Upgraded Target
- Thread starter beeser
- Start date
Very nice! I like the idea of having it wide enough for two targets! I made something very similar except that
tall and narrow (8" x 11") opening. If it were doing it over, I would "borrow" your idea.
I stuffed mine with an old pillow with a piece of sheet metal on the back. So far, the pillow is holding up
and I haven't thought too much about sorting the pellets from the remnants of the pillow when it gives out.
Your mulch idea sounds good for that.
tall and narrow (8" x 11") opening. If it were doing it over, I would "borrow" your idea.
I stuffed mine with an old pillow with a piece of sheet metal on the back. So far, the pillow is holding up
and I haven't thought too much about sorting the pellets from the remnants of the pillow when it gives out.
Your mulch idea sounds good for that.
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I borrowed the rubber mulch idea from someone else. So far the stuff has worked out great and is virtually indestructible. I doubt that it will ever have to be replaced. It absorbs the energy so well that many of the pellets end up with little damage.
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Very nice! I will probably go with the rubber mulch next.
I used duct seal in mine. The problem with duct seal is..... When you get a few thousand pellets in it gets heavy, and then falls apart.
I used duct seal in mine. The problem with duct seal is..... When you get a few thousand pellets in it gets heavy, and then falls apart.
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I'm still on the duct seal version and I agree 100%. Not only does it turn into a mess after a few 100 pellets, but if your shots are stacked one on top of another, you are through the duct seal and down to the back stop before you know it. Also, its really hard to separate lead from the duct seal if you are aiming to recover/recycle the lead.
I made a surprising observation with my trap. I started to see occasional red flashes when the pellets hit my steel back stop after duct seal was drilled through. When I checked later on, in a couple of places the pellet was fused (welded) to the back stop, and elsewhere there was a huge slug of lead behind the duct seal, suggesting that the pellets had melted into a big puddle. I'm hoping mulch will avoid these issues when I build a new trap.
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I'll probably leave it outside. If it falls apart it's easier to make another one in the long run than moving it around. I drilled a few small holes in the bottom for water to drain out instead of putting a cover on it.
The features that makes this target work well is only using rigid materials where necessary and the efficient, energy absorbing properties of the rubber mulch, which incidentally can be increased by making the box deeper. I used scrap 2x4s and 2x6s ripped to 1 1/2" square for the framing. The sides are leftover pieces of masonite but any thin material will do. The back and bottom are made out of 1/2" particle board mainly for more rigidity and as extra reinforcement in the back. I added a layer of 2xs in the back flush with the framing in case any pellet makes it through the mulch. The front is just cardboard from old boxes cut to fit. As new paper targets are used I leave the old ones in place. They tend to cover up previous holes extending the life of the cardboard. When that gets worn out I've already cut up a half dozen replacements from the same box. I like the idea of using all wood instead of metal to lessen the chance of ricochets. So far all of my pellets have landed on the target and have been contained within the box even at 100 yards.
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nice, LOVE the rubber mulch idea
how deep is it and what kinda fps / caliber pellet are you stopping with it?
how deep is it and what kinda fps / caliber pellet are you stopping with it?
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The box is about 12 inches deep. The 25 cal. RAW HM1000X I'm using shoots at about 900 - 940 fps. I primarily shoot at 75 and 100 yards so I don't know how effective the box with my dimensions will be at shorter distances.
The rubber mulch is nothing more than ground up tires and was about $3 a bag at Home Depot. I needed about 1 1/2 small bags to fill my box.
Edit: I made a shallower one today for my LP50 pistol for use in the barn.
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Hey beeser, thanks for the idea/post. I built one over the weekend using scrap 2x6s and some 1x6. Set it up in the basement and measured out 10 meters. My son went down and put about 50 holes in it w/o an issue. Only issue I have is my Lowes is selling the mulch for $9/bag.
thanks again
thanks again
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I built two of these to use outside except winter. To begin with, I used old pillow stuffing to stop the pellets. Seems to be good enough for my Benj 397 with 3-4 pumps. I did cover the tops and used self-stick tiles on the plywood. If it turns out that the stuffing I have in them isn't sufficient, I'll quickly use the rubber mulch solution. Oh yes, I made a handle from a short piece of 2-12 wiring to facilitate carrying back and forth.
A good pellet trap design that works great in the carport. They'll soon be moved outdoors.
A good pellet trap design that works great in the carport. They'll soon be moved outdoors.
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Hey Beeser, I plan on building 3 of these boxes (50, 75, & 100 yards) question is are the 2x4's and 2x6's just used for framing? Front, back, and sides covered with cardboard? The back has 2x4's wall for extra protection? Can you draw up a blue print for me? I was thinking of using plywood for the back, sides and bottom, but don't know how heavy it would become. You never mentioned what the bottom or base was made of or put together? Thanks in advance.
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Plans are not necessary for this project and would probably get in the way of making use of whatever is available on hand. I ripped some scrap 2x4s and 2x6s into 1 1/2x1 1/2 strips to minimize the cuts. You can use any size wood for the framing. After all, it's just a frame to hold some mulch and something to fasten the sides. For the sides I used 1/8" masonite because that's what I had lying around. Cardboard, plywood, etc. would all work. I used particle board for the bottom and back only because I ran out of scrap masonite. The only material I was specific about using was cardboard stapled to the front because that will have to be replaced occasionally. I also placed a solid wall of 2x6s on the back inside as a fail safe backstop just in case a pellet finds itself through the mulch. So far that hasn't happened. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
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I built a pellet box/trap in June 2010 and have used it continuously since then in my basement.
I had never seen a trap other than the small ones they sell on PA, but I wanted a sturdy one and used all left over materials i had around house.
Never had an issue with it breaking down, ricochets or any issue what so ever.
It is pretty heavy, copper, wood, duct seal, and thousands of pellets.
I have maintained it by adding a little duct seal from time to time.
I am shooting it with a 177, 22 and 25, all Marauders.
This would not be a trap to move around unless you use a hand cart, but it is a great trap for its intended purpose, my 20 yard basement shooting range.
I had never seen a trap other than the small ones they sell on PA, but I wanted a sturdy one and used all left over materials i had around house.
Never had an issue with it breaking down, ricochets or any issue what so ever.
It is pretty heavy, copper, wood, duct seal, and thousands of pellets.
I have maintained it by adding a little duct seal from time to time.
I am shooting it with a 177, 22 and 25, all Marauders.
This would not be a trap to move around unless you use a hand cart, but it is a great trap for its intended purpose, my 20 yard basement shooting range.
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Besser, what is the target box sitting in. I'm looking for a quality back stop for 3 different positions that i can leave outside.
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That's the front bucket of my tractor. Got lazy taking it from the barn to my shootin' range.
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