Ultimate Field Target at Phoenix Rod and Gun Club 02/24/2024
It's been too long since the last high power/long range field target match at PRGC. So I'm excited to announce there will be a match on the 4th Saturday of February. Sign up through Practiscore, registration opens on 2/17. Link within the PRGC calendar item here...
www.airgunnation.com For many of us, this was the first long range/high power ft match in a very long time! It was the first time I've seen some of these airgun friends in MONTHS, and it was great to catch up and chat and laugh and just generally enjoy airguns together.
The weather was perfect...slightly overcast, very little wind, temps just shy of 80. Just about ideal for a field target match, and stellar conditions for the month of February. The range has seen enough winter moisture that it's greening up. Lots of color out there for a February. It was really nice to feel the sun and see some green-kinda felt like the groundhog...didn't see my shadow and optimistic that spring will arrive early.
We had a total of 19 shooters come out today, 15 contested the pellet class, 2 in slug, and 2 in rimfire.
Here's the gang...
Ben set a pretty tough course for us this month. Luckily the wind was VERY kind. Had we dealt with typical PRGC winds, it would have been an even more challenging day.
Far right column here is Extreme Troyer Factor....some background on that here: https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/extreme-troyer-factor.868700/
yellow highlighted = 3 highest Ts
green highlight = average T for the course
And the scorecard....The 6 right-most columns have data for those 3 highest T targets, plus the 2x100 yard targets, plus the offhand lane. As I compiled the data I noticed some things.....Nobody went 14/14 on these theoretically "hardest" targets. Steve M (overall match high) was understandably the closest, just missing 2 of the 100 yarders. A couple were able to go 4/4 on the 100 yarders, and a couple were 4/4 on the offhand shots.
The green highlights in the chart above are first time field target shooters. I was squadded with Ed and we had a good time. It's fun to watch somebody experience their first match, reminds me of why we all love it so much. There's the frustration of missed targets, and the elation of knocking down a hard one, the lessons learned for a first time, and the general resolve to come back and do better next time. These three first timers certainly held their own on those 14 hardest shots that are charted above, they're right in there with everybody else, going 2/2 on the 50T shot as an example. And they each got at least 1 of the offhand shots.
Here are the winners. Left to right: Wes, Kent, Steve, Wayne, Bobby
Post match there was a bit of discussion about the new class of electronic scopes and how they fit into this game. Just like in the past when there's been equipment debate, it went to a vote of the shooters. If I understood correctly, the decision was for the electronic scopes to be given a trial period. The big question.....do they offer enough of an advantage that their users need to be in a separate class? Or are they just another option for optics and can be contained within the current classes. It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.
I know there are a lot more rimfire shooters in the the greater Phoenix area than we're seeing here. I've heard guys with PRS/NRL experience say that field target is pretty much PRS/NRL without having to lay down in the dirt and monkey around on obstacles. I've got to say that I agree fully. Field target is shot from a stool and shooting sticks/bipod. It offers an excellent way for guys to still enjoy a challenging shooting experience, without being excessively challenged, in a physical sense. Call it a more civilized/non-military version of PRS/NRL. And even for those that have young bodies and willing (to crawl around in the dirt) minds, long range/high power field target would be a great way to hone your skill set. I can guarantee a PRS/NRL shooter's game in those areas will benefit from time spent shooting high power/long range field target. On top of all that, there is nowhere else in the country allowing rimfires to be shot in field target events. So, you Phoenix rimfire shooters, come on down! We'd love to see more rimfire guys come out and give this a try. Fair warning (and yes, a challenge) you'll have to contend with Steve M, whose talent and crazy high BC airgun slugs combine for impressive scores. And you'll also be measured against some very talented pellet shooters.
Thanks to Phoenix Rod and Gun Club for hosting our events. And to Ben for running the match. And to Wayne M and Barb for running sign-in. And to Wes, Ed, Scott, Dan, and Tony for taking nearly all the photos seen here. I arrived right as the match started and probably missed seeing other people that lent a hand as well. Thank you, your help is appreciated!
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