Does the thickness of a steel plate determine

Don't know whether you would prefer a softer impact sound or a louder 'ding' based on your post.

If you want to deaden the sound of pellet hitting the plate, try some spray-on undercoating on the back side of the plate (front side works too, but you need to keep re-applying). 

Cheap to try ($4.50 a can at Amazon right now).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CT49AS
 
My experience is exactly that : the thinner, the more it tends to vibrate more and louder with the thin steel. I have a small section of 4" square aluminum deck post painted orange and hung in a tree. You should hear that sucker ! A couple of frying pans from the local thrift store aren't near as loud.

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Too thin i find its just clack. Then youll find your shooting holes through it or taking it down to beat back flat.

That why i use 1/8 as the thinest and 3/16 as thickest.. anything i ised under 1/8 just dont last long under a .22 springer at 800fps. Between 30 and 50y unless its li ke farm disc steel ...lol. that dont give a bit.



Example
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There is a sound deadening product that stereo installers use in vehicles to deaden the heavy bass, or road noise. It's heavy and has a tar-like backing that will stick to the metal.

Just Google "sound deadening material for cars" and there is a lotta choices. I believe that some have different thickness', making them a better sound deadener.

I am wondering why a large chunk of lead wouldn't work well? Maybe 12" x 12" x 2" thick? Heavy yes, but since it's made of the same material as the lead pellets, it should not be noisy and should readily stop the pellets, especially if hanging to allow swinging to take up the impact? NO??

mike
 
There is a sound deadening product that stereo installers use in vehicles to deaden the heavy bass, or road noise. It's heavy and has a tar-like backing that will stick to the metal.

Just Google "sound deadening material for cars" and there is a lotta choices. I believe that some have different thickness', making them a better sound deadener.

I am wondering why a large chunk of lead wouldn't work well? Maybe 12" x 12" x 2" thick? Heavy yes, but since it's made of the same material as the lead pellets, it should not be noisy and should readily stop the pellets, especially if hanging to allow swinging to take up the impact? NO??

mike

That stuff works very well but can be a kittle pricey depending on the size of your backstop. When I built my home I used a 4'x8' piece of 3/16" sheet steel for my backstop...yep it was loud!! Squirted some construction adhesive on the back side of the steel plate and slid a piece of half inch drywall on top of that...quite a bit quieter, more than I expected...if the tv is on upstairs you cant hear the shot. Quick, simple and cheap.
 
There is a sound deadening product that stereo installers use in vehicles to deaden the heavy bass, or road noise. It's heavy and has a tar-like backing that will stick to the metal.

Just Google "sound deadening material for cars" and there is a lotta choices. I believe that some have different thickness', making them a better sound deadener.

I am wondering why a large chunk of lead wouldn't work well? Maybe 12" x 12" x 2" thick? Heavy yes, but since it's made of the same material as the lead pellets, it should not be noisy and should readily stop the pellets, especially if hanging to allow swinging to take up the impact? NO??

mike

That stuff works very well but can be a kittle pricey depending on the size of your backstop. When I built my home I used a 4'x8' piece of 3/16" sheet steel for my backstop...yep it was loud!! Squirted some construction adhesive on the back side of the steel plate and slid a piece of half inch drywall on top of that...quite a bit quieter, more than I expected...if the tv is on upstairs you cant hear the shot. Quick, simple and cheap.
 
There is a sound deadening product that stereo installers use in vehicles to deaden the heavy bass, or road noise. It's heavy and has a tar-like backing that will stick to the metal.

Just Google "sound deadening material for cars" and there is a lotta choices. I believe that some have different thickness', making them a better sound deadener.

I am wondering why a large chunk of lead wouldn't work well? Maybe 12" x 12" x 2" thick? Heavy yes, but since it's made of the same material as the lead pellets, it should not be noisy and should readily stop the pellets, especially if hanging to allow swinging to take up the impact? NO??

mike

That stuff works very well but can be a kittle pricey depending on the size of your backstop. When I built my home I used a 4'x8' piece of 3/16" sheet steel for my backstop...yep it was loud!! Squirted some construction adhesive on the back side of the steel plate and slid a piece of half inch drywall on top of that...quite a bit quieter, more than I expected...if the tv is on upstairs you cant hear the shot. Quick, simple and cheap.
 
Guessing your angled target backstop?



Drape a heavy horse stall mat or some similar rubber sheet over the steel.

Even a sheet of 3/4 plywood might work. cheap too.

Glue it, screw it (or both) to the steel.

Or maybe replace with a thicker steel plate. How thick is your plate?

Or heck just pile some dirt on the back of the plate.

Stack some sand bags?

Brainstorming here LoL :D
 
I saw a company that sold a product which was made from Balistic nylon material, which you just hang like a bed sheet, relaxed. It catches the shot. I think this would work for you. I’ve dealt with hockey equipment in past, I believe hockey pants are made from Balistic nylon. I want to try this in my basement as you can get miles of this material. Crow