Lead Backstop.

zx6fighter

zx6fighter

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Decided I was going to make a new back stop for my A3 target box, I normally stuff it with sheets and towels, but eventually they disintegrate and make a hell of a mess.
Decided I needed a lead backstop.

So out to the shed.
Started off with a big piece of old steel baking tray.
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Then, out came my old propane furnace,
Followed by raiding my stash of lead
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Decided I'd use a saucepan to melt the lead in, so I started rolling up and hammering it flat so it would going the saucepan.
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Until I realised it was quicker to cut it into small pieces with the band saw
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.

I knew from previous experience that the lead wouldn't adhere to the steel plate, so I put some tapping screws in there to give it something to anchor on
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Into the furnace went the first saucepan full. Must have been some sort of cheap alloy, left in there a little bit too long and the saucepan melted.🤣🤣
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Found a suitable container and carried on melting and pouring and ended up with a plate that weighed 19 kilos. I can now stand my target box (with the back removed) in front of it, should last me a while now, and no more disintegrating sheets.👍
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Really cool. I would love to have a lead backstop. Never melted lead or used it before.

How would you compare the noise of impact vs material?

Also what happens after quite a few shots. Does the lead keep building up in a thicker layer or start falling down?

Cheers 👍
 
I've already got one lead back stop that I've been using in the shed for quite a while, it's also got duct putty on it as well and it's just getting thicker and thicker over time, I generally tap the targets to this, and it's very quiet.
The one I've just done, the pellets just seemed to be splattering into the lead and staying put, so I'm guessing it's just going to build up its thickness, probably be able to run a propane torch over it and melt the pellets down.
I think there's more noise off my hardboard target backing board than there is off of the lead.👍
 
Mark Palmer said:
I'm a bit out of touch with materials these days, but isnt lead sheet still available from builders merchants? For those who don't fancy melting scrap lead?
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Yes, I believe it's still available from builders merchants.
I was lucky enough to obtain two big bags full of lead flashing offcuts that have been used on a building site.
I've not got a lot left now, and it ain't cheap to buy. 👍
 
Mark Palmer said:
I'm a bit out of touch with materials these days, but isnt lead sheet still available from builders merchants? For those who don't fancy melting scrap lead?
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Roofing lead or, the thinner, flashing strips are available at most builders merchant - just go for the cheapest grade
 
The yellow box to the right - with the holes in - is that a bell target?
 
I collected all my used pellets and then melted them into a small baking tray. Just fill the tray and use a blowtorch to melt them.
When the surface builds up and looks unsightly, a quick flash with the lamp to relevel the surface
 
Giving this thread a bump.

It's taken me ages to get round to collecting spent pellets. Always easier to chuck away the material from backstop but got this lot together from a few months shooting I'd guess.

I'm just making sure they are all really dry with a heat gun before I melt them with a flame torch. I hear melting wet lead is not a good idea! My first experiment with this I doubt it's really thick enough but interested to see what happens.

Will melt them outside soon and post result 👍

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Backgardenplinker said:
Giving this thread a bump.

It's taken me ages to get round to collecting spent pellets. Always easier to chuck away the material from backstop but got this lot together from a few months shooting I'd guess.

I'm just making sure they are all really dry with a heat gun before I melt them with a flame torch. I hear melting wet lead is not a good idea! My first experiment with this I doubt it's really thick enough but interested to see what happens.

Will melt them outside soon and post result 👍

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Wow, that's a lot of pellets for just a few months!

I never used to bother saving mine, but I've started doing it now, and I just melt them into my lead backstop.

Good luck with the melt.👍
 
zx6fighter said:
Wow, that's a lot of pellets for just a few months!

I never used to bother saving mine, but I've started doing it now, and I just melt them into my lead backstop.

Good luck with the melt.👍
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Those daily card cuts 🤣

It needs a hell of allot of heat doesn't it! I thought they would melt quick but takes ages. Maybe if they were all soft lead pellets it would be quicker? Mostly RWS/H&N

Ive managed to make a mess and not much gas left in the canister of flame torch 😆 Think it needs to be heated in a tin over a fire or a bbq flame maybe.

I did get some it to melt properly after I took this pic but left it for now. Flame torch just doesn't heat a big enough area.

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I bought a camping gas stove. Supported the baking tray on bricks on an outdoor table, ensuring it was level and secure. Then placed the gas stove under it. Whilst using this to heat from beneath, I also applied heat to the top surface of the lead with a decent gas torch. It takes a much higher temperature than you think to melt the lead sufficiently enough to creat a level surface. Please be very careful with this process, the lead can spit! I used leather gauntlets, a leather apron and a chain saw helmet with built in face visor throughout. Leave it where it is to cool after turning the gas off.
 
I've used a piece of 8mm thick conveyer belting cut to size inside a baking tray to good effect.
My pellet catcher needs to be mobile and i first used plumbers mate but it was heavy and a pain digging out the pellets to lessen the weight.
 
Backgardenplinker said:
Those daily card cuts 🤣

It needs a hell of allot of heat doesn't it! I thought they would melt quick but takes ages. Maybe if they were all soft lead pellets it would be quicker? Mostly RWS/H&N

Ive managed to make a mess and not much gas left in the canister of flame torch 😆 Think it needs to be heated in a tin over a fire or a bbq flame maybe.

I did get some it to melt properly after I took this pic but left it for now. Flame torch just doesn't heat a big enough area.

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I'm lucky enough to have oxy/propane, I use a big cutting torch, only takes me minutes👍
 
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