Brass Catcher and Deflector Screens

How important are they?  Yes the catcher is convenient but do I need one?  I read another post where the cmm was recommended.  I've only seen 1 in action. I couldn't tell you the model, and the guy using it knocked it over at least twice.... What about a deflector screen?  What do you use?  My motivation is that I'm shooting my first 2700 in a few weeks and I want to avoid being the guy who annoys the unlucky shooter on my right.   The range I'm shooting at has a small partition between each firing point that does not cantilever, so its not fool proof.  Your guidance and input is greatly appreciated.

If the guy on your right is annoyed by brass it's THEIR job to put up a deflector screen, not yours.  You shouldn't worry about that at all.  The only reason to put up a brass catcher is if you don't want to bend over to pick up your brass.

I really like my CMM brass catcher.  It's only gone over a couple of times.  If it's very windy I need to clamp it down, but that's normal.

If you reload a brass catcher is nice, if not you can count on losing some brass. I find having to chase down brass distracting. The CMM is the best, I've never knocked mine over. If it's real windy I use a clamp.

Deflector screens are very nice especially during the 22 match, that's when my screen gets hit the most. I made mine a size so it would fit in my box.

Rules
3.9.1 Deflecting Screens - Shooters may use a screen fastened to their shooting kit, or similarly placed, to deflect empty cases, provided the screen is made of material such as “Hardware Cloth,” with wires not larger than 1/16 inch in diameter and spaced not closer than 1/4 inch. Screens of solid material may not be used.

- Dave

I had another brass catcher and switched to CMM.  MUCH better.

Chip

I use a CMM also, great catcher.
Had it tip over in the wind once after I first got it.
JB welded a 5# barbell weight to the top of the base.
Only problem I have with flying brass is those dang .22's will land in your shirt against your skin or caught in your glasses, them suckers are HOT and will make you flinch during a shot string

Clarence

Brass catchers are great for old knees, deflectors are a must!!! At some time you will get next to someone who doesn't use one, a smoking hot 22 case can leave a scar (wanna see mine?) and brass bouncing off your box, head or gun is very distracting too.

DavidR wrote:Brass catchers are great for old knees, deflectors are a must!!! At some time you will get next to someone who doesn't use one, a smoking hot 22 case can leave a scar (wanna see mine?) and brass bouncing off your box, head or gun is very distracting too.

I second that.  I peeled off a 22 case that stuck to my neck.  I built deflectors the next day.

I once lost a championship match because of a piece of hot brass. First loser sucks!
Jon

Hot brass sucks, try keeping your position or concentration when 30-06 brass lands on your leg in rapid fire prone. Even with jeans on it leaves a nice mark! No deflectors in HighPower rifle!

- Dave

I've got some hardware cloth and other suitable material along with lightweight wood in the garage.  What's a good size?

Deflector screen is pretty much a must-have.

I don't use a brass catcher*. Too much gear as it is, and I use the time picking up brass to clear my head.

* I used one for the .32 when I shot it for bullseye, otherwise I would've been walking all over the county "clearing my head".

Be a stand up guy and catch your brass the CMM is a great one. Bullseye is a friendly sport and there is no money to be made in it, just meeting and making a lot of friends. Brass catchers also speed up the match, keeps your brass clean, you do not end up with less brass than you started with. It's also good karma not to bug the guy next to you especially the guy that is scoring you. During the 22 portion of a match if the guy to your left does not have a catcher it is easy to place the CMM to your left and use it as a deflector.

john bickar wrote:Deflector screen is pretty much a must-have.

I don't use a brass catcher*. Too much gear as it is, and I use the time picking up brass to clear my head.

* I used one for the .32 when I shot it for bullseye, otherwise I would've been walking all over the county "clearing my head".

I built mine so it fits in the back of my gun box so its always with me, keep a clamp handy to clamp it in place

I didn't want to start a whole new thread, when this one is only two years old.  Besides, little changes in Bullseye, right?

Is the CMM brass catcher still the one most shooters prefer?  If so, which height?
http://www.cm-machine.com/Ultimate-Brass-Catcher_c_12.html




Another choice, that looks very sturdy:
https://www.bullseyegear.com/bullseyepistol/product.php?productid=371

For the CMM, I bought used it had a 5 pound weight on the bottom. Never had a problem with it falling over.

Rob Kovach wrote:If the guy on your right is annoyed by brass it's THEIR job to put up a deflector screen, not yours.  You shouldn't worry about that at all.  The only reason to put up a brass catcher is if you don't want to bend over to pick up your brass.

I really like my CMM brass catcher.  It's only gone over a couple of times.  If it's very windy I need to clamp it down, but that's normal.

+1  I bought the short rod with mine also so when I shoot bench rest.  I have never knocked mine over the base plate is petty large and heavy.  I also carry a clamp if it is very windy.  Don

Mike, I bought the catcher in your lower picture first. I used it a couple of times and then bought a different one (similar to the CMM catcher, made by a local smith). There are three reasons I did not stay with the CTK catcher in your Bullseye Gear link:
1. It does not come with any kind of stand and I had to mount it onto a small tripod to lift it to the level of my shooting arm.
2. The catcher is rather bulky by itself and the combination of its size and the tripod to support it was taking way too much space on the shooting bench.
3. Most importantly, the brass was bouncing off the net and falling out, thus negating the purpose of the catcher.
So, go with the CMM one or a similar style catcher.

Regards,
Oleg.

Done.  CMM.  I'll wait until I get home to measure the height before I order.

It's available with a stem length of 8", 12", 16", or 20".  Is one height more "universal" than the others?

I got mine about 10 years ago and I think the 16" was the only choice which has worked out fine on the benches that I shoot from.  There is a rod inside the stem post which will allow you to extended up another 15".  The wire frame which holds the net is 16" wide x 12" ht.  Measure the height of your bench, add the height of the different size posts and that will be the bottom of the net.  Unless you are extremely tall or short, I would avoid the longest and the shortest posts.

A deflector is a nice addition to the gun box when made so that it's the same size and attached in a way to be easily transported. I usually don't use mine unless the shooter to my left sends his brass in a bad direction. Two years ago at Perry I had a .22 brass get behind my shooting glasses, I had to stop shooting to get it out. My deflector went up quick after that!. I didn't attach one to the small 2 gun box yet and probably will not as I plan to use it at club indoor practice and we have hanging tarp shields between the shooters. Because I don't like the size of the 2 gun box I'm acquiring the needed components and will make my own 2 gun box with a shield attached. Telling the guy next to you to stop his brass from hitting you won't go far. I don't think there is anything in the rules that say a shooter must control his brass, in all the matches I have attended the only place I've I've seen a brass deflector placed was on the shooters box. The only gun I've had able to change the angle of Brass was the Browning Medalist. It had a pin that could be put in a hole in the grips the would deflect .22 forward.
 To me a brass catcher is too much to lug around but getting old makes it a too much work bending over picking-up brass. At one match the shooter next to me had one of those  long reach gadgets and gathered most of my brass with ease! I found one on ebay, liked it so much I purchased 4 more! I drop those slippery shoes so many times while working on them that gadget is a blessing! I'm surprised how well it works! Often I drop that .050" hex wrench and can pick that up off a concrete floor. Plus it a lot easier to take to the range than a catcher! The "finger" shape is similar to the shape the trigger finger touching the end of the thumb makes. About 3 times longer and inner diameter about the size of an 8oz. soda bottle, opened it will grasp in the large opening a 12oz. bottle but it is if full a bit heavy for it. I don't care as I don't use it to pick-up large items. Though I don't shoot those it will pick-up .32 and 9mm with ease, I have no problem picking up .22 in the grass at Perry with it.

Does anyone have plans for a "self standing" deflector screen? I have an old Gil Hebard two gun box that is only 8 inches tall opened, so it does nothing to hold a deflector.

On a side note, I learned quickly to never position to the left of a left handed shooter with a left hand eject 1911. Happened to me at a match two months ago. I was getting pelted from both sides during centerfire, messed with my concentration and shot the worse I have in a long time.

I have one of those cage type roller things to pick up brass but it is also a pain to carry with you.  They really nothing but a pecan picker upper that you can buy at a hardware store or feed store for a lot less money.  Don

When Adam started shooting I got him one of those short boxes from Gil Hebbard. Took plastic loop clamps to attach a metal rod to the box cover. Rod could slide out and be put in the box, attached a tube to the screen to slip over rod. Deflector looked like a flag. As he got taller I made a coupler for the rod so 2 could be used and decoupled fit in the box.

I use a brass catcher and I don't believe it affects my shooting as some may have suggested.  During a 2700 match, we'll be shooting a total of 180 center fire and .45 rounds assuming no alibis.  It normally catches 80-85% of the brass so I would have to bend down maybe 20-25 times throughout the match either by hand or the gripper which I've seen used.  That's certainly much less than 180 times. 

The brass catcher is very valuable when I shoot during public hours at our club.  It has become packed since other ranges have closed down.  With so many polite shooters and some RSO's sweeping up any and all brass nearby without understanding the etiquette of shooters who reload, I'm glad to have my brass catcher.  I'm hoping to not buy more brass till the day I kick the bucket.

xmastershooter wrote:I use a brass catcher and I don't believe it affects my shooting as some may have suggested.  During a 2700 match, we'll be shooting a total of 180 center fire and .45 rounds assuming no alibis.  It normally catches 80-85% of the brass so I would have to bend down maybe 20-25 times throughout the match either by hand or the gripper which I've seen used.  That's certainly much less than 180 times. 

The brass catcher is very valuable when I shoot during public hours at our club.  It has become packed since other ranges have closed down.  With so many polite shooters and some RSO's sweeping up any and all brass nearby without understanding the etiquette of shooters who reload, I'm glad to have my brass catcher.  I'm hoping to not buy more brass till the day I kick the bucket.

At the indoor range it seams like the ladies like to sweep I have seen them sweep the whole line then it goes in the range bucket where it better stay.  Seen a guy loose his membership for raiding the range bucket.  They sell the stuff to help keep the shooting fees down.  I don't mind loosing 45 or 9mm i have more then I could ever load.  Now that I am shooting 38 Super I have to buy brass and had to buy new the first purchase as rangebrass.com was out of stock.  Later I was able to get two bags from them so I will be using my catcher.  People already give me the eye seeing my range box and scope on the bench.  I been told I was the only one handed shooter there.  Don