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HFT Ranging Question

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Podna said:
The whole idea of limiting HFT to 16x is to prevent shooters from ranging targets at the higher magnifications where most scopes range much more precisely. It is not legal to “range” or “set parallax” at a scope setting higher than 16x for the HFT class.
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Almost like restricting the scope power was to keep it more "Hunter" like and less of a game of who can buy the biggest most expensive scope.
 
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Michael said:
I understand why they did it... but I like dialing! 😜
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Me too! Unlimited scope power and clicking that turret = Open class.

(Edit: Strikethrough for the inaccurate comment I made)
You can even compete in Open from bucket and sticks if that's your preferred position, although most in Open will have bumbag and shooting harness.

From local matches, and reading match reports from elsewhere, Open is dying. So, you can still shoot it, but expect to be one of a few, or 1 of 1 at a match.
 
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Michael said:
I understand that HFT division requires no more than 16x magnification, and the use of hold-over guesstimates instead of dialing turrets.

Question - is it legal (and best practice) to zoom into the target at greater magnification (say 32x) to set your parallax, then zoom back down to 16x before shooting?

Thx
-Michael
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Ah yes, I remember my first field target DQ. Not my last, but you always remember your first.
 
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Franklink said:
You can even compete in Open from bucket and sticks if that's your preferred position, although most in Open will have bumbag and shooting harness.
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Is this a local thing? I'm not seeing anything in the rulebook that would allow sticks for open class, and it explicitly says maximum seat height is 6". Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely shoot Open class from a bum bag with sticks if it was allowed, as I think a lot of other people would.
 
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scotton said:
Is this a local thing? I'm not seeing anything in the rulebook that would allow sticks for open class, and it explicitly says maximum seat height is 6". Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely shoot Open class from a bum bag with sticks if it was allowed, as I think a lot of other people would.
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Not a local thing.

I view Open class as the original class where innovation was supposed to be turned lose. Reading the rules shows that there are very few restrictions in Open. Hunter was supposed to be the entry class/the class where the equipment race was restricted. Of course it hasn't played out that way.

So for Open, seat height requirement yes, so SHORT bucket/stool or bumbag, as you say. The stool I use for Hunter is 10 or 11" so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for me to find something 6" to sit on, or Ive shot from a bumbag using sticks before, it works well. There was a big argument when we were were hammering out the rules for Xtreme Field Target. My argument being that bumbags+shooting sticks shouldn't be allowed for XFT because I felt that being closer to the ground aids in stability.

But back to sub20 fpe FT. My understanding of the rules is that sticks are allowed in Open. Just not with the normal height of seat used in Hunter.
 
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Motorhead said:
OPEN CLASS in AAFTA events .. CAN NOT shoot from an elevated seat such as a bucket or stool, and Can Not use shooting sticks
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Yes, I was wrong. Sticks not allowed in Open. I just read through the rules again.

The section of the rules that covers Open does not address sticks, so I assumed they were allowed and just nobody chose to do it out of field target culture. Only when looking at general rules does it specify that unless otherwise stated, the person shooting actually has to hold up the gun. And in the Hunter rules it allows sticks.

So, it is not addressed in Open rules (where it really should be), but is addressed in the general rules. Bassackwards way to have a rule for Open (ie not in the "Open" section).

Sorry Michael and anybody else I lead astray.

And @Motorhead, thanks for setting me straight.

Here are the rules for Open, where logic and common sense would dictate a rule governing Open should be...
Screenshot_20230908-225142.png


And here are some of the general rules, section B under "Shooting"
Screenshot_20230908-225123.png
 
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Motorhead said:
OPEN CLASS in AAFTA events .. CAN NOT shoot from an elevated seat such as a bucket or stool, and Can Not use shooting sticks
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What are you thoughts on a 5.9" stool in Open? Or one of those platforms for sitting on like are sold for turkey hunting ...as long as total height under 6" it'd be legal right?

And when I first started in ft back in the 12x days I shot in Hunter, but from either a 1inch pad or a bumbag, and using sticks....was I legal? Is there another example of a backwards way of saying it in the rules in regards to sitting on a bumbag and using sticks in Hunter?
 
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Franklink said:
What are you thoughts on a 5.9" stool in Open? Or one of those platforms for sitting on like are sold for turkey hunting ...as long as total height under 6" it'd be legal right?

And when I first started in ft back in the 12x days I shot in Hunter, but from either a 1inch pad or a bumbag, and using sticks....was I legal? Is there another example of a backwards way of saying it in the rules in regards to sitting on a bumbag and using sticks in Hunter?
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Half of the people that shoot Hunter in Texas use bum bags. Well, maybe not half, but a lot. You aren't required to use a bucket or elevated seat.
 
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scotton said:
Half of the people that shoot Hunter in Texas use bum bags. Well, maybe not half, but a lot. You aren't required to use a bucket or elevated seat.
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With all the crepitus in the TX area, that surprises me.

Always hear comments about people moving to Hunter b/c the bumbag was too hard to get up and down from.

Interesting.
 
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Franklink said:
What are you thoughts on a 5.9" stool in Open? Or one of those platforms for sitting on like are sold for turkey hunting ...as long as total height under 6" it'd be legal right?

And when I first started in ft back in the 12x days I shot in Hunter, but from either a 1inch pad or a bumbag, and using sticks....was I legal? Is there another example of a backwards way of saying it in the rules in regards to sitting on a bumbag and using sticks in Hunter?
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Largest issue with any of the FT classes is finding what we'll call ULTIMATE STABILITY :rolleyes:
Or than miens one finds in the style / position they shoot to get rid of the wiggles !! Until such a time when your position before a shot can get locked down is one able to effectively ADD POA correction for winds or other environmental variables. Shots w/o said stability become "Hail Mary" kinda close and that won't cut it :mad:

If you raise your seating ? whats the plan to hold the rifle stable with this elevated placement ? What if shots are NOT on the level & bias Up or Down ?

I've observed & shot with some VERY good Open class shooters ( Past National champions ) and most stable & consistent of them uses ALL the AFFORDED GEAR ..... Wears a jacket, uses a glove, sometimes a single point sling in shooting offhand. Sits on a low bag, uses a mechanical thigh rest to lock in the no cant position of rifle, adjustable hamster with a custom foot to best suit his knee position no matter level, up or down shooting.
 
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