Target and Sound - My Solution thanks to your input!

[Red2x4]

I've found that the loudest thing about shooting my gun is the sound of the pellet hitting the target. What kinds of targets have you found to be the quietest? I haven't used it but I imagine that rubber mulch would be pretty quiet.

Thanks,
Red

 

[Matt247365]

30 pounds of duct seal is pretty quiet.
Matt

 

[Doug]

Rubber mulch is quiet and cheap

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

I only shoot 177 caliber rifles that don't have tons of power ...I shoot into two old bed pillows inside a cardboard box . Lasts thousands of rounds ....I just wrapped it ever so often with shipping tape . No mess just toss it when it's worn out . 

 

[X27]

5 gallon bucket of dirt

 

[racer1]

I've used big truck rubber mudflaps. The folks will give them to you for free. The mudflaps will tear or wear at the bottom and become unusable.Dump truck and concrete companies are the best sources. Brand new from a truck parts store or truck stop about $10-15.Check in with their service department as well for used ones.
A simple frame to hang them and as many as your caliber requires.

 

[Crusher]

A box with rubber mulch works great. It stops my 25 at 45 fpe in the back yard, which is max of 30 yards. Never had one go through. And with the Sumo on the gun, the impact on the box is still louder than the report.

Crusher

 

[davemac18]

 Box filled with rubber mulch stuff is reusable also even after the box is warn out

 

[Red2x4]

Hey Guys,
Thanks so much for your input. After reading your comments here is what I came up with. Its a double sided pellet trap. The frame is just some scrap 2x4 cut so the interior is 12x12. The paper targets and everything inside the box is held in place by the 2 inch strips of wood going across the top and bottom.

The dark brown layer is hardboard panel, pretty flimsy but the pellets don't make much of a sound hitting it.

Then there is a layer of fiberglass insulation. I added it originally to suppress sound and was so surprised to see how much of the impact the fiberglass soften. 

The final layer is a really hard veneer.

The reverse side is the same layer of materials.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Red2x4]

submission error

 

[lnevett]

I use a box full of old clothes, with a cardboard in the front, where i tape the paper targets. Once i while I need to change the cardboard, but the box (plastic on all other sides) with the clothes will last forever, and it is very quiet.

Hope it helps.

 

[davemac18]

Man I like it when someone follow up on a thread

 

[BEN342R]

Bale of straw works for me. 2 metal tent stakes(rods) to hold the cardboard target on the face. 6 bucks, light weight, and silent. Fits perfectly in the trash bin when it’s wore out. Only the pellet hitting the cardboard makes sound. Paper targets make even less noise. Nothing to build, easy to move around. Use straw not hay the hay bales are heavy. Last a long time.

 

[markT]

I found a piece of "rubber" belting on the road the other day. It is 16" wide and 8' long.. and about 1/2 thick. If I had a better cell camera i'd take a picture of it.. I bet it would be really good. Some of the ideas listed like a bale of straw or old clothes sounds good too. 
I don't target shoot so I don't have a target set up in my yard. I do have a golf ball hanging in a tree about 25 yds out. Took a old wire shirt / clothes hanger. And cut a piece about about 12" long. Used a cordless drill and drilled a hole in the golf ball. Then just left the wire in the ball. Loop the wire over a limb and you got a target.. 

 

[Crusher]

For my needs, the target has to stop the pellet. Straw isn't going to do that. I like the golf ball idea but I don't have a place big enough to be able to shoot that without fear of hitting the neighbor's house.
So for me, the box of rubber mulch works well. Started doing that maybe 3 or 4 years ago. Still using same mulch. I've removed the spent pellets a few times though.

Crusher

 

[travelbike]

I use shredded paper tightly stuffed into plastic bags. Maybe some old books in the back as backup. 

 

[DonC]

Don't shoot golf balls. Very dangerous,many guys have reported bounce back directly to the shooter with high velocity.