I am going to have a Thomas FT rifle built and would really appreciate any suggestions or recommendations from anyone experienced with a Thomas. I'm completely new to FT and am planning on using it for the Hunter class. Thank you
Building a Thomas FT, need recommendations...
- Thread starter mocoman
- Start date
I suggest the carbine version because you can use it for WFTF, Hft, and pistol Hft and bench rest if desired. carbine is a bit lighter too.
Mike Thomas makes a great Airgun!
As for scopes, a Sightron S3 or Athlon Heras 6-24x56 are great scopes using Burris signature rings.
You will need to buy an MDT shoulder piece as well.
Anschutz 4759 Butt Plate
This ISSF legal Anschutz 4759 Butt Plate with a non-slip profile is lightweight and easily adjustable.
www.creedmoorsports.com This model is the full length shrouded version. 100 plus shots at 3300 psi fill.
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I am going to have Mikes guy in phoenix put it together. What is the barrel length on the carbine and estimated shot count for it in 177?
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I believe 15” is correct and the carbine can easily finish a 60 shot match on one 3300 fill. But always best to ask the builder
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Have you considered any other options? My only question about the Thomas is how long you will need to wait for it to be built, and if you are expected to get it before the beginning of the upcoming season. There are many other capable guns out there if you need an alternative now, or just something to shoot while you wait for the Thomas.
I have a red wolf, huntsman revere, and a Brk Ghost that all shoot pretty good. I build custom long range hunting rifles and every week I spend time trying to get gnats ass accuracy for my clients. There is no better feeling than knowing that you can virtually eliminate the performance of the gun. Then it becomes practice time. I have faith in my builder that I will get the most accurate gun possible and he assures me that we will.
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My Thomas was amazing and I miss it every time I shoot FT style shooting. I purchased my hamster and butt hook from SubMoa out of Spain. Cheaper than many other options but still very well made.
What recommendations are you looking for?
What recommendations are you looking for?
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I am looking at the hunter class so I don't think the butt hook is legal and the hamster is limited in depth to 6" from bottom to center of the barrel. Is the above gun a 18" barrel?
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Yes. It is an 18” barrel. SubMOA has different style butthooks that are not as large. I can’t remember what options there were for hamsters.
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If you want to increase the shot count of the carbine length air tube the 18" barrel will help with that. But if you plan to shoot pistol FT the 15" barrel is the only choice.
There is a new butt pad rule for 2025 AAFTA FT, I think the total 'cup' can't be more than 3/4" or 1". A bipod stop is probably all the hamster 'depth' you'll need, I swing my hamster/knee rest out of the way for offhand shots on my Thomas (I hold the chassis right in front of the trigger guard).
Depending on who tunes it you may be able to eek out a few more shots, typically these rifles are setup for ultra fast hammer action with a flow limiting/metering screw to reduce the velocity, this often wastes a bit of air. I like a lighter hammer moving fairly fast with a heavier valve return spring, and then I tune the regulator down to the flattest velocity curve possible (I leave just a little velocity in the hammer spring tension adjustment, around 20fps in case I lose some velocity due to altitude, temperature, etc).
The nicest setup i've used so far is the captured spring hammer I got with #293 from Motorhead, i'm getting around 90 shots using 13.44's at 818.
There is a new butt pad rule for 2025 AAFTA FT, I think the total 'cup' can't be more than 3/4" or 1". A bipod stop is probably all the hamster 'depth' you'll need, I swing my hamster/knee rest out of the way for offhand shots on my Thomas (I hold the chassis right in front of the trigger guard).
Depending on who tunes it you may be able to eek out a few more shots, typically these rifles are setup for ultra fast hammer action with a flow limiting/metering screw to reduce the velocity, this often wastes a bit of air. I like a lighter hammer moving fairly fast with a heavier valve return spring, and then I tune the regulator down to the flattest velocity curve possible (I leave just a little velocity in the hammer spring tension adjustment, around 20fps in case I lose some velocity due to altitude, temperature, etc).
The nicest setup i've used so far is the captured spring hammer I got with #293 from Motorhead, i'm getting around 90 shots using 13.44's at 818.
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A bit of clarification is probably needed here...
The Thomas i'm running the light hammer, long hammer spring and heavy valve spring in is the original Thomas FT Prototype Carbine #001. This rifle is a bit different than the others out there and nothing like the current models on the market. I have tuned it a bunch of times since I bought it in late 2018 looking for the best shot count/velocity, I got it to a point where it felt really good but never really felt 'close to perfect'. After these mods (which I found while tuning the rifle for 2025 Worlds and/or AAFTA Pistol) this rifle woke up and shoots like a completely different machine, the lock time feels super fast, velocity is ultra consistent (std dev under 3 for 70+ shots), I was fairly nervous about the chrony lane at the Worlds but the rifle never wavered. I seriously considered moving to WFTF for good because of how nice this rifle feels with this current tune, its that good.
On my other Thomas, #293 there is a special hammer/spring unit with a bunch of other tuned fiddly bits that are not stock, like an air gauge...
I have found that by experimenting with the tune (which also means on occasion making/sourcing/changing out some parts) I was able to get some additional performance from these two setups over where they were when I received them (people who were not Mike). I have found this to also be true of Cricket, FX, EdGun, USFT, AirForce and any other mass production airgun I have received to date.
The Thomas i'm running the light hammer, long hammer spring and heavy valve spring in is the original Thomas FT Prototype Carbine #001. This rifle is a bit different than the others out there and nothing like the current models on the market. I have tuned it a bunch of times since I bought it in late 2018 looking for the best shot count/velocity, I got it to a point where it felt really good but never really felt 'close to perfect'. After these mods (which I found while tuning the rifle for 2025 Worlds and/or AAFTA Pistol) this rifle woke up and shoots like a completely different machine, the lock time feels super fast, velocity is ultra consistent (std dev under 3 for 70+ shots), I was fairly nervous about the chrony lane at the Worlds but the rifle never wavered. I seriously considered moving to WFTF for good because of how nice this rifle feels with this current tune, its that good.
On my other Thomas, #293 there is a special hammer/spring unit with a bunch of other tuned fiddly bits that are not stock, like an air gauge...
I have found that by experimenting with the tune (which also means on occasion making/sourcing/changing out some parts) I was able to get some additional performance from these two setups over where they were when I received them (people who were not Mike). I have found this to also be true of Cricket, FX, EdGun, USFT, AirForce and any other mass production airgun I have received to date.
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The best thing to do is call Mike and have a conversation with him. He has all the answers your looking for. I'm on my 3rd Thomas, have had both a carbine and full length in 20ft lbs and currently have a 12 ft lb carbine. You really can't go wrong on either carbine or full length, just whatever fits your needs at the time.
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Anschutz 4759 Butt Plate
This ISSF legal Anschutz 4759 Butt Plate with a non-slip profile is lightweight and easily adjustable.
www.creedmoorsports.com Upvote 0
Same for me on my Motorhead version
I have a carbine on the way, due in 1-2 month, @ 16-18 months wait time but worth it! After all a Thomas is, well, a THOMAS!!!
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