There seem to always be new threads where folks ask what sort of pellet trap they should use.
Based on the recommendations of this site, I finally was able to get some rubber mulch nuggets. But instead of a cardboard box, I decided to put them into a trashcan - a Rubbermaid 2965 to be exact. These 'commercial' level trash cans are not quite as cheap as the plastic ones at Wally World, but they are made of much better and softer plastic to give them a bit of self-healing properties.
Having shot my first trash can trap since last October, I noticed that it was getting pretty heavy, so I started the replacement project today. This trap doesn't get shot as much as my other one as this was my 51 (now 61) yard long range trap in my back yard. I do all of the chrono, zeroing and initial accuracy testing at the 25 yard trap, so that needs emptying more often.
I had shot this trash can trap with everything from .177 up to .30, and with up to 91 FPE at the muzzle. While this can is fully perforated on both sides, not a single round passed through it (a couple of months back I turned it around - you get 2 good shooting sides).
The white stuff is cut from an old kitchen anti-fatigue foam mat. I use spray adhesive to glue it to the shooting surface of the trash can. It gives a flatter backing for when I clamp on the target cardboard.
So after all of this lead I really didn't have any of the mulch nuggets spilling out. Only the ones which 'jump' past the top cover (just a piece of thick rubber mat with a rock on it) then the target gets smacked with a .30 cal round. Using a bucket of water you can float most of the mulch nuggets from the lead, although some does stay at the bottom of the water bucket. But fully re-usable, and I pretty much retained what I started with after about 5 months of shooting it.
I got the trash cans at a discounted price when I bought a 10- or 12-pack. So if I have to replace my can 2x per year, I've got supply for 5-6 years.
I drilled some 1/4" holes in the bottoms of the trash cans for water drainage. I keep it covered when not in use, but sometimes I forget... And it weathers quite well. Something you can just set out in the yard and leave.
I have a couple of 1/4" steel plates behind my trash can trap, but they have never yet been needed. This rubber mulch nugget stuff really stops pellets well. And pretty quietly too.
New one ready to start catching pellets tomorrow:
Based on the recommendations of this site, I finally was able to get some rubber mulch nuggets. But instead of a cardboard box, I decided to put them into a trashcan - a Rubbermaid 2965 to be exact. These 'commercial' level trash cans are not quite as cheap as the plastic ones at Wally World, but they are made of much better and softer plastic to give them a bit of self-healing properties.
Having shot my first trash can trap since last October, I noticed that it was getting pretty heavy, so I started the replacement project today. This trap doesn't get shot as much as my other one as this was my 51 (now 61) yard long range trap in my back yard. I do all of the chrono, zeroing and initial accuracy testing at the 25 yard trap, so that needs emptying more often.
I had shot this trash can trap with everything from .177 up to .30, and with up to 91 FPE at the muzzle. While this can is fully perforated on both sides, not a single round passed through it (a couple of months back I turned it around - you get 2 good shooting sides).
The white stuff is cut from an old kitchen anti-fatigue foam mat. I use spray adhesive to glue it to the shooting surface of the trash can. It gives a flatter backing for when I clamp on the target cardboard.
So after all of this lead I really didn't have any of the mulch nuggets spilling out. Only the ones which 'jump' past the top cover (just a piece of thick rubber mat with a rock on it) then the target gets smacked with a .30 cal round. Using a bucket of water you can float most of the mulch nuggets from the lead, although some does stay at the bottom of the water bucket. But fully re-usable, and I pretty much retained what I started with after about 5 months of shooting it.
I got the trash cans at a discounted price when I bought a 10- or 12-pack. So if I have to replace my can 2x per year, I've got supply for 5-6 years.
I drilled some 1/4" holes in the bottoms of the trash cans for water drainage. I keep it covered when not in use, but sometimes I forget... And it weathers quite well. Something you can just set out in the yard and leave.I have a couple of 1/4" steel plates behind my trash can trap, but they have never yet been needed. This rubber mulch nugget stuff really stops pellets well. And pretty quietly too.
New one ready to start catching pellets tomorrow:
