Indoor Target Box build

[woogie_man]

Hey guys,

I have grabbed a nice box from my shop and have been planning things out for a nice target box. The other thread here about filler for the box got me to thinking about posting this here to see what you guys would do. Always fun to get some other opinions to see things that you wouldn't normally see.

So the box is from my shop and it typically goes on an industrial machine as an HMI. There is typically a touch screen computer in the large cut out, and your push buttons are on the bottom. Typically a large E-stop then a start, stop, and reset...then anything else a customer would want. This box was scrapped I am guessing due to misscutting or something just wasn't correct. So in the scrap bin it went and that is where I found it and dug it out. The box is made out of thick stainless steel and is very solid. Hinges on the side with locking tabs on the other.

My plan was to put some ballistic material from Super Target Systems, or from Action Target. Then back fill with some mulch. If angling the ballistic material planning on adding some duct seal to the bottom to stop the richocets.. Not sure about the pushbutton holes along the bottom, though something like a long bell target with multiple sized openings could be fun as well.



So what do you guys think would be fun with this box?

 

[klentz]

I’ve built lots of target boxes over the years and also have a champions bullet trap that’s built like a tank. My advice will be predicated on what distance, what caliber and what FPS you’ll be shooting at this box indoors 

 

[woogie_man]

Thinking max of 12ftlb for most shooting or less. Though would also like to use the set up for chronograph testing as well at times. I do have access to steel as well I can add to the back to ensure nothing punches through. Range would be anywhere from 10' to 10m and further.....











*Edited to add distance*

 

[klentz]

At what distance?

 

[attaglance]

Woogie - a few years ago a lot of people were building these and exchanging information. A lot of different designs, but most seemed to settle on tire mulch garden chips for stuffing. Convenient size 5lb bag - don't remember the price, and it lasted a log time as well as being quiet. Might work...

 

[biohazardman]

Looks like the perfect box for a few 5lb bricks of duct seal to me. It's good stuff in or out of the box. I am a fan of the stuff it stops pretty much anything and seldom needs cleaned out. It stopped my 100fpe arrowgun when I had the 9mm barrel on it. But the nice oak box that I had the duct seal in finally split on me. I will have to fix it someday.

 

[Deacon_Blues]

Quite often the build is half the fun. If that is true, for you, enjoy!

If, however, you simply want a reliable trap that can handle everything, up to .22 rimfire, this is the one to buy (Do-All target trap.)

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1015092615?pid=172588

I have had mine for close to 20 years now.

 

[rob_g]

I use a similar size box but made from wood. I filled it with rubber mulch. It stopped a 30fpe .22 from my Impact at 15 ft with no issues. I would finish cutting out the door, leaving a lip around the inside. Fill it with mulch, put a piece of coreplast on the inside and close the door. Ready to go.

 

[kball]

No matter what you put inside or behind I would include a 4" or so deep wood frame around the face of the box if it is going to be used inside. Depending on pellet velocity you could have some serious pellet spatter or possibly a ricochet if you miss the hole and hit that SS face.

 

[maxtrouble]

Quite often the build is half the fun. If that is true, for you, enjoy!

If, however, you simply want a reliable trap that can handle everything, up to .22 rimfire, this is the one to buy (Do-All target trap.)

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1015092615?pid=172588

I have had mine for close to 20 years now.

//www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C/svg%3E

I have the same target box, works great. I have mine inside a larger box wrapped in old levi's to deaden the sound.

Good luck on the build and do not forget sound deadening!

 

[Ezana4CE]

Quite often the build is half the fun. If that is true, for you, enjoy!

If, however, you simply want a reliable trap that can handle everything, up to .22 rimfire, this is the one to buy (Do-All target trap.)

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1015092615?pid=172588

I have had mine for close to 20 years now. <img src="

" />//www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C/svg%3E

What do you do with all of the lead dust in the trap when it starts getting full? How do you handle it when emptying the trap so that you aren’t inhaling the dust?

 

[kanmotexacal]

Quite often the build is half the fun. If that is true, for you, enjoy!

If, however, you simply want a reliable trap that can handle everything, up to .22 rimfire, this is the one to buy (Do-All target trap.)

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1015092615?pid=172588

I have had mine for close to 20 years now. <img src="

//www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C/svg%3E[/url]" />//www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C/svg%3E//www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C/svg%3E

What do you do with all of the lead dust in the trap when it starts getting full? How do you handle it when emptying the trap so that you aren’t inhaling the dust?

Wear one of those silly face diapers that everyone wears to protect themselves from the 'rona'. Good to go.

Or contact your nearest HazMat Disposal Facility.

 

[maxtrouble]

What do you do with all of the lead dust in the trap when it starts getting full? How do you handle it when emptying the trap so that you aren’t inhaling the dust?

I put mine inside a plastic bag and turn it upside down and dump the lead in the bag. Let the dust settle and take out the target. Seal the bag and toss. Tried saving it, too much hassle.

 

[TDK]

Wow, that's a nice box! 

Rubber mulch fill, with coroplast for the front. Coroplast is that stuff that political yard signs are made of, essentially plastic cardboard, and it is somewhat self-healing. Home Depot sells sheets if you can't find it elsewhere. Pre-cut some rectangles of it. Put behind the lid and replace as needed. You'll essentially end up with the much nicer pre-built steel version of what I built from wood.

You are unlikely to have full penetration at an 8" depth, but lets say the stars align and mulch fill is packed just right and you are shooting in the exact same spot, at higher power, repeatedly....you could get some tunneling that would make it to the back. The zero-worries upgrade is to put a 10ga steel plate inside at the back and never have to think about it again (this is what I did).

 

[woogie_man]

Wow, that's a nice box! 

Rubber mulch fill, with coroplast for the front. Coroplast is that stuff that political yard signs are made of, essentially plastic cardboard, and it is somewhat self-healing. Home Depot sells sheets if you can't find it elsewhere. Pre-cut some rectangles of it. Put behind the lid and replace as needed. You'll essentially end up with the much nicer pre-built steel version of what I built from wood.

You are unlikely to have full penetration at an 8" depth, but lets say the stars align and mulch fill is packed just right and you are shooting in the exact same spot, at higher power, repeatedly....you could get some tunneling that would make it to the back. The zero-worries upgrade is to put a 10ga steel plate inside at the back and never have to think about it again (this is what I did).

Yeah I checked today and the box alone is over $1k, but being as the MFG messed up the cutting .... we are getting it replaced for free. Notice the cutting for the holes, the laser started on the outside of the hole instead of the inside.

I didn't think about coroplast even though I have a bit of it here in the shop. Planning on grabbing some EVA foam mats and using that as a few layers and then adding that mulch to the back.



Still trying to figure something fun to do with the holes at the bottom of the face.

 

[woogie_man]

 

Progress!!!

Was able to locate two bags of the Vergo rubber mulch. The box took about those two as well. Filled the box, then secured the mulch in place with some coroplast, then some floor foam on top of that. Then another floor mat to bulk up the foam and to bring the level to the face of the door. Once shut the foam is flush with the face of the door.

A few test shots from around 10' with the .177 pushing 850fps with a 10 grain pellet. The Redwolf on its highest power with a hades pellet. Then the theoben shooting a 25.4 pellet at 820 fps. All solid hits, and nothing passed through and no metal impact. 

Should be more than adequate for the target rifles I want to play with in doors.