Build a Small Backyard Shooting Range

DIY building a backyard hobby shooting range with earth berm and railroad ties using a bullet catcher and dueling tree as targets. Great outdoor fun !

[@danieldumbarton5054]

‘’I don’t miss very often , but if I do it ain’t leaving my property” now that’s a responsible gun owner.

[@winterwolf4127]

Daniel Dumbarton well said

[@motoz30]

and a conscientious one, too. suppressing a .22 is about as neighborly as you can get.

[@rongrace5435]

I was thinking the same thing!.... Taking it seriously helps to protect all of us.... This guy is great!

[@Burning2nd]

@@motoz30 i just took the 10/22 out to sight it, I have logs stacked between trees to make a wall, I plan on making another stack behind it, but with the logs 90'ed , (*ive heard some rounds tumble thru) *neighbors are 200yards away

[@koajairo2356]

InstaBlaster

[@RodriguesPoveda]

I was watching a video for like 24 minutes, and this guy is just talking and talking them I saw your video and love it . Straight to the point an so.simple

[@calitovegas408]

Perfect all I need is a truck, tractor, a bunch or rail road ties and a big ass backyard. #jealous

[@Knightrem]

Boy just try living in California, were practically serfs and every city in this state is an absolute shithole. *Except Bishop

[@Knightrem]

faultroy I got out finally, moved over to Nevada. It has much of the beauty you would expect in California, without the ever incipient government (for now). I agree that in the 70's and earlier, California truly seem to be a magical place.

[@jorgeposadas1192]

Hey, I agree with all about California, I lived in California all my life but I always wanted change, out of the city in the countryside where weren't so many people and traffic, I now live in East Texas, got a small spread with a pond and tonight we're hunting beaver, he moved in last week and he already ate all my saplings around the pond, I miss Cali but I wouldn't go back!!!

[@danieldelewis2448]

Ah the American dream

[@RRtechsolutions]

@faultroy It wasn't any better when the Republicans ran it. The voters are the problem with the gun laws

[@TheWatchers11]

This guy is awesome. Not only did he build a catch and a berm (in Florida that’s pretty much all u need + an acre) he’s also shooting subsonic with a suppressor. Safe and considerate!! We need more Americans like him.

[@StackThePlanet]

My dad taught me a trick for the same setup you've got. If you were to drill a hole in those logs, long bars of rebar would keep it all straight and stable for as long as that structure's in place. You certainly did a great job, and I'm certain it will last you for years. Congrats!

[@kurt5490]

I like that you even added overhead ties as well. Thanks for the video!

[@aroldfut]

Exactly how I built mine. I have 125 yds out the back door of my shop and a 25 yd berm for pistol shooting. It's a dream come true that was part of my plan when I built my retirement place.

[@thatbubbleguy]

Much respect for your sense of shooting responsibility and safety. Nice job on the range!

[@ryanc9527]

Love the engineering Sir. Wish more people were like this. You need something, you build it. Hard work. That's how America was made. Bravo Sir.

[@viejo_belico701]

I have a big backyard but I don't have a tractor. So I have to do everything by hand. Pure manpower.

[@ianseymour4066]

"Now i'm gonna measure the-" NNNRRRRRRRMMMMMMM - 2:36

[@mikemcdonald5147]

yeah after the first bit of talking everyone might want to cut the volume down cause its loud with the tractor all of a sudden and then the chainsaw LOL

[@calebsmith95]

😂😂

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

you never know where a bullet will go so always good to have a back stop even if your closest neighbor is 500 yards through woods all it takes is the stars to all line up one day and that bullet to miss every tree and tree branch

[@SB-md4tt]

Best video I’ve come across for building a range! Others just want to talk about how much they know about guns!!

[@peterpan9516]

Man, you take safety seriously plus no bang! Perfect neighbor

Like the railroad ties !! Smart choice for backstop, dense with tar coating. Got one just like it and it works just fine.

[@mattr7118]

That's a badass lil tractor you got there. Perfect for regular property work. Probably even more than I'd personally need. Sweet range setup. Always good to be safe.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks John !

[@oneeyedpatriot]

Man, that is a perfect set up for what most of us are trying to achieve. Thanks for the video.

[@rogergoodwin374]

If I was his neighbor, I'd thank him for being safety minded.

[@LQBify]

I like this guy.. smart words at the end :)

[@gollum3232]

This is a strong guy who is quite thorough. Most impressive.

[@flysubcompact]

Nice riggings you built there. Good stroke of fortune with the loads of clay. If the crossties rot eventually, that berm will catch them regardless.

[@jmv668]

With that tractor and chainsaw you can build anything! Good job!

[@ayitsyaboi]

I miss having property out in the sticks. Hopefully our country can bounce back and we can start chasing that dream again. We have basically the same setup at work next to the airstrip and it's better than nothing. The other berm is a cross the airstrip built into the hill in a cornfield.

[@frankdrebin5587]

My back hurt watching all that work. That's dedication! Awesome

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks David !

[@atradies007]

Thanks for the video brother, and a good job and great thinking for the respect and care you show your neighbors !

[@luckyluciano4075]

Thanx for the video! You realy worked hard on building that range!! The effort you put in...man!! Admiration!!👍👍

[@smg13guy]

Sir you are awesome and very responsible, its good to see people now a days caring for others security and treating guns like the harmful yet interesting tools they are and not as toys! I wish I could build a thing like that but sadly I live in the city. you should make a bigger version and show it to us! Cheers from Nicaragua!

[@RElax-hh3uh]

this is the lodge down the road, do you know where all the railroad ties that were around the 6 horseshoe pits went ?

[@jacechrisman8546]

i love how easy the plans are in *WoodBlueprints. Com* to understand and the step-by-step videos they have. Makes getting material really easy

[@SuwanneeHomestead]

Love this. Hard work and responsibility. Pretty much the American way.

[@TheVABigDog]

WELL DONE SIR!!!!! I'd like to Second the motion which Mr. Thomas put out there. It is Extremely commendable of you to think about your neighbors. May the Good Karma Gods smile upon you for ever!

[@rossarmstrong2682]

That's a great build! Those railroad ties are pretty hefty, even for a young man. Thank you for the video.

[@cmiller88581]

I’m curious as to why you didn’t stack the railroad ties like a log cabin so the sides would’ve been locked into the back? Those side walls don’t see very sturdy.

[@nickrobinson9503]

cmiller88581 I like your idea. And I’d flare the sides out about 25-30 degrees to make a wider background

[@johneratcliff]

Because he's not building a cabin!

[@ChaosExodus]

@@johneratcliff Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.

[@MightyPachyderm]

@@johneratcliff my thought exactly lol. Its for catching bullets, not shut eye 👍

[@jameslaw3740]

Nice job, gives me a couple of good ideas. Loved when you brought out the hand saw then switched for the chainsaw . thanks for being a responsible gun owner 👍 👍 🇨🇦

[@stevewade9146]

Nice Job on the back yard range!! It’s bad ass!!

[@davidleach1068]

My compliments very nice and well engineered. I have been installing a paper target system and was/am interested in metal targets, so your covered roof seems to be just the answer. Good job.

[@Texan1939]

Good video lots of information in a short concise presentation.

[@TheGoatMumbler]

Very nice. But Jim. You gotta get some friends so you don't have to work so hard! Offer free beer. :)

[@nonyabuisness]

TheGoatMumbler that John deer is more useful than all my drunk friends put together

[@takayama1638]

Good job, Jim! I don't mind work. I can sit around and watch it all day. Yesterday, 12/16/15, while changing spark plugs on my old truck, I kept hearing bullets ricocheting around in the woods next to my place! Strange because I didn't hear shots. I'm on 9 acres. Whew, kindly scared me mule.

[@bcarss1970]

Real railroad ties are HEAVY! When I was younger my dad got some that came off the Ben Franklin bridge. We built a retaining wall 3 courses high. I am big and strong but holy crap.

[@stephenmitchell3569]

Nice! I had to build a shooting range all of the Farms selling out turning into subdivisions around me. I had to laugh at the comment in a good way about friends helping. I have a lot of friends as long as the ammo don't run out haha. When it comes to working is rare to be able to find one of your friends then. Great job and love your tractor. A road crew needed to get rid of dirt and I added 853 dump truck loads the funny thing is nice range but there nothing you can do about old age haha. Enjoyed your video thanks!

[@sasa320]

Outstanding work sir, this is to be truely appreciated. Best regards and respects

[@saintjohnny1]

Thank you! I just bought a home in El Cajon, Calif. on an acre. Can't wait to build one like this in the Spring.

[@zackedwards7803]

Hahaha good joke!! Shooting a gun in California hahahahahahaha

[@TheRustedShackleford]

@@zackedwards7803 lived in Northern Cali for years and we had a range on our property. Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about.

[@Treeman573]

Much respect for doing things correctly & yea, wish I had the land, equipment & outright gumption to build such a set up.

[@timsweeney6832]

Nice work there Captain! Yeah all those bullets got to go somewhere and shooting ranges get expensive when you like to shoot a lot. Nice work.

[@jch1091]

Nice project thanks for sharing 👍🏾👍🏾

[@SBrandon562]

Very nice setup Sir! I'm sure your neighbors Thank you!

[@Ammothief41]

I like that. Been planning to build a little pellet trap / shooting gallery for the kids to practice with their air rifles in the back yard.

[@leboucdetrambly]

Nice piece of work Jim and that little tractor looked sweet. Those old 22LRs do like to richochet of just about anything.

[@mre8ballgaming842]

You worked very hard for that....enjoy it

[@avtarsingh5834]

I think you should have done interlocking technique where side pieces are locked into the back pieces alternating which will make it more stable (Just an idea maybe for the future). Regardless it looks really good and bravo for that hard work.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

I agree, but I already had some short railroad ties that I needed to use so I didn't have the length needed to interlock them... but you are right, interlocking would have been better.

[@subsailor1]

Great idea and very well done. Congrats!

[@ej7447]

Made a similar backstop but used crosswise on sides and top, the rear being dirt. Also added some dirt around the sides and on the top. The main idea being to keep all fired rounds in the target bunker. Great job.

[@ahreeves]

Thanks for great idea. I will be interlocking those railroad ties in my case. Or just picking up 6x6 PT lumber for my range. Also, I intend to dug out a 10 foot deep area lane so that no pedestrian traffic could be inline. Thanks

[@semperparatus3685]

Fantastic! We live in the country but our neighbors are selling of pasture and farm land to developers. This will help reduce liability. THANKS!

[@eye80west]

I'm a little jealous. Great work!

[@billnwa2250]

Nice setup. Thanks for sharing.

[@watchthebrosvlogs6421]

This was very satisfying to watch

[@Bill23799]

WOW those are the biggest Lincoln Logs I have ever seen.

[@igniterc7427]

Really nice video and range, man!! Great job.

[@6lr6ak6]

Now that's a backstop, great job.

[@TrehanCreekOutdoors]

Nice setup. I think it would be a better set up to anchor the cross ties together with drilled holes and rebar as already suggested, then back filling with your bucket loader the clay dirt around all three sides up to roof top level or higher at the rear. Thanks for the video. Happy shooting!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

All good suggestions. Thanks for your comments !

[@jcollins052006]

I just wanted to say... GOOD JOB!!! I know it was not easy to construct that yourself but well done.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks !

[@theolav12]

That bullet ain't leavin my property! Cus it's mine.

[@UnitedWeStand2020]

I would think that either the dirt pile OR the railroad ties would be sufficient, not both. But, great job at being extra safe! 👍👍

[@danielalamo2075]

Nice build!! I have been planning something similar. I bolted two railroad ties together so one will be planted 3 feet into the ground and will hold the one bolted to it vertical. I will have three posts set up like this This way I can run ties horizontally between them and nail them in. Then pile horse manure behind. Also I was thinking of sides to stop any ricochet bullets. Again nice build!!

[@robertmcgee141]

Nice! Looks great.

[@cb750k1974]

Nice set-up. To make it even better......maybe interlock the three walls, drill holes, add rebar.

[@BaffinSailor]

I like the set up. Need to do that here.

[@rogergoodwin374]

Dirt is cheap unless you don't have any. This man seen opportunity, free dirt!

[@kevinb1060]

Very frightening and irresponsible, frightening. That’s the kind of thing making responsible Owners look bad. Thank you for your video

[@louigieb24]

Very nice I've been working on one myself I'm definitely taking a few of your ideas and putting into my plans.

[@clintonfrazier5221]

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[@wilfredharrison7563]

Next time you build a back stop you should over lap your lumber to make sure everything won't be so tipsy. Kinda like log cabins are built.

[@doddgarger6806]

Being friendly pays off sometimes nice setup

[@twistymcslide2]

had a chuckle when the first shot went right through the back wall. LOL .

[@Dougs-Ear-Hole-Entertainment]

safety first Jim. thought the berm of clay was enough then your cool wood backstop came up. gives me good ideas. thanks.

[@JadeJuhasz-ln6kf]

Work smarter not harder! Good stuff!

[@BM205]

Well done! I've gettin materials together to do one myself. It may be overkill but I'm gonna drill the cross ties and run rebar through em. Looks like you'll enjoy alot of shooting with your set-up

[@burningokane6320]

Grandpa getting it on!! It’s his ammunition it’s gonna stay on his land he says! I like it.

[@lastdaysguitar]

Nice video some really good tips, thanks Jim!

[@svernwarunos546]

good for you sir for being responsible god bless

[@centermass4962]

Looks nice man. I love bein able to shoot outside.

[@bradeubanks3157]

Nicely done!! Thanks for sharing..

[@Mimi92818]

Awesome job. Great idea and super safe. Rick

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks Beverly !

[@deankoukos5797]

SUPERB INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO--YOUR RANGE IS SAFE AND METICULOUSLY CONSTRUCTED-THANK YOU SIR.

[@SpookbotTV]

Nice setup

[@rccaliracing9248]

That's an awesome set up.

[@MrHeadshot1982]

you did a real good job keep up the good work.

[@DavidScobie]

Over time the woods going to fail buddy but a easy way of keeping the rounds on your property would be to push your dirt up to the wood and that way if a round goes through the wood it's not going to tumble up into anyone else. I'd ask your trucker friend to drop off a few more loads of dirt then pack in behind your range.

[@JuanVargas-xx2du]

Genial que grandioso poder hacer algo así! Un gran abrazo y saludos desde Argentina!

[@llewellyn56]

nice....great video...

[@duanescarborough8297]

Outstanding! When/If the time comes that you (or someone) have to remove the lead contamination, it will be limited to a small area.

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

great video. gives me some ideas for what I am currently trying to build.

[@MeatTheBible]

Making the video would have warn me out. Really good job. I hope it's all still working for you. Thank you.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

+MeatTheBible Thanks, and yes it was a good bit of work :-P

[@ryuukurasame7293]

I've always tried to figure out how to build a shed for my kids. I tried several plans but always got stuck along the way. I'm glad I found this Ryan's shed plans [ Go Here >>> *WoodBlueprints. Com* ]. It has made the work become as easy and simple as I never thought it will be. Thank you Ryan!?

[@fredboat]

lookin good from Texas , Nice little back stop. If you are any were near Graceland ,Elvis has his own small back yard gun range and it looks like yours.

[@mrsmel269]

nice set up i cant wait to get mine set up

[@ewandric]

Outstanding work! However, remember you're not a spring chicken. Don't go risking you're feet without proper footgear. Safety. Safety. Safety.

[@REPR100]

I’d want the dirt inside the railroad ties, you could easily get ricochets back at you off the hard wood, especially as bullets get deposited into them.

[@randygrider9758]

Those railroad ties are hard, dont be surprised if you dont get a .22 round back in your face some day. Years ago we were shooting into a brushpile and a .22 round came straight back and hit my nephew square in the chest. Of course he thought he was bullet proof after that ! :)

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Good to know... another reason to wear safety glasses while shooting !

[@jimsatterfield8748]

Good job!

[@calebbrewer9078]

I wanna do something like this. I’m wanting to get about 5-6 tons of dirt to fill the inside of my ties tho. Also am wondering if rebar is an absolutely necessary part of the build? Will the railroad ties be enough filled with dirt

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

That much weight/pressure on the inside pushing out against the ties would likely necessitate the ties be interlocked like a log cabin and perhaps also staked in place with rebar or T-post.