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Which air gun for field target?

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ctshooter

ctshooter

Member
Oct 30, 2018
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2,248
CT, United States
I’ll be going to my first FT match next weekend. I’ll be bringing my Ranchero Carbine in .22 because it is my most accurate rifle. Even at 650fps I can hit most distances very accurately with a good doping card.

I believe this is something I am going to enjoy a lot so I’m thinking forward to a dedicated rig down the road. As this is all very new to me, I wonder what it is that makes a good FT rifle? Is it a certain weight, certain features, accuracy, consistency, type of barrel, etc. 

next weekend will be an unlimited event, but I could see moving into a more disciplined hunter or WFTF group. I realize the only main criteria for the gun itself is the max fpe for the class. Does it matter if you choose a FWB 800, or a Wildcat. I’m seeing some Red Wolf setups for FT but I just don’t see how that large rifle could be used comfortably. I know I’m missing something. 
 
Short answer , the one you feel the most comfortable with, I used to shoot Airwolf in hunter class and did good , I prefer full size rifle over bullpup for this kind of shooting.

First you will need to decide what class you want to shoot , gun that can be used in PCP open with all the added accessories won't be allowed in Hunter class.

Just go to the match and see what other guys are shooting , most of the guys will let you try theirs guns.

I been out of the game for a long time so I'm sure someone will chime in with better answers and recommendations

Good luck with your first match.

B
 
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B has it right. Take note of what others have and the class they are shooting. Don't be afraid to ask questions about this or that part on a gun. I'd suggest asking to try out a gun or two, but, covid(may be still?). Otherwise enjoy the day, and get there early enough to shoot the course twice. 

Also, you can ask Leo(gonzav here) to borrow his Marauder. I believe it's set up for Hunter class. Perhaps he'll chime in here.
 
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Thanks guys - I'm looking forward to seeing what other people shoot, and how they shoot as well. If going to my first airgun match is anything like the first time I went to play airsoft I will be so overwhelmed with the whole thing I expect to be exhausted at the end. 

Leo was the one to throw out the invite to this match and I believe he said he's shooting unlimited as well this time. 

I've read through the AAFTA rule book - that's a lot to digest - especially when you see pics of people with straps and butt hooks and pads here there and everywhere. I'm sure the reality of the match will help put it all into context.

B - I may be the exact opposite of you - I find bullpups very easy to shoot off hand. Hmmm - maybe a .177 Vet Compact - I was always good offhand with that gun as the stock (as ugly as it is) gives you a very nice big flat palm rest in the front. And it can easily be tuned to 12,15 18, 20 fpe. I know, I know - stop jumping the gun and have some patience. 
 
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Three things in a rig to consider;

barrel - if the gun will shoot 1-1/2” groups at 50-55 yards it’s going to be accurate enough for HFT

trigger - trigger must be predictable and crisp. You more than likely will shoot in a forced position such as standing/offhand and possibly kneeling. These positions require you to be steady and for you not to jerk or yank a trigger that has creep or be too heavy. Light and crisp are your friends.

Glass - I understand you didn’t mention a scope. However, I see to often a shooters using a scope (as I did this and last weekend) that the depth of field cannot be discerned within a 5 and up to 10 yard depth, typically beyond 40 yards and equally important, 10 to 20 yards. The difference between 40 and 55 on my gun is a full mildot or about the diameter of a KZ. And, if the scope doesn’t change sharpness going from 11 -12 or even 13 yards you will most likely use an incorrect holdover on a 3/8” KZ.
IMHO this is one of the most important components of a successful FT rig. No, you don’t have to spend north of $500 dollars on a scope. My scope cost $375 shipped and I’ve had a better than a 92% knockdown ratio in the last 5 or 6 matches. If you don’t see others using one (and that goes for the gun as well) there must be a reason.... As John said, see what’s being used successfully. I posted recently about the success of a Marauder (actually two) that are virtually bone stock except for the single shot loading tray. 
best of luck and above all have fun.
 
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If it were me and on a very tight budget or not sure if FT is for me and had a 12fpe limit I would buy a Crosman Challenger without sights from Crosman on a Friday morning using the AGNATION 25% Discount code and swap out TPs with a P-Rod. They are pretty consistent once adjusted properly even without a regulator. That's only $400 and worse case scenario you end up with a great super accurate backyard sniping gun.

I would hit up Tom Holland (xbowsniper) too to pick his brain since he already did one of these.

I would specifically look for a used Mac1 USFT if you are really serious. They are fantastic especially the old 1500psi tanks.

The AA HFT500 is great too even without a regulator. I don't shoot FT however am really surprised how good it shoots even without a regulator.

An old original unregulated 177 FX Royale 400 or unregulated 177 FX Bobcat with original solid ST barrels are hard to beat in the 177 FX accuracy department so is the unregulated FX Tarantula in 177..

AA CZ S200 177 is a great little accurate gun too.

I would have mentioned the 177 Brocock Bantam HiLite unregulated but the trigger it's only questionable if its good enough for you?

I prefer unregulated guns to be honest. One less thing to act up at any given unannounced unewlcomed unheard of time and end up failing needing periodic rebuild and maintenance over time plus having to waste the first couple shots as a necessary OCD precaution.

If you want true ghetto budget the 177 Hatsan Flash rifles at minimum power shoot 18-19 fpe are accurate and cheap so is the 177 Umarex Gauntlet with Hajimoto barrel band and 2 stage trigger or mod the factory one. Surprising how accurate these cheapie guns are.


 
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First match, don't worry too much about your score. A .22 is at a slight disadvantage for close targets. 650fps will make the 45yd-55yd target difficult regardless of accuracy. A 1yd ranging error can mean a miss on a small close target. A 3yrd ranging error will put you completely outside the kill zone for far targets. Even a 2yd error will be a likely split on a far target. If it's an "unlimited" event as you said, and they allow you to use a range finder, that will help some.
 
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davecole - you are correct that I didn't mention a scope. That's a whole different conversation - and I do realize that is likely more important than the rifle itself when you get into ranging. First match I'll be using a rangefinder in unlimited to feel things out. 

I know Michael has/had his Leshiy setup for FT and I'm considering that option as well over the .22 as I can set it for the H&N 8.64 FTT @ 800 - 850 and it's very accurate and flat. This pellet has surprised me in the wind as well. I'm able to hit with 1" at 42 yards probably 7-8 times out of 10. The toughest shots seems to be when the wind is coming at you and all of a sudden you see the pellet just drop an inch or two off where you aimed. Depending on hold the Leshiy can snap to the left a bit when shot.

Here's a Chairgun of the .22 rifle I plan to use:

Ranchero - Charigun.1600685692.png


The curve is very tight between 10-30 yards so I don't think I would click anything to adjust just hold a 1/4" high or low depending on the distance. Out past 30 it'll get interesting with the drop, but my dope card is pretty accurate.
 
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Although it seems to get said often...a rifle that groups 1 1/2” at 55 will only get you into the KZ reliable if you make your wind calls perfect. Since that is actually the most difficult part of FT...it doesn’t happen that often. So a gun that groups 1/2” will give you some much needed wiggle room. At 20 fpe a 1/2” grouping gun will allow you to be over or under the actual wind mph by about 2 mph and still knock the target down. 

That’s huge.

Mike 
 
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In FT a heavyish rifle 17 caliber in the 19-ish fpe area is common, as well as a decent scope that tracks well and has a good holdover reticle. 

Past that it's having your dope down perfectly. 

Centercut shot his first official FT match with our club here in AZ and did very well using with the above recipe.
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve for showing me the ropes at the match Saturday. My gun is fairly light but shoulders and holds well in the Hunter FT position with bucket and sticks. It’s an older FX Crown .177 shooting JSB RD Monsters at 820 FPS. The gun will hold 1/2 inch groups all day long at 50 yards. I missed 14 out of 60 shots, and realize that all the misses but one were me, and none attributable to the rifle. One miss was a ranging error. I did miss 5 or 6 shots because I held off more for wind than I needed to. The RD Monsters, in addition to being more accurate than the H&N 10.65s I had been practicing with until a month ago, move about half as much in the wind. I did learn a lot from Steve watching him hit 56/60. I think the highlight of the match were our 13 and 15 lanes, which were off hand and kneeling. Both Steve and I went 3/4 and 4/4 on those two lanes. 
As far as FT goes, I have two words for it:

I’M IN! ;)
 
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I would never compare my abilities to Centercut. He is a far more advanced and experienced shooter than I will likely ever be.

I'm not sure I get the idea of using a heavyish rifle. Wouldn't that just create more muscle fatigue over the course?
Click to expand...

Sure if all of FT was offhand shooting but it's not. 

A little extra weight helps dampen movement. At the same time if that extra weight is balanced in a way that's pleasant to a particular shooter it can still be a benefit in offhand as long as it's not too heavy for that individual.

Even so, one can still do okay with a heavy rifle that isn't balanced well for offhand. For example my full sized and heavy USFT is pretty bad feeling for me in offhand but I make it work with higher than average scores. For taller guys than I the full sized USFT is fine in offhand.The other side of the coin is it's one of the more steady rifles in sitting position which is the most prominent position in FT.

Taking this to an extreme - I have a friend that built a 27 pound tactical rifle for PRS and NRL. He's 6.2 and is a strong guy. Man you wouldn't believe how that rifle will sit in a WeiBad Fortune Cookie bag sitting on a barricade! Literally hitting a 3" steel at 300Y is easy! And he's big enough to shoot a stage once in a while off hand and do okay. But again, in PRS and NRL shooting off of obstacles is most of their game so the extra weight helps make for higher scores.

Centercut is no doubt a good shot but besides his passion for shooting he's a guy that practices. He mentioned to me that he started practicing for FT in his back yard at 14Y shooting at small dots on a piece of paper. Then got his dope down later on and as he says "stepped into the arena".

I think most of us shoot purely for the fun of it. So go have fun and learn as you go. As long as you've had fun you've accomplished a lot! 
 
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In FT a heavyish rifle 17 caliber in the 19-ish fpe area is common, as well as a decent scope that tracks well and has a good holdover reticle. 

Past that it's having your dope down perfectly. 

Centercut shot his first official FT match with our club here in AZ and did very well using with the above recipe.
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve for showing me the ropes at the match Saturday. My gun is fairly light but shoulders and holds well in the Hunter FT position with bucket and sticks. It’s an older FX Crown .177 shooting JSB RD Monsters at 820 FPS. I missed 14 out of 60 shots, and realize that all the misses but one were me, and none attributable to the rifle. One miss was a ranging error. I did miss 5 or 6 shots because I held off more for wind that I needed to. The RD Monsters, in addition to being more accurate than the H&N 10.65s I had been practicing with until a month ago, move about half as much in the wind. I did learn a lot from Steve watching him hit 56/60. I think the highlight of the match were our 13 and 15 lanes, which were off hand and kneeling. Both Steve and I went 3/4 and 4/4 on those two lanes. 
As far as FT goes, I have two words for it:

I’M IN! ;)
Click to expand...

Always welcome Mike!

We all enjoyed your company and look forward to hanging out with you in the future.

Good shooting BTW!

BTW fantastic card on that 75Y EBR/244! It's gonna be a while before I can achieve that level in benchrest so I have lot's to glean from you. 


 
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If it were me and on a very tight budget or not sure if FT is for me and had a 12fpe limit I would buy a Crosman Challenger without sights from Crosman on a Friday morning using the AGNATION 25% Discount code and swap out TPs with a P-Rod. They are pretty consistent once adjusted properly even without a regulator. That's only $400 and worse case scenario you end up with a great super accurate backyard sniping gun.

I would hit up Tom Holland (xbowsniper) too to pick his brain since he already did one of these.

I would specifically look for a used Mac1 USFT if you are really serious. They are fantastic especially the old 1500psi tanks.

The AA HFT500 is great too even without a regulator. I don't shoot FT however am really surprised how good it shoots even without a regulator.

An old original unregulated 177 FX Royale 400 or unregulated 177 FX Bobcat with original solid ST barrels are hard to beat in the 177 FX accuracy department so is the unregulated FX Tarantula in 177..

AA CZ S200 177 is a great little accurate gun too.

I would have mentioned the 177 Brocock Bantam HiLite unregulated but the trigger it's only questionable if its good enough for you?

I prefer unregulated guns to be honest. One less thing to act up at any given unannounced unewlcomed unheard of time and end up failing needing periodic rebuild and maintenance over time plus having to waste the first couple shots as a necessary OCD precaution.

If you want true ghetto budget the 177 Hatsan Flash rifles at minimum power shoot 18-19 fpe are accurate and cheap so is the 177 Umarex Gauntlet with Hajimoto barrel band and 2 stage trigger or mod the factory one. Surprising how accurate these cheapie guns are.

Click to expand...


So you not shooting FT but you recommending a gun.

Why you do this if you got no experience?

Just curious ,that's all.

B
 
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