I like to use old/discarded/scrap carpeting as backstop. It is layered on a sheet of thick plywood. That stuff is quite resistant and lasts very long. Already one to two layers will stop .177 pellets at max 5,5 ft/lb. For higher energy I would simply increase the number of layers. It is a very budget friendly solution for me. Home improvement places that sell carpeting may have a scrapbox somewhere, from which usable pieces of scrap carpeting could be salvaged for the purpose. I also recommend laying out the whole front of the pellet trap with painter fleece (square footage at your discretion) as some pellets may just bounce off and fall down.
Great advice I have a one-inch-thick backstop right now big sheets of plywood and intend to making it thicker by at least a 1/2 inch it covers about six feet wide by another 5 feet tall I got tired of shooting holes in the wall when sighting in my scope tested it at point blank with the most powerful air gun I have and no problems, but I still want it thicker just in case you never know
Good talk! I knew these things , but I needed to hear it again . Due to the fact I’m planning on building a new one. I mainly shoot BB guns for target and lower powered pellet gun as well. Because I live in the city limits and my children are learning the skill too. So you gave me the idea of using bails of hay for the initial target area and to use plywood behind it. Thanks for the in-site.
We had a local indoor .22lr rifle range in a VFW hall. Their backstop was a sheet of metal in a frame that was angled at 45 degrees so shots were deflected down into a box of sand. Should work for a pellet rifle. Over the years they only had one shot leave the building and that was when there was an "accidental discharge" that went through the roof!
An excellent backstop for air rifle pellets is a bole. Don't know if I'm using the correct terminology, but a bole is a tree trunk. Basically, I'm referring to sections of tree trunk cut up with chain saws etc. Generally, you'll get these boles lying around in parks or public spaces where the authorities have cut down old or unwanted trees. Here where I live, there's a campaign to get rid of invader species, so the authorities target these trees and section the trunks into manageable pieces. I was lucky to pick up sections of trunk from two pine trees from my previous place if employment, and these have proven to be excellent backstops for my pellets. Each section is no less than 40cm (15.75 inches) in length, and the old, mature wood is dense enough to stop the pellets from my sub 12 foot-pound guns. I can see them most of the time - where they strike! The diameter of the trunks is greater than 30cm (12 inches), and I shoot from a maximum distance of 30 metres (33 yards) - distance from front gate to back wall - with open sights, which means ALL flyers are accounted for. Targets are positioned more-or-less in the center of the bole, so flyers can be traced for more than 20cm (7.87 inches) all around. So far so good. The few sections of trunk that I've collected should last a lifetime, based on pellet penetration.
I’ve heard a lead plate is great, ppl always say lead on lead drops dead. Meaning that if a lead pellet hits a lead plate it doesn’t ricochet but just absorbs the impact and falls down
I used recycled pressure treated 4 X 4s and 5/4 X 6 boards from a torn down fence. The total depth is 10 1/2 inches and works very well for my spring piston and gas piston guns. I would have to go to something else if I ever get into PCPs, though. Current backstop measures 4" X 8" X 10 1/2".
I use horse stall 3/4" x48" x 72" rubber mats for my back stop... Have 10" total thickness of them within an OSB frame... I shoot all pistol calibers including 10mm and 357 magnum into my trap... I tried shooting thru my backstop with 9mm and they only penetrated 2.25" of the rubber mats... they are cheap and effective backstop..
@John Madden I have a Wildcat .25 and I use the 3/4 rubber mats from tractor supply company. These mats are very heavy (weight) but are a good choice for a back stop (4'x6') ... My wildcat goes through the 3/4" pretty easily ... the ultimate stop is a brick wall behind it a ways back. I would suggest using the mats and doubling or tripling the thickness as needed like Norm indicated. If Norm's is 10" thick it must weigh close to 1000 lbs as each one's shipping weight is 100 pounds. If I was relying just on those mats to stop my Wildcat, I would use two of them backed up with 3/4 ply. In my opinion, the mats are the most cost effective stops for their size. Heavier than sh*t however. (Love my FX Wildcat for sure) In terms of ricochets, I havn't had that problem. I Live in Michigan and it hasn't yet been in deep freeze land yet, so I don't know if a really cold day will harden it to cause ricochets. The rubber is pretty soft and (as I said) my pellets will go through 3/4 inch.
My backstop was built by nature: a 12 foot high berm overlooking a small creek, covered in thick, old trees. The berm is rocky, pebble filled soil and full of roots. And it's at the back end of a 60 meter wide field . I don't think there's an airgun on the planet that's going through THAT.
I'd also like to know some tips to contain the lead splatter from exiting my pellet trap. Some kind of cloth perhaps? I always end up with a bunch of lead flakes all around the opening of my pellet trap and really don't want to risk toxifying my basement with lead. However, I also want to be able to easily dump out the lead that accumulates in the trap. So, filling it up with putty or something like that isn't a desirable option.
I catch all my pellets with a 55 gallon Rubbermaid trash can (it has a rectangular opening so it is easy to lay it on its side and not have it roll around). The back of the trap is old books (I used phone books when they were common). Then (coming forward) are multiple layers of cardboard (easily replaced when shot a bunch). The opening is covered with a fresh piece of cardboard onto which I tape targets. No splatter as they are not hitting a hard surface.
I have the same issue with my pellet trap. I simply lay out the front of it with 6ft by 6ft worth of painter fleece. After shooting just lift the fleece strategically so all the spent pellets gather up at one spot. That way they can be easily scooped up and be put into a proper container. If required you can even use more painter fleece. In the end it is a good budget solution.
ima dogg Yeah that's really upsetting. I would be very frustrated if that was the case. I sold all my 22lr firearms and got into magnum springers. The only firearm I own now is a 79 year old Mosin 91/30 I picked up for $100 which I haven't used in 7 years. They go for almost $400 now because of political problems with Russia and the west making importing them difficult. I should sell it and make a few dollars. I don't own any PCPs and don't plan to. The town I live in is very liberal so no one is willing to fill tanks.
+Shaun David wow hard for you to own a good airgun then if no one will fill it. you could buy a pump and 21st least your don't have to go though months of paper work to own a firearm
Thank you Tom from the UK. I'm new to air rifles and want to build a discrete range in my back garden. I now know what I need to make.
I like to use old/discarded/scrap carpeting as backstop. It is layered on a sheet of thick plywood. That stuff is quite resistant and lasts very long. Already one to two layers will stop .177 pellets at max 5,5 ft/lb. For higher energy I would simply increase the number of layers.
It is a very budget friendly solution for me.
Home improvement places that sell carpeting may have a scrapbox somewhere, from which usable pieces of scrap carpeting could be salvaged for the purpose.
I also recommend laying out the whole front of the pellet trap with painter fleece (square footage at your discretion) as some pellets may just bounce off and fall down.
Great advice I have a one-inch-thick backstop right now big sheets of plywood and intend to making it thicker by at least a 1/2 inch it covers about six feet wide by another 5 feet tall I got tired of shooting holes in the wall when sighting in my scope tested it at point blank with the most powerful air gun I have and no problems, but I still want it thicker just in case you never know
Good talk!
I knew these things , but I needed to hear it again . Due to the fact I’m planning on building a new one.
I mainly shoot BB guns for target and lower powered pellet gun as well. Because I live in the city limits and my children are learning the skill too.
So you gave me the idea of using bails of hay for the initial target area and to use plywood behind it. Thanks for the in-site.
I don't think even a 50cal can penetrante a hay bale
We had a local indoor .22lr rifle range in a VFW hall. Their backstop was a sheet of metal in a frame that was angled at 45 degrees so shots were deflected down into a box of sand. Should work for a pellet rifle. Over the years they only had one shot leave the building and that was when there was an "accidental discharge" that went through the roof!
An excellent backstop for air rifle pellets is a bole. Don't know if I'm using the correct terminology, but a bole is a tree trunk. Basically, I'm referring to sections of tree trunk cut up with chain saws etc. Generally, you'll get these boles lying around in parks or public spaces where the authorities have cut down old or unwanted trees. Here where I live, there's a campaign to get rid of invader species, so the authorities target these trees and section the trunks into manageable pieces. I was lucky to pick up sections of trunk from two pine trees from my previous place if employment, and these have proven to be excellent backstops for my pellets. Each section is no less than 40cm (15.75 inches) in length, and the old, mature wood is dense enough to stop the pellets from my sub 12 foot-pound guns. I can see them most of the time - where they strike! The diameter of the trunks is greater than 30cm (12 inches), and I shoot from a maximum distance of 30 metres (33 yards) - distance from front gate to back wall - with open sights, which means ALL flyers are accounted for. Targets are positioned more-or-less in the center of the bole, so flyers can be traced for more than 20cm (7.87 inches) all around. So far so good. The few sections of trunk that I've collected should last a lifetime, based on pellet penetration.
Nice vid. My friend said foam rubber is a good backstop for airgun pellets? Is that true?
quick question I got a crosman diamond back 1400 fps
.177 what would be a good trap and backstop everything I see if for 900-1000 fps air rifles
I’ve heard a lead plate is great, ppl always say lead on lead drops dead.
Meaning that if a lead pellet hits a lead plate it doesn’t ricochet but just absorbs the impact and falls down
I used recycled pressure treated 4 X 4s and 5/4 X 6 boards from a torn down fence. The total depth is 10 1/2 inches and works very well for my spring piston and gas piston guns. I would have to go to something else if I ever get into PCPs, though. Current backstop measures 4" X 8" X 10 1/2".
I've rebuilt my backstop several times. Now I'm up to layered steel and tires behind that. My next build is gonna be 1/4 aluminum and steel.
I use horse stall 3/4" x48" x 72" rubber mats for my back stop... Have 10" total thickness of them within an OSB frame... I shoot all pistol calibers including 10mm and 357 magnum into my trap... I tried shooting thru my backstop with 9mm and they only penetrated 2.25" of the rubber mats... they are cheap and effective backstop..
@John Madden I have a Wildcat .25 and I use the 3/4 rubber mats from tractor supply company. These mats are very heavy (weight) but are a good choice for a back stop (4'x6') ... My wildcat goes through the 3/4" pretty easily ... the ultimate stop is a brick wall behind it a ways back. I would suggest using the mats and doubling or tripling the thickness as needed like Norm indicated. If Norm's is 10" thick it must weigh close to 1000 lbs as each one's shipping weight is 100 pounds. If I was relying just on those mats to stop my Wildcat, I would use two of them backed up with 3/4 ply. In my opinion, the mats are the most cost effective stops for their size. Heavier than sh*t however. (Love my FX Wildcat for sure) In terms of ricochets, I havn't had that problem. I Live in Michigan and it hasn't yet been in deep freeze land yet, so I don't know if a really cold day will harden it to cause ricochets. The rubber is pretty soft and (as I said) my pellets will go through 3/4 inch.
My backstop was built by nature: a 12 foot high berm overlooking a small creek, covered in thick, old trees. The berm is rocky, pebble filled soil and full of roots. And it's at the back end of a 60 meter wide field .
I don't think there's an airgun on the planet that's going through THAT.
I'd also like to know some tips to contain the lead splatter from exiting my pellet trap. Some kind of cloth perhaps? I always end up with a bunch of lead flakes all around the opening of my pellet trap and really don't want to risk toxifying my basement with lead. However, I also want to be able to easily dump out the lead that accumulates in the trap. So, filling it up with putty or something like that isn't a desirable option.
I catch all my pellets with a 55 gallon Rubbermaid trash can (it has a rectangular opening so it is easy to lay it on its side and not have it roll around). The back of the trap is old books (I used phone books when they were common). Then (coming forward) are multiple layers of cardboard (easily replaced when shot a bunch). The opening is covered with a fresh piece of cardboard onto which I tape targets. No splatter as they are not hitting a hard surface.
I have the same issue with my pellet trap. I simply lay out the front of it with 6ft by 6ft worth of painter fleece. After shooting just lift the fleece strategically so all the spent pellets gather up at one spot. That way they can be easily scooped up and be put into a proper container.
If required you can even use more painter fleece. In the end it is a good budget solution.
Back stops are essential!!
strange soft lead hits hard steel and seems to flatten and brake apart .. an old carpet will deaden the sound of hitting
Did you have a Metal Plate behind the duct sealant? Haha...just wondering BB.
I use phone books and magazines. I don't shoot anything very powerful using it, so I've never had an issue with it going through.
Sage advice.
I only get 3 missers every 500 pellets. But I do get bounce backs with my airgun.
2 sheets of 3/4" ply wood with a 1" gap in between and then my own person woods behind the house.
i use a samurai to cut all the strays out of the air like fruit ninja
hank hill oh really I use a ninja
in the uk we use air to stop the pellets lol
I don't get it.
+Shaun David we are limited to 12ftlbs so am very drops off very quick and before we know it it's in the dirt lol
+ima dogg sorry about my spelling fucking autocorrect
ima dogg Yeah that's really upsetting. I would be very frustrated if that was the case. I sold all my 22lr firearms and got into magnum springers. The only firearm I own now is a 79 year old Mosin 91/30 I picked up for $100 which I haven't used in 7 years. They go for almost $400 now because of political problems with Russia and the west making importing them difficult. I should sell it and make a few dollars. I don't own any PCPs and don't plan to. The town I live in is very liberal so no one is willing to fill tanks.
+Shaun David wow hard for you to own a good airgun then if no one will fill it. you could buy a pump and 21st least your don't have to go though months of paper work to own a firearm
I keep laughing about toms last name😂
I like air rifles.
I cringe ( and I'm sure you do too ) when I see DIY backstops on UA-cam now.