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
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.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
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 builderI 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?
You will not necessarily need a palm riser but they can be handy for offhand shotsI 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
Not that I’ve noticed for an Hft application but results vary with builds and shootersAny improvement on accuracy from a 15" to an 18" barrel?
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.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?
Glad I didn't buy a butt pad. Good to know.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.
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
If you decide to go with the full length version …. pm meI 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?
Same for me on my Motorhead versionIf 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.