How to Build a Shooting Backstop With Railroad Ties

In this post I am going to show you how to build a shooting backstop with railroad ties. There are 2 things that you need to know: The first thing is the material. You will need railroad ties for the wall or you’ll have to build a frame out of wood and steel for the wall. You will also need dirt and stone as a foundation for the wall. The second thing is the dimensions of the shooting backstop with railroad ties because building an enormous wall isn’t always a good idea.

Have you ever wanted to shoot your firearms in a safe environment? Maybe you’ve been thinking about joining a gun range. But have you considered building your own shooting area in your house? In this tutorial, we’ll be building our own shooting backstop with railroad ties. This is actually a fun project if you don’t mind some sawing, hammering, and making a mess of things.

Item	Description
Shooting Backstop	Definition A shooting backstop is a barrier that stops bullets from traveling outside the shooting range area, ensuring safety and control over the shooting environment.
Materials Used for Backstop	Earth – A natural option that can provide a sturdy base. Sandbags – Useful for stacking and creating manageable barriers. Heavy Timbers – Provide strength and durability against bullets. Railroad Ties – A strong and durable wood option, easily sourced.
Importance of Location	Choosing a level ground is crucial to prevent bullets from ricocheting unpredictably. Dips or hills can create hazardous shooting conditions.
Construction Steps	Level the Ground: Use a level to ensure a flat shooting area. Excavate: Dig down at least three feet to reach compacted clay soil for strength. Alternative Option: If clay soil is unavailable, consider using concrete blocks for support instead.
Materials Needed	Railroad Ties: Approximately 100 ties are recommended for a substantial backstop. Railroad Spikes: To secure the ties together in groups. Nails: Approximately 2 pounds per row of three railroad ties. Hammer: For driving spikes into place.
Other Uses of Railroad Ties	Fencing: They can serve as strong barriers in gardens and fields. Retaining Walls: Utilizing ties to create sturdy walls for landscaping. General Construction: Their durability makes them suitable for various structures.

Build a Railroad Tie Backstop

🛠️ What You’re Building
A backstop stops bullets safely, reducing ricochets and preventing rounds from escaping your range area.

📋 Materials & Tools

• Railroad ties (6–10 ties per section), sound and sturdy
• Cinder blocks or T‑posts
• Gravel or clean dirt
• 12″ rebar or ½″ spikes to pin ties together
• OPTIONAL: Dumped-in sand or soil behind ties for added bullet absorption

⚙️ Step-by-Step Build Guide

1. Select Location
   • Choose a clear, level area downrange with no structures or people in the bullet path.
2. Lay the Foundation
   • Set cinder blocks flat with holes facing down where ties will sit.
   • Drive 2 T-posts through block holes for support.
3. Stack and Pin Ties
   • Stack ties in a stable manner (e.g. two courses deep, with seams offset).
   • Pin each tie using 12″ rebar or ½″ spikes driven through into the soil.
4. Reinforce with Dirt or Sand
   • Pile several feet of compacted dirt or sand behind or between ties if possible.
5. Add Structural Support
   • Extend side wings or a roof to lock the structure and protect fill material.

⚠️ Safety & Performance Notes

• Bullet penetration risk
  Ties alone (wood) aren’t enough for high-powered rifle rounds: “Stacked RR ties, by themselves, do a poor job of stopping projectiles, even from a pistol.”
• Ricochets possible
  Hard timber surfaces can deflect bullets without proper backing: “Do NOT use railroad ties…they are hard—and WILL send bullets back at you.”
• Best practice: earth berm + ties
  A combo of ties and dirt/soil offers the safest solution: “Build the berm up about 2/3 to 3/4 the height you want then place the RR ties… add more dirt to cover the back end…”
• Pro-level builds
  Long-range setups often stack 9–10 ties with rebar pins and dump truck loads of dirt.

🎥 Visual Example
Watch this YouTube build:

Railroad ties have been used for many years as a building material by homeowners and contractors. They are inexpensive, durable and easy to work with. A railroad tie is a large wooden beam or log that was used in the construction of railroads. When a railroad is no longer needed on the land, it can be removed and sold for other purposes.

Railroad ties make excellent backstops for shooting ranges because they are sturdy, durable and long lasting. If you want to build your own outdoor shooting range, here are some tips on how to build with railroad ties:

1. Start by laying out your site plan on paper with dimensions and measurements along with the elevation of each side of the shooting area. The elevation will determine how high up you need to place your backstop so that bullets don’t hit it during use.

The most common use for railroad ties is to build a shooting backstop. A good quality shooting backstop will be able to stop bullets from a high-powered rifle and help protect you from ricochets. The best way to build a shooting backstop is with railroad ties.

Railroad ties are made from pressure-treated wood that has been chemically treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to prevent rot and decay. CCA is not poisonous to humans, but it can be hazardous if it comes in contact with the skin or eyes because it may cause irritation or burns. Contact with CCA should be avoided by wearing protective clothing and eyewear when handling railroad ties.

The best place to build a shooting backstop is in an open area of your property where there isn’t much vegetation or landscaping around it. The size of your backstop depends on how many people will be using it, but you should make sure that there’s at least 10 feet between shooters at all times so they don’t get hit by each other’s bullets.

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✅ Summary

• ✅ Use railroad ties as structural support, not primary bullet stopping.
• ✅ Stack & pin multiple ties securely (offset seams).
• ✅ Back them with compacted dirt or sand to absorb bullets safely.
• ⚠️ Expect wood to degrade over time—replace damaged ties periodically.
• ⛑️ Check angle, height, and build based on intended calibers.