Shooting backstop

[TheMan419]

If one were to want to build an earthen backstop for shooting outdoors on ones property, how large/thick should it be?

My thought would be to start at the begging of the shooting lane with a bulldozer and push dirt up into a mound at the end. That way you are always shooting a slight down angle. But how big a mound do I need?

Assume shooting pistol up to 45 cal, 12 ga shot gun and 5.56/.223 rounds.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Captain Dirty]

If one were to want to build an earthen backstop for shooting outdoors on ones property, how large/thick should it be?

How thick depends on the angle of repose of the material you build with. How high and wide would be influenced by the consequences of a round getting away from you. (if you never had a round "get away from you" you haven't been shooting much). I suggest you join a local shooting club or become friendly with local law enforcement to learn local laws and custom.

 

[hosspuller]

I would think two feet of earth would stop any of your rounds... But the issue is not thickness. It's Height. You want the backstop tall enough to catch the rounds that are deflected and aimed high. I've seen shooting positions that had a roof or bar to help prevent the gun barrel from elevating over the berm.

As a thought, you could use stacked mesh baskets as used in the "Sandbox" as a backstop.

( What are they called ?)

 

[Jstpssng]

Stacks of tires covered with earth can make a nice backstop.

I have found myself downrange a couple of times from people who had no backstop but were simply shooing into the adjacent forest... on an abutter's property. (our client). The first time was on a power line; he had to have seen me walk by as I was only about 50 feet beyond the line of fire. The second I was on our road getting ready to move a blowdown when the shooting started. The only thing between me and him was a ravine and a few-very few-trees.
My cousin once got pinned down while hunting, while bullets literally flew over his head.

Apparently there is no law against shooting onto somebody else's property.

 

[4570Man]

You need at least 4-5 feet high. The local shooting range is required to have 12 foot berms.

 

[RNeumann]

My rifle stuff is about 6’ high. Meaning it’s 0” at 6’ and 6’ at the base. My targets are at about 3’ off the ground. I have a hill behind that. BUT a miss on the rifle range is only a few inches. For my pistol, shotgun and semi auto type stuff I have a bowl type setup so I can shoot anywhere within 180° or so without issue.

I guess my point is.....it depends. Depends on what’s around, what you are shooting and who’s shooting.

Your idea to start at 0’ and doze down to make a bank and also allow for shooting down hill would be a fun area to shoot. If the hole bottom, to top of berm, was 7’ or so and say 20’ across you would be able to do about everything you wanted. The only issue you need to solve is drainage. Obviously that setup would make a nice lake if drainage wasn’t dealt with.

 

[TheMan419]

My rifle stuff is about 6’ high. Meaning it’s 0” at 6’ and 6’ at the base. My targets are at about 3’ off the ground. I have a hill behind that. BUT a miss on the rifle range is only a few inches. For my pistol, shotgun and semi auto type stuff I have a bowl type setup so I can shoot anywhere within 180° or so without issue.

I guess my point is.....it depends. Depends on what’s around, what you are shooting and who’s shooting.

Your idea to start at 0’ and doze down to make a bank and also allow for shooting down hill would be a fun area to shoot. If the hole bottom, to top of berm, was 7’ or so and say 20’ across you would be able to do about everything you wanted. The only issue you need to solve is drainage. Obviously that setup would make a nice lake if drainage wasn’t dealt with.

It would be mainly pistol and light rifle/shotgun. Drainage will not be a problem because It will be within 100 feet of a drainage ditch. I can just run tile from the bottom of the "bowl" into the drainage ditch.

 

[RNeumann]

It would be mainly pistol and light rifle/shotgun. Drainage will not be a problem because It will be within 100 feet of a drainage ditch. I can just run tile from the bottom of the "bowl" into the drainage ditch.

With that, I’d do 3-4’ below grade, which will make a nice 3-4’ berm for a total of 6-8’. That will be fun! We have enjoyed ours....

 

[shooterdon]

12" of sand will stop almost anything.

I built my bullet trap with 10" of sand as the collection media. It will stop a .450 Bushmaster as 40 yards.

 

[TripleR]

We got the specs from conservation and used them. A LOT of work, but one stray round can bankrupt you.