The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) published an article: Technical Track Indoor Range Design which offers 12 designs for indoor bullet traps. Range designer, Robert Partridge, gives new firing range proposals of the options available for bullet back stops. Take into consideration your range closes during the allotted time to clean the range and the granulated rubber trap lead before you open for business so your customers will understand when you close.
Following are 12 brief descriptions of granulated rubber trap lead cleaning designs for your firing range before completion and ready for use.
- Sand Berm — The backstop, a sand pile, catches the fired projectile as it impacts the sand. Handling calibers up to and including .50, the sand’s durability requires moderate upkeep and maintenance.
On the downside it is dusty and produces ricochets and back splatter from the incoming projectiles impacting those in the catch basin. Upon disposal of the sand, it is a hazardous material.
- Granulated Rubber Berm — A pile of granulated/chipped rubber makes up the backstop that captures the fired projectile upon impact. The cost is low to moderate and it handles calibers up to and including .50. The granulated rubber berm is durable and requires moderate upkeep and maintenance.
On the downside, because the rubber is a fire hazard, ricochets and back splatters from incoming projectiles impact those in the catch basin. The used rubber is a hazardous material upon disposal.
- Metal Backstop With Sand Catch Medium — An angled metal impact plate deflects the projectile into a sand catch basin. This backstop is low to moderate cost and handles most calibers, depending on metal material and thickness. Low upkeep and maintenance because it is durable.
Downsides are (1) dust, (2) bullet fragmentation which results in lead dust, (3) ricochets and back splatter, (4) frequent cleaning schedule, and (5) used sand considered hazardous material upon disposal.
- Metal Backstop with Water Catch Basin — A water catch basin catches the projectile deflected by the angled metal impact plate. Installation cost is low to moderate and it handles most calibers, dependent on metal material and thickness. It requires low upkeep and maintenance because of its durability.
Downsides include bullet fragmentation which results in lead dust and high moisture due to water evaporation.
- Louvered or Venetian-blind — The projectile deflects and is then contained into multiple horizontal chambers. Installation cost is moderate. It handles most calibers — dependent on metal material and thickness. Because it is durable, it requires low upkeep and maintenance and requires little space.
Downsides are lead dust, ricochets, and bullet fragmentation. - Chambered or Escalator — This backstop consists of an angled metal impact plate. When the projectile directs into a deceleration chamber, it loses its inertia and falls into a collection mechanism. It has a moderate cost of installation and handles most calibers, dependent of metal material and thickness. It reduces lead dust, is durable, and projectile collection is relatively easy.
Downsides include maintenance to keep deceleration chamber clear of lead buildup and possible bullet fragmentation.
- Lamell or Layered Rubber — Layers of rubber and fabric curtains make up this backstop. The projectile fires and is then captured in the rubber and fabric curtains. Installation cost is moderate to high and it handles calibers, dependent on depth of curtains. It reduces fragmentation, reduces lead dust, and requires little space.
Downsides are maintenance, material replacement, material disposal and possible fire hazard. This backstop’s suggested usage is under low-volume conditions, i.e., tactical training situations.
- Contained Granulated Rubber — Granulated rubber contained behind a curtain capture fired projectiles with this backstop. Installation cost is moderate to high and it handles most calibers dependent on depth of compaction. Reduced lead dust and fragmentation occurs with this backstop.
Downsides are (1) required maintenance, (2) material replacement, (3) disposal of material and (4) fire hazard. Low-volume conditions are suggestions for the usage of this backstop.
- Rubber Block — Consisting of formed rubber blocks similar to concrete blocks, the fired projectiles are then captured in the rubber blocks. Installation cost is moderate to high and handles most calibers, dependent of depth of block wall. It reduces lead dust, fragmentation, and space required.
Downsides require (1) maintenance, (2) material replacement, (3) disposal of material, (4) fire hazard, and (5) weight of material upon itself. Suggested use of this backstop is under low-volume conditions, i.e., tactical training situations.
- Fluid Wash — Consisting of metal impact plates with a flow of fluid down its surface, projectiles impact this backstop and directed into a deceleration chamber. Installation cost is high and it’s designed to handle all calibers up to and including .50. It’s durable, reduces lead dust and bullet fragmentation, and projectile collection is easy.
Downsides are maintenance and required space.
- Tunnel or Vertical Chamber — Consisting of a tunnel or chamber into which fired projectiles are then captured, this backstop is a deceleration chamber set on end. Installation cost is moderate to high and it handles most calibers, dependent on material and thickness. Projectile collection is relatively easy and it is durable.
Downsides are lead dust, fragmentation, and ricochets.
- Total Containment — Consisting of sloped metal impact plates which direct projectiles into a collection chamber, the cost of this backstop is moderate to high. It handles all calibers up to and including .50. It reduces bullet fragmentation and lead dust, is durable, and the projectile collection is easy.
Downside is space requirements.
Here are 12 ways to handle granulated rubber trap lead cleaning geared toward your space, cost, and the functions each trap brings to your firing range. If you have any questions about these different traps, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your time.
Technical Track Indoor Range Design
Hunter Parker says
Hello, I am curious to what machines you use in order to process rubber for indoor ranges? How are you able to separate rubber, trash and lead? Would like to hear the process you use before picking the correct business to mine our range. Thank you!
Range Defender says
Hello Hunter-one of our Firing Range Experts are standing by to chat with you about this, please call our Corporate office at 1.888.435.6645
Omar says
Hallo can I please know what kind of machine that I should use for cleaning the Rubber Trap Lead
Thank you
Range Defender says
Hello Omar! We are happy to help, just click on the Contact tab on your website, or even the instant chat button https://mt2.com/
One of our Range Engineers will be happy to assist!