Managing richochets from rifle bullets on steel targets

[CaptainH]

I have a friend who may have access to some land were we could set up steel targets out to 8-900 yards. There are cattle off to one side and a highway off the other side though some few hundred yards away. We can build an impact berm for missed shots. The concern that we have is what if the bullet just catches the side edge of the target. How do we build something that contains this possible ricochet? Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[Hal]

Build a "U" shaped berm and set the target inside.

Hal

 

[Texas10]

Build a frame around the target with rail road ties. In fact, with enough you can shoot into a "cave" of rail road ties that would completely enclose your target, or several targets.

 

[dogdude]

Old tires stacked high, 1/3 (of tire) behind target to catch those edge of target ricco's, 2/3 on side for normal splatter. If your going to build, Texas10 idea is a great one!

 

[Keegs]

Weld your hangers onto the backside instead directly on the top. It will put the plate on a slight downwards angle and help deflect anything downwards also

 

[Laurie]

Build a frame around the target with rail road ties. In fact, with enough you can shoot into a "cave" of rail road ties that would completely enclose your target, or several targets.

That's what we have to do in the UK under our range construction and use safety regulations. So no Metallic Silhouettes comps here. The old military 'Falling Plates' competitions that saw the steel plates simply propped up on sand backstops when I was a lad survive, but only by now having the plates inside plate-boxes built just as you and Hal recommend.

 

[CaptainMal]

Those side or edge hits are very unpredictable. NEVER put steel out in the open unless you have miles on the sides and back.

Always put steel right in front of a backstop. Say 20-30 ft. up and right behind it extending out the sides. A ricochet box is also possible. Make a plywood box to go around the steel. Put it right in front of the backstop or put a large box of sand, earth etc. behind it.

Wonderful you are thinking safety. All to many, including the police organizations that practice on steel, have their targets out away from a backstop. I think it is a disgrace and has been proven usafe unless you have miles in the direction of deflections.

 

[243winxb]

Click link at bottom of page. https://www.energy.gov/ea/downloads/use-bullet-traps-and-steel-targets-june-4-2012