Suggestions for a backstop fill

Tatershooter

Tatershooter

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I built a backstop to have close access to for load developement and chrono work for 9mm and 300 BLK sub loads. The only other round shot would be 22s by my grandchildren. The timbers are 6"x 11-1/2" cresote bridge timbers and the center gap is 12". I can not decide what to put in the center, sand, packed dirt or maybe stone/gravel. I would appreciate your thoughts or suggestions. Thanks

backstop.jpg
 
I'm using dirt and what is essentially crushed concrete/ crushed cinder blocks. All of it was free
 
Drill some holes in the bottom for drainage and fill it with #57 stone

ETA: any variation of open graded washed stone: #87 (pea gravel) #57 or railroad ballast would all work. Sand or crusher run will tend to clump and can create voids as you shoot. Open graded stone will settle to fill any voids you make by shooting it.
 
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Don't want to hijack the thread, but I've thought about getting one of these for my back yard. There is nothing but fields and a few woods behind me, but I think something like this would just make me feel better sometimes. Backyard is not all that big, 50 yards maybe. Shoot pistols and 22s back there. Rarely much more. I've got other places for rifle. Any thoughts on this?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/2-000-lb-Commercial-Grade-Medium-Sand/1000318617
 
i would use sand or clean dirt. Easy to work with and just use a mallet or hammer to tap sides as your filling it so it will settle to the bottom. Sand would be better than dirt as it would let the water pass threw better and not rot the wood as fast. My concern with stone would be bullet hitting the stone or rock random shapes and being redirected out the side or up.
 
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Marturo said:
Shredded tire material if you can get it. I designed two baffles for our club pistil range & put the material inside, works great.
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I did not know shredded was available. Could you maybe point me in the right direction as where to look?
 
Jp8819 said:
i would use sand or clean dirt. Easy to work with and just use a mallet or hammer to tap sides as your filling it so it will settle to the bottom. Sand would be better than dirt as it would let the water pass threw better and not rot the wood as fast. My concern with stone would be bullet hitting the stone or rock random shapes and being redirected out the side or up.
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I have a tamper that my wife bought when she put down the base for a brick walkway.
 
Me. said:
A sheet of steel. Any lead that makes it through the timbers will bounce off (or splatter on) the steel.

After the front timbers deteriorate enough, you will have a collection of splinters and lead inside your trap. Mine the lead and cast your own bullets. :)
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I most definetly would like to put a sheet on the back side for extra piece of mind.
 
Tatershooter said:
I did not know shredded was available. Could you maybe point me in the right direction as where to look?
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I was watching the Local news back in 2002 & they said 1" x 1" pieces of old tire material was now available to the public as they the DOT were trying out
ways of recycling old tires. The state used it as fill for test roads around the state. The experiment failed the roads came apart.

Today tire recycling is big business, finding it locally is another thing.

Shredded Tires (TDF) Category -- Scrap Rubber and Tire Recycling

USA Recycling Marketplace
www.recycle.net
 
Tatershooter said:
I did not know shredded was available. Could you maybe point me in the right direction as where to look?
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It would definitely be cheaper if you can find somewhere to buy it in bulk but the rubber mulch that Lowes or Home Depot sells in bags is just shredded tires.
 
Tatershooter said:
I built a backstop to have close access to for load developement and chrono work for 9mm and 300 BLK sub loads. The only other round shot would be 22s by my grandchildren. The timbers are 6"x 11-1/2" cresote bridge timbers and the center gap is 12". I can not decide what to put in the center, sand, packed dirt or maybe stone/gravel. I would appreciate your thoughts or suggestions. Thanks

View attachment 652924
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I like this what is your general cost for the build?
 
Cowboy said:
I like this what is your general cost for the build?
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The 18' timbers were $50 apiece, I got 4. One 4x8x1/2" treated plywood for the "floor" and end pieces was about $35. The timbers are 48" long and the floor consist of 3 pieces. The smaller stuff was scrap I have.
 
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