Re-"design" a new Field Target game

[SDstephan]

OK - this is how I got into this game.

1) spent a fair bit of $ to get into, specifically FT - both for my wife and I
2) showed up and shot - terribly at first - so bad in fact that one fellow shooter opined that we would never be seen again
3) kept working on learning the sport and getting better - that is a reward better than someone putting out easy targets to make me feel better
I don't believe everyone deserves a trophy.....

We have 11 clubs within a 5 hour driving distance - four of which popped up or got resurrected in the past 3 years. Lucky to be in the North East.
I don't think a redesign is needed. FT seems to be rolling on quite well by itself on the club level.

 

[XSUltimate]

I remember that day very well Cole, that was my first foray into air rifles, shooting FT. I had a blast and I was hooked! Ben was kind enough to loan me a proven shooter air rifle and you and Don took me under your wings and showed me the ropes, literally and figuratively. It was a great day and still regret not being to stay for the whole match as nothin better than homemade ice cream that I missed out on
Loved the "dinger" boxes that Bobby had set up for us and I miss shooting those targets and the loud cheers from the gallery each time they heard a scorable hit!!! One of my favorite FT memories and why I continually keep asking for some dinger targets to be added to each of our courses!
Thx
Dan

 

[Arzrover]

Anyone have a pic of a bell target and the conduit set up ?

Here is the first crude one I used in one match but oddly, I can't find a pic of the one I welded together with the 2 conduits on a steel stand/faceplate.

The later version was small and all steel. I gave an option to the match winner (Lauren) for prize and she chose the bell. This one is just a repurposing of the normal look... a large and small hole bell that was covered with a piece of cardboard. This 2" x 8" rectangular steel tube rings so loud and sweet
Anyway, here is the match report for that event : https://www.airgunnersofarizona.org/november-2018-match-report.html
I generally ran matches here in April and May and sometimes October or November because temperatures were more tolerable than the other available venues. If you look through the various matches, you can see lots of my target placements and a bit of view of our property/venue.
It was a fun time !!
I didn't mention before but I had lots of help from Cole and another friend - Don. Thank you very much ... They jumped on the idea of interesting target placement with enthusiasm...
Bob

 

[Franklink]

Here is the first crude one I used in one match but oddly, I can't find a pic of the one I welded together with the 2 conduits on a steel stand/faceplate.
View attachment 468582
The later version was small and all steel. I gave an option to the match winner (Lauren) for prize and she chose the bell. This one is just a repurposing of the normal look... a large and small hole bell that was covered with a piece of cardboard. This 2" x 8" rectangular steel tube rings so loud and sweet
Anyway, here is the match report for that event : https://www.airgunnersofarizona.org/november-2018-match-report.html
I generally ran matches here in April and May and sometimes October or November because temperatures were more tolerable than the other available venues. If you look through the various matches, you can see lots of my target placements and a bit of view of our property/venue.
It was a fun time !!
I didn't mention before but I had lots of help from Cole and another friend - Don. They jumped on the idea of interesting target placement with enthusiasm...
Bob

Super fun match!
In my mind it wasnt earlier than spring 2018 and I didn't remember this one being in the fall.

 

[rob_g]

@rob_g: did someone with eagle eyes or binoculars have to verify the hit?

They spin easy so a hit is quite noticable. A glancing hit is harder to see at distance but it was an honor system and the shooter called it. We are only shooting for bragging rights.

 

[cavedweller]

OK - this is how I got into this game.

1) spent a fair bit of $ to get into, specifically FT - both for my wife and I
2) showed up and shot - terribly at first - so bad in fact that one fellow shooter opined that we would never be seen again
3) kept working on learning the sport and getting better - that is a reward better than someone putting out easy targets to make me feel better
I don't believe everyone deserves a trophy.....

We have 11 clubs within a 5 hour driving distance - four of which popped up or got resurrected in the past 3 years. Lucky to be in the North East.
I don't think a redesign is needed. FT seems to be rolling on quite well by itself on the club level.

By re-design i'm implying different ways to do things like strings and target types and maintenance etc.. additions of interest rather than subtractions of difficulty or just mundane repetition.
tried and true must stay... esp... those things which make us all grin, groan and grow / come back.
variety is indeed a good spice which adds flavor to all things, and you are indeed lucky to have so many choices within 5 hours... i am envious.

 

[cavedweller]

I remember that day very well Cole, that was my first foray into air rifles, shooting FT. I had a blast and I was hooked! Ben was kind enough to loan me a proven shooter air rifle and you and Don took me under your wings and showed me the ropes, literally and figuratively. It was a great day and still regret not being to stay for the whole match as nothin better than homemade ice cream that I missed out on
Loved the "dinger" boxes that Bobby had set up for us and I miss shooting those targets and the loud cheers from the gallery each time they heard a scorable hit!!! One of my favorite FT memories and why I continually keep asking for some dinger targets to be added to each of our courses!
Thx
Dan

Wow.. looks like i need to figure out how to make some of these.

 

[cavedweller]

They spin easy so a hit is quite noticable. A glancing hit is harder to see at distance but it was an honor system and the shooter called it. We are only shooting for bragging rights.

I've never known an airgunner to brag.....or whine....or challenge a lane...or or or....

 

[XSUltimate]

Wow.. looks like i need to figure out how to make some of these.

I think that these would be VERY marketable targets. I also think they show the cohesiveness of the shooters as a whole when you hit the dinger and almost if not all of those in attendance cheers "YAAAAAA!". Makes it feel more like a family!!
Thx
Dan

 

[cavedweller]

BIG YAWN .... once more folks unwilling to purchase the correct tool for the task of established FT protocol, Wishing to change the rules to fit there unfortunate circumstances of non compliance of what requirements have been in place for decades !!!

Don't shoot the messenger

I agree, it’s up to an individual to choose and to invest in suitable equipment. The goal or focus should be on making the sport accessible and exciting so people do whatever it takes to participate. I provide loaner equipment because I realize a catch 22 situation…. If you’ve never done something you certainly don’t know if you like it and if you don’t like it why would you spend time or money on it. Accessibility matters most!

 

[Motorhead]

I agree, it’s up to an individual to choose and to invest in suitable equipment. The goal or focus should be on making the sport accessible and exciting so people do whatever it takes to participate. I provide loaner equipment because I realize a catch 22 situation…. If you’ve never done something you certainly don’t know if you like it and if you don’t like it why would you spend time or money on it. Accessibility matters most!

The SVFTC has loaner guns .. one only needs to make the inquire of trying the game ... Savvy

 

[cavedweller]

Field Target Bench Rest

Sunday 6/2/24 I conducted a proof of concept for an idea i am working on. The basic idea is simple. Can we improve field target by improving the way it is scored while at the same time, making the scores more reflective of actual skill level rather than a hit or a miss.
Paul's targets tip back when you go through the kill zone... but in this application, not only will the target tip back, it also will provide a shooter with a much more detailed scoring method...

I used Paul Porch reactive targets for my test with 50 meter bench rest card attached with tape... mind you this is a preliminary design.
As you can see from the pictures.
The Splatter from the pellet striking the paddle on pass through is/was expected but the splatter did not deter from my ability to score the card.

The goal is not to take away anything from our traditional Field Target world but rather add a new feature to it.. for example this could be done on one of lanes... or all of the lanes. It takes 3 mins to walk out 55 yards (slowly) set your card and walk back to the box. The same 3 minutes to retrieve your card. So 6 minutes all in to set and retrieve. Considering the hassle strings can cause and the time to set up and break down this could also be a time saver...

New and Old shooters can benefit from this idea as can the overall scoring system - great tie breaker for sure!

If you study the cards afterwords you may learn something about your setup... me for example, learned that my holdover dope is off from 40 out to 55 yards - I'm shooting high and there is NO wind. Thus it has already improved my game/setup. I scored myself on my 4 shot score cards at 31.
@ThomasT - !

I'm sure we will have lots of back and forth... that's the idea... I welcome all ideas "kindly"

Adding a bell/ringer would also add interest... these are just proof of concept... not an end product as the finished product will need a simple way to slip the cards in exactly the same each time.

 

[Motorhead]

Finding a miens to mitigate the lead splatter rebounding back at the paper overlay appears an important design trait

 

[cavedweller]

Finding a miens to mitigate the lead splatter rebounding back at the paper overlay appears an important design trait

I am indeed intrigued by the butler bell or auditory idea.

 

[Motorhead]

We made these up for our Clubs Off hand lane/s As such you don't need to stoop over and reset via string.
1/8" wall steel BOX tubing is the Bell having very good "DONG" sound. Can be rectangle, square or perhaps round if close to the hole ?
Face plate 3/16 steel on Wood so misses make no noise. Reducer/s screw on if needed.
These fold up, but we never do ... Held up now for 10 years !!! getting smacked by 18-28 shooters every month.

Some have used 6 -7 1/4saw blades, at they DING quite well too.

Imagination and just build it !!

 

[cavedweller]

We made these up for our Clubs Off hand lane/s As such you don't need to stoop over and reset via string.
1/8" wall steel BOX tubing is the Bell having very good "DONG" sound. Can be rectangle, square or perhaps round if close to the hole ?
Face plate 3/16 steel on Wood so misses make no noise. Reducer/s screw on needed.
These fold up, but we never do ... Held up now for 10 years !!! getting smacked by 18-28 shooters every month.

Some have used 6 -7 1/4saw blades, at they DING quite well too.

Imagination and just build it !!

View attachment 469646

View attachment 469647

View attachment 469648

i like it .... nice and beefy

 

[cavedweller]

i like it .... nice and beefy

TWO Pictures of an on going prototype target Paul Porch is helping me with.

This is (Mk 1 Mod 2) which allows you to slip the 50 meter paper in from behind the plate with a stop at the bottom and slide in clips.

Great way to improve your game... and break any tie.....in a shoot off.

Maybe you knocked it over, maybe not - more importantly, how well did you hit the KZ?

This is one shot by Carey H. from aprox 12 yards with 10.3 FX at 880 ish?

Back splatter of previous version has been eliminated. When you strike the KZ a paddle flips up from underneath.

 

[cavedweller]

TWO Pictures of an on going prototype target Paul Porch is helping me with.

This is (Mk 1 Mod 2) which allows you to slip the 50 meter paper in from behind the plate with a stop at the bottom and slide in clips.

Great way to improve your game... and break any tie.....in a shoot off.

Maybe you knocked it over, maybe not - more importantly, how well did you hit the KZ?

This is one shot by Carey H. from aprox 12 yards with 10.3 FX at 880 ish?

Back splatter of previous version has been eliminated. When you strike the KZ a paddle flips up from underneath.

View attachment 476551View attachment 476552

Newest Renditions of the Field Target Bench Rest Targets:
Walk your score card out to the target...
Insert your score card in behind the plate and secure with a magnet at top
walk back to the shooters box range distance and shoot
a paddle blocks the target from a second shot so you know you nailed it.
Retrieve targets and score.

 

[Cloud9AG]

This is (Mk 1 Mod 2) which allows you to slip the 50 meter paper in from behind the plate with a stop at the bottom and slide in clips.

Great way to improve your game... and break any tie.....in a shoot off.

Maybe you knocked it over, maybe not - more importantly, how well did you hit the KZ?

Cavedweller, this ain't no benchrest! FT shoot offs are settled by who knocks the target over not who is closest to the center! LOL The great thing about our shoot off method is that the shooters continue until someone fails to knock down the target. The shooters and everyone watching instantly know who won...and who didn't.

 

[cavedweller]

Cavedweller, this ain't no benchrest! FT shoot offs are settled by who knocks the target over not who is closest to the center! LOL The great thing about our shoot off method is that the shooters continue until someone fails to knock down the target. The shooters and everyone watching instantly know who won...and who didn't.

Ha… you can always add to the game and not take away… options are like spices. Besides just because you hit a KZ doesn’t mean you hit the bullseye