Sandbox pistol targets?

[rocktot]

Whats the thickness of sand needed to stop FMJ .40 pistol round? I would like to build some freestanding 'boxes' and fill them with sand, then just replace new boards over the front, for targets/backstops. More than 12"?

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

im thinking 6 inches

[Punkface]

I think box o truth did an article on this didn't he?

[Richard K]

Box o' truth confirms that one sheet of drywall and 5 1/2" of sand stopped 9mm fmj, 45 ACP FMJ, .556 FMJ, .308, 12ga slugs and hard cast 45.70. Thinking about building a sand filled box for an indoor range inside my RV barn. Where I'm stumped is some kind of self sealing face cover so that sand does not drain out after each shot. Thought of link belt material but not sure how long it would hold up.

[Zundfolge]

I think box o truth did an article on this didn't he?

Indeed he did.

[hatidua]

Test it. 90% of what I've read online about how far bullets will penetrate this or that has been WAY off when I went and tested it myself.

[Punkface]

Box o' truth confirms that one sheet of drywall and 5 1/2" of sand stopped 9mm fmj, 45 ACP FMJ, .556 FMJ, .308, 12ga slugs and hard cast 45.70. Thinking about building a sand filled box for an indoor range inside my RV barn. Where I'm stumped is some kind of self sealing face cover so that sand does not drain out after each shot. Thought of link belt material but not sure how long it would hold up.

Would a rubber type material be usable like they use in the self healing spinner targets?

[Richard K]

Would a rubber type material be usable like they use in the self healing spinner targets?

Probably would but finding an 18X18" sheet of it might be difficult.

[cstone]

Is your goal to make portable bullet traps or semi-permanent traps?

Lots of good bullet traps out there, but most all are limited by weight and size.

[merl]

keep in mind his box of sand had a hard backing of more boxes of sand. the results may have been different if a single box was used.