). Forgot to add front of bucket is thin plywood or use that hard pressed carboard that is used on the bottom of dresser draws screwed to the face of the bucket . Good luck

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I just purchased the Forge bullet trap that's advertised on here. it was 80$ for the trap and I just decided to get some targets from them too (didn't feel like driving for some later lol) It was 15$ for 100 didn't seem like a bad deal at all. I thinkkkk There's a 10% off when you make your first purchase but I could be mistaken. Ill take some pics should be here next week (also shipping is pretty quick) 



https://targetforge.net/

https://targetforge.net/shop/ols/products/the-trap

https://targetforge.net/shop/ols/products/55-cardstock-target

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/please-welcome-target-forge-to-our-list-of-fine-partners/page/2/?view=all#post-962287
 
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I made this myself. The back of the pellet trap has a couple of layers of Duct Seal. This will stop the pellets but I stuff a bunch of old bed sheets into the trap as well. The old sheets will stop the pellets before they hit the Duct Seal. This makes the pellets easier to recover by simply removing the sheets and shaking them out over a bucket. Much easier than plucking them out of the Duct Seal. Also this way prevents the Duct Seal from getting tore up.
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I just use the boxes from stuff I order from Amazon, Walmart, etc ... stuffed w/ old paperback books and then wrapped w/ layers of gorilla duct tape.

I fire a few groups, then I cover the holes w/ more gorilla duct tape. After awhile the box has so many layers of gorilla duct tape, the tape itself will stop many pellets from my lower powered airguns..
 
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Plastic trash can filled with rubber mulch nuggets. About 5 bucks each when purchased in 10 or 12 pack. Somewhat self-healing, softer plastic. Just cleaned one out I shot for the last 5 months, and wasn't 'leaking' any mulch yet. Water drain holes drilled in bottom - can leave out in wet weather. Quietly stops everything I have shot it with up to .30 cal.

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Cool! Thanks for the ideas. Since I want to recycle the pellets for my cast pistol bullets (9mm, 45 ACP, 45 Colt) I'll look at the mulch. Anyone try carpet sheets. Maybe 5 or 6 suspended in a box?
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I recall that it has been done. Along with truck mud flaps, horse stall mats, truck bed liner mats. Seems like suspended at the top and freely swinging will do the best to bleed off the most pellet energy. I don't recall whether these have been seen as really effective in 'trapping' all pellets, or whether the user also had a thick wood or metal stop behind the 'swinger' filled traps.
 
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I tried the duct seal, didn't like it. I do like the rubber mulch. as you shoot it breaks down, so just add more to the top of the box. I like the plastic trash can idea too. Right now, I just use a cardboard box with a steel backer because I use it for close up chrony work and my .25 will punch clean through after 10 or 12 shots. I "Panned" my lead out of the mulch a few months ago. Separated easily, just took a handful, put it in a large pan and shook it. Lead went to the bottom, mulch stayed on top. Worked like a charm.
 
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Couldn't find rubber mulch nuggets, so settled for the shredded. Tried shooting through the side as TMH does, but the plastic on mine is more brittle and I can see it shattering in time. No pass-through, though. So I put 2 bag 0.8 cu. ft. in the trash can, pressed down with my fists a bit, folded up the bags from the mulch, taped in place with a few strips of Gorilla tape, and laid the can on its side so I shoot into the open end. Very quiet, stops my 45 ft-lb 22 slugs easily, no lead splatter, no confetti. Best solution I've seen in in 35+ years of airgunning. Got another one set up for 70 yd backyard backstop and keep one in basement for testing/tuning/chrono work. Great idea.
rubbermulch.1617202697.jpg

 
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Mine is 1/2" plywood everywhere but the back which is 3/4" or double 1/2". I forgot which. I put solid duct seal bars accross the back. I then stuffed it with folded up carpet pieces. I put clipboard clips at the top and bottom of a cutout about 1/2" smaller than printer paper. I can count on one hand how many pellets have reached the duct seal in 6 years running FAC .25 & 177. Twice a year I toss the carpet in a trashbag and put in some fresh pieces. This trap will outlast me. I am a chronic over-builder and just had to paint it.

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Years back I needed a home made pellet trap so I picked up a 30 gallon garbage can, you know the galvanized steel type that are quite cheap. Cut a large square hole in the side about 3/4 way up from bottom. We were getting rid of some old carpet so I cut numerous squares of old carpet to hang behind the cutout in the can. Had about 4 squares if I remember right. Added a cardboard face over the cutout to hand targets on, then later added a small shelf just inside to set various toys etc on to shoot at. With the lid on, about 98% of the pellets stayed inside the can. Very easy to empty, large enough that you could shoot for some time before cleaning it out. Most of the target residue from paper targets also stayed inside the can and it was portable. A 30 gallon or larger can is good sized so not much worry about missing the backstop for novice shooters
 
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