Optimal weight for an FT rig?

[cavedweller]

I have been trying determine the best weight for an FT rifle. Yep I know that this is a subjective thing but for example:
I had to actually use my digital scale for this as mfgr can be ahhem misleading
My Redwolf rifle laminated, action, stock and scope is 9 lbs = The stock and action alone together weigh = 7.5 lbs
My same Redwolf action and scope in PRS chassis weighs 13 lbs.
all in, my PRS setup / weight is about 4 lbs more.
The Redwolf action alone is @5lbs
Mounting a scope adds approximately 1.5 lbs.
So holding a scoped 12.5 lbs to 13.5 lb PRS rig at shoulder for forced FT lanes is mucho work, where as a scoped traditional Redwolf is 3 lbs easier.

Thoughts?

 

[drsquall]

I'm just getting into FT so take with a grain of salt. Heavy is great for me. My TX with the cs1000 stock weighs about 12lbs and it's great. I want a gun that settles but most importantly for follow through. I shot prs 22 and my guns at the lightest were 18lbs up to 22lbs. People forget that rimfires and air rifles the bullet/pellet takes longer to exit the bore unlike center fires. So you have to have a better follow through and not move as much to be accurate. A heavier gun helps with that. People think it doesn't matter but it does. Ask any archer what happens when you peek right after the release. If your follow through is solid you can get away with a lighter rifle. So people shoot light guns great others like me not so much.
My buddy who loves heavy guns always used to say yeah it's heavy but once you get there.....
I never was a heavy rifle guy until I started competing and playing with big boys and soon realized my 10lb 22lr wasn't going to get me where I wanted to be nationally. Offhand in any shooting sport is tough so I need all the help I can get and that for me is a heavier gun. That's why I'm looking at a USFT unregulated and a raw TM with tube for my pcp for open.

Good luck

Jon

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

Forgive me, I'm still learning, but FT is the one where the targets are all over, you walk around and shoot...right? Vs bench is at the bench? Errr?...

 

[cavedweller]

Forgive me, I'm still learning, but FT is the one where the targets are all over, you walk around and shoot...right? Vs bench is at the bench? Errr?...

Yes FT = field target, targets place from10-55 yards. Many different classes. Visit AAFTA website.
The most fun you can have with your clothes on

 

[cavedweller]

Kill zones vary in sizes!

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

Kill zones vary in sizes!
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Awesomeness and thank you much for clarification

 

[JP806TX]

I have been trying determine the best weight for an FT rifle. Yep I know that this is a subjective thing but for example:
I had to actually use my digital scale for this as mfgr can be ahhem misleading
My Redwolf rifle laminated, action, stock and scope is 9 lbs = The stock and action alone together weigh = 7.5 lbs
My same Redwolf action and scope in PRS chassis weighs 13 lbs.
all in, my PRS setup / weight is about 4 lbs more.
The Redwolf action alone is @5lbs
Mounting a scope adds approximately 1.5 lbs.
So holding a scoped 12.5 lbs to 13.5 lb PRS rig at shoulder for forced FT lanes is mucho work, where as a scoped traditional Redwolf is 3 lbs easier.

Thoughts?

Not an ideal comparison to field target.
But Olympic 10 M air rifle, Max weight = 12.13 lbs (5.5Kg)
So reading between the lines... as stated in post #2 there may be a number of advantages favoring a heavier rifle when shooting a precision type competition. (Strange they don't have a lower weight limit for 10 M?)

It's counter intuitive but the stability offered by a heavier rifle may out weight muscle fatigue in maintaining a proper shooting position/holding a heavy rifle in position (in competition,... in hunting...it's a compromise). I know the mantra for most shooting competition is stability, consistency, repeatability and bone to bone contact if at all possible. But there is some element of muscle involvement in maintaining some shooting positions.

 

[beerthief]

for FT you must use the muscle between your ears .

 

[qball]

IMHO the optimal weight for a FT rig is the heaviest you can comfortably shoot the match with. Everyone is different so it all depends.

 

[Motorhead]

Offhand a Light rig is easier to handle, tho not necessarily more stable / wiggle free.
A Heavier rig in your normal shooting position will be more stable than a Light rig ..... So ask yourself this ? How Are Most Of My Shots Taken
Yes heavy for many is better overall ...

THO .. will add, weight distribution is huge !!! Personally like heavy in the Butt, lighter at muzzle .. Balance point 3-5" forward of trigger.

 

[cavedweller]

Offhand a Light rig is easier to handle, tho not necessarily more stable / wiggle free.
A Heavier rig in your normal shooting position will be more stable than a Light rig ..... So ask yourself this ? How Are Most Of My Shots Taken
Yes heavy for many is better overall ...

THO .. will add, weight distribution is huge !!! Personally like heavy in the Butt, lighter at muzzle .. Balance point 3-5" forward of trigger.

i was just contemplating weight distribution when you posted this!

 

[Spinach]

My FT set up is over 7 kg, say almost 16 lbs.
I'm no big guy but for me the actual weight, balance and rifle fit counter any weight issues.

 

[rich177]

Weight is a personal choice bur generally somewhere between 9 and 13 punds seems about right. My guns are around 11 pounds.
Rick B

 

[dgeesaman]

A heavy gun is certainly more stable, when it’s resting on shooting sticks or bone-bone supported position.

Most of us can’t do a bone-bone supported standing position and muscling it makes those shots very wobbly. Having the weight centered closer to your body is ideal.

While we can lighten the air tube, barrel, and muzzle device of the rifle don’t forget that target scopes have significant weight effects and their heaviest elements are at the front. So swapping to a lighter and/or shorter scope can move back the weight center to improve offhand shooting too.

 

[Keith Rush]

Hey buddy! Although heavier, I wouldn't trade my PRS chassis for nothing!! Although I haven't done this yet myself, like Moterhead suggested, we really need to play with the weight distribution to get things more comfortable. Although they are heavy, you will find with the correct weight distribution, the gun will actually not fill as heavy as it actually weighs. I can almost guarantee our guns are way front heavy of the balance point. If you play golf, its the same concept as club head weight.

I should have got you to go to New York with me this weekend. Heading out in the morning for the GP up there.

Keith

 

[shootermeb]

i was just contemplating weight distribution when you posted this!

Weight distribution is important for standing shots, or shooting from any position where you fully support the gun with your arm on the forend. A lighter gun with a bunch of muzzle weight can feel heavier than a heavier gun with appropriate balance. When shooting from bags, sticks, or with a sling for support, the weight distribution isn't as noticeable.

Having a way you can dynamically add or remove weight to the gun is useful to tune the balance to your liking. You'll see these types of features on 10m guns where weights can be applied to the stock, or added to the barrel to set the balance to the shooters preference.

 

[Scotchmo]

These days, I like light weight. My FT bullpup PCP with 6-24x50 scope is 8.1 lbs. ready to go.

 

[cavedweller]

Hey buddy! Although heavier, I wouldn't trade my PRS chassis for nothing!! Although I haven't done this yet myself, like Moterhead suggested, we really need to play with the weight distribution to get things more comfortable. Although they are heavy, you will find with the correct weight distribution, the gun will actually not fill as heavy as it actually weighs. I can almost guarantee our guns are way front heavy of the balance point. If you play golf, its the same concept as club head weight.

I should have got you to go to New York with me this weekend. Heading out in the morning for the GP up there.

Keith

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I’ve been thinking about a smaller air cylinder up front as the Redwolf is so good with air when tuned correctly. Meanwhile Wish I was heading north - it’s frog weather here…glad I’m an old navy diver!

 

[cavedweller]

Weight distribution is important for standing shots, or shooting from any position where you fully support the gun with your arm on the forend. A lighter gun with a bunch of muzzle weight can feel heavier than a heavier gun with appropriate balance. When shooting from bags, sticks, or with a sling for support, the weight distribution isn't as noticeable.

Having a way you can dynamically add or remove weight to the gun is useful to tune the balance to your liking. You'll see these types of features on 10m guns where weights can be applied to the stock, or added to the barrel to set the balance to the shooters preference.

My Allen Z Steyr came with this gizmo

 

[cavedweller]

These days, I like light weight. My FT bullpup PCP with 6-24x50 scope is 8.1 lbs. ready to go.

Which bullpup? And which scope?