Shooting Range Soundproofing: Engineering Solutions That Last

Q: How do I calculate how many vRib Acoustic Panels my range will need?

The quantity depends on your range’s size, wall material, and reverberation time goals. A professional acoustic assessment should guide placement and coverage. TAP Ballistics can assist with system design to ensure cost-effective coverage.

Q: Are vRib Acoustic Panels resistant to lead and other residue buildup?

Yes. The recycled rubber construction resists lead dust adhesion and cleans easily with standard range maintenance tools. This extends product life and reduces cleaning costs.

Q: How does ballistic-grade soundproofing compare in cost to standard acoustic panels?

The upfront cost is higher, but lifecycle costs are lower. Standard acoustic panels degrade quickly under live fire. Ballistic-grade systems like vRib last thousands of rounds, meaning fewer replacements and less downtime.

Dave Soubolsky
Sep 11
6 min read

Effective shooting range soundproofing goes far beyond hanging drapes or sticking foam on walls. Gunfire muzzle flash creates impulse noise that peaks at 160 dB and reverberation that needs to be addressed. Those levels demand engineered solutions, not quick fixes.

For range owners, builders, and consultants, the question is not “why soundproof?” It’s “which materials deliver durability, compliance, and acoustic performance under live fire?”

Backed by more than 30 years of ballistic and acoustic engineering expertise, our shooting range professionals created this guide to share a clear, technical perspective. You’ll see what works, what fails, and how specialized systems provide a safer, quieter, and longer lasting shooting range.

The Real Acoustic Challenges of Shooting Ranges

Professionals working with shooting ranges understand that noise control is not a single-variable problem. The shooting range must stand bullet impacts as well as an acoustically safe environment. The acoustic environment inside and around a shooting range is shaped by multiple, overlapping factors:

Reverberation inside enclosed ranges:: Long, concrete-lined or unprotected walls & ceilings amplify muzzle flash and reverberation. These impact sounds create sound reflections that interfere with communication and add a high risk of hearing damage for the shooters.
Should you use foam or rubber materials: Acoustic foam panels or tiles do not stand up to bullet impacts or even light touching by shooters. Simply put, the foam material works well in a music room but not a shooting range. Ballistic grade acoustic panels provide noise reduction and the durability that is critical in your shooting range.
Low-frequency blast waves: Unlike higher-frequency noise that standard absorbers can manage, gunfire generates low-frequency energy that penetrates walls and structural elements. Using rubber acoustic panels keep the sound within the shooting range.
Fragmentation and ricochet risks: Materials must not only absorb sound but also handle bullet frags and ricochets. coustic foams or fiberglass fail under live fire.

The takeaway? Shooting range acoustics cannot be solved with generic soundproofing tactics. They require ballistic rubber engineered to handle both acoustic and ballistic impact,, a balance that defines TAP Ballistics’ approach.

Engineering Soundproofing with Ballistic Materials

Traditional acoustic products (foam, fiberglass, or fabric panels) were never designed for shooting ranges. They do absorb some sound, but they fail under ballistic conditions. A stray round will tear them apart, and they offer no protection against ricochet or fragmentation. The short life span means you spend money on replacement and operational costs.

Ballistic rubber was developed to solve this gap. Its density reduces sound energy, while its composition absorbs and traps fragments safely. Unlike consumer-grade sound panels, ballistic rubber provides a dual advantage: it manages noise and withstands live fire.

This combination (acoustic damping and ballistic containment) is the foundation of professional shooting range soundproofing. It explains why engineered solutions outperform improvised fixes.

VRib Acoustic Panels in Action at the Range

VRib Acoustic Range Panels - vRib Acoustic Range Panel

Building on this principle, TAP Ballistics designed the VRib Acoustic Range Panel as a specialized solution for modern ranges. These panels combine ballistic durability with advanced acoustic performance.

Dimensions & Weight: 24” x 24” x 2”, weighing 30 lb.
Performance: Withstands up to 5,000 rounds before replacement.
Acoustic Advantage: Ribbed design scatter and absorb reflections, cutting reverberation more effectively than flat surfaces.
Safety Factor: Eliminates ricochet and back splatter, addressing risks that standard absorbers ignore.
Installation: Mounts directly onto steel, concrete, or wood with minimal labor.

In practice, VRib acoustic panels do more than reduce sound levels. They bring structural safety, long-term durability, and precise acoustic control into one engineered system. For range operators and designers, this means predictable performance and fewer compromises.

System Integration: Building a Complete Soundproofing Strategy

No single material solves every acoustic challenge inside a shooting range. Effective soundproofing requires a layered system where each component plays a defined role.

The VRib Acoustic Range Panel is designed to absorb gun bang and reverberation at the shooter’s position, but it works best as part of an integrated solution.

NoGap® Ballistic Blocks handle the backstop. These ballistic blocks encapsulate rounds, eliminating gaps that mean no bullets pass through the ballistic block. The NoGap Ballistic Block is an excellent option for bullet traps.
Ballistic Rubber Panels in the hot zone. Install TAP 1” ballistic panels to cover ceiling baffles protecting lighting and equipment down range. Install 2” ballistic panels 15 feet back from the bullet trap. This zone gets a high volume of rounds.
VRib Acoustic Panels target areas where reverberation is highest, along firing lines, side walls, and ceilings near shooter stations. Their ribbed design breaks up echoes that traditional panels cannot provide.

When used together, these components form a system that manages direct gunshot noise, secondary reverberation, and ballistic containment. This holistic approach is what separates engineered shooting range soundproofing from piecemeal acoustic fixes.

Best Practices for Effective Shooting Range Soundproofing

Soundproofing in live-fire environments is not about covering every surface. It’s about strategic placement and layered control. The goal is to reduce impulse noise, manage reflections, and keep materials performing under constant ballistic stress.

Indoor Ranges

Place VRib Acoustic Panels near the firing line and shooter booths to control first reflections. Install VRib Acoustic Panels from the shooter line down to the hot zone or furthest 15 feet from targets.
Use Ballistic Rubber Panels on walls and ceilings to provide added protection and longer life where bullet impacts are more frequent. Build bullet traps NoGap® Ballistic Blocks to stop rounds and reduce structural noise transfer. They require less room compared to traditional berm or steel bullet traps.

Lifecycle and Economics

Expect up to 5,000 rounds per VRib panel before replacement.
Panels clean easily, minimizing downtime.
A system approach lowers the total cost of ownership by extending product life and reducing liability risks.

The key is balance: absorption where reverberation builds, density where blast carries, and safety where fragments pose the highest risk.

Sustainability and Long-Term Value

Modern range design is not only about performance. It’s also about sustainability and lower operating costs. TAP Ballistics’ soundproofing systems are built with both in mind.

Recycled Rubber: VRib acoustic panels and NoGap ballistic blocks are manufactured from recycled SBR rubber. This reduces environmental impact while maintaining ballistic durability.
Extended Product Life: With up to 5,000 rounds per panel and up to 40,000 rounds per block, the high-density construction and longer life, the replacement cycles are minimized. This lowers total lifecycle cost compared to consumer-grade sound absorbers.
Reduced Liability: By combining acoustic control with ballistic safety, ranges cut the risk of ricochet, back splatter, and OSHA non-compliance, all of which can be costly if overlooked.
Operational Efficiency: Panels are easy to clean and maintain. Downtime is minimized, keeping ranges active and revenue steady.

For owners and builders, the value isn’t just in quieter ranges. It’s in materials that perform under live fire, last longer, and meet environmental expectations. Survey data shows that a comfortable and safe shooting range will be visited more frequently, adding to the attendance and revenue.

Engineered Soundproofing That Performs Under Fire

Shooting range soundproofing is not about quick fixes. It’s about engineered systems that handle the realities of live fire, impulse noise, reverberation, and ballistic safety. Generic acoustic materials fail under these conditions.

Ballistic solutions, like the VRib Acoustic Range Panels, are purpose-built to deliver durability, safety, and reliable acoustic performance.

With over 30 years of experience, TAP Ballistics has developed materials that integrate seamlessly into modern range design. From VRib Acoustic Panels to NoGap® Ballistic Blocks and Ballistic Rubber Panels, each product is tested to perform where others fail.

If you’re designing, upgrading, or operating a shooting range, don’t settle for piecemeal soundproofing. Choose systems engineered for professionals.

Ready to design a safer, quieter, and more efficient range? Learn more about the VRib Acoustic Range Panels and other solutions at TAP Ballistics.

Our team can help you build a system personalised to your facility. One that’s built to last, built to perform.

FAQs

1. Can shooting range soundproofing help ranges meet local noise ordinances?

Yes. While compliance depends on specific zoning laws, engineered ballistic acoustic systems significantly reduce external noise. This makes it easier for ranges to operate within regulatory limits and avoid complaints from nearby communities.

2. How do I calculate how many VRib Acoustic Panels my range will need?

The quantity depends on your range’s size. Visit www.tapballistics.com/panels for a quick calculation or contact TAP Ballistics for a comprehensive discussion. You have questions, we have answers! 3. Are VRib Acoustic Panels resistant to lead and other residue buildup?

Yes. Lead residue will settle on any surface however TAP Ballistic Rubber construction resists lead dust adhesion and cleans easily with hepa vacuum machines.

4. Can VRib Acoustic Panels be retrofitted into existing ranges?

Absolutely. Panels are designed to mount onto steel, concrete, or wood backers. This makes them compatible with both new builds and retrofit projects.

5. How does ballistic-grade soundproofing compare in cost to standard acoustic soundproofing? ?

Generally the TAP Acoustic Panels cost less than foam or fibre options. They are designed for Live Fire and will last much longer. . Standard acoustic panels degrade quickly under live fire. Considering initial cost and replacement costs, the ballistic grade panels are the best choice for indoor shooting ranges.