backstop

[5deer]

  who has the best backstop netting ?   5      

[Stinger]

Horse stall mat at Tractor Supply Company

[Sam McMichael]

Second the horse stall mat.

[Pine]

Let's make it three times. 

[GCook]

Me too.  Or four.

[Roy from Pa]

5 times on horse stall mat.

[Bruce M]

And now let's just confirm that the horse stall mat from TSC is the bee's knees.

[Kelly]

Or any horse stall Matt from other farm stores.

[Captain*Kirk]

Actually, I have a dissenting vote.
I got a roll of worn out conveyor belt material...rubber with nylon webbing inside...given to me free of charge. I've used it for anti-fatigue mats in my garage, and am currently planning a 4X6 backstop from this stuff. Tough as nails. Horse stall mats work great, but somewhat costly.

[stan v]

Would these stall mats be the 3/4" or the 1/2" thickness being recommended?

[Bruce M]

Mine is 3/4" from tsc, heavy as heck.

[TIM B]

Hard to beat a round bale if ya have room for it
Tim B

[stan v]

Mine is 3/4" from tsc, heavy as heck.

I have a couple of pieces left over from making mud flaps for my Polaris Ranger, so I set one up and shot it from 15 yds with a 41# and a 45# recurve with arrows weighing 410 and 450 grs, field pt only penetrated about 1/4".  Carbon never entered.  This is the 1/2" stuff, not nearly as difficult to deal with.  FYI

[Sam McMichael]

I use a. 3/4” mat.

[Papajack]

I also used the stall matt but it sure was tough getting it up in the air trying to mount it to the frame. That thing must weight 100 pounds. You will probably need a friend or 2 to help lift it and hold it while you mount it but it works excellent and is pretty big.

[RIVERWOLF]

""IF"" you have the room...It's hard to beat a round straw bale !  Not just a backstop . It can be the target core with cardboard silhouettes....Add a roof and 3 walls and you have a target/backstop in one that will last a LOT of years.  In these parts you can usually buy one from the field for well under $50 .Normally $25-$35.

[Trenton G.]

Couple sheets of old carpet works well too.

[RIVERWOLF]

I will add..the straw bales are not only cheap , but...easy on your arrows,easy pull, long lasting,eco friendly;)

Just look for the tightest bale you can find or "IF" you are in good with the farmer...ask if they can adjust the tension for a tighter bale. If not...you can rachet strap square and round bales if needed.

Most likely have that knowledge , but some may not.  Like many of you I have run the gamut on this topic....Used mats , foam blocks , stuffed bags, hay bales, THICK cardboard ....for me nothing is as user friendly as straw bales. 


Only thing better imho is the old (expensive)Saunders Indian Cord Matt .(picture from on-line) Really wish someone would start making these again in the states at a reasonable price. Back in the day..every archery range had them & or straw, and for good reason. They are easy on arrows, quiet , holdup to the outdoor exposure , and LAST ....


Best with your quest  my friend .......

[LookMomNoSights]

3 straw bales stacked on top of each other with the straw running horizontal,  3 inch heavy duty ratchet strap going over those from one eye bolt to another that are going through a PT 2x10 base I made with casters so I can roll it outa the way ....... the ratchet strap compresses the bails.  you can tighten it up from time to time as needed.  The heavy TSC stall mat hangs behind that just for insurance.  I think I may have contacted it a couple times if an arrow hit just right on the bail seams and if the strap wasn't super tight.  It's a great set up and being in the barn,  it will probably last forever.

[5deer]

 thanks for the info my friends.   5