Too bad for you guys. :(

[Tominco]

I just got a bunch of old gym floor matting (cleaned) and was wondering if it would make a good back stop for a pellet. If it did, I was going to cut it to USPS priority box sizes and give it away for shipping cost.... if it worked. 

I decided to run the test at 50 yards. I taped the back of the mat to see if the pellets penetrated, just in case I couldn't find the hole. 

I used my Red Wolf in .25 shooting the MKII's ~925 and my loaner Royale shooting 18g .22's at ~900. 

Both the .22's and the .25 went right through a single layer. Two holes just below my finger. 

When I doubled up the matting, it initially looked like neither pellet penetrated. But, a closer inspection revealed that the .25 did penetrate all the way through. Just underneath where the top tape starts to curl, (pic 2) you can make out the hole. The backside of the mat clearly shows the hole. 

I did try to save the .22 pellet for a pic but, it fell into the tall grass and I did not want to hunt for it among many other pellets. 

So, off to the dump with all these cutoffs. Sorry guys, I tried!

Happy Shooting! 

Tom

 

[intenseaty22]

Tom, I have used these successfully before as the front of the target. Effectively retaining the rubber mulch back & allowing for the paper target to be pinned. Works well for quite a few sessions before needing to be replaced.:

 

[Oregun]

Thanks for trying, Tom!

I lined a framed box several years ago with gym matts from a local HS. It held up for a couple years in my yard with heavy shooting of mostly .25 @900fps.... now the RedWolf and Wildcat blasts through. Most likely, weathered. Dave and I use it as a base for our spinner target. lol 

keep up the great work!

—Carl

 

[Peskådot671]

Thanks for the test Tom. I've always wondered the same thing.

 

[Hubertus]

or you could put a steel plate between some layers. it will turn down the ping noise a lot!!!

 

[Funshine]

It was worth a try and looked like you had lots of fun doing so, too. Thanks for looking out for us, Tom.

 

[Keyman62421]

Tom, I'm sure it slowed the 25 down significantly, put a box 5yds behind to see the results. I'd be interested!

 

[DonC]

15 years ago I bought 2 semi-truck mud flaps. Steel ribbons were imbedded in the super hard rubber. I still shoot them today. They are free hanging in a custom wood box with a funnel bottom. All spent pellets fall into a coffee can. It is a self cleaning pellet trap. All shots in my basement are 20 ft/lbs of less. The flaps are costly but 15 years is a long time.

Perhaps you could also go to a truck stop and ask to see some used flaps for free. If they didn't look too bad maybe you could use them. These flaps are designed to stop stone/pebble projectiles with MAJOR ft/lbs of energy.

 

[Tominco]

Thanks for the ideas guys. 

I actually don't need anything like this at my home range. I just wanted to test it before offering it out to y'all as a backstop. 

Good ideas though! 

Tom

 

[Papy_Yosh]

Thanks for trying Capt.

It could have been a good deal