Bullet Deflector

[farmerjohn]

I would like to thank all who participated in this thread with their comments and ideas and especially to farmerjohn and PhilKeil for their pictures and information.
All pieces have been sold and I hope to eventually send pics of the finished product. Last question, if I go from a 45 degree angle to, say, a 60 degree will that
effect performance. (a2 x b2 = c2) If I use a 45 degree I will have approximately 34" of target area, a 60 degree gives me about 40.5" That sound about right?

Thanks to all!
Robert

Robert I am not an engineer for sure but from what I have learned I would bet big money that an increase in angle like your talking about will make a big difference, I wish I could have decreased the angle on mine but I needed the target room because of the shooters that might not be that precise and I have have a lot of friends who show up just before season and need to sight in their rifles that haven't been fired since, "last year I think", if you get my drift.... Good luck and let me know how it works..
John

 

[farmerjohn]

Not sure I said that right, I will try it country boy style; "the flatter you have the plate and the longer it is the better it will work"! I didn't have but so much material and needed three sleds, plus I have cows walking around behind it all the time and needed the bullets to go as straight down as possible. Maybe I said it right this time.
John

 

[Riesel]

Update: Finally got my three pieces of steel in and one went to Bandera Texas and the other to Cat Creek Ranch in Wilson County Texas. I bought a stick of 2 x 2 tubing and had them cut it to four pieces at six feet, cost 47.80, with three cuts and tax. Two went to make the base, two got cut to 40" for cross-members. The rest of the steel was an old bed frame that I recycled. Got about six to seven hours in it for"ciphering" cutting and welding. Steel plate laid in back of truck and support frame sat on top. Dragged frame out of truck and picked up plate with winch hanging in tree.
Place on frame, c-clamped it in place, dragged it to range and gave it hell the next day (Friday). We ran a total of about 250 rounds all the way from 125 grain 6.5 bullets to 220 grain '06.
Not a problem, but had to re-tighten clamps after about 50 rounds. I would say it's got to be a heck of a vibration.
I can't really say it is a "bullet deflector" as much as it is a bullet vaporizer with all the shrapnel going into the ground at the bottom of the plate. After 250 rounds, we had a trench about 2 inches wide by two inches deep the width of the plate. If we put five shots in a half inch group it would make a shiny spot on the plate. I am much more than happy with this project and will finish heavy tack welding the plate on now that I know everything works. Plate has chain welded at top for lifting and sled has chain at back for towing.
The finished delivered with tax price on the plate was 257.00 for each piece. Tubing was 47.80, seven hours of amateur labor at 32.00 per hour 224.00. Total cost: 528.80. Piece of mind for no errant ricochets, priceless. Also, thanks to those who showed an interest and to Mark and Cameron for purchasing the two extra pieces.
Need a Covid 19 project? This was mine.

Best Regards to All and Stay Safe,
Robert
aka Riesel

 

[Riesel]

Pictures of "Bullet Sled"

 

[Riesel]

I also wanted to Thank "Farmerjohn" for the inspiration

 

[farmerjohn]

You are welcome my friend, glad you're happy with it. That trench will just get deeper till it rains and it will fill in, kinda fun to watch it..
John

 

[Riesel]

Update, we have put close to 1000 rounds on this bullet deflector and so far it has not complained once. Some 30 cal I'm not sure what bullet but plenty heavy out of an '06 put little dimples in it.
It will last a very long time. Was a great investment and really gives me peace of mind at my range.

 

[Riesel]

I saw a similar post and since I don't know how to put this thread attached to the other I figured I would revive it