Ideas for 4'x4' arrow backstop (large)

[uffda]

I would like to make a large target rather than spend the money on buying one.  I am thinking about 4x4 feet.  As I work on experimenting with fixed crawl, string walking, and gap shooting, I would like to have the large area to catch my wild arrows.  I also have beginners that would like to try some of my bows that are just starting out and don't want to lose any arrows.  Just curious how others have designed theirs.  Thanks for any suggestions. 

[BearBandit]

I'll be checking this one, I need to come up with something for my kid ( and if were being honest I have a few wild shots too)

[Wudstix]

I'm in need to have a good positive backstop to keep the occasional "wild one" from going through wood fence and into the front yard.

  

[BearBandit]

I don't care if its positive, it could down right ornery as long as it stops my arrows.
Badum chhhh

[Friend]

If not in town, a large round bale wrapped 10 times, for approximately $70 or less. will last for years.

We had some at the outdoor range that lasted over three years.

[JOE ELDRIDGE]

Cant go wrong with old carpet, just fold it over a couple of times. It is cheap too

[Deno]

In the trees almost under my deck.   My carpet layer backings have been outside for 10 years.   



Deno

[Sam McMichael]

How large horse stall mat can you find? I got one at Tractor Supply several years ago, and arrows do not go through it. It has lasted several years and shows no deterioration.

[1/4 away]

I bought a 4’ X6’ rubber horse stall mat at the local feed store. Built a simple 2x4 frame for it and use it as a backstop for my blob target.

[wood carver 2]

X 2 on the stall mat. I fixed a 4’ x 5’ mat to a 2x4 frame and added a pair of wheels to move it out of the way for lawn mowing. It’s been out in the weather now for several years and shows no deterioration.
About half the arrows hitting it bounce off, even from heavier bows. The rest penetrate no more than half an inch.
Dave.

[Archie]

I made a most excellent backdrop several years ago out of ethafoam that was used for packing.  I contacted an IT department that had recently purchased many computers, and asked them for the ethafoam.  I layered it all together and used stretch wrap to hold it.  It's about 5'x5', and has lasted for about 10 years with no signs of wearing out.  I'll look for pictures...

[BearBandit]

If not in town, a large round bale wrapped 10 times, for approximately $70 or less. will last for years.

We had some at the outdoor range that lasted over three years.

Wrapped in what?  I can get a large round no problem. I'll just have to move my shooting area but that's fine with me

[Alexander Traditional]

I built a back stop,but I can't figure out how to bring it back up. Like Friend said I have a round bale in the back,and it last forever,and it's hard to miss it

[awry]

Another vote for the stall mat. Experience pretty much matches Dave’s

[Huntschool]

I may be wrong but the OP said target, not backstop.....  I assume he meant target a frame with material inside it like we see at indoor ranges.....  If I am wrong I am sorry.

So for that I would use one of the designs floating around that uses a frame and all thread rods to tighten down whatever material is used for the target face.  Cardboard, sliced and laid horizontally, fiberboard sliced/cut to width and laid horizontally and then compressed using nuts or turn handles on each rod (there should be two at each side to keep it all even)

There are other materials that can be used and the frame modified if need be.  Ethafoam sheets are available in 4x8' sheets but you may have to hunt around to find them. 

If this is what you are talking about remember to move your target face around the face of the of the fixture or you will get a soft spot.  Soft spots will eventually happen anyway and in that case you just loosen up the tension and replace with more strips.  If this is going to be outside I would suggest a covering for the target if you use cardboard  or fiberboard as those materials will get wet.

Just my thoughts. 

[MnFn]

I had one like Huntschool is talking about. I used buffleboard in about 4” strips. It had a 2x4 top and bottom with ready rod down through each side with washers and bolts holding it together.

[uffda]

All great ideas.  Thanks everyone for sharing.

[fisherick]

My current backyard target consists of 8# ethafoam 6"x6"x36" blocks (scrap from industrial packing) stacked to 42" high with a PT wood frame. It has 1/2" rod running down the sides with a 4x4 block across the top to keep pressure on the material. It has worked perfectly to stop recurve and compound arrows for more than 10 years.

Another method is to purchase 2" 2'x8' sheets of 6# ethafoam and cut into 6" strips to stack as in above method.

Third method is to use 4 - 6# ethafoam  and cut to 2'x4' strips for face of target,(2 sides) build frame to hold in place and a 12" space (fence) behind face to hold rags or plastic wrap to stop arrows

[Silent footed]

We used to use coal belt from the mine back when I was younger. If you could get your hands on some it's really useful and about as big as you want. Backstop only though. It's not a target.

[Deno]

" I would like to have the large area to catch my wild arrows.  I also have beginners that would like to try some of my bows that are just starting out and don't want to lose any arrows. "

Joel

 Large and beginners popped out to me.  4x4 isn't really that big of an arrow backstop for beginners. 

Deno