Have you ever wanted to build a shooting range backstop or have an actual backyard shooting range? Building a wall or building backstops is not that difficult if taken step by step.
Have you ever wanted a set backstop for your gun range in the backyard? It’s pretty expensive to buy one, especially if you’re on a budget. These handy guides will show you how to make your own temporary stance from discarded lumber and materials from around the house. Upcycled wood is cheaper & more environmentally friendly than the commercial ones you buy in stores. If you didn’t know, upcycling is taking waste materials and transforming them into new products with out losing any of their original properties.
How to build a backyard shooting range backstop
🛠️ WHAT IS A BACKSTOP? A backstop is a mound or wall made of earth, timber, railroad ties, sand, rubber, or steel. It’s placed behind your targets to stop bullets or arrows and keep them from going off‑site.
⚙️ STEP‑BY‑STEP GUIDE
1. Pick Your Location & Size
Choose a spot away from houses, roads, or trails.
For rifles and handguns, aim for at least 12 feet of berm height. Some recommend 15–25 feet finished height.
Position the firing line so that bullets strike downward into the berm—digging in slightly helps.
2. Choose Your Materials
Earth berms: Dirt packed into a slope works great and absorbs bullets well.
Railroad ties + dirt: Stack ties to make a sturdy wall, then backfill with earth.
Timber/log wall: Place logs between posts and support with stiff backfill.
Sand berms: Use sand behind wood walls or sandbags—needs framing.
Steel/rubber (indoor): Steel plates with rubber layers soak up fragments.
3. Build the Berm
Clear and grade the site.
Dig a trench for a gravity‑assisted slope if desired.
Build a sturdy frame or wood/rail‑tie wall.
Fill it with compacted earth or sand, sloping back at ~45°.
Make it wider at the base and narrower at the top (4 ft wide at the crest, expanding outward).
4. Ensure Sufficient Height & Coverage
Outdoor ranges: aim for at least 12 ft, ideally 15–20 ft for rifles.
Side berms or walls should match the backstop height to contain side ricochets.
5. Add Drainage & Erosion Protection
Grade and slope the surface so water drains away.
Add vegetation or grass to reduce erosion.
Consider sandbags on top edges to stop bullets from ricocheting off walls or logs.
6. Maintain Regularly
Earth settles—add more dirt every year or two.
Replace rotting timber or worn ties as needed.
Inspect and repair any damage from bullet impacts.
📌 COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
Too short: berms under 12 ft risk allowing overshoots.
Gaps or misaligned logs can let bullets through—stack tightly and offset seams.
Forgetting drainage: pooled water can ruin your berm base.
📊 QUICK CHEAT SHEET
Type
Height
Width (crest)
Pros
Cons
Earth berm
12–20 ft
≥ 4 ft
Cheap, absorbs bullets
Settles; needs annual upkeep
Railroad ties + dirt
Same as earth + tie structure
Wider base
Stronger structure
Timber can rot; costly ties
Timber/log wall
6–10 ft + backfill
Wider base
Great for reusing wood
Prone to decay and gaps
Steel/rubber (indoor)
N/A (indoor)
Full lane width
Clean, captures fragments
Expensive; requires precise build
✅ WHY IT WORKS Earth and heavy materials absorb bullet energy better than wood or sand alone. Rail‑tie or timber supports strengthen the structure. Higher height and sloped angles direct bullets safely into the berm.
Here are some basic instructions on how to build a DIY archery range backstop:
Step 1: Set up wood pallets as posts in the ground where they will serve as the frame of your backstop. Place them approximately 12-18 inches apart depending on how far away from the target you want people standing.
Step 2: Attach 2×4 boards vertically between each post so that they form a square shape that is approximately 8 feet high (or whatever height works best for
How much land do you need to build a shooting range?
To build a small backyard shooting range, you’ll need about 800 square feet of space. This includes the area where your targets will be set up, plus the space behind them. The area behind the targets should be at least 10 yards wide and 20 yards long. This will give you room for walking between rows of targets and provide plenty of distance between the shooter and anything he or she might hit accidentally — including other people or animals that wander into the area.
Can you have a shooting range in your backyard?
Yes! It’s legal to have a shooting range on private property as long as it is at least 500 feet away from any residence (including yours) and isn’t visible from any public road, street or highway. You must also ensure that no bullets enter or exit the facility in any way other than through approved bullet traps or screens.
I’ve been wanting to build a shooting range for about a year now. I’ve been trying to figure out what to put in front of the targets so I don’t have to worry about bullet fragments flying back at me.
To make it even easier and cheaper, I used white particle board instead of plywood (because it’s cheaper). This material is more flexible, so you can use nails instead of screws. It’s also much lighter and easier to transport!
Most archery ranges are designed with a backstop that consists of several layers, including concrete, earth and wire mesh. The backstop protects other people from stray arrows. If you want to build an indoor archery range in your garage or basement, you must build a suitable backstop.
The type of backstop depends on what materials you have available and how much money you want to spend. If you want to build a permanent indoor shooting range, consider building it from concrete blocks. You can also use cinder blocks if you prefer. If you build your own shooting range, you can use wood or metal for the target standers and for the target face.
If you’re just looking for an inexpensive way to practice your archery skills at home, consider using plywood instead of concrete blocks or cinder blocks as your target standers and face. Wooden targets require less maintenance than concrete block targets because they do not need to be replaced as often due to weather damage caused by rain or snowfall.
🧩 FINAL WORDS Start bigger: build a solid, tall, compact berm—15 ft or more is better. Backfill with a sturdy structure, handle drainage, plant grass to prevent erosion, and inspect it yearly. With the right build and upkeep, your backstop will be safe, quiet, and long‑lasting.
