Opinions wanted on a backstop for home rifle range

[John the Electrician]

When I get to the point of completed handloads, I plan to do some load development at my home.

I intend to shoot groups at 100 yards, trying to find hunting accuracy and checking velocities.

I have a small field and swamp for my backyard, I do need to build a backstop. I own a backhoe so, could just dig a hole and pile up the dirt. I would like something a bit more pleasing to look at than just a dirt pile. What suggestions does the group have.

 

[mdsalern]

Railroad ties backed by dirt.

 

[HankBuck]

When I get to the point of completed handloads, I plan to do some load development at my home.

I intend to shoot groups at 100 yards, trying to find hunting accuracy and checking velocities.

I have a small field and swamp for my backyard, I do need to build a backstop. I own a backhoe so, could just dig a hole and pile up the dirt. I would like something a bit more pleasing to look at than just a dirt pile. What suggestions does the group have.

I think it depends on how much you will shoot - railroad ties with dirt behind will work - for awhile. But after 100’s or 1000s of rounds the wood will have huge holes and eventually rot and dirt/sand spill out. My vote would be a Big dirt mound (plant flowers on it or Rose Bushes to make it attractive)

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

This is what I built. Earth (dirt) is your best friend. Add to it wood overhead to stop any ricochets. Railroad ties make building a structure easy. I have earth filling the railroad tie house and many yards of earth behind it!

 

[TucsonFX4]

When I get to the point of completed handloads, I plan to do some load development at my home.

I intend to shoot groups at 100 yards, trying to find hunting accuracy and checking velocities.

I have a small field and swamp for my backyard, I do need to build a backstop. I own a backhoe so, could just dig a hole and pile up the dirt. I would like something a bit more pleasing to look at than just a dirt pile. What suggestions does the group have.

Hey John. I would just go with a dirt berm. That will be the toughest, cheapest, and most durable option. That’s what every outdoor range around here uses. I wish I had the land to put a range in my yard.

 

[HankBuck]

This is what I built. Earth (dirt) is your best friend. Add to it wood overhead to stop any ricochets. Railroad ties make building a structure easy. I have earth filling the railroad tie house and many yards of earth behind it!

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Looks perfect

 

[dailordasailor]

Anyone in DFW with a trailer and big truck, I’d love to give you some free concrete blocks for a perfect backstop. We dump waste concrete into econo/blocks with no warranty or quality gaurantee but free

 

[Philip Glass]

Railroad ties backed by dirt.

Good idea

 

[Ngonyama]

Tyre walls filled with ground with conveyor belts on the front.Looks neat and lasts

 

[thriller]

Anyone in DFW with a trailer and big truck, I’d love to give you some free concrete blocks for a perfect backstop. We dump waste concrete into econo/blocks with no warranty or quality gaurantee but free

Why can’t you live close to me!

 

[Denvir Tire]

Stack a truckload of log length firewood, shoot into the pile for a few years, and then cut and burn in fireplace etc.
You'll always have seasoned firewood and the lead is not in the ground

 

[Mac13]

Compact the dirt as you’re building the mound up (run tractor over it in 2’ lifts) or build mound twice as high as you would like it to be, to allow for settlement. And get grass on it asap to stop erosion.

 

[mdsalern]

Good idea

Tell my EX I had one!

 

[Ridge Runner]

I've been looking but haven't found the OP.
To help this OP, does anyone know or recall the previous post asking about building a backyard range/ back stop. There were quite a few good ideas threads.

 

[Jim Golden]

I have a giant pile of top soil. Has worked for 25 years

 

[CJW]

At my local private shooting range they just have steep dirt backstops with trees and grass. Every once in a while you'll see small tree limbs and brush fall from above after a shot indicating ricochet's. If I were to build anything it would be more of a large bullet trap.

 

[deewayne2003]

A wall of cross ties with earth stacked behind like a retaining wall; then attach FLAT sheet metal to the face of the crossties and cover that sheet metal with rubber conveyer belt.

Conveyer belt as in the type used for rock crushers/earth moving.

The conveyor belt will act like a self sealing target backing and the sheet metal behind it will both keep the conveyor belt flat and act as a magnetic surface so you can secure your targets to the belt surface with refrigerator magnets; thus eliminating the need for a staple gun or thumb tacks.

You can get the scrap conveyor belt from rock and gravel pits and when you do I suggest getting enough so you can have extra on hand for resurfacing…… which will take many many rounds of penetration be needed.