I am setting up an back stop for my shooting range.
Plan is to build back stop out of 18 inch long logs of various hardwoods, stack 5 feet high by 8 feet long. I will be shooting downhill into the back stop with 22 to 35 Whelen. What are the chances of a bullet deflecting off the wood and going astray ? Distance is 80 yrds and I would be approx 30 feet higher than the backstop.

Ricochets off hard surfaces are always a possibility.

Have you considered just using a target frame in front of a large mound of sand (or clean fill)?

George

George
Yes I have. My problem in building a mound is that I cannot access with a vehicle so I would have to hire a backhoe and their probably not going to go down the hill, tough to get back up.
I am looking at building a smaller sand filled
box at the base of the back stop. I can get a small amount of sand from the creek, rest I will have to carry down the hill. I am in North Carolina, come on over and help and I will fix ya some good ole Oklahoma BBQ

Mmmm, I love BBQ!

Perhaps you can add some old tires in front of the logs to reduce the chance of ricochets.

George

Leaning more toward sand bags. I think I can use my deer slide to move them to the bottom and its a short carry to the back stop. Had thought about the 55 gal plastic barrels but they worry me because of shape. I do have to large bags full of poly bags I use as archery targets, doubt they would slow a bullet. I'll figure it out. Think I will fix some bbq hot wings this weekend, so ya'll come on over.

Just a question, if you have a hill that is so steep as to challenge a backhoe why not use that hill as your backstop?

Logs or old tires make a very poor backstop. If you can't get a dozer down there to build a suitable backstop you might be better off to just forget about it, unless you're way out in the sticks without any nearby neighbors. Getting sued because projectiles are leaving your property is not a viable option.