Question for FT shooters using JSB 10.34

[Cannonball]

First off, I want to say that I really appreciate you guys trying to help a FT newbie out. The advice given is all great and I even learned a little more than I was expecting. The FT forum is the best place on AGN, there are so many here with knowledge and willing to help. I actually tried my rifle at 20 foot pounds the other day and I was rather disappointed with the results. I was getting several fliers and the groups were just not where they needed to be. It did well as 880 FPS, when I tried 930 it started getting ugly. I was wanting confirmation that what I was trying to do should work and after the comments from you folks I knew it should and something had to be off with the gun. My speed was pretty consistent, so I knew it wasn’t that. I had just bought this Taipan used here on the forum but it was only a few months old. I decided I would start by cleaning the barrel, I probably should have done this when I first received the rifle but wanted to shoot it like it came to me. I don’t like changing several things at once, problems and improvements are harder to chase down by doing that. I was extremely surprised when I cleaned it. It was borderline awful, I haven’t cleaned one this bad before. I used Ballistol and ended up letting it soak in for some time after seeing the first few patches come through almost completely black. I used at least 40 patches before they came out clean. I figured this would help my issues out and I am happy to say that it definitely did. I shot this afternoon and the groups looked really good to me. Below is my Taipan and a picture of a 20 shot group at approximately 40 yards. For those wondering my highest speed over the 20 shot string was 929 and the lowest speed was 922. I think 7 FPS difference over 20 shots is more than respectable and I’m very happy with the results. Also, that’s a 10.34 grain JSB below the group for size reference.

 

[Franklink]

Great shooting! 

The rifle, and you shooting it, look plenty accurate for FT. That just leaves the ranging, familiarity with the trajectory, and getting accustomed to how that particular pellet/barrel/gun/speed behave in various speeds and angles of wind. 

But a gun capable of that kind of accuracy is a big piece of the puzzle. 

 

[Therealld]

My rifle has no choice but to shoot them at 1001fps (fx 10grain) and it is surprisingly accurate. And its about 3 inch groups at 100yards. 3 holes makes it about 1 inch but the other to open it up 2 more inches both directions.

But that means you can’t shoot Hunter Class field target, since anything over 933fps with that pellet is over the allowed limit … the thread is regarding Hunter class ft, which has a maximum target distance of 55 yards.

But IF you needed that gun to shoot under 933fps/10.3, its normally not at all difficult to tune those guns to shoot slower.

You bring up an interesting point. The 2% rule. 

"Velocity readings may exceed by a 2% margin to account for Chronograph variance."

I've never felt the need to push it, but if somebody was a bit of a gambler (that the chrono used at larger matches/grand prixs reads similar to their own) and had a gun that still shot them well that fast, they could technically go up to 950ish? I think.

2% of 933 is 18.66fps so 933+18.66 = 951.66.

That 2% will not result in a serious lessening in wind drift, since that pellet is already losing BC as it goes faster than around 800fps, and the faster the worse it gets. I haven't seen a truly useful improvement windwise at those velocities.

If you must deliberately exceed to rules by averaging over 20fpe, more is to be gained by pushing the 13.43 pellet too high, since its closer to its optimal BC speed range at 20fpe. The 13.43 is at 20fpe at 817fps, and the 2% might improve flatness a bit without degrading BC much … that said, to me, using the 2% deliberately is a form of cheating for its own sake, since the real benefits would be miniscule.

If you are shooting open class, there is prolly no true advantage, since you can use a steadier hold, harness, and huge mag anyhow. Look, WFT shooters are usually at the top of the scores even they mostly shoot under 800fps and 12fpe … mostly they do well because they are better shots. IF I could use high mag in Hunter class, I wouldnt feel undergunned with 8.4’s at 860fps but I still wouldn't be on any podiums.

 

[Franklink]

Don't personally see the need to push em that fast and not enough of a gambler to test my luck at the prematch chrono. I mostly brought it up as a theoretical debate topic.

I agree that living within the 2% allowed overage wouldn't buy a guy much in the way of decreasing wind deflection, but perhaps flatter shooting for more wiggle room in ranging by focus? 

 

[Nofilters]

I shoot 10.34s at 935 rt at the limit. I Shot 46/52Saturday and Sunday, It Poured rain all match 48/52 @AZ State Ft Championship this past weekend. 

Redwolf HP .177 has a Poly barrel.