Walther LG400 Field Target questions

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Kgphotos

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I've been doing a little research regarding target rifles. I haven't ever competed and don't have any immediate plans but hopefully down the road I may give Silhouette and Field Target a try. So for now a target rifle will just be for my enjoyment shooting silhouettes and other various targets. One rifle that really has my attention is the Walther LG400 FT. I have a couple questions for those that own or have shot this rifle. Since the FT version doesn't come with sights I was wondering if it was possible to add aperture sights in the future. Can the parts be ordered from Walther to add those type of sights so that I can also use the rifle for ten meter style shooting? Along that same thought, I know that the LG400 has an adjustable hammer spring. How far can you reduce the power using just the hammer spring and NOT touching the regulator? Can you get the fpe down into the ten meter target range? Thanks for any help that you can send my way.
Kenny
 
In my cursory review, I have not seen a power limit rule for 10 meter rifles, but they all seem to be around 5.5 fpe, limited to .177. I guess they figure more power is only a hindrance, so they don't limit it. But that's just my guess, and I'm sure that someone knowledgeable about the sport will respond. I believe the LG400 FT is a 12 fpe rifle, so lowering it by half is substantial. From my general experience with air rifles, I would say that to lower it that much, assuming that you want a reasonably well balanced tune, you will need to lower the reg set point, and perhaps change the hammer and/or spring. But, if it is not a rule, you may not need to lower it to the level of most dedicated 10 M rifles. Aperture sights might be a problem. The receiver is grooved for scope mounting, and I'm sure a rear sight could be accommodated, but the front sight might be a problem. A 10 M rifle is a relatively specialized piece of equipment.
 
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Thanks elh0102. I appreciate your input. I most likely wouldn't be doing any serious competing in ten meter shooting; just be in my yard for my own entertainment. I'm just wondering how low the power can be turned down with just the hammer spring to keep it simple. I already have an FWB 601 and a Crosman Challenger 2021 for dedicated ten meter shooting and I have a blast with them. I just thought that if I bought a new Walther LG400 FT it would be fun to see if it could also do double duty in ten meter.
Kenny
 
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I own a LG400 FT Alutec and a LG400 Anatomic 10M rifle. Yes they are very similar but they are two different rifles. You can add 10M aperture sights to the LG400FT. If it is for shooting around the yard that would be fine. Adjusting the power to true 10M levels would be problematic. Both rifles are great for what they are designed for but I think you would be better off with two rifles. Yes it can be done but not worth the pain. get the LG400FT but use the FWB601 for 10M. I have a 601 and they are great rifles.
 
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BrazosbyNemo said:
I own a LG400 FT Alutec and a LG400 Anatomic 10M rifle. Yes they are very similar but they are two different rifles. You can add 10M aperture sights to the LG400FT. If it is for shooting around the yard that would be fine. Adjusting the power to true 10M levels would be problematic. Both rifles are great for what they are designed for but I think you would be better off with two rifles. Yes it can be done but not worth the pain. get the LG400FT but use the FWB601 for 10M. I have a 601 and they are great rifles.
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Thanks so much for your insider info. I knew there had to be somebody on the forum that owned an LG400 FT. I really like the looks of the wood stock version but on the other hand I prefer the more adjustability of the Alutec version. Life is full of tough choices :)
 
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Kgphotos said:
I've been doing a little research regarding target rifles. I haven't ever competed and don't have any immediate plans but hopefully down the road I may give Silhouette and Field Target a try. So for now a target rifle will just be for my enjoyment shooting silhouettes and other various targets. One rifle that really has my attention is the Walther LG400 FT. I have a couple questions for those that own or have shot this rifle. Since the FT version doesn't come with sights I was wondering if it was possible to add aperture sights in the future. Can the parts be ordered from Walther to add those type of sights so that I can also use the rifle for ten meter style shooting? Along that same thought, I know that the LG400 has an adjustable hammer spring. How far can you reduce the power using just the hammer spring and NOT touching the regulator? Can you get the fpe down into the ten meter target range? Thanks for any help that you can send my way.
Kenny
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Hey chuck4x4 member on here is selling a crazy good 3500 field and target for like 2000 or best offer
1722487566168.png
 
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Brazosby nailed it.
I own neither but have use both and know some people over the years. Way to much work involved to change the power level that much, parts and a good smith would be involved. Now that 601 is ( at least to me) an outstanding rifle. Squaded with a fellow from TX using one at the FT Nationals one year and he could hit the KZ at 55 yards (just not enough power left to trip the paddle, shooting for pleasure I reckon) but out to around 4-45 yard he cleaned up! Proved to me what a little "no power" rifle could do. Keep that for 10m and purchase a dedicated FT rig that FIT's you! Seems to be the way to go.
Chuck4x4 is new and seems a nice fellow helping an estate out. If I had the money I would be on the phone with him right now (like yesterday) just to verife who he is (he wont be able to tell you too much about that rig but DEAL) and shoot some 10m but...
How far to your closest FT club? You will learn more in one day there than reading for a year here and might (?) find a nice used rig. Like Mick the Fuzzy Limmey used to teach "fit is everything"!
Just because of your specific interest I would suggest you post up something in the FT section also:

Field Target

Anything Related to FT Shooting
www.airgunnation.com www.airgunnation.com

Have the best time of your life and keep us posted.

John
 
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Kgphotos said:
I've been doing a little research regarding target rifles. I haven't ever competed and don't have any immediate plans but hopefully down the road I may give Silhouette and Field Target a try. So for now a target rifle will just be for my enjoyment shooting silhouettes and other various targets. One rifle that really has my attention is the Walther LG400 FT. I have a couple questions for those that own or have shot this rifle. Since the FT version doesn't come with sights I was wondering if it was possible to add aperture sights in the future. Can the parts be ordered from Walther to add those type of sights so that I can also use the rifle for ten meter style shooting? Along that same thought, I know that the LG400 has an adjustable hammer spring. How far can you reduce the power using just the hammer spring and NOT touching the regulator? Can you get the fpe down into the ten meter target range? Thanks for any help that you can send my way.
Kenny
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According to ISSF current rules, a 10 Meter Air Rife max power at the muzzle cannot exceed 7 5 joules ~ 5.5 fpe.

Increasing the power on a regulation 10 meter rifle tends to be counter productive because the barrel twists rates are so much slower than WFTF < 12 fpe regulation air rifles, so pellet performance can be irradic.

Reducing a 12 fpe WFTF regulation air rifle down to < 5.5 fpe can also yield some funky pellet performance because of the faster twist rate.
 
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Troy Bakel said:
According to ISSF current rules, a 10 Meter Air Rife max power at the muzzle cannot exceed 7 5 joules ~ 5.5 fpe.

Increasing the power on a regulation 10 meter rifle tends to be counter productive because the barrel twists rates are so much slower than WFTF < 12 fpe regulation air rifles, so pellet performance can be irradic.

Reducing a 12 fpe WFTF regulation air rifle down to < 5.5 fpe can also yield some funky pellet performance because of the faster twist rate.
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Thanks you for taking the time to answer. I appreciate your advice.
Kenny
 
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Kgphotos said:
Thanks you for taking the time to answer. I appreciate your advice.
Kenny
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You are welcome!

I clean the 9015 10 Meter rifles for our club's junior team guns. The barrels are about 17 inches long and have a noticably slow twist rate.

I have been told by various team coaches that the winning 10 meter air rifle manufacturers are only interested in getting a 7 grain wad cutter diabolo pellet up to ~ 560 fps, spinning fast enough to be stable for 15 meters and out of the gun as fast as possible to keep lock time as low as reasonably achievable with a high level of accuracy.

None of these manufacturers care how their 10 meter air rifles perform past 15 meters.

Apparently the 15 meter standard provides reasonable assurance that their 10 meter air rifle will be very competitive at the 10 meter distance from sea level to Mexico City.
 
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John spysir Blount said:
Brazosby nailed it.
I own neither but have use both and know some people over the years. Way to much work involved to change the power level that much, parts and a good smith would be involved. Now that 601 is ( at least to me) an outstanding rifle. Squaded with a fellow from TX using one at the FT Nationals one year and he could hit the KZ at 55 yards (just not enough power left to trip the paddle, shooting for pleasure I reckon) but out to around 4-45 yard he cleaned up! Proved to me what a little "no power" rifle could do. Keep that for 10m and purchase a dedicated FT rig that FIT's you! Seems to be the way to go.
Chuck4x4 is new and seems a nice fellow helping an estate out. If I had the money I would be on the phone with him right now (like yesterday) just to verife who he is (he wont be able to tell you too much about that rig but DEAL) and shoot some 10m but...
How far to your closest FT club? You will learn more in one day there than reading for a year here and might (?) find a nice used rig. Like Mick the Fuzzy Limmey used to teach "fit is everything"!
Just because of your specific interest I would suggest you post up something in the FT section also:

Field Target

Anything Related to FT Shooting
www.airgunnation.com www.airgunnation.com

Have the best time of your life and keep us posted.

John
Click to expand...
Thank you for the kind words John. You nailed it, I know very little about any air gun. I've been reading up on this Feinwerks 800 and impressed with what I'm reading. I'm looking forward to shooting it with a full cylinder of air. I believe the cylinder is good until the third quarter of 2025, its marked lll/15. So I should be able to have the cylinder charged at a dive shop.
 
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I have two rifles for 10 meter competition and that’s all I use them for. My experience with airguns and pb’s is that a one size fits all answer doesn’t exist. A 10m rifle can do that task well but I wouldn’t take either of mine out in the woods. Not enough power and too heavy. They are optimized for 10m competition. I expect the same is true about a good field target gun. Different game, different setup. I have others for pest control and some just for fun.

Rick H.
 
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