Field Target Unlimited Division dream setup

[Mark]

The Tar Heel Airgun Club is testing a Unlimited division for field target. That means bipods, range finders, electronic wind indicators, and much more. What would the ideal setup would consist of? Here were some of my thoughts. 

PCP like a Talon with a bipod. Rail laser attachment. Not sure about a range finder. 

Anyways just having fun thinking about it. Someone with the right setup should be able to clean a field target course. BTW the THAGC is having a Frostbite match this upcoming weekend 1/23.

 

[Strikey]

I think all that gear would take away what Field Target is, a challenge and proving your skills as a shooter, not the person with the largest wallet who can afford all the accessories which may not actually make them a better shot, but like a lot of competitions it will probably turn into an accessory race.

 

[sharroff]

Agree with Strikey. Kinda like being a drag racer with their built up 1000HP Camaro running on a local track wanting to compete in unlimited drag racing against a 8,000-10,000 HP top fuel dragster. Cost difference isn't as much, but probably takes Joe average out of the equipment game.

With that being said, I'd say an Allen Zasadny modified field target gun - probably a Styer - with one of those scopes that costs as much as our "usual" top end PCPs.

Like drag racing, the machine (and it's cost) is still only part of the equation. Give someone a $5000 tuned AZ gun with a $2000 scope and they still have to be able to shoot. Do they have a big advantage over someone with a Marauder with Hawke? Oh heck yea. Does that mean they will win, heck no.

 

[NorthLand43]

I agree with Strikey and Sharroff.

I think it would be more interesting if everyone had to use the same factory stock rifle and scope, could use their choice of pellet, and then compete in Field Target.
See who really has the skills.

 

[Mark]

Agree it could be an arms race. Like pro sports allowing steroids. On the other hand it may be attractive to folks in the Hunter division that are tired of being restricted to rules like 12x scopes. The best thing is to attract more folks to the fun of Airgunning/field target.

 

[Scott_Allen]

Since you are talking about a dream setup Mark I'd likely pick a regulated USFT in .177 with a Lilja barrel and March 8-80 and a Leica laser rangefinder to confirm the March paralax..... I'm kidding of course.

It will be interesting to see if there will be anyone who clears the courses this year, even in the unlimited class. I think that the Unlimted class is a good gateway to the pre-existing divisions and actually could be a cheaper way to shoot since rangefinders are allowed and avoid expensive glass.

If I were shooting unlimited from scratch I'd probably pick a Air Arms 400 and put a bipod and min 32x scope on it and range find with the laser rangefinder. The rangefinder is a cost equalizer in FT. I think the idea of unlimited being a gear race is not likely, especially in our club matches. If free style or unlimited became a national class then it would develop differently.

 

[CampFussell]

I'll just be happy to be able to use 30 power on my Sightron and tickled pink if I can ever score a 50 ;-)
Also like being able to use an attached bi-pod again ;-) However I haven't put a swivel stud or a weaver mount on my Cricket yet ;-)

 

[sharroff]

A measly March?

Heck, I say go big or go home. Start with an electronic Daystate MCT with custom software / hardware set to 19.8 and 11.8. Marry it to the barrel from the Thomas and wire the daystate electronics into one of these Trackingpoint scopes for it to trigger the shot.

http://tracking-point.com/

 

[Rchr]

Like sharoff said "You still have to be able to shoot". Archery Free style unlimited is something similar to this. The distances have been made longer and the division is open to anyone that wants to shoot with the the big boys. All that equipment means there are no excuses anymore, it's you that missed. 

 

[crosman150]

I don't know if anyone will clear the course or not. I don't think to many people cleaned the standing lane last year. The far target is out there!