Ever wondered what it's like to shoot a field target match?

[Nofilters]

Target reliability IMO is a topic of maintenance by person responsible and the type and quality of target. The cheaper targets are definitely a challenge at times. I take pride in my targets have been outside in Az weather for almost 5 years and I lube and test them prior to every match. The S &S targets are adjustable down to 12ftlbs at 55yds and 20 ftlbs at 100 yds. In last 7 matches I have had 3 cold lines this last mat and all were due to deteriorating rope. These targets can do a 20 ftlb AAFTA or a 100flb 100 yd match to include subsonic .22 rimfire. The problem is not everyone cane afford 24 of them or they do not see the value in multi venue targets. These targets hold the set and have been very reliable. So as clubs make decisions to purchase whatever level targets they can afford or justify the purchase of the accountability goes hand in hand IMO. I just purchased cheap targets to add for the close distances and beefed them up to hold 50 ftlbs. Time will tell if they hold up. I have personally tested them to 65ftlbs with face place hits and they did not fall. I also made the kz adjustable to minimize the total amout of targets needed . The S&S targets will last virtually forever with reducer replacement and lube maintenance and adjustments. So while they maybe more expensive in the long run for life expectancy and ability to do both short and long range type matches they are actually less money.

 

[Franklink]

@Franklink - by Ben, you mean Ben Spencer?

Yep, that's the one. The guy with the vision and gumption to turn EBR's yearly "American Field Target" into what long range/high power field target is today.

Extreme BenchRest liked the name Ben was using enough to fight a big nasty custody battle for the the legal use of "Extreme Field Target" and won at least in part by way of ability to pay more for lawyer fees. The summary of the legal battle was that Ben was actively using and had trademarked the name first but EBR claimed to have had an unused website with that phrase that dated back to 2014 or so. Muddy legal waters certainly. Of course, as anyone involved is aware, the actual use and notoriety of that name started with Ben's monthly matches at Phoenix Rod and Gun Club. For anybody that'd like to dispute the timeframes, just do a YouTube search for "American Field Target" and pay attention to dates. And then do a search for Extreme Field Target here on Airgun Nation, again paying attention to dates. You'll find a whole lot of match reports for Ben's Extreme Field Target matches that I wrote that occured prior to the first Extreme Field Target at EBR.

Anyway. Yeah, Ben Spencer. That man has done a lot of good for field target that not many are aware of. He shared his newest vision for field target in the second post of this discussion. Ultimate Field Target, and again, essentially a vision of inclusivity.

 

[R&R1911]

Yes, you are correct. The whole point of the Ultimate Field Target is to be Ultimate !!!right ,lol. matches I try very hard not to overlap or conflict to answer your first question.as far as optics and rifles. There are many places and I strongly recommend that you shop around and don’t be afraid to look at the used market as well. There’s also the option you can buy direct from Daystate if you are interested in a Daystate rifle you do not have to buy from a United States distributor . I think the most versatile gun is a modified RedWolf. Not everybody feels comfortable number one with electronics and number two modifying the electronics however, the adjustability is very simple and very fast and on the fly you don’t need a programmer like you do with a regular Redwolf and you can adjust everything through the trigger. This allows you to have 12 different power
Level settings so you can have a setting for 12 ftlb,20 ftlb, 50 flbs and higher depending upon your caliber and even a setting for 70 ftlbs pounds with a 30 caliber. The optics game is very confusing and if you’re going to be using the gun for multiple types of Field Target, you may want to look at a higher end scope that is known for good ranging because ranging is part of the game. I think it promotes less participation because of extra cost, but that’s my personal opinion that’s why I am pursuing the Ultimate Field Target with a known distances so you literally can buy $100 or $150 Scope with a $300 gun and come out and play and have fun and be competitive. Are the higher price guns and higher price scopes make your task easier ,yes. Those cheap guns can be very competitive. The example of the national title with a Marauder and UTG Scope now not everybody can do that but it shows that it is possible So, if you can try before you buy. and.The nice thing about Field Target shooters is ( mostly)they’ll be more than glad to let you shoot their rig and tell you the pros and cons and what stumbling blocks they’ve gone over. So, I would you do the research and you’ll be a lot happier Customer in the end in my opinion I hope that answers your questions and I will try to help anyway I can. I normally don’t get on Airgun Nation. franklink usually text me and let me know that someone ask a question that’s how I know to get on Airgun Nation but I normally don’t get on . ty vm for your interest in growing the sport.

Thank you for the very informative reply!
I was able to attend my first FT match in August at Mormon Lake, and Cole and many others were very generous to let me try I more rifles than I could count. Everyone I have talked to and met have been extremely helpful, answered numerous questions, and helped me learn much more than I ever could have on my own. Great group of people here on the forum and in person!

I have a strong firearms background and am familiar with the importance of good glass. Scopes I have, but I have not purchased an air rifle yet. I am pretty well decided on what I will get, and I have a good idea of the glass it will have.

Opening the door for more people to join the sport at a maybe lower entry cost is a wonderful idea! I had no idea the depth of technology or expense involved until I started looking into this sport more recently. Intimidating for sure.

I was totally hooked by the field target game, after one try, and another way to play a similar game is awesome. I plan to shoot field target again and would love to try the UFT when I get set up with a rig.

 

[cavedweller]

Target reliability IMO is a topic of maintenance by person responsible and the type and quality of target. The cheaper targets are definitely a challenge at times. I take pride in my targets have been outside in Az weather for almost 5 years and I lube and test them prior to every match. The S &S targets are adjustable down to 12ftlbs at 55yds and 20 ftlbs at 100 yds. In last 7 matches I have had 3 cold lines this last mat and all were due to deteriorating rope. These targets can do a 20 ftlb AAFTA or a 100flb 100 yd match to include subsonic .22 rimfire. The problem is not everyone cane afford 24 of them or they do not see the value in multi venue targets. These targets hold the set and have been very reliable. So as clubs make decisions to purchase whatever level targets they can afford or justify the purchase of the accountability goes hand in hand IMO. I just purchased cheap targets to add for the close distances and beefed them up to hold 50 ftlbs. Time will tell if they hold up. I have personally tested them to 65ftlbs with face place hits and they did not fall. I also made the kz adjustable to minimize the total amout of targets needed . The S&S targets will last virtually forever with reducer replacement and lube maintenance and adjustments. So while they maybe more expensive in the long run for life expectancy and ability to do both short and long range type matches they are actually less money.

Hi Ben
@Nofilters
Your targets are indeed solid, as are Mikes MDT type. I have 38 total now.
Many clubs struggle with the time maintenance factor and it’s usually the same people at a club who catch all the work. If club members would help each other more during set up, break down and general target maintenance cold lines would probably be very minimal.
When they cheap out on the leader lines and clips it makes it worse. If you are making <100 fpe type targets please let me know.
Rudy

 

[cavedweller]

Thank you for the very informative reply!
I was able to attend my first FT match in August at Mormon Lake, and Cole and many others were very generous to let me try I more rifles than I could count. Everyone I have talked to and met have been extremely helpful, answered numerous questions, and helped me learn much more than I ever could have on my own. Great group of people here on the forum and in person!

I have a strong firearms background and am familiar with the importance of good glass. Scopes I have, but I have not purchased an air rifle yet. I am pretty well decided on what I will get, and I have a good idea of the glass it will have.

Opening the door for more people to join the sport at a maybe lower entry cost is a wonderful idea! I had no idea the depth of technology or expense involved until I started looking into this sport more recently. Intimidating for sure.

I was totally hooked by the field target game, after one try, and another way to play a similar game is awesome. I plan to shoot field target again and would love to try the UFT when I get set up with a rig.

It is absolutely a great time!

 

[cavedweller]

Yep, that's the one. The guy with the vision and gumption to turn EBR's yearly "American Field Target" into what long range/high power field target is today.

Extreme BenchRest liked the name Ben was using enough to fight a big nasty custody battle for the the legal use of "Extreme Field Target" and won at least in part by way of ability to pay more for lawyer fees. The summary of the legal battle was that Ben was actively using and had trademarked the name first but EBR claimed to have had an unused website with that phrase that dated back to 2014 or so. Muddy legal waters certainly. Of course, as anyone involved is aware, the actual use and notoriety of that name started with Ben's monthly matches at Phoenix Rod and Gun Club. For anybody that'd like to dispute the timeframes, just do a YouTube search for "American Field Target" and pay attention to dates. And then do a search for Extreme Field Target here on Airgun Nation, again paying attention to dates. You'll find a whole lot of match reports for Ben's Extreme Field Target matches that I wrote that occured prior to the first Extreme Field Target at EBR.

Anyway. Yeah, Ben Spencer. That man has done a lot of good for field target that not many are aware of. He shared his newest vision for field target in the second post of this discussion. Ultimate Field Target, and again, essentially a vision of inclusivity.

Awesome background info! American LD FT or UFT or AFT or Arizona style FT or HP FT, they all work for me (the letter E is overrated) heck BS FT rocks just as well.
IMO - It’s the big moolah and sponsorship thing and the associated sales and investments that put the sand in my panties.