As commented elsewhere, Ben Spencer (Match Director for XFT @ Phoenix Rod and Gun Club) has been working on this for a VERY long time.
I'll start with a real-world example from the matches here in AZ, as an intro into what I've seen happen more than once.
This is a mostly true story about a new field target shooter. We'll call him Les (not his real name). Les found out about the existence of an airgun specialty shop in Gilbert, AZ called Airguns of Arizona. Perhaps he drove by it one day, or maybe found it online. Either way, he found himself in the store. He wasn't even sure of his intended use, but the next thing he knew he was walking out with a spanking new Benjamin Akela in .22, with a new 4-12x scope mounted up top. For ammo he had a couple tins of wadcutters, and was glad to get them too, with all the supply chain issues! Not long after purchasing the Akela he stumbled across information online about the summer-time field target matches held up in the tall cool pines just south of Flagstaff. The light turned on, "I could compete in field target with my Akela!" So, the next Saturday morning he finds himself at a field target match. He loved the experience, and the hook was firmly set.
From there, most of you can guess where that ended up. If you've shot field target for any length of time you're aware of the "arms race," that eventually engulfs all ft shooters. Les found that he loves field target, and has since spent a bundle on electronic guns, and high magnification scopes, and high BC pellets and on and on and on. The sad part is that for every Les, there's probably 3-5 other guys that enjoyed their first exposure to field target just as much, but couldn't ever see themselves throwing so much money at the "sport." And thus, those guys never returned.
The funny thing is that nearly all ft shooters were once Les. The majority of those of us that are still involved have played the arms race, often as fast and loose as our wives would let us get away with. And (I feel) that's mostly because there simply isn't anywhere in field target to actually be competitive WITHOUT playing the arms race.
Being realistic about the reality of the above situation is what got Ben thinking about creating a division where that arms race is quite literally against the rules. A place where folks can compete with a gun that doesn't cost over a grand (and even up to $4500 on the far end of the spectrum!!!). A place where you don't need a $1000 telescope on the top of your gun, with a wholly comical dinner-plate sized wheel (that's another $120+ for the wheel, mind you) strapped to the side of the scope. It's not unheard of for a guy to be carrying $10,000+ worth of gear from lane to lane at a field target match! And that's not an exaggeration because we've got more than one guy campaigning such a rig at our AZ matches.
And so was born, The Marksman Division of Extreme Field Target.
Simple rules, with a heavy emphasis on supreme inclusion:
Marksman shooters can choose pellets or slugs, but either must be commercially produced and available for sale, just like other XFT classes.
The beauty of this new class is that it allows shooter skill to be on full display. While Marksman shooters will only be officially competing against Marksman Division shooters, it'll be pretty sweet for them to get a higher score than the guy shooting the $10,000+ rig, talk about bragging rights!!!! And that's fully possible in XFT, since all the distances are posted, the crazy expensive scope isn't necessary to range find by focus, such a big part of "regular" sub 20fpe field target.
Medals will awarded as they are for the other classes of XFT. You must beat someone to get a medal. ie, if two people are shooting Marksman, the high score will get a medal. If three people are shooting Marskman, the first two will get a medal. If more than 3 shooters are Marksman, the first 3 will be awarded medals.
Ben has also been in contact with many of the manufacturers I'll list off in the next few comments for potential sponsorship of the Marksman Division through prize money. Assuming some manufacturers or retailers want in on that, prize money will be awarded in the same fashion as the medals.
This is the place for: Crosman/Benjamin, Umarex, Kral, Air Venturi, AEA, Hatsan, JTS, Seneca, Hammerli, Reximex, Snowpeak, Gamo, Xisico, DAR, etc, etc etc, to compete.
I kinda want to get in on the Marksman Division action myself.....I'm thinking an Air Force Talon in .22 (MSRP of $799.99 so JUUUUSSTT barely legal), with one of my ole trusty SWFA fixed power scopes would fit into the rules....or maybe a JTS or a DAR.....
What gun and scope would you choose?
Feel free to discuss at will, Ben said he'd love to hear what people think of this concept. Suggestions, ideas, etc.
First time Marksman Division will be offered is the upcoming November 19th night match.
I'll start with a real-world example from the matches here in AZ, as an intro into what I've seen happen more than once.
This is a mostly true story about a new field target shooter. We'll call him Les (not his real name). Les found out about the existence of an airgun specialty shop in Gilbert, AZ called Airguns of Arizona. Perhaps he drove by it one day, or maybe found it online. Either way, he found himself in the store. He wasn't even sure of his intended use, but the next thing he knew he was walking out with a spanking new Benjamin Akela in .22, with a new 4-12x scope mounted up top. For ammo he had a couple tins of wadcutters, and was glad to get them too, with all the supply chain issues! Not long after purchasing the Akela he stumbled across information online about the summer-time field target matches held up in the tall cool pines just south of Flagstaff. The light turned on, "I could compete in field target with my Akela!" So, the next Saturday morning he finds himself at a field target match. He loved the experience, and the hook was firmly set.
From there, most of you can guess where that ended up. If you've shot field target for any length of time you're aware of the "arms race," that eventually engulfs all ft shooters. Les found that he loves field target, and has since spent a bundle on electronic guns, and high magnification scopes, and high BC pellets and on and on and on. The sad part is that for every Les, there's probably 3-5 other guys that enjoyed their first exposure to field target just as much, but couldn't ever see themselves throwing so much money at the "sport." And thus, those guys never returned.
The funny thing is that nearly all ft shooters were once Les. The majority of those of us that are still involved have played the arms race, often as fast and loose as our wives would let us get away with. And (I feel) that's mostly because there simply isn't anywhere in field target to actually be competitive WITHOUT playing the arms race.
Being realistic about the reality of the above situation is what got Ben thinking about creating a division where that arms race is quite literally against the rules. A place where folks can compete with a gun that doesn't cost over a grand (and even up to $4500 on the far end of the spectrum!!!). A place where you don't need a $1000 telescope on the top of your gun, with a wholly comical dinner-plate sized wheel (that's another $120+ for the wheel, mind you) strapped to the side of the scope. It's not unheard of for a guy to be carrying $10,000+ worth of gear from lane to lane at a field target match! And that's not an exaggeration because we've got more than one guy campaigning such a rig at our AZ matches.
And so was born, The Marksman Division of Extreme Field Target.
Simple rules, with a heavy emphasis on supreme inclusion:
- $800 maximum MSRP for rifle
- Must be mechanically 100% "stock", ie no aftermarket internals (for example, no re-barrelling)
- Barrel and trigger components can be polished, but no parts can be replaced with parts that didn't come in the gun
- External creativity allowed, within reason (Ben specifically gave the example of adding a barrel band)
- "within reason of course"
- $500 maximum MSRP for scope
- 25x maximum scope magnification
Marksman shooters can choose pellets or slugs, but either must be commercially produced and available for sale, just like other XFT classes.
The beauty of this new class is that it allows shooter skill to be on full display. While Marksman shooters will only be officially competing against Marksman Division shooters, it'll be pretty sweet for them to get a higher score than the guy shooting the $10,000+ rig, talk about bragging rights!!!! And that's fully possible in XFT, since all the distances are posted, the crazy expensive scope isn't necessary to range find by focus, such a big part of "regular" sub 20fpe field target.
Medals will awarded as they are for the other classes of XFT. You must beat someone to get a medal. ie, if two people are shooting Marksman, the high score will get a medal. If three people are shooting Marskman, the first two will get a medal. If more than 3 shooters are Marksman, the first 3 will be awarded medals.
Ben has also been in contact with many of the manufacturers I'll list off in the next few comments for potential sponsorship of the Marksman Division through prize money. Assuming some manufacturers or retailers want in on that, prize money will be awarded in the same fashion as the medals.
This is the place for: Crosman/Benjamin, Umarex, Kral, Air Venturi, AEA, Hatsan, JTS, Seneca, Hammerli, Reximex, Snowpeak, Gamo, Xisico, DAR, etc, etc etc, to compete.
I kinda want to get in on the Marksman Division action myself.....I'm thinking an Air Force Talon in .22 (MSRP of $799.99 so JUUUUSSTT barely legal), with one of my ole trusty SWFA fixed power scopes would fit into the rules....or maybe a JTS or a DAR.....
What gun and scope would you choose?
Feel free to discuss at will, Ben said he'd love to hear what people think of this concept. Suggestions, ideas, etc.
First time Marksman Division will be offered is the upcoming November 19th night match.
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