30-Yard Challenge

[tommyb]

Like I said, you have the 40y game figured out. Great shooting Ed!

It will seem weird at first, when you get up in the morning and have “no” work responsibility. Took me months to feel some self worth again when I first retired. I realize not everyone feels this way, but it was initially hard for me to adjust to not working. And, adjust I did. The good news is I recovered eventually, and no looking back! No complaints.

You will love the new hobbies and freedom you now have.

Happy healthy New Year to all!

 

[JimD]

Congratulations on the retirement Ed. I retired after 40 years with the same company I went with when I graduated college in 1979 (they got sold several times but I never changed so I get two pension checks each month). So I retired in 2019. I bought my first PCP in early 2020 and am up to 6 now. Fun additional hobby for my extra free time. Started a wood stock for my Avenger in the last couple days, shot a 191 10X on the 30 yard masters target and took my 69th squirrel with an airgun today. We got up to about 70 today but it is headed back down. It was officially about 15 mph winds today so I was happy with the 191.

It sounds like you have multiple ways to spend your free time which is a key, I think, to enjoying retirement.

 

[EPG]

Congratulations on the retirement Ed. I retired after 40 years with the same company I went with when I graduated college in 1979 (they got sold several times but I never changed so I get two pension checks each month). So I retired in 2019. I bought my first PCP in early 2020 and am up to 6 now. Fun additional hobby for my extra free time. Started a wood stock for my Avenger in the last couple days, shot a 191 10X on the 30 yard masters target and took my 69th squirrel with an airgun today. We got up to about 70 today but it is headed back down. It was officially about 15 mph winds today so I was happy with the 191.

It sounds like you have multiple ways to spend your free time which is a key, I think, to enjoying retirement.

Thanks Jimmy, yeah - I have a bunch of hobbies. What I will miss is that my job had me interacting with dozens of people all around the globe - every day. My social circle will undoubtedly shrink massively now.

So you are counting the squirrel carnage, huh? Lol. I had one in my crosshairs with .25 caliber yesterday... and let him live. Its almost too easy with these rifles. The squirrels are a nuisance, and I’ll continue to thin the herd … but sometimes I don’t shoot em - let the foxes who live next door do their own hunting. They always benefit from the squirrels I shoot, lol.

-Ed

 

[Demphna2]

Congrats on retirement Ed! I was worried about my dad when he retired (I don't know why), but he's more busy now than when he was working and I think that's key to enjoying and living a full life. Don't slow down, keep moving!

As for myself, going to get back shooting soon. Happy New Year fellas

 

[Demphna2]

Been having fun hunting these little turds. They chew through my wires to my lights in the backyard and after the 3rd replacement, I decided all out war has commenced. It's why I haven't shot a card in a while. Took this one at 30 yards

 

[EPG]

Tried to get in a late December leaderboard entry, but will submit this for the January leaderboard.

I shot this yesterday with the FX Royale .22 shooting the JSB 20.83g “lights” at a very consistent 870 FPS. Ricky, I took your advice and adjusted HS to have it shoot the 18.1g at 905-910 fps. Both pellets shoot very accurately. I was going to shoot a couple of 40Y Challenge cards but I didn’t want to scare Ed with my scores!

First ‘200’ score for this rifle.

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Congrats on the 200 TommyB !

Remember that I get first dibs on that Royale if you ever decide to sell it. Always wanted to try an FX with original smooth twist barrel.

The JSB 20.83s are a really nice pellet. I can’t wait until the FX branded version comes out - hopefully in tins of 350 count.

 

[EPG]

Congrats on retirement Ed! I was worried about my dad when he retired (I don't know why), but he's more busy now than when he was working and I think that's key to enjoying and living a full life. Don't slow down, keep moving!

As for myself, going to get back shooting soon. Happy New Year fellas

Thanks Demphna2. Are you using your laser accurate Brocock on those squirrels?

They have no chance at 30 yards !

 

[Demphna2]

Thanks Demphna2. Are you using your laser accurate Brocock on those squirrels?

They have no chance at 30 yards !

Yes sir!

 

[tommyb]

Congrats on the 200 TommyB !

Remember that I get first dibs on that Royale if you ever decide to sell it. Always wanted to try an FX with original smooth twist barrel.

The JSB 20.83s are a really nice pellet. I can’t wait until the FX branded version comes out - hopefully in tins of 350 count.

Thanks Ed.

Yeah, the FX Branded pellets are good so looking forward to seeing them offer this weight soon. The Royale is similar to your Crown. Very accurate and POI is reliable.

 

[EPG]

Leaderboard submisson…

I have a few submissions at 40 yards with both Crowns from 12/31 and 1/1/25.

I was running low on air with the Crown .22 with 700mm. The light was so dim that I figured I’d shoot a 30-Masters - as I could not see holds well at 40 Yards. I thought I’d drop off the reg before completing this card… but the forecast for good shooting days looked bleak in January… so I went for it.

30-Masters of 198 17X ! Still had fill pressure slightly above reg when done. The combination of 700mm barrel and 580cc bottle gives lots of shots!

In fairness to my Crown .22, I was still adjusting the scope to 30 yards when I shot the two 9s on 2a and 2b. I think this rifle is capable of 18+ Xs on a Masters card - not sure the shooter is, lol.

Anyway, Tommy’s got a 200 on the 2025 Leaderboard already… and I’ve got a 17X 30-Masters. Great start to the new year.

If you are in a warmer climate, get some 2025 lead downrange !

 

[TheAirgunnero]

Happy New Year Everyone and congratulations on your retirement @EPG. Retirement means more time to shoot!

Here are my two leaderboard submissions for 2025 which were shot haphazardly using my GCMAG Magnum Gen 2, Sniper Diabolo Domed 18.15gr @970fps, Vector Optics Sentinel X @30X magnification, Protektor Model Deluxe BB as front rest and Protektor rabbit ear rear bag.

Card #1 199 17X
Card #2 200 15X shot diagonally and not in order

Card #1 Video:

Card #2 Video:

 

[Sentinel]

Happy New Year Everyone and congratulations on your retirement @EPG. Retirement means more time to shoot!

Here are my two leaderboard submissions for 2025 which were shot haphazardly using my GCMAG Magnum Gen 2, Sniper Diabolo Domed 18.15gr @970fps, Vector Optics Sentinel X @30X magnification, Protektor Model Deluxe BB as front rest and Protektor rabbit ear rear bag.

Card #1 199 17X
Card #2 200 15X shot diagonally and not in order

Card #1 Video:

Card #2 Video:

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Great shooting again! If only the dude who used a Brocock Sniper XR and scored a 200 20X could prove it on video, it would be great. So far none has proven nor documented any of their scores and only yours is LEGIT to me.

 

[R&R1911]

I am a pretty new member. After trying a field target match this past summer, I finally picked up my first air rifle a few weeks ago. I am having a blast and shooting pretty much every day!
I decided to try a 30 yard challenge for the first time today... It's tougher than it looks

I am shooting a .177 BRK Ghost and FX 10.3s at 650 fps. I have it set low for basement and yard sessions. Plus it is getting well over 400 shots per fill. I quit counting at 400 with plenty left in the tank, anyway.

Anyway, not much to brag about, but it was a lot of fun and I hope to improve. Weather was mid 50s with 4-7 mph right to left breeze. Plus smoke from a forest fire not far from home

I think I scored it properly, but if I am off, please correct me.

I'll keep trying, this is fun!

 

[RCope]

I've had some time off over the holidays so I've shot quite a few 30 yard masters and 40 yard challenge cards with my Redwolf and my AA S510. Quite humbling I have to admit, have been unable to crack 190. So you guys on the leaderboards should be proud ;-). Will keep at it, this challenge keeps me motivated! Cheers, Rick.

 

[tommyb]

I've had some time off over the holidays so I've shot quite a few 30 yard masters and 40 yard challenge cards with my Redwolf and my AA S510. Quite humbling I have to admit, have been unable to crack 190. So you guys on the leaderboards should be proud ;-). Will keep at it, this challenge keeps me motivated! Cheers, Rick.

Hey Rick, I’m right with you here. This Challenge can really be humbling.

If possible, try and cherry pick a very light wind day and force yourself to take 15-20 minutes to shoot a card. I shoot too fast and when I slow down and take my time to concentrate on shooting technique, I get a few more charity points.

Tom

 

[JimD]

I didn't shoot targets hardly at all last year during squirrel season. This year I have been when I get good conditions or if I just feel like it. Doesn't seem to matter. I haven't shot any while shooting a target but I have a few hours later. They get real leery if I miss and they feel the wind but they don't seem to be very affected by the noise.

 

[WoodWelder]

Getting tired of shooting groups? Try this game out. You shoot all 24 bulls once at 30 yards. Next, eliminate your two lowest pairs. Then, add up your score, with a Max of 200. My best target using my Vet Long is below, as is the target I used. It would be a really great shooter who could get a 200. The 10 ring is 3.28mm in diameter, about the size of a small fly. Post up your best score and what gun you used!

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Here are the scoring rules:

If the hole touches the next higher ring, score to the higher ring. Use a pellet, skirt down, if the hole is ragged.

To score a 10, you just need to touch the gray ring surrounding the black dot.

To score an X, you just need to touch the black dot in the center. (This is different than the instructions on the bottom of the target, due to us shooting at 30-yards)

.177 shooters are allowed to use a .22 pellet or a .224 scoring plug to score their targets, to compensate for the smaller diameter of a .177 pellet.

Once you shoot all 24 bulls, you get to eliminate your lowest two sets (mulligans) see the target above how I slashed out my two lowest pairs.

Score the remaining 20 targets for a Max score of 200. Also add your X's if you have any.

So a perfect score would be 200 20X. Please post up your scores and what rifle you are shooting. Have fun!!

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Okay I downloaded this, is this supposed to be on an 8X10 page?

This does look like fun!

 

[EPG]

Okay I downloaded this, is this supposed to be on an 8X10 page?

This does look like fun!

Welcome Woodwelder

Choose the “Actual Size” checkbox when printing the PDF.

It should be printed on 8.5” x 11” paper (standard letter sized paper)

There is a measurement key on the lower right side of the printed target page - you can measure it to determine if your target is printed the correct size.

Now print it and get shootin’,

-Ed

 

[WoodWelder]

Okay just to be clear, the 30 yard challenge is using a 50 foot target sheet? No big deal, I just want to be sure?

My wife printed me off a few sheets and I'll make some time this coming weekend January 11 or 12th.

I wish I had a telescope to mount on my rifle! That looks mighty small.

 

[EPG]

Okay just to be clear, the 30 yard challenge is using a 50 foot target sheet? No big deal, I just want to be sure?

My wife printed me off a few sheets and I'll make some time this coming weekend January 11 or 12th.

I wish I had a telescope to mount on my rifle! That looks mighty small.

I’m not certain what the intended original distance was for the target that we shoot, but we started at 30 yards and now have quite a few guys also shooting it at 40 yards. We even have a couple of guys that have taken it out to 47-55 yards.

To really see your holds well, I’d say you need 18x to 24x scope magnification at 30 yards. I’d recommend 36x to 45x scope magnification at 40 yards and beyond. But we’ve had many great scores from guys using less magnification.

If it was easy, it wouldn’t be a “Challenge“

I’ve really improved my shooting over the past couple years by shooting these challenge targets and learning from the shooters on this thread.

It’s not like group shooting, its a tiny target and there is literally no margin for error. You will get better at wind reading, at consistency in holding your rifle, at consistency with your trigger technique, understanding things like stiction as you move from target to target - its fun… and if you keep practicing, your scores will go up.

Another cool thing I‘ve found is that by constantly using this same target at different distances, I get very good data on what both me, the rifle and the particular ammo are capable of.

-Ed