Do you have a good design for a backstop?

[Rich LaBombard]

Hi Gang,
When I shoot, I bring a target out of the garage and set it in front of a backstop, which for me, is a small pallet (to get the Block target out of the mud) attached to a wooden frame, and the frame has a couple layers of carpet that catch or slow down the occasional errant shot.  
I'd like to build something a bit better looking and effective.  
Any ideas or pics you could pass on?

[bulldog18]

I have seen the rubber horse stall mats framed and stood up behind the target.

[Cavscout9753]

I have 2 stakes in the ground and suspended between them on snap links is a heavy rubber mat I got from Home Depot. Total investment was like $25. The trick is to hang the mat by the top corners only, leaving the bottom hanging free. This absorbs some energy. My arrows penetrate it but only go about 10".... Then they hit the fence but not hard. Later on im going to double (or maybe triple) layer the mats.

[dhaverstick]

Here's one I just finished designing for a moose target. The moose silhouette is made from a horse stall mat. You could easily turn it around and shoot at the bag target and leave the mat as a rectangle.

I can send you the plans if you want.

Darren

 
 
 
 

[taxyman]

Now how cool is that!      
Nice job Darren!

[Rich LaBombard]

Great answers, gents, thank you.  It confirms I'm sort of on the right track.  
No thanks, Darren, just seeing your plans gives me the ideas I needed, thanks again.

[TSchirm]

Another possibly cheaper option is what I did.  If you live anywhere near a grain elevator, you can see if they have any broken elevator belt.  Hang several lengths slightly overlapping with the bottom hanging free.  Arrows just bounce off this material.

[Sam McMichael]

I also use a horse stall mat, and it is a great backstop. But since it is heavy, you will need to build a sturdy frame to support it. It will stop arrows from heavy bows quite well.

[dbd870]

I use old conveyor belt with a black pipe frame. (Outdoors)

[Jack Hoyt 75]

Originally posted by bulldog18:
I have seen the rubber horse stall mats framed and stood up behind the target.

What he said but I used a old black rubber truck bed mat I got for free.  Cut it to size and put in wood frame on casters.  Then I hang my bag target from it.

[ddauler]

The horse stall mat works great if you hang it loose. If tight arrows will stick in it.