DIY Archery Backstop?

I'm building an archery range in my back yard and was wondering if anyone has built their own archery backstop that could share any advice?

 

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I have a 4x8 fence section hiding my gas tank in the back yard. 45 lbs. will barely stick but the trick is to hit the bullseye target or 3D buck. I have marked off distances of 15, 25, and 35 yards. Anything past 37 yards puts me in the street.

 

I've had a few different things over the years. A wall of straw bales. This is a double purpose. They break down to be used in garden the next season then new ones bought for summer back stop. Free foam blocks stacked and ratcheted tight. And two posts in the ground and wirw a piece of rehab carpet between them.

 

ond, good use of the straw. That was my first backstop about 61-62 years ago. Our gun club has an indoor archery range with several foam block targets molded from carpet backing. The main backstop is a strip of heavy rubber conveyor that is about eight feet wide by 16 feet long. Conveyor is, I'm told, from the local paper mill.

 

I use one of these, works great. Fair warnings, it's heavy

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/4-ft-x-6-ft-x-3-4-in-thick-rubber-stall-mat?cm_vc=-10005

 

had some 2x10x8' laying around, cut them to ~4.5' and 3.5. Screwed them together to make a frame/box. Chicken wire on the front and back, filled with cardboard which I may shuffle around about once per year or replace every couple.

I just hang a field ball or 18-1 in front as a target...on occasion I have used the backstop as the target.

 

Thanks all! Appreciate it and I can't wait to make mine!

 

The gun club also has a backstop used with paper tuning. It is three feet wide, five feet tall and the frame encloses layers of 1/4 inch packing foam strips.

 

Bill, good idea and good grouping.

 

go to your local feed and tack shop (tractor Supply, Shoppers, etc.) buy a small stall mat $20-$25.

build a stand that can support the mat hanging vertically. (use eye bolts through the mat to hang it) put the stand behind your target. as long as the mat can swing naturally from the support, it will stop any arrows that miss your target.

 

This is the one I used as well . There are several videos on YouTube . I looked at several set ups and sorta modified it from there .. best of luck . Absolutely use those Lag bolts they recommend. Like Blarney22 said , it’s heavy but worth it .


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Hanging cow mat works well as back stop.

 

Find a conveyor belt supplier, a quarry, or the like with thick/wide belts.

We change ours out every so often. I have a small 3 X 3 for behind mine, and gave some to another guy on here maybe ?
1" thick, 60" or so wide, and 6' to 8' long....he shot it point blank and no pass thru. said it might stop a bullet....lol

 

I used a 4' x 8' stall mat and framed it in with 2 x 4's. very cheap and works like a charm.

 

I have used carouse thing but I have actually had luck with pool noddles with old clothes and stuff stuffed inside of trash bags very tightly

 

Stall mats/belting work great! I actually had a couple old carpets (10x12) that my wife was getting rid of, so they are hanging behind the target at present... my 60lbs PSE doesn’t go through...