I’m a newb to FT and need your advice

[shutik]

AR20 is very capable gun and is great FT gun. Definitely great choice.

It is OK to shoot with 22. Your D48 group looks great. Bring that to your first match. If you can shoot that gun well, AR20 shooting will feel like cheating.

For your $300 scope, I have good success with Aztek emerald 5.5-25x50 SFP. You can pick it up used for $300 from this forum's classifieds. Other choices might be hawk, Bushnell elite.

 

[Pale_Rider]

Practice in the wind. It’s all easy till the wind starts blowing

I would imagine it would be akin to training for boxing, but only hitting the heavy bag rather than sparring with an opponent that actually moves and hits back

 

[Pale_Rider]

Someone told me this once and I agree. 80% of your practice time should be in the forced (standing and kneeling) positions. 

Chas

I will give that a shot, thanks Chas

 

[Pale_Rider]

A couple of additions to some good advice already given:

First... on your question about the AR20.... from what I know of them, it's a great first rifle. Typically accurate and adjustable enough to do well.

Second .... my wife and I made our biggest gains shooting a practice target called IFP ... International Field Position. There is a web site about it where you can download practice targets. It is quite difficult but if you score yourself every time, it gives you incentive and feedback on your progress. 

It's a great game to us.... we've been at it for close to 30 years and still enjoy it, even if we aren't as serious as we once were.

I think the advice given about the scope is pretty good though a hard line $300 budget might make finding a great one difficult. One note on that though, PEOPLE can range as well as a scope, it just takes some training and practice. Knowing your equipment and yourself is more important than the cost. I've seen it a LOT. A person comes into the game buying something like a Thomas with a March on it and thinking they will kick butt because they've just spent over $7k and get beat by a guy with an Mrod.... repeatedly. It's not about the small groups ... It's about NOT MISSING a reasonable target with something that is accurate enough and dependable.

Welcome and hope you find FT enjoyable enough to stay with us.

Bob

Bob,

I love your idea about the IFP targets. 

Also, hats off to you and your wife for 30+ years of marriage and the fact that you both shoot airguns together..that’s beautiful.

Although, I could shell out a few hundred more for a really nice scope I think I will rely on my eyes for now and see how that goes.

Thank you for the welcoming advice 

 

[Pale_Rider]

AR20 is very capable gun and is great FT gun. Definitely great choice.

It is OK to shoot with 22. Your D48 group looks great. Bring that to your first match. If you can shoot that gun well, AR20 shooting will feel like cheating.

For your $300 scope, I have good success with Aztek emerald 5.5-25x50 SFP. You can pick it up used for $300 from this forum's classifieds. Other choices might be hawk, Bushnell elite.

Based upon your advice I will most likely buy the AR20 for pcp class and D48 for springer. I will do more homework on the scopes, maybe wait until I attend a FT match where I can hopefully test other guys’ scopes.

Shutik, Thanks for taking the time to school me in FT

 

[Scotchmo]

...Scope is more important than a rifle. You can do well with $200 rifle, not so much with the scope.

...

I have used scopes that cost under $200 to win some big matches. The guns were not all that expensive, but I have yet to find a $200 gun that was good enough as-is. Even with a $1000 scope, I can't think of any good combination that I would bet on. Unless you get very lucky on the factory barrel. Probability of success will go up if you spend more $$$ on the gun. But nothing is assured.

I think you could put a $200 scope on a $700+ gun and win plenty often, if you do your part.

 

[Flintsack]

I read through all the comments, and you received very good advice.

I shot for months on my own before I went to my first field target match.

A good practice target, is a huge washer, that you can buy at Fleet Farm, or similar. Get the big thick heavy duty ones. That can be shot a few hundred times without noticing a dent. Figure out a way to mount them on board. You Can drill out the center, so it’s open, or just leave the wood as backing. Use a 2 inch hole at 50 and 55 yards. Smaller as you get in closer. A half inch would be a good size at 10 yards to start out.

have fun

mike

 

[Flintsack]

Something like this. At 30 yards you can try to shoot through the hole, at 50 yards you can just try to hit the washer. 

 

[22Jim]

I am the director of the Sacramento Valley Airgun Club and we have a Field Target match coming up on Saturday August 28 at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center near Ione CA. Before you buy a single piece of equipment attend a field target match and talk to the people who are there, you will learn more in a day then spending weeks (months) chatting on forums. If you let us know you are coming we will have a loaner rifle available for you to shoot and you will be paired with a knowledgeable shooter who will instruct you about all the things you need to know to get started in the sport. Oh you will also have an incredibly fun day while learning. 

Watch for the match announcement on this forum in the next few days.

Jim in Sacramento

 

[Pale_Rider]

...Scope is more important than a rifle. You can do well with $200 rifle, not so much with the scope.

...

I have used scopes that cost under $200 to win some big matches. The guns were not all that expensive, but I have yet to find a $200 gun that was good enough as-is. Even with a $1000 scope, I can't think of any good combination that I would bet on. Unless you get very lucky on the factory barrel. Probability of success will go up if you spend more $$$ on the gun. But nothing is assured.

I think you could put a $200 scope on a $700+ gun and win plenty often, if you do your part.

What are your thoughts on using a .22 vulcan with $200 scope? Are bullpups not good for FT?

 

[Pale_Rider]

Something like this. At 30 yards you can try to shoot through the hole, at 50 yards you can just try to hit the washer. 

Mike, thanks for the detailed advice. Now that I know about the washer setup I can start building a backyard FT station

 

[Pale_Rider]

I am the director of the Sacramento Valley Airgun Club and we have a Field Target match coming up on Saturday August 28 at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center near Ione CA. Before you buy a single piece of equipment attend a field target match and talk to the people who are there, you will learn more in a day then spending weeks (months) chatting on forums. If you let us know you are coming we will have a loaner rifle available for you to shoot and you will be paired with a knowledgeable shooter who will instruct you about all the things you need to know to get started in the sport. Oh you will also have an incredibly fun day while learning. 

Watch for the match announcement on this forum in the next few days.

Jim in Sacramento

That sounds awesome Jim! I will try and reschedule work for another day to attend that FT match. How many days prior to the match should I let you know I’m coming?

 

[Scotchmo]

...Scope is more important than a rifle. You can do well with $200 rifle, not so much with the scope.

...

I have used scopes that cost under $200 to win some big matches. The guns were not all that expensive, but I have yet to find a $200 gun that was good enough as-is. Even with a $1000 scope, I can't think of any good combination that I would bet on. Unless you get very lucky on the factory barrel. Probability of success will go up if you spend more $$$ on the gun. But nothing is assured.

I think you could put a $200 scope on a $700+ gun and win plenty often, if you do your part.

What are your thoughts on using a .22 vulcan with $200 scope? Are bullpups not good for FT?

You could use a bullpup. A .22 has some disadvantages in Field Target, but you could start with it, running right at 20fpe. That would mean Hunter Division or Open Division. The "loopier" .22 trajectory typically requires a scope that ranges more accurately (more expensive). Same thing If you choose WFTF at 12fpe. I prefer .177 for FT. A .177 at 18-20fpe is a little more forgiving of ranging errors.

I'm currently using a .177 bullpup with a $500 Athlon Helos 6-24x50.

There are a few decent 4-16x and 6-24x scopes in the $200 price range. Up until last year, I used scopes in the $100-$200 range. They worked good enough but the Helos is better.

 

[shutik]

...Scope is more important than a rifle. You can do well with $200 rifle, not so much with the scope.

...

I have used scopes that cost under $200 to win some big matches. The guns were not all that expensive, but I have yet to find a $200 gun that was good enough as-is. Even with a $1000 scope, I can't think of any good combination that I would bet on. Unless you get very lucky on the factory barrel. Probability of success will go up if you spend more $$$ on the gun. But nothing is assured.

I think you could put a $200 scope on a $700+ gun and win plenty often, if you do your part.

Let's just agree to disagree on this one. You can tune gun a bit IMO. Improve trigger, smooth out cocking. Not much you can do to the scope.

 

[22Jim]

That sounds awesome Jim! I will try and reschedule work for another day to attend that FT match. How many days prior to the match should I let you know I’m coming?

All we need is a couple of days notice so we can get the loaner rifle prepared, Look forward to seeing you at the match. 

Jim in Sacramento

 

[Pale_Rider]

That sounds awesome Jim! I will try and reschedule work for another day to attend that FT match. How many days prior to the match should I let you know I’m coming?

All we need is a couple of days notice so we can get the loaner rifle prepared, Look forward to seeing you at the match. 

Jim in Sacramento

Looking forward to being there

 

[steve123]

One time I tried my FX Royale in 22 cal at our local FT match. This was after shooting 177 for 15 years or so in the sport. I set the rifle to the mid setting which was almost 20ftlbs, the power for FT in the US.

It was a windy day and I thought the heavier 16 grain pellet would do well in the wind, not so, I missed the entire animal on a few shots during the match because the wind blew the pellet farther than I had anticipated, Actually I don't recall missing the whole animal either before or since??? That was the only time I shot a 22 cal in FT and it's doubtful I ever will again.

I didn't realize it at the time but the reason why the pellet drifted so much is I was using JSB 16 grainers which has a nearly identical BC as their 10.3 grain 177 cal pellet "but" the 16 grainers were only going 725 fps vs the 10.3's going 920 fps.

If you shoot a lighter 22 cal pellet at the same energy the sacrifice is using an even lower BC pellet that goes a little faster, the drift works out to be about the same.

Well having your dope down is even more critical as well as getting an accurate range in distance with a 22 cal.

177 all the way for FT, it's more forgiving.

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

22jin seems to type MD (and ft shooters) I am used to. 

DO get to that match before buying anything, loaner or run what ya brung, .met talk learn and hold first hand then think & spend and you'll do some FEW people do, you'l buy just right the first time.

That AR20 sold alright when it came out as it was the very lowest priced adjustable rig, many sitting in safes collecting dust - not saying there a bad rifle tho-. And not that it matters a bit but they seemed to me the loudest darn 12fpe rig's I ever heard.

Accept that invite, your going to have the best time you've had in ages!



John

wanna shoot a no dollar practice target's? Reseting targets does need to be in your rhythm

http://www.airguns.net/ft_woodfieldtarget.php 

 

[Pale_Rider]

One time I tried my FX Royale in 22 cal at our local FT match. This was after shooting 177 for 15 years or so in the sport. I set the rifle to the mid setting which was almost 20ftlbs, the power for FT in the US.

It was a windy day and I thought the heavier 16 grain pellet would do well in the wind, not so, I missed the entire animal on a few shots during the match because the wind blew the pellet farther than I had anticipated, Actually I don't recall missing the whole animal either before or since??? That was the only time I shot a 22 cal in FT and it's doubtful I ever will again.

I didn't realize it at the time but the reason why the pellet drifted so much is I was using JSB 16 grainers which has a nearly identical BC as their 10.3 grain 177 cal pellet "but" the 16 grainers were only going 725 fps vs the 10.3's going 920 fps.

If you shoot a lighter 22 cal pellet at the same energy the sacrifice is using an even lower BC pellet that goes a little faster, the drift works out to be about the same.

Well having your dope down is even more critical as well as getting an accurate range in distance with a 22 cal.

177 all the way for FT, it's more forgiving.

Yea I’m pretty much set on .177 

Thanks for sharing your experience

 

[Pale_Rider]

22jin seems to type MD (and ft shooters) I am used to. 

DO get to that match before buying anything, loaner or run what ya brung, .met talk learn and hold first hand then think & spend and you'll do some FEW people do, you'l buy just right the first time.

That AR20 sold alright when it came out as it was the very lowest priced adjustable rig, many sitting in safes collecting dust - not saying there a bad rifle tho-. And not that it matters a bit but they seemed to me the loudest darn 12fpe rig's I ever heard.

Accept that invite, your going to have the best time you've had in ages!



John

wanna shoot a no dollar practice target's? Reseting targets does need to be in your rhythm

http://www.airguns.net/ft_woodfieldtarget.php 

I was wondering why those AR20s were so low priced; low desirability. Is that because they’re wasting too much air, maybe an anti bounce device or SSS would help that.

I agree with you about going to the match first before buying.

im getting tired of being a keyboard warrior and am antsy to get to a match already. Looking forward to shooting with you guys! Thanks for taking the time to answer my newb questions