New to FT - need recommendations for .177 20 ft lb PCP

[Regal_US]

I've found a club in MD which has FT matches. Dismayed to find out that my Daystate Regal 0.22 (27 ft lbs) is too powerful for FT so I'm thinking of getting a lower powered gun. From what little I know .177 is a better caliber both for flatter trajectory at the allowed power (< 20 ft lbs) and to reduce chance of missing target with a split pellet. Can any body shooting FT make recommendations for a PCP.

Also, suggestions for a scope suitable for FT would be great. For reasons I don't understand Optisan (Mamba and Genesis) say that mounting a large diameter ring on the distance (parallax) turret voids warranty; any idea why?

 

[steppenwulf]

more info is needed. price range? also, hunter, open or wftf? if you go top of the line we could be talking serious $

 

[Regal_US]

"steppenwulf"more info is needed. price range? also, hunter, open or wftf? if you go top of the line we could be talking serious $

Forgive my ignorance: why does class (hunter, open, or wftf) impact this?

At this stage, as stated I'm looking for 0.177 less than 20 ft lbs. As for price, unfortunately I'm aware what an entry level Daystate costs (I have a Regal .22 which I love, and also an FX Boss .30, but neither of these is of any use), so something in this range would be OK, but nothing in the silly price sphere. Basically, I'm interested to know what "average" FT club shooters are using. I'm not planning on training for the Olympics ...

 

[Salticon]

I'd say give Raw a call and tell Martin what u need a gun to do, he'll know exactly what u need. The TM1000 are hella accurate in 20fpe

 

[CampFussell]

Since you have a Daystate and a FX why not look at something in .177 cal along those lines if you really like them?

Air Arms S500 is a great rifle, but I would prefer it with a regulator.

I have a FT friend who kicks butt with an FX Independence and a Centerpoint scope! He's always at the top two or three in Hunter class in our club.

If money is no object then go Steyr, RAW, Thomas!

 

[scrane]

Used Steyr LG100 /110 can be found in the $1500. range.

 

[Guest]

The new FX Streamline looks promising for FT and a 20 ft-lb class. 

 

[hunkaluv]

I'm not too familiar with Daystate rifles, but can't they be adjusted down in power? I shoot a .22 Impact in HFT/Open class at 19fpe and I don't find the loopy trajectory to be a problem for me.

 

[jps2486]

I've seen BSA R10 MKIIs do a respectable job in FT.

As far as scopes are concerned, this depends on whether you compete in HFT or WTFT or Open. I compete in HFT which limits your magnification to 12X. My scope is a Hawke Sidewinder 30 6-24X56 with the 20X 1/2 mildot reticle, and of course I set it at 12X during competition. Optisan Viper scopes are a great alternative.

 

[Regal_US]

"AirGunShooter"The new FX Streamline looks promising for FT and a 20 ft-lb class.

I'd thought about that - it looks like a real bargain, and I like the look of the Streamline. Bit of a concern that its a brand new gun, and may have bugs to work out. AOA has a Daystate Airwolf MCT .177 in the used guns section that's another possibility as well.

 

[Regal_US]

"hunkaluv"I'm not too familiar with Daystate rifles, but can't they be adjusted down in power? I shoot a .22 Impact in HFT/Open class at 19fpe and I don't find the loopy trajectory to be a problem for me.

Only the electronic Daystates have adjustable power - rest are fixed (e.g. my Regal .22 is 27 ft/lbs).

 

[Regal_US]

"jps2486"I've seen BSA R10 MKIIs do a respectable job in FT.

As far as scopes are concerned, this depends on whether you compete in HFT or WTFT or Open. I compete in HFT which limits your magnification to 12X. My scope is a Hawke Sidewinder 30 6-24X56 with the 20X 1/2 mildot reticle, and of course I set it at 12X during competition. Optisan Viper scopes are a great alternative.

Thanks for scope advice. I did not realize you could use a scope with higher magnification, and leave it set at 12x for HFT; good to know. Sidewinder is a great suggestion; I have Optisan Mamba and Genesis and especially like the reticle on the Genesis, so will check out Viper as well.

 

[Scott_Allen]

I know DIFTA is having a match this Sunday, you might want to go there and see what it's like and meet some of the guys. I would be willing to bet that someone would share a rifle with you. I have been up there several times from NC and they are great group to shoot with.

If you are like most FT shooters, the gun/scope issue will be something that develops over time as you get into the sport and see where your interests are.

If you want an overview of the gear go to www.aafta.org and look at the match reports from the 2016 and 2015 US Field Target Nationals and you can see what the shooters were using in each division. There are good reasons why .177 is the way to go. I think the scope selection in Hunter is less critical than in WFTF or Open because the optics of a scope set at 12x are always going to create a huge depth of field that makes precise parallax range finding difficult out past 30 or 35 yards.

I am producing a getting started series on www.ftpodcast.com. The getting started in pistol was posted a few weeks ago and I just recorded one on getting started in WFTF on a budget that should be up next week.

Scott

 

[SRGTO04]

I went with the RAW (Rapid Air Weapons) HM 1000 in .177 fitted with a LW barrel and LRT stock. The scope I use is the Hawke 8-32x56 Sidewinder with the SR Pro Reticle. I also shoot in the hunter class so I am limited to use only 12x power on scope. At the time of the picture I had the LW barrel with moderator, I have swapped out the barrel for the Polygon barrel with no moderator for this year.