How do indoor ranges stop the bullets?

Hey Matt
Some look like this.
IM001503.jpg


1/2 inch thick plate, on the back with 1/2 inch thick plate deflecting bullets down into another plate. The pistol bullets just disintegrate upon impact.
 
Traditional backstops were angled steel plates, either a large simple sheet or a more complex "venetian blind" system; either was a the standard. Effective, not particularly expensive. Problem is, these smash the bullets, which releases particulate lead, which is an issue.
Newer designs of steel backstops use a shallower angle, and a snail, which decelerates the bullets without smashing them. The bullets drop into a tray for recovery and recycling. The plate may direct the bullets up, rather than down, into the snail. The plate may be lubricated, to make the bullets slide, further reducing smashing.
Rubber mulch or blocks are also used. The bullets are caught without smashing, and eventually percolate down through the medium into catch trays, where they are recovered. Rubber fragments may need to be shovelled back into the mound periodically.
If you do a bit of a search, you'll find that Savage owns a range systems company. You will be able to find information about their commercial systems.
 
tiriaq said:
Traditional backstops were angled steel plates, either a large simple sheet or a more complex "venetian blind" system; either was a the standard. Effective, not particularly expensive. Problem is, these smash the bullets, which releases particulate lead, which is an issue.
Newer designs of steel backstops use a shallower angle, and a snail, which decelerates the bullets without smashing them. The bullets drop into a tray for recovery and recycling. The plate may direct the bullets up, rather than down, into the snail. The plate may be lubricated, to make the bullets slide, further reducing smashing.
Rubber mulch or blocks are also used. The bullets are caught without smashing, and eventually percolate down through the medium into catch trays, where they are recovered. Rubber fragments may need to be shovelled back into the mound periodically.
If you do a bit of a search, you'll find that Savage owns a range systems company. You will be able to find information about their commercial systems.
Click to expand...
Great explanation, thank-you
 
tiriaq said:
Traditional backstops were angled steel plates, either a large simple sheet or a more complex "venetian blind" system; either was a the standard. Effective, not particularly expensive. Problem is, these smash the bullets, which releases particulate lead, which is an issue.
Newer designs of steel backstops use a shallower angle, and a snail, which decelerates the bullets without smashing them. The bullets drop into a tray for recovery and recycling. The plate may direct the bullets up, rather than down, into the snail. The plate may be lubricated, to make the bullets slide, further reducing smashing.
Rubber mulch or blocks are also used. The bullets are caught without smashing, and eventually percolate down through the medium into catch trays, where they are recovered. Rubber fragments may need to be shovelled back into the mound periodically.
If you do a bit of a search, you'll find that Savage owns a range systems company. You will be able to find information about their commercial systems.
Click to expand...
Anybody get a pic of this "snail"? :confused: is it a ninja snail? :confused: I mean I've heard of turtles ( Chuck Norris excrement is how they came to be apparently :D) but a bullet catching snail....does it ever fumble the "greased" rounds??? Somebody help me out here...I think I'm loosing my grip on reality here ovrec
 
Um,unless I'm mistaken, the 'snail' is a chamber/path system that takes energy to pass through (think the game MOUSETRAP), which slows it down, after hitting the angled backstop
 
My range used to be the old style angled steel plate with a negative air system to help with the lead. Their particular system had the plate angled back at the top (farther away at the top then the bottom) with a catch system on the roof.

Recently they added a layer of rubber tire crumbs that covers the plate (possible because it was angled back at the top). Believe it or not, the rubber actually cut down on the noise. It seems to soak up the sounds as well as the lead.

We also have an indoor rifle range. I would love to look at the stop system for it..
 
travellerw said:
My range used to be the old style angled steel plate with a negative air system to help with the lead. Their particular system had the plate angled back at the top (farther away at the top then the bottom) with a catch system on the roof.

Recently they added a layer of rubber tire crumbs that covers the plate (possible because it was angled back at the top). Believe it or not, the rubber actually cut down on the noise. It seems to soak up the sounds as well as the lead.

We also have an indoor rifle range. I would love to look at the stop system for it..
Click to expand...

Yeah the improvements they did were great. Now if they only would improve the lighting in the rifle bays. If you`re trying to sight in something and want to make adjustments its very hard to see when you are in the booth.
 
A snail works this way - the bullets slide along the plate guides and enter the snail portion of the backstop though a slot. The bullets follow the curving walls of the snail around and around until they lose energy. A that point they drop down to the catch pan. Think about two capital Cs, one opening right, the other left, facing each other, slightly staggered with a slot at the top for the bullets to enter, and another at the bottom through which spent bullets drop.
Because the bullets strike the guide plates and snail components at an angle, damage to the trap is minimised, and the backstop lasts for a long time without damage or servicing.
Backstop systems made on this principal using the correct steel will work with jacketed rifle bullets ($).
The noise absorbing quality of rubber bullet catchers made from recycled tire products is a bonus.

Have a look at www.snailtraps.com
 
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