Straw bails for a backstop?

[five.five-six]

Would a straw bail be an effective projectile catch for a FA .177 steel BB firing up to 450FPS? I hear Santa is brining some BB machine guns down the chimney.

[Two Shots]

Yes, if you have access to some stretch wrap the straw bales will hold up better if it rains or being moved around. If you are worried about a BB/Pellet sneaking through put a 1/2''-3/4'' piece of plywood on the backside, sounds like a fun Xmas.

I should mention that Alfalfa bales are more condensed than straw bales, check them out at a local feed store.

[Jeepergeo]

Catch or backstop? If it is kids shooting, they might shoot over the bales, so what's behind the target could potentially be a concern for inexperienced kids or adults for that matter.

Maybe add a 3/4 inch plywood sheet right behind the bales and angled down at 45 degrees or less to direct any that get through the bale into the ground. Still, what's beyond should still be thought through.

[edgerly779]

Put a 4x8x 1/2" piece of plywood behind bail . Big 5 has .177 pellet rifle 49 bucks today

[Revoman]

Depends on if you're planning to use it from the side or the end. I would say either for a BB gun at 450FPS, end definitely. Sooner or later its gonna give out though.

[five.five-six]

The target location is backed by a 40' hill behind the target area.


I know from experience, bad experience, that plywood does not hold up, especially with well placed shots. (2 layers or plywood and a wooden fence)


These BB guns are full auto with a published cyclic rate of 1400 RPM.

My concern is the occasional rock or tree that may ricochet and reducing that hazard.


I think the biggest problem will be me letting the kids shoot them

[five.five-six]

Yes, if you have access to some stretch wrap the straw bales will hold up better if it rains or being moved around. If you are worried about a BB/Pellet sneaking through put a 1/2''-3/4'' piece of plywood on the backside, sounds like a fun Xmas.

I should mention that Alfalfa bales are more condensed than straw bales, check them out at a local feed store.

Great idea! I think straw is cheaper, a lot cheaper.

[G-forceJunkie]

As a kid I built many backstops for bbs and pellets. Take a cardboard box the size you want and line the back with a couple inches of phonebooks or newspapers. Then fill the rest of the front with crumpled newspapers so the backstop is held in place. Done.

[five.five-six]

As a kid I built many backstops for bbs and pellets. Take a cardboard box the size you want and line the back with a couple inches of phonebooks or newspapers. Then fill the rest of the front with crumpled newspapers so the backstop is held in place. Done.

I think straw bails will be easier and cheaper than phone books and newspaper. Besides, I don't want to spend all day Christmas explaining to my kids what phone books and newspaper are

['ol shooter]

A couple layers of used carpet works good.

[The War Wagon]

Would a straw bail be an effective projectile catch for a FA .177 steel BB firing up to 450FPS? I hear Santa is brining some BB machine guns down the chimney.

EXACTLY what we used at Cub Scout Day Camp for years. NO issues.

[five.five-six]

EXACTLY what we used at Cub Scout Day Camp for years. NO issues.

[The War Wagon]

Day Camp was held on PRIVATE property. We MIGHT'VE had a non-standard item or two out there amongst the staff...

[flatbedtruckin]

How about some sand bags??? Thoes will work better than anything else...6'w X 4't

[covingtonhouse]

Take your straw bales and a couple of ratcheting tie down straps. Wrap the bale with the two straps longwise and compress the bale down. While it's fully compressed, untie the baling strings, and re-tie them to the size of the now compressed bale. Release the straps and voila! you have a bale tight enough for both high power archery and mid power bb/pellet guns. I would not use this method with any pre-charged pneumo guns, but for your average pump up, break-barrel, or lever spring bb or standard CO2 gun, it will hold up well.