Many gun enthusiasts use indoor ranges to practice, yet they often have no understanding on how their bullets are safely stopped and how the methods of indoor lead retrieval are utilized. One of the most efficient and health conscious methods of retrieval is with the use of granulated rubber lead trap.
This is one of the best methods for indoor ranges, not only does it stop and capture the projectile, but will also prevent the majority of the hazardous lead dust from becoming airborne.
With a granulated rubber berm, a pile of granulated or chipped rubber is used to make the backstop that halts and then catches the spent bullet upon impact. This method is a low to moderate cost for its installation and will stop any projectile up to and including the .50 caliber. This granulated rubber berm is a durable method for stopping bullets and only incurs moderate upkeep and maintenance costs.
The contained granulated rubber stop system is the best system for not only stopping bullets, but also for reducing the shooters and workers from exposure to lead dust. In this style of system, the granulated rubber is contained behind a capture curtain that stops and holds the fired projectiles. The cost of installation for this type of system is moderate to high, yet it will handle most calibers of projectiles used depending upon the depth of the granulated rubber compaction.
Lead dust and bullet fragmentation is greatly reduced when this style of backstop is used but ranger owners still need to be diligent to clean out the lead on a consistent basis.
When operating a shooting range, the health of your client’s and worker’s is an important part of your successful operation, and the capture and disposal of toxic lead is paramount to this process. On the average shooting range these granulated rubber traps need to be cleaned every 75,000-80,000 rounds for maximum efficiency. This will allow for a clean trap and proper lead recycling that will keep lead dust exposure to the workers and shooters to a minimum.
Having an unqualified employee mine the lead from the rubber and risking possible OSHA fines — is not the best method for maintaining your rubber trap. In order to protect yourself from possible penalties, and provide a safe, healthy and clean environment for your employees and patrons, you need to use a qualified and experienced lead reclamation contractor.
MT2 is the leading provider of environmental firing range services in the US and has served over 1,200 public and private firing ranges nationwide since 2000. MT2’s firing range services include complete range maintenance, improvements and lead remediation services. For more information about us and our cost-effective and environmentally friendly services, contact us today to see what we can do for you.
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