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Building a Thomas FT, need recommendations...

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These guns are surprisingly heavy which can be a good thing.

A Thomas, strictly from a weight perspective in my case, by me being 64, 5'7", 145lbs, I kinda wish I had got the shortest version. My mid size with a 15" barrel is tad to heavy for me for offhand anymore with my 15-60 on top which wouldn't have been the case 10 years ago.

It won't be too long and I'll have to make some changes like a lighter scope and maybe machining off some metal on the chassis.
 
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steve123 said:
These guns are surprisingly heavy which can be a good thing.

A Thomas, strictly from a weight perspective in my case, by me being 64, 5'7", 145lbs, I kinda wish I had got the shortest version. My mid size with a 15" barrel is tad to heavy for me for offhand anymore with my 15-60 on top which wouldn't have been the case 10 years ago.

It won't be too long and I'll have to make some changes like a lighter scope and maybe machining off some metal on the chassis.
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That is true, my carbine with a March Majesta 8-80x on top is 17lbs. Just the way I like it.
 
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JW. said:
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).
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I assume you’re shooting a class other than hunter. No stock adjustments are allowed during a match for hunter class. Swinging the hamster out of the way should result in a DQ.
 
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mocoman said:
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
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If you took some time and perhaps picked up a used FT gun in a more conventional wood stock configuration, spend a season or more learning the game, shooting with and watching others, trying others equipment when at FT shoots etc .... what your may find is for "Hunter Class" FT where rifle rests on shooting sticks generally and shot from a low seated position that the "PROFILE" of the stock, Grip area shape & position, butt pad/plate type, Mid stock belly for offhand differs greatly between manufacturers and there style of AG's produced. Knowledge is power and it will serve you a lot better to get some of this knowledge before following others just because of He or She said accolades of any specific brand.

Free wisdom ...
 
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mocoman said:
Yes hunter but know that the forearm max depth is 6" or less and no adjustment is allowed after the shoot starts.
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According to BOG last year, when asked in email, You are allowed to swing a palm riser out of the way to “refill“ your air tube only providing you return it to its original position.
 
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TargetOH said:
I assume you’re shooting a class other than hunter. No stock adjustments are allowed during a match for hunter class. Swinging the hamster out of the way should result in a DQ.
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LOL

Let me translate that for you in context: He doesn't necessarily need the extra depth of a hamster for offhand with a Thomas in Hunter.

I know the rules.
 
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steve123 said:
These guns are surprisingly heavy which can be a good thing.

A Thomas, strictly from a weight perspective in my case, by me being 64, 5'7", 145lbs, I kinda wish I had got the shortest version. My mid size with a 15" barrel is tad to heavy for me for offhand anymore with my 15-60 on top which wouldn't have been the case 10 years ago.

It won't be too long and I'll have to make some changes like a lighter scope and maybe machining off some metal on the chassis.
Click to expand...
I was going to mention this but I do not know the weight difference between the two versions. I believe I have a midsized one and its pretty hefty, not as hefty as a full size USFT though... I put a Sphur one piece mount on my Sightron, compared to the Leupold rings I was running that Sphur mount is a damn boat anchor. I've had a rifle that was too light and i'll go too heavy any day of the week over the alternate. Most of the weight for the Thomas is to the middle and to the rear so it feels very well balanced when shooting offhand.
 
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JW. said:
I was going to mention this but I do not know the weight difference between the two versions. I believe I have a midsized one and its pretty hefty, not as hefty as a full size USFT though... I put a Sphur one piece mount on my Sightron, compared to the Leupold rings I was running that Sphur mount is a damn boat anchor. I've had a rifle that was too light and i'll go too heavy any day of the week over the alternate. Most of the weight for the Thomas is to the middle and to the rear so it feels very well balanced when shooting offhand.
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This one as shown with Athlon 6-24x56 scope and Rowan hamster weighs 12 lb 12oz
IMG_8065.jpeg
 
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mocoman said:
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
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I own a </=12 fpe 0.177 Thomas Air Benchrest #0314.

During pellet testing in doors at 20 yds, I found that the depth of the pellet in the chamber did affect group size.

My Thomas is fitted with an adjustable pellet probe that allows me to adjust the chamber depth of a pellet and ensure each pellet is set to the same depth.

May or may not be useful in HFT loading offhand.

~Troy
 
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