building a handgun range in the barn

[Bender]

ok there is a barn on the property i live on that is in good shape but is out of use. me and the owner got to talking and the idea of putting a pistol range came up, my question is how do i build a low mataince back stop/ bullet trap,
or where can i by one big enough for 2-3 shooters.
thanks in advance

[NathanB]

railroad ties and sand.

[Shodan]

I don't have a solid recommendation but if you can't come up with a workable backstop inside the barn, maybe you could build a simple earthen backstop outside and still shoot from undercover in the barn.

That would probably help with any potential airborn lead problems and allow you to use the barn for other things also.

Maybe not the direction you want to go in, but an option to think about. Good luck.

[fnfalguy]

Before I moved out of Texas, I was looking at doing something similar. The potential plan was to use a CONEX box buried at a fairly shallow angle. The plan for the backstop was shredded tires behind a rubber mat so that if they ever failed as a backstop, you are shooting into the ground. Pulley system was going to be used for pulling the target back. In full disclosure, the design never developed much further than the back of a cocktail napkin.

[streaker69]

Bender, I just posted this earlier today for someone else looking for backstop material.



This is Landy Shade Farm down on ColeBrook road just between Route 283 and State Road. No idea on prices, but they're there if you need them.

[PennsyPlinker]

I did this for outside the barn a few years ago. It is for one shooter at a time, and someone who already has some basic skills, since it is 30' x 30". If I were to put one inside the barn, I would probably do something very similar on a larger scale. This one is 1/4" mild steel. It has taken thousands of .22 LR from rifles and handguns, even full auto, without as much as a dent. It has also received a number of hits from .45 ACP and 9mm without any visible denting.



If you are going to move into the barn though, you are going to need lights and ventilation as well as a backstop. I would like to do it, but I don't have the time or the resources to devote to doing it right now. Maybe one of these days...

[bac0nfat]

Are we talking centerfire or rimfire? If rimfire, just buy or build a bullet trap, then make a wall behind it out of steel and plywood. The bullet trap should collect 99% of the shots, and the wall behind it will catch misses. The result is a really low maintenance setup because you only need to dump the bullet trap periodically, and you're not destroying your backstop with each shot.

If centerfire, I can't help you because I've never made an indoor centerfire backstop. Either way, make sure you have ventilation!

[Bender]

i think i'll make somthing along the lines of pennsyplinkers design, just bigger and stack rr ties behind it to catch strays, as for vents i got a good lead on sone old paint booth fans, and i have 4 8' light fixtures

[bac0nfat]

i think i'll make somthing along the lines of pennsyplinkers design, just bigger and stack rr ties behind it to catch strays, as for vents i got a good lead on sone old paint booth fans, and i have 4 8' light fixtures

Just be careful with the light fixtures, put some kind of shroud between them and the bullet trap. Or just use the kind that have a clear plastic covering. The smallest little spec of lead ricochet will take out a florescent light...I know from experience!

Oh yeah, and posting pics of the project will earn rep!

[Bender]

i will do when i get under way. now its time to get steel and rr ties