All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General > American/U.S. Air Gun Gates
Indoor BB backstop testing
dmrey:
Forgive this slightly 'off-topic' post because it is related to BB gun backstops (specifically 4.5mm steel BBs).
This is the US airgun forum (Daisy/Crosman) - and I know most folks probably had their first experience with a Red Ryder or Crosman BB gun.
I'm trying to get the family interested in more shooting. BBs are super cheap - lead free - and generally lower velocity. All pluses for my goal of an indoor shooting range set up in the garage. Also, with the price of ammo, I want a place to practice pistol shooting at home with BB guns, and the ability to shoot at 'gun range' size targets (approx 2ft x 3ft) that are at typical 'gun range' height.
As such, I just want to document a few findings for others (trying to do something more than "stuff a box with towels") in terms of off the shelf supplies for a simple 5m indoor gallery/pistol/red-rider BB gun range (specifically NOT designed to stop pellets - but to capture BB's and prevent them from damaging the walls).
The BB gun armory:
Daisy: Red Ryder, Buck, Powerline 426
Crosman: PSM45, Pumpmaster 760
Umarex: 357 Colt Python, Brodax, Beretta Elite II, S&W M&P 40 (newer model uses same 19 mag as Elite II)
*1*
3 Harbor Freight 40x72 moving blankets ($5/ea) stacked and stapled to 1x2 at the top and hung - stopped a few (bounced), but most went thru 1-2 blankets, and a couple went thru all 3 when shot from approx 2 yards - if a BB penetrated, it typically pulled some of the loose fill out the back ... I can see how this would quickly shred moving blankets
*2*
$13 rubber "door mat" from Walmart
Most BBs were stopped or caught in between the little dimples - a few more powerful shots went straight thru - might work well behind the moving blankets to prevent wall penetration
*3*
***Inspired to try something different and reading about 'boys shooting each other with Red Ryder BB guns' - I'm assuming in the leg
... Denim pants - one pant leg hung down (2 layers of denim) ... STOPPED EVERY ONE OF THEM ... bounced off the front (no penetration thru first layer)
noticed a small amount of damage to the fibers on the front side depending on the shot
I was pleased when I found it would bounce the Pumpmaster 760 at 5 pumps (even though I'm planning to keep it at 2-3 pumps).
If placed behind a sheet of (replaceable) poster board/cardboard/foam board ... this might allow shot penetration thru gun range style paper target - then cardboard - then hit the denim and bounce back on cardboard (much slower) ... and drop to a collection below (thinking gutter, or fluffy carpet, or box of sand) to reclaim BBs with magnet.
KevinJBrown:
When I had lots of people shooting BB guns, I used 2x6 frames. I usually made the frames 30"x72" with carpet stretched/stapled diagonally in between so the BBs would hit and go to the long side of the frame. Then I stapled two layers of cardboard on both faces. Separate sets of staples every 6" alternating. I could knock up a bunch of these and they could be used to hang standing, kneeling or prone targets in lanes. I put triangle braces on the inside corners of the frames for stiffness, and rope or leather handles on the long sides. They worked fine for any BB guns I ever used with them. I never had to replace the frames, only cardboard and carpeting when I emptied the BBs. Once and a while I would get a BB that would bounce off the surface of the cardboard, or maybe they bounced straight back out another hole, but that was few and far between. I eventually gave them to shooting clubs over time, they didn't wear out.
dmrey:
Thanks!
You've given me some ideas. ;)
Frank in Fairfield:
The post office has Priority shipping boxes.
Fill these with the plastic bags you are bringing home from the market.
Shoot away.
When shot up, dump everything out and use your strongest magnet to retrieve and shoot again the BBs.
jsk68:
You could get one of these, I've been using it for a while no problems.
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=198257.0
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