Thinking about building an indoor range in the garage

[dan d]

Typically I don't practice in the winter, don't want to lose arrows in the snowbanks, nor do I seem to have the ambition to trudge thru the snow on any kind of regular basis setting up my target to get any kind of practice in.

I do keep thinking about setting up a short 10 yard range in my garage, at least I could keep my form & release & shape.

Just looking for ideas on what to use for a large backstop ? I really don't want to accidentally launch an arrow into the garage wall     :rolleyes:  

Dan

[Steve H.]

I have the same exact set of problems you do.  I have a huge garage with very high, maybe 16' ceilings.  We have hanging shelves at about 9-10' so I screwed a couple heavy hooks in to hang a bag target.  

I generally use supersacks which are used for storing/transporting loose "stuff" including gravel or for helicopter slinging.  Generally I see bags that are 4'x4'x4' but I found one that was maybe 2' x 1' x 3.5'.  Just stuff the things with waste lumber yard plastic wrap and shoot for years.

One of the bag/block targets would work well too but are smaller. If you need to use old carpet as a backdrop to catch strays.

[the elf]

What I did for a backstop was to attach a horse stall mat--appximately 4 ft. by 6 ft. to a piece of plywood and put it in front of whatever I didn't want to hit. So far it has been working out very well.Being mobile  really makes it worth while.

[wasapt]

Do your arrows go thru the horse mat and penetrate into the plywood?

[stalkin4elk]

Put your target as close as possible to your wife's fancy exercise machine. Flinch once and CURED! True.

[dan d]

Originally posted by stalkin4elk:
Put your target as close as possible to your wife's fancy exercise machine. Flinch once and CURED! True.

  I'm worried about something similar happening Lol

I'm not familiar with a horse stall mat, I might have to check that out.

Good ideas ! Thanks !
Dan

[macbow]

At 10 yards a standard bag target should it.
Put a regular,piece of plywood behind. Probably never hit it but is good insurance.

One of my friends that,is on here shot his refrigerator in his basement.
Distance doesn't matter when working on form.

[JJB]

Dan,
Here's a picture of our set up, behind the target is a large box stuffed with old tarps.  I also have thick blanket and tarp hanging as a little extra insurance.
-Jay

[CoilSpring]

Here's a link to a previous topic with several pics for the horse stall mat backstop...

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=089039

[Hopewell Tom]

I got a piece of old carpet from the dumpster at a carpet dealer/installer. About 4' x 10'. Fold over to be 4' x 5', hand sew the edges and fill with shrink wrap/plastic bags. Built a 2 x 4 frame to "house" the thing, and nailed the "carpet backstop" to it.
Bag target hung on the front and no problem with pass throughs.

[khardrunner]

I line the rear of my indoor target with cheap plywood. If I get some penetration then the plywood stops it.

[the elf]

Wasapt. Field points do not penetrate from as close as 5 yards after going through a bag target;but a woops with a broadhead will definitely penetrate the horse mat and the point will stick in the plywood [depending on the poundage of the bow]. Hope this helps.

[Knapper]

Shooting at short range (Butt Shooting) is a great way to maintain and improve on shooting techniques.   By concentrating on techniques and not where the arrow is going will give the brain and you feedback on exactly what you are trying to reniforce.  I understand that many if not most Olympic shooters use this technique.  It will also help with strengthing the archer's muscles.

[dan d]

Originally posted by Knapper:
Shooting at short range (Butt Shooting) is a great way to maintain and improve on shooting techniques.   By concentrating on techniques and not where the arrow is going will give the brain and you feedback on exactly what you are trying to reniforce.  I understand that many if not most Olympic shooters use this technique.  It will also help with strengthing the archer's muscles.

That's the reason I want to be doing this.

Lots of good advice & I like the pic, off to check out that other link, Thanks !

Dan

[dan d]

Originally posted by CoilSpring:
Here's a link to a previous topic with several pics for the horse stall mat backstop...

    http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=089039  

   Thanks for the link !  
Just what I'm looking to do !

Dan