backstop for home firing range ?

[bamagrad89]

I am considering making a small firing range in a secluded pasture land and need advice on a sufficient backstop for my G19. There may or not be cows grazing 50 yards uphill and behind the backstop so I want something that will not let a 9mm get through.

I was considering using the railroad ties that measure about 8ft long, 8 inches deep and 8 inches tall stacked one on top of another to reach about 8 feet high. These would be held in place by posts running vertical and set into the ground with quickcrete.

My question is, would this be sufficient to stop the 9mm bullet from a G19 ? If the bullet hits a crack between two railroad ties it might get through but I would not think a 9mm bullet fired from 15 - 30 feet would get through, would it ? What about a .357 or a .45 caliber bullet fired from the same distance ?

Any other suggestions for material to use ? I was planning on buying one RR tie to test this weekend but ya'll might save me the trouble :)

Thanks in advance !:cool:

[vafish]

If you are on a farm I assume you have a tractor with a bucket on it.

A big berm of dirt is one of the best, cheapest, and easiest backstops.

[DeltaEliteMan]

I agree, I made a backstop by stacking up old tires and filling them with dirt. Holds the backstop together and does not let the dirt wash or erode it away.
Tire places and garages are more than happy to give you as many old tires as you want!:cool:

[bamagrad89]

Thanks for the suggestions of a dirt berm, but would the railroad ties stop a 9mm as well as a .357 and .45 caliber bullet ?

I am not sure if I can do a dirt berm or not, so I wanted to check out the feasibility of the RR ties.

Thanks,
Buford

[vafish]

The problem with RR ties is that the more you shoot them, the more they fall apart. They will probably initially stop them, but as you continue to shoot at them they will wear out. Also as they age and weather they will become less effective at stopping bullets.

[Rusty Shackleford]

They installed a 4-foot high set of RR ties 15 yards out on 3 lanes at my range about a year ago (maybe less). They're falling apart, and bullets can be found all over the ground behind it, ranging from 9mm to .45. Probably a very short term solution at best.