Who's built their own indoor bullet trap?

tobnpr · January 30, 2016, 09:56 AM

Looking for some plans/guidelines for a small, indoor steel bullet trap.

Something along these lines:

https://store.savagerangesystems.com...-gunsmith.html

Rembrandt · January 30, 2016, 10:58 AM

Nothing quite as elaborate as the link you provided, but not nearly as expensive either. This one was made from scrap steel. Dumps the expended rounds into a bucket of sand.

tobnpr · January 30, 2016, 02:29 PM

Interesting. I know nothing about these, nor the engineering principals behind the design. I have read that many use a "deceleration chamber" such as the one linked which is basically steel plates welded up in a circular pattern.

Something about not being able to place the muzzle end of a high-powered rifle "into" something with flaps surrounding it for bullet splash makes me nervous as hell.

You don't get any of that?

Dixie Gunsmithing · January 30, 2016, 03:17 PM

That's not a bad design, as others that I have seen are nothing but a 90 degree piece of heavy pipe, or elbow, with a tank of water at the bottom. The gunsmith version at the link, looks well enough for pistol tests. On yours, I would like it if it was totally enclosed with steel sheet, similar to the linked one.

tobnpr · January 31, 2016, 11:41 AM

Quote:

The gunsmith version at the link, looks well enough for pistol tests

Actually, their specs state that is good for 4100 ft. lbs. at the muzzle- .300 Win Mag class.

Dixie Gunsmithing · January 31, 2016, 02:58 PM

tobnpr,
Yea, I saw that, but do I believe it? However, it is according to the steel they used, since a high power cartridge carries a lot of wallop. If they make the curve out of something like T-1 wear plate (A514), and have a deep enough reservoir, it might work, but that doesn't look to be real deep, to not hold much liquid. It makes one wonder how many shots they made, using that large a round, into it. A man might fill it with molasses.

Clark · February 1, 2016, 08:03 PM

Fill the fireplace with firewood. Set up a target in front of it. Shoot CB shorts. Take out the wood and sweep up the bullets. I have done this.

reddog81 · February 2, 2016, 02:23 PM

What's your intended purpose? Are you only looking for feed and function testing or just general shooting?
It probably depends on a lot the rounds you are going to be using...

Dixie Gunsmithing · February 2, 2016, 10:39 PM

They used to sell an indoor shooting range for CB caps and shorts. Of course, that was probably back in the 50s or 60s, when their magazine ads ran. If you have a good target and backstop, one can easily get by with that in either round today. Just don't shoot the cat, dog, kids, or heaven forbid, the wife.

Ricklin · February 2, 2016, 10:43 PM

And please provide yourself plenty of ventilation.

Hunter Customs · February 3, 2016, 09:46 AM

Rembrandt, that's a pretty neat bullet trap, however it looks like it could have been a little bigger.

I've seen one built with a vertical pipe and a funnel system, however it was fairly large so I don't believe it would have been portable.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

g.willikers · February 3, 2016, 10:56 AM

The one used on the tv show Wild West Alaska is just a large barrel filled with sand or dirt.
Simple and effective.
Even more simple is a large box filled with big city phone books, magazines, and such.
It takes a lot, a foot thick or more, but it works for handguns especially well.
Cheap, too.
Surprisingly, .22rf will penetrate as much as anything else.
And good ventilation is, indeed, a must.
Or just wait until the neighbor fires up a lawn mower and shoot in your garden.

jaguarxk120 · February 3, 2016, 11:39 AM

Why not just start shooting a air rifle or pistol?

You won't need a heavy bullet trap and .177 pellets are much less expensive than centerfire ammo.

No smoke or lead dust to deal with.

g.willikers · February 3, 2016, 05:22 PM

^^^^
My sentiments exactly.

Branko · February 3, 2016, 06:48 PM

I'd agree with that.

I shoot a .177 air pistol at home. The backstop is three glued pieces of cardboard with a few dozen A4 sheet papers glued on top. I place post-it stickers on it with little black dots and shoot them from 7 yards. Very little noise, virtually no cost, little time to set up, and I get to practice shooting daily. Airgun (gas piston powered) recoil is a bit strange so you need to care more about good follow through.

Hunter Customs · February 4, 2016, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Why not just start shooting a air rifle or pistol?

As for handguns you could do the wax bullet trick, be advised I shot a wax bullet through both sides of an empty metal 3 lb coffee can at 30 feet.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

g.willikers · February 4, 2016, 09:44 AM

I used to use those plastic practice rounds, the ones powered by just a primer.
But the airguns are just as good and sometimes better.
Especially the ones with realistic recoil.
And a lot cleaner to shoot indoors, too.
I'm sold on home practice with airguns.
I have nine of them so far.
How did that happen?

tobnpr · February 4, 2016, 10:47 AM

Some of you guys completely missed the point of my post.

I'm a gunsmith- this is for test/function firing, primarily for rifles- INDOORS- along the lines of the example I linked in my first post.

I'm not interested in indoor target practice or a "range".

gman3 · February 4, 2016, 08:20 PM

I would think a piece or two of AR550 steel at an angle with some sand at the bottom would do the trick.

cecILL · February 6, 2016, 08:12 AM

Rembrandt's looks pretty darn good. Maybe a shade bigger.

g.willikers · February 6, 2016, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Some of you guys completely missed the point of my post.
I'm a gunsmith- this is for test/function firing

And you said that exactly where?
C'mon guys, it's difficult enough trying to help long distance without having to resort to mind reading.
They don't charge by the word around here.
We need all the help we can get.

tobnpr · February 6, 2016, 12:12 PM

Quote:

And you said that exactly where?

The link I provided in my OP, was for a gunsmith snail-trap.

Sure don't see any resemblance to an indoor practice range there

Found out a gunsmith friend of mine down the road has one- going to talk to him about it. Thanks.

Dixie Gunsmithing · February 7, 2016, 04:25 AM

tobnpr, take a look at those used in forensic labs made out of heavy wall boiler pipe. They work well with about any round you fire into them.

James K · February 8, 2016, 09:03 PM

One shop I worked at was up against a hillside. We cut a hole in the cinder block wall, stuck in a piece of 6" steel pipe with heavy rubber flaps (pieces of truck floor mat). The bullets went into the ground on the other side of the wall, the flaps reduced noise inside and kept dirt or pieces of bullet from coming back. That should also work with the hole in the floor (ground floor, of course, not recommended for second or third floor), but some semi-autos might not function well pointed downward.

Jim

Geezerbiker · February 9, 2016, 05:39 PM

I've been thinking about getting this one from fleabay...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bullet-trap-...TSnU2rkBB1piGg

I don't plan to use it all the time but for some .22 fun now and then and for testing cast bullet rifle loads. I've had problems in the past when loading for my daughter's .380 to get the loads where it will feed reliably...

Tony

January 30, 2016, 09:56 AM	#1
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Who's built their own indoor bullet trap? Looking for some plans/guidelines for a small, indoor steel bullet trap. Something along these lines: https://store.savagerangesystems.com...-gunsmith.html __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

January 30, 2016, 02:29 PM	#3
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Interesting. I know nothing about these, nor the engineering principals behind the design. I have read that many use a "deceleration chamber" such as the one linked which is basically steel plates welded up in a circular pattern. Something about not being able to place the muzzle end of a high-powered rifle "into" something with flaps surrounding it for bullet splash makes me nervous as hell. You don't get any of that? __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

February 1, 2016, 08:03 PM	#7
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	Fill the fireplace with firewood. Set up a target in front of it. Shoot CB shorts. Take out the wood and sweep up the bullets. I have done this. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

February 2, 2016, 10:43 PM	#10
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,018	And please provide yourself plenty of ventilation. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

February 3, 2016, 10:56 AM	#12
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	The one used on the tv show Wild West Alaska is just a large barrel filled with sand or dirt. Simple and effective. Even more simple is a large box filled with big city phone books, magazines, and such. It takes a lot, a foot thick or more, but it works for handguns especially well. Cheap, too. Surprisingly, .22rf will penetrate as much as anything else. And good ventilation is, indeed, a must. Or just wait until the neighbor fires up a lawn mower and shoot in your garden. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 30, 2016, 10:58 AM	#2
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Nothing quite as elaborate as the link you provided, but not nearly as expensive either. This one was made from scrap steel. Dumps the expended rounds into a bucket of sand.

January 30, 2016, 03:17 PM	#4
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	That's not a bad design, as others that I have seen are nothing but a 90 degree piece of heavy pipe, or elbow, with a tank of water at the bottom. The gunsmith version at the link, looks well enough for pistol tests. On yours, I would like it if it was totally enclosed with steel sheet, similar to the linked one.

January 31, 2016, 02:58 PM	#6
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	tobnpr, Yea, I saw that, but do I believe it? However, it is according to the steel they used, since a high power cartridge carries a lot of wallop. If they make the curve out of something like T-1 wear plate (A514), and have a deep enough reservoir, it might work, but that doesn't look to be real deep, to not hold much liquid. It makes one wonder how many shots they made, using that large a round, into it. A man might fill it with molasses.

February 2, 2016, 02:23 PM	#8
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,635	What's your intended purpose? Are you only looking for feed and function testing or just general shooting? It probably depends on a lot the rounds you are going to be using...

February 2, 2016, 10:39 PM	#9
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	They used to sell an indoor shooting range for CB caps and shorts. Of course, that was probably back in the 50s or 60s, when their magazine ads ran. If you have a good target and backstop, one can easily get by with that in either round today. Just don't shoot the cat, dog, kids, or heaven forbid, the wife.

February 3, 2016, 09:46 AM	#11
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	Rembrandt, that's a pretty neat bullet trap, however it looks like it could have been a little bigger. I've seen one built with a vertical pipe and a funnel system, however it was fairly large so I don't believe it would have been portable. Best Regards Bob Hunter

February 3, 2016, 11:39 AM	#13
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	Why not just start shooting a air rifle or pistol? You won't need a heavy bullet trap and .177 pellets are much less expensive than centerfire ammo. No smoke or lead dust to deal with.

February 3, 2016, 05:22 PM	#14
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	^^^^ My sentiments exactly. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 3, 2016, 06:48 PM	#15
Branko Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2015 Location: Croatia Posts: 188	I'd agree with that. I shoot a .177 air pistol at home. The backstop is three glued pieces of cardboard with a few dozen A4 sheet papers glued on top. I place post-it stickers on it with little black dots and shoot them from 7 yards. Very little noise, virtually no cost, little time to set up, and I get to practice shooting daily. Airgun (gas piston powered) recoil is a bit strange so you need to care more about good follow through.

February 4, 2016, 09:44 AM	#17
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	I used to use those plastic practice rounds, the ones powered by just a primer. But the airguns are just as good and sometimes better. Especially the ones with realistic recoil. And a lot cleaner to shoot indoors, too. I'm sold on home practice with airguns. I have nine of them so far. How did that happen? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 4, 2016, 10:47 AM	#18
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Some of you guys completely missed the point of my post. I'm a gunsmith- this is for test/function firing, primarily for rifles- INDOORS- along the lines of the example I linked in my first post. I'm not interested in indoor target practice or a "range". __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

February 4, 2016, 08:20 PM	#19
gman3 Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Posts: 408	I would think a piece or two of AR550 steel at an angle with some sand at the bottom would do the trick.

February 6, 2016, 08:12 AM	#20
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 769	Rembrandt's looks pretty darn good. Maybe a shade bigger.

February 7, 2016, 04:25 AM	#23
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	tobnpr, take a look at those used in forensic labs made out of heavy wall boiler pipe. They work well with about any round you fire into them.

February 8, 2016, 09:03 PM	#24
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	One shop I worked at was up against a hillside. We cut a hole in the cinder block wall, stuck in a piece of 6" steel pipe with heavy rubber flaps (pieces of truck floor mat). The bullets went into the ground on the other side of the wall, the flaps reduced noise inside and kept dirt or pieces of bullet from coming back. That should also work with the hole in the floor (ground floor, of course, not recommended for second or third floor), but some semi-autos might not function well pointed downward. Jim

February 9, 2016, 05:39 PM	#25
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I've been thinking about getting this one from fleabay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bullet-trap-...TSnU2rkBB1piGg I don't plan to use it all the time but for some .22 fun now and then and for testing cast bullet rifle loads. I've had problems in the past when loading for my daughter's .380 to get the loads where it will feed reliably... Tony