Yea man! I still have it and it’s still going strong. I had to replace the 2x4s on the bottom cause they rotted. Use pressure treated wood this time so it’ll be good forever now. -Mark
I've tried them all. Now my go to is a $15 plastic wrapped cube of compressed sugarcane mulch. Perfect penetration level, easy withdrawal. Spray or stick some circles on it. Ultra cheap, ultra quick. Fix it with packing tape, use it on the garden when it finally fails. Oh, use all 6 sides too, btw. (I still occasionally use a compressed EVA foam block for broadheads). Hint: get good at closer distances (and tune bow sights) before you walk back and you'll never miss the target.
Say what you will,but that target will play a long time. Used to be a Block target was a bit over $50,then finding one under $100 was hard. Now ? Who the hell knows. It's to the point where we all are going to have to go back in time and make our own backstops. Instead of using hay or carpet strips, we now have some great resilient foams to choose from.
I would not have split them to allow for deeper penetration with sharpened broadheads. But I do love the height of your target to account for sighting in for different ranges, arrow weights, etc. However, I made an even cheaper target by saving a nice cardboard box and then stuffing said box with cardboard. Mostly pieces that were cut to size and other pieces that were puzzled in. It makes a great target, and it was completely free, assuming your wife orders as much crap from Amazon as mine does. Having said that, great build, great idea. And great target.
I built this basically the same way except I used 36inch all tread and nuts on either end. and it's been solid for 2nyears. Broadheads, field points, whatever I throw at it, they stop. It's an excellent design.
Good idea. I've done something similar. ! built a target using the same basic idea, except that I took used empty cardboard boxes from the store. I also cut them into 1 foot x 2 foot pieces, and stacked them 3 feet high. I also squeezed them together with wood. Works great! And when the pieces gets worn out from being shot in the same spot, I just replace them with another piece. There will always be cardboard available from the store. Happy hunting! 🦌🦌
I was thinking about using these foam mats to make a target but I haven't found anyone else who has done it so I was afraid to. Now I see you've already done it. Thank you very much.
Great idea and useful tip. Just got into archery...today. by the time i bought my bow and arrows. String wax. And a target...well i was scared to come home. Definately hid the receipt. Gonna have to tell lies...haha. seriously tho. Targets are expensive. But seeing this gave me hope because id like to have multiple targets. I happen to build houses and we have alot of insulating foam cut offs laying around all the time. Wonder if your idea and the insulation will stop a crossbow arrow?....i bet we find out! Haha
made one myself but cut the mats into thirds, arrows go about half way in at 70lbs but i have never had one pass through. its also a good idea to put some spikes on the bottom as you can stab it into the ground and it wont tip over
Arrows pull out easily. Yes you could use broadheads but it will chew up the target faster for obvious reasons. You could use for a crossbow but I would not cut the sheets in half so you have more depth to stop those ultrafast bolts. -Mark
I use an old double mattress behind my target, to slow any shots I might really screw up , cover it up with a tarpaulin when it rains. Last time I had a bonfire I slept out in luxury under the stars, perfect 👍
It’s still taking arrows like a champ. I ended up having to replace the 2x4s cause they eventually rotted because I didn’t use pressure treated wood. But it’s been like 4 years of taking arrows and it’s still going strong
I’m waiting on my mats to arrive today, I ordered 3 boxes at right at 88.00, I am planning on using it for recurve, compound and crossbow, I have a smaller block for crossbow, but need something larger for distance, hopefully all works out well
Did you think about using the boxes with the foam as they came in, just like that? It seems like the cardboard would add some compression and although the arrows go straight into the foam compared to going along the layers, it seems to me that this would be the most cost effective and easy way to just shoot at a target, don't you think?
That could work, but I think you get more bang for your buck by cutting them in half and stacking them. Get twice the surface area for the cost of 2 2x4s and 2 ratchet straps -Mark
Question for you: at 14:21 you mentioned you had shot at the target for about a year, maybe a thousand arrows. Did you have to take the target apart and rearrange the mats during that time? Or did it go 1 year and 1000 arrows without rearranging mats? I have a 10 year old son who got into shooting compound bow a little over a year ago. Now my wife has caught the bug and they shoot together. I'm looking for a good idea to make them a large target block to shoot at home instead of driving to the nearest archery range, which for us is about a 1 hr drive down the highway. This is the best idea yet!
I think I shuffled it once in that year. I still have it and I’ve shuffled it another time. I don’t shoot at it as often anymore cause I was given a big professional range target (4x4ft) and I shoot at that a lot because I like shooting long range but I’m probably up to like 2000 arrows now and it’s still going strong. -Mark
Nice but my question is how they would perform with broadheads? Noticed you were using field tips. Broadheads always fly different than field trips and so if I'm sighting in before a hunt I would want to do so with the broadheads I will be hunting with Which are the montec G5. Be nice to see you test with broadheads
It takes broadheads fine but they will damage it and eat it up faster. I usually get it sites i and practice with field points and then send a few broadheads to get sighted for a hunt. -Mark
Pretty good, pretty good. Have been looking at different examples for the past year, and this one rates right up there. Lightweight I would imagine, so I can move it and mow easily.
You don’t actually have to crank it down tight. It’s just to hold the pack together. You can crank it real Tight with the straps but it doesn’t make it stop arrows any better.
My vxr has a 75lb draw... kinda wouldn't mind if you could have someone with a Bow set to 75 could see if it'd still work? Cause I really want to do this.
Yes, it takes it and stops them well, but since it is a layered target it would quickly tear it up. But if the goal was to use it for broadheads you could stack them on their side so you shoot through the layers not between them.
I was doing bad math. The 1/2" mats were only about $110. I made this target with some changes. I used two pieces of lumber, each 23" long, to "sandwich" the mats. There are two rachet straps the cinch the sandwich tight. It will be very simple, tool-less, to replace mats when needed. There is about 6" of arrow penetration. It's a very safe and self-repairable alternative to store bought targets.
Great video. I was wondering if you could tell me about how thick the sheets were after you tightened them down with the straps. I'm trying to do the math of how many I would need to buy to make the size target I want but I don't know how much height is lost from tightening them; it looks like not much at all from your video but I can't tell.
@@SwampNStomp Awesome, thanks a lot. I really appreciate all the details and long term results you included in this video. This is definitely the most effective and easiest DIY archery target I've seen. I can't wait to start shooting my Bear Super Magnum 48 Recurve. I bought it years ago after my Bear Grizzly got warped, but I never got to use it because my disability (optic nerve damage) stopped me from shooting. Thank God I've recovered enough that I can try shooting again; can't wait to pick it back up!
Loved watching your video, well done! I have a question though: you never showed how difficult it is to pull your arrow out of the target. I'm a petite female and that used to give me a difficult time with certain targets.
It’s easier than any target I’ve ever used it’s comparable to pulling arrows out of a rinehart 3D target. You should be fine! Let us know if you build one. Curious to see what you think. -Mark
Lots n lots of comments have asked the same. In fact. I’ll be checking the flight on some new broadheads I got this week. So make sure you are subscribed, I’ll put a short video up about shooting broadheads at it. -Mark
No but I probably should! It will probably stop them fine but if not I’m sure it would if you didn’t cut them in half and just left it as a 2ft deep target
Yea but if you only shoot broad heads at it it will Tear it up fast. For broadheads you would be better off turning the sheets on their side so you shoot through them not between them
It’s not necessary to cut them, it was just a way to get more bang for the buck cuz I didn’t need it to be so deep since my arrows are not penetrating that deep. That said if you’re shooting 80lbs u may want to just keep the stack uncut. What you definitely don’t want to do is shoot at the flat side. Cause when I do that, every arrow is penetrating every tile, so when u get a workout hole in the middle you need to buy a new set, but by stacking them and shooting at the side, whenever you get a worn out hole, you can just rearrange them to create a new untouched spot in the center. You’ll get way more out of your target if you do it this way. -Mark
I see pool noodles ending up everywhere except the pool, lmfao!! This is honestly a great idea compared to spending multiple hundreds every year on new targets. Just curious are those floor mats dense enough to tune broadheads?
awesome video, I'll probably be making my own too! how heavy is it? looking forward to the scouting content you were talking about. I finally got a couple permits for Matanzas WMA but I haven't hunted FL public in forever... almost got carried away by the skeeters 😅🤦♂️
Thanks for doing it 1 year apart. Watching someone making a food plot for 15 minutes of video with no follow-up is a complete waste of time. Tractor Supply sells a large 4×6 3/4" floor mat that people buy for many projects. Turns out u can make a great backstop for longer 3D shooting out of 1 of these mats. It would be great to combine both DIY builds. I've been making the 4mm arrows for about 4 years now. They r very tough & easy to get a FOC advantage with. 😅
Thanks for this, I appreciate you going the extra mile and giving us a longer term review!
Good video bud! I appreciate you waiting the year and giving an update on how it’s held up. I definitely plan on building the thing.
Yea man! I still have it and it’s still going strong. I had to replace the 2x4s on the bottom cause they rotted. Use pressure treated wood this time so it’ll be good forever now. -Mark
I have an old stack of these that were about to get tossed and had the same idea. Now here is your video. Great minds brother!
Brother, this was a great video! Im gonna build one. Thanks!
I've tried them all. Now my go to is a $15 plastic wrapped cube of compressed sugarcane mulch. Perfect penetration level, easy withdrawal. Spray or stick some circles on it. Ultra cheap, ultra quick. Fix it with packing tape, use it on the garden when it finally fails. Oh, use all 6 sides too, btw. (I still occasionally use a compressed EVA foam block for broadheads). Hint: get good at closer distances (and tune bow sights) before you walk back and you'll never miss the target.
Say what you will,but that target will play a long time. Used to be a Block target was a bit over $50,then finding one under $100 was hard. Now ? Who the hell knows. It's to the point where we all are going to have to go back in time and make our own backstops. Instead of using hay or carpet strips, we now have some great resilient foams to choose from.
Well over 1500 arrows in it and still stopping arrows like a champ
@@SwampNStomp How many mats did you use? I'm wanting a target about 24"x24".
I would not have split them to allow for deeper penetration with sharpened broadheads. But I do love the height of your target to account for sighting in for different ranges, arrow weights, etc. However, I made an even cheaper target by saving a nice cardboard box and then stuffing said box with cardboard. Mostly pieces that were cut to size and other pieces that were puzzled in. It makes a great target, and it was completely free, assuming your wife orders as much crap from Amazon as mine does. Having said that, great build, great idea. And great target.
Excellent job mate, simple, inexpensive and it works!
I built this basically the same way except I used 36inch all tread and nuts on either end. and it's been solid for 2nyears. Broadheads, field points, whatever I throw at it, they stop. It's an excellent design.
I plan on making one but will use spray adhesive between each layer.
That defeats the purpose though. Cause the point is that you can rearrange them when the center gets shot up… -Mark
@SwampNStomp I already have one that I can do that with. I want to experiment with this on e make a block for broadheads.
Thanks I might try this too.
Good idea. I've done something similar. ! built a target using the same basic idea, except that I took used empty cardboard boxes from the store. I also cut them into 1 foot x 2 foot pieces, and stacked them 3 feet high. I also squeezed them together with wood. Works great! And when the pieces gets worn out from being shot in the same spot, I just replace them with another piece. There will always be cardboard available from the store. Happy hunting! 🦌🦌
I was thinking about using these foam mats to make a target but I haven't found anyone else who has done it so I was afraid to. Now I see you've already done it. Thank you very much.
Great idea and useful tip. Just got into archery...today. by the time i bought my bow and arrows. String wax. And a target...well i was scared to come home. Definately hid the receipt. Gonna have to tell lies...haha. seriously tho. Targets are expensive. But seeing this gave me hope because id like to have multiple targets. I happen to build houses and we have alot of insulating foam cut offs laying around all the time. Wonder if your idea and the insulation will stop a crossbow arrow?....i bet we find out! Haha
Appreciate Y’all.
That's pretty awesome. 3 years later, I'm wondering if you kept using it and how it held up? Any tweaks to it or improvements you'd suggest?
I still use it still takes arrows like a
Champ. Nothing I would
Change really. -Mark
This is a very good idea, thank you. I hope the shoulder is much better!!!
I even made a giant 36 x 36x 18 and I made a bigger one for shooting at 100 yards. Huge money saver
I like this method of making target butts. I see the author used 24x24 tiles. What did you use to make your 36 butt?
What's, on the other-side of that fence???
made one myself but cut the mats into thirds, arrows go about half way in at 70lbs but i have never had one pass through. its also a good idea to put some spikes on the bottom as you can stab it into the ground and it wont tip over
great stuff. Seen other ways to compress the target stuff - but this is a simpel and brilliant way to do it. Thx
Simple is my jam! A lot of ppl have been using this idea and everyone loves it. Enjoy. Dont forget to subscribe!
I am just getting into archery. This is great. I am using this idea but also probably adding wheels to it so I can move it around.
Can you use broadheads and how did the arrows pull out? Do youvthink it would be ok for cross bow? Thanks
Arrows pull out easily. Yes you could use broadheads but it will chew up the target faster for obvious reasons. You could use for a crossbow but I would not cut the sheets in half so you have more depth to stop those ultrafast bolts. -Mark
built mine and its perfect .you’re the man
Awesome! Glad it worked out for u!
Thanks man! I’m new at archery. Love tinkering and love learning new things awsome. 👏🏽
Are you getting any of the foam residue stuck to your arrow shafts upon removal, also, have you tried broadheads on it?
No residue. And yes you can shoot broadheads but it will tear it up much faster causing you to have to shuffle the layers more often. -Mark
Really Really good idea…Thanks for sharing…..
I use an old double mattress behind my target, to slow any shots I might really screw up , cover it up with a tarpaulin when it rains.
Last time I had a bonfire I slept out in luxury under the stars, perfect 👍
Nicely done. How did it hold up? A follow up video would be nice.
It’s still taking arrows like a champ. I ended up having to replace the 2x4s cause they eventually rotted because I didn’t use pressure treated wood. But it’s been like 4 years of taking arrows and it’s still going strong
I’m waiting on my mats to arrive today, I ordered 3 boxes at right at 88.00, I am planning on using it for recurve, compound and crossbow, I have a smaller block for crossbow, but need something larger for distance, hopefully all works out well
Let me know how you like it!
Did the same thing many years ago with just layers of cardboard. Shot it with my compound for ever without having to mess with it.
I had the same problem with my bag target.
Oh yea.. Nice, thanks for sharing. 👊
Ever try broadheads with this one?
Yea it works fine. It will chew up the layers faster than field points but that’s to be expected. -Mark
Did you think about using the boxes with the foam as they came in, just like that? It seems like the cardboard would add some compression and although the arrows go straight into the foam compared to going along the layers, it seems to me that this would be the most cost effective and easy way to just shoot at a target, don't you think?
That could work, but I think you get more bang for your buck by cutting them in half and stacking them. Get twice the surface area for the cost of 2 2x4s and 2 ratchet straps -Mark
Thanks for a great video, this will be my next archery target👍
did you order the package that covers 96 sq ft?
@@williamwailes1102 I believe so. It’s been a few years. But I still shoot at it every day! -Mark
@@SwampNStomp thx.. now up to around $135 or so
Thank you.
GREAT IDEA IM GONNA MAKE ONE
I used lg. box stuffed with cardboard. 30 sheets maybe. Tall not laying flat. So why not leave them in the box they came in and paint a target on it?
Question for you: at 14:21 you mentioned you had shot at the target for about a year, maybe a thousand arrows. Did you have to take the target apart and rearrange the mats during that time? Or did it go 1 year and 1000 arrows without rearranging mats?
I have a 10 year old son who got into shooting compound bow a little over a year ago. Now my wife has caught the bug and they shoot together. I'm looking for a good idea to make them a large target block to shoot at home instead of driving to the nearest archery range, which for us is about a 1 hr drive down the highway. This is the best idea yet!
I think I shuffled it once in that year. I still have it and I’ve shuffled it another time. I don’t shoot at it as often anymore cause I was given a big professional range target (4x4ft) and I shoot at that a lot because I like shooting long range but I’m probably up to like 2000 arrows now and it’s still going strong. -Mark
Good morning, I can't find the Amazon link for the material... could you post it?
It’s in the description of the video…
Any idea if this could be used for broadheads?
Traint can
great idea, thanks for passing it on.
I'm gonna make one of these and probably put locking casters on the bottom so I can roll it in and out of my garage.
Great idea. Just make sure they are big enough wheels to roll through the grass! -Mark
"It's like a special test of your manhood" rofl I've always thought the same thing and always get fidgety in front of another man trying to open one
Nice but my question is how they would perform with broadheads? Noticed you were using field tips. Broadheads always fly different than field trips and so if I'm sighting in before a hunt I would want to do so with the broadheads I will be hunting with Which are the montec G5. Be nice to see you test with broadheads
It takes broadheads fine but they will damage it and eat it up faster. I usually get it sites i and practice with field points and then send a few broadheads to get sighted for a hunt. -Mark
Put a horse stall mat behind it. Arrows will not stick out nearly as much.
Me looking at that box to the left of him knowing it would make an amazing target
Pretty good, pretty good. Have been looking at different examples for the past year, and this one rates right up there. Lightweight I would imagine, so I can move it and mow easily.
Yea it’s light. And my buddy actually made it with some wheels on the bottom so it can just be pushed out of the way.
I would like to see this done using all-thread bars on each corner with washers. To see if it could be cranked down any tighter.
You don’t actually have to crank it down tight. It’s just to hold the pack together. You can crank it real
Tight with the straps but it doesn’t make it stop arrows any better.
Is it hard to pull the arrows out of it? I shot a field point into my broadhead target once and could barely get it out.
Nope
It’s quite easy in fact
This is sweet! Thanks for the idea!
Brilliant, great idea - thanks!
Great vid, really like the pool noodle idea. Have you tried shooting broadheads into it yet?
Yep it takes broadheads fine but it will chew it up much faster than field points. -Mark
@@SwampNStomp thanks for the repky
just what I will be doing as well . So after a year or so did you needed to shuffle any of the bit around to spread any wearing areas ?
Yea I’ve shuffled them a bit but it’s still stopping arrows like a champ. Probably have 2000 or more arrows into it.
Do you shoot a lot of broad heads in your target?
Not a lot but some. It handles it fine. -Mark
Thanks for the long tail review, was trying to find someone who had actually used one of these builds.
How many suare feet did u go with to get that height? I see they have differant square feet. Thanks!
I don’t remember but you can just multiply the thickness by the number of Matt’s and multiply by 2 to
Figure out the height
@@SwampNStomp yah I ordered the 1" 2 boxes 24 square foot ones. Thanks!
My vxr has a 75lb draw... kinda wouldn't mind if you could have someone with a Bow set to 75 could see if it'd still work? Cause I really want to do this.
It would work especially if you don’t cut the odd in half and just make it square. You would need more Matt’s but it would stop any arrow
Gold tip fact weight system fixes that issue
Is it hard to remove arrows and does it leave a residue on them? Thanks
No and no. Easy peasy
Hahaha every pronunciation of papababe had me rolling , great vids thanks! Subbed to the channel
great idea
Awesome idea. I'm going to try and make one myself now. Liked and subscribed. Keep up the great work. 👍
Thank you very much for this, simple and effective. What is the length of the 2x4s?
I think they were 4 ft. I just took 2 8footers and cut em in half.
kershaw blur. best sub 100 buck knife ever.
I lost mine. I’ve had like 6 of them. Love em. I need a new one. -Mark
Think it would stop a 500 fps arrow?
Who cares? No bow shoots that fast lol. -Mark
@@SwampNStompMy Raven R500E says different their my friend
How easy is arrow removal?
Very easy! -Mark
you mean you can reshoot arrows?
Have you shot any broadheads into it? Curious to how it holds up?
Yes, it takes it and stops them well, but since it is a layered target it would quickly tear it up. But if the goal was to use it for broadheads you could stack them on their side so you shoot through the layers not between them.
Thanks man
I just checked prices on the mats. Did they go WAY up in price?
Didn’t everything?
I was doing bad math. The 1/2" mats were only about $110.
I made this target with some changes. I used two pieces of lumber, each 23" long, to "sandwich" the mats. There are two rachet straps the cinch the sandwich tight. It will be very simple, tool-less, to replace mats when needed.
There is about 6" of arrow penetration. It's a very safe and self-repairable alternative to store bought targets.
Think this would handle 720gr 19.9% FOC arrows?
Probably…
The pool noodle idea bro is a game changer, great idea. Well done
Does it stop broadheads?
Yes it does
Foam art board never throw it out works great on broad heads
Great idea. Think i may make one. Still want to know about the slide on trailer camper.
Better take it inside when not using it bees and other stingers like em!!
Great video. I was wondering if you could tell me about how thick the sheets were after you tightened them down with the straps. I'm trying to do the math of how many I would need to buy to make the size target I want but I don't know how much height is lost from tightening them; it looks like not much at all from your video but I can't tell.
They don’t really compress, you just use the straps to snug it up. No height lost.
@@SwampNStomp Awesome, thanks a lot. I really appreciate all the details and long term results you included in this video. This is definitely the most effective and easiest DIY archery target I've seen. I can't wait to start shooting my Bear Super Magnum 48 Recurve. I bought it years ago after my Bear Grizzly got warped, but I never got to use it because my disability (optic nerve damage) stopped me from shooting. Thank God I've recovered enough that I can try shooting again; can't wait to pick it back up!
Loved watching your video, well done! I have a question though: you never showed how difficult it is to pull your arrow out of the target. I'm a petite female and that used to give me a difficult time with certain targets.
It’s easier than any target I’ve ever used it’s comparable to pulling arrows out of a rinehart 3D target. You should be fine! Let us know if you build one. Curious to see what you think. -Mark
Does shooting in those mats damages your arrows?
No
Wondering if these will work for broadheads?
Abyone tested them?
Lots n lots of comments have asked the same. In fact. I’ll be checking the flight on some new broadheads I got this week. So make sure you are subscribed, I’ll put a short video up about shooting broadheads at it. -Mark
Wat poundage is ur bow set to
When I made this video it was very low due to recovery from a shoulder surgery. But now it’s at 65lbs and it still stops the arrows no problem. -Mark
Nice !!
Great idea!… thanks for sharing!
Have you tried using the Xbow on it?
No but I probably should! It will probably stop them fine but if not I’m sure it would if you didn’t cut them in half and just left it as a 2ft deep target
Are the arrows hard to pull out ?
Nopr
Man what a great idea💪🏆😂😂😂😂👍🏻😎 brilliant
Nice!👊🏼
Stabby cheat code to win!
Does it work with broad heads?
Yea but if you only shoot broad heads at it it will Tear it up fast. For broadheads you would be better off turning the sheets on their side so you shoot through them not between them
Nice work!
How about cut out a hole in a piece of cardboard and paint dots on it?
That’s not going to stop arrows. They’ll zip right through it.
@@SwampNStomp the cardboard is just a template to paint the circles on the floor Mat lol 😂
How many did you order?
Smart
Was it really necessary to cut them, couldn't you just have shot at the flat side?
It’s not necessary to cut them, it was just a way to get more bang for the buck cuz I didn’t need it to be so deep since my arrows are not penetrating that deep. That said if you’re shooting 80lbs u may want to just keep the stack uncut. What you definitely don’t want to do is shoot at the flat side. Cause when I do that, every arrow is penetrating every tile, so when u get a workout hole in the middle you need to buy a new set, but by stacking them and shooting at the side, whenever you get a worn out hole, you can just rearrange them to create a new untouched spot in the center. You’ll get way more out of your target if you do it this way. -Mark
I see pool noodles ending up everywhere except the pool, lmfao!! This is honestly a great idea compared to spending multiple hundreds every year on new targets. Just curious are those floor mats dense enough to tune broadheads?
Yes they are I always shoot broadhead at it every season. -Mark
awesome video, I'll probably be making my own too! how heavy is it? looking forward to the scouting content you were talking about. I finally got a couple permits for Matanzas WMA but I haven't hunted FL public in forever... almost got carried away by the skeeters 😅🤦♂️
Didn't they arrive in target form? Unboxed ? Paint a target on the box. Prestuffed target by mail!
You could if you don’t want to cut them in half like I did!
No need for the 2x4 really,
I made a target like that but wound the mats together with some aluminum electric fence wire
Thanks for doing it 1 year apart. Watching someone making a food plot for 15 minutes of video with no follow-up is a complete waste of time. Tractor Supply sells a large 4×6 3/4" floor mat that people buy for many projects. Turns out u can make a great backstop for longer 3D shooting out of 1 of these mats. It would be great to combine both DIY builds. I've been making the 4mm arrows for about 4 years now. They r very tough & easy to get a FOC advantage with. 😅