GTA
Target Shooting Matches, Discussion & Events => Field Target Gates => Hunter Class Field Target => Topic started by: SlowWalker on March 01, 2018, 05:24:37 PM
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I'm going to try and make it to my first Field Target match (hunter class) later this month. Thing is, I have limited space for practice - basically just the length of my garage, about 25 feet or so. I'm wondering what others in similar circumstances are doing for practice. I'll be using a TX200 in the match, but it is a bit loud to shoot indoors. Do you have a different, ie quieter rifle for practice at home. Or is there a way to quieten the TX200 some.
Not sure I'll find a place to plot trajectories before the match either. Oh well ya gotta start somewhere...
Steve
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Steve, you’re going to have a blast shooting Field Target! I don’t have a problem with limited range at home, but I have shot at gun ranges when I needed a controlled environment to produce accurate ranges without having to move my set-up.
What you can do at home and in your front yard is practice ranging with your scope. Remove the scope from your gun, and rest it on a mono- or bi-pod to verify your range markings are correct. You can back this up with a range finder or use a measuring tape to do it the cheap way.
If you have access to a chronograph, you can come up with an accurate curve using Chairgun. Just arrive to the match early enough to sit on the sighting/practice range and set your near/far zero to the correct clicks. From there, just have fun!
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Dang! that's brilliant. I would have never thought of ranging my scope off the gun. I do have a chrono so will be able to plot the trajectory too. Thanks! Jentry. Like I said, I would have never thought of it.
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I'm going to try and make it to my first Field Target match (hunter class) later this month. Thing is, I have limited space for practice - basically just the length of my garage, about 25 feet or so. I'm wondering what others in similar circumstances are doing for practice. I'll be using a TX200 in the match, but it is a bit loud to shoot indoors. Do you have a different, ie quieter rifle for practice at home. Or is there a way to quieten the TX200 some.
Not sure I'll find a place to plot trajectories before the match either. Oh well ya gotta start somewhere...
Steve
Steve,
If the match you are talking about is the one at Ione on the 25th, I'll look forward to meeting you!
For your first match, I recommend that you prepare yourself for likely becoming addicted very quickly. The people that shoot these matches (and especially the club directors Jim & Scott) are EXTREMELY helpful, and it's a really fun experience! Definitely come with your bucket, bipod, rifle, pellets, dope sheet, etc. But also come with on open mind to learn as you [as Scott would say] tumble down the rabbit hole...
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I'm in about the same boat. I shoot 3/8" bulls at 10-15 yards, as that is the smallest killzone you will encounter at those ranges.
I occasionally go to an indoor range to get out to 25 or 50, but you can't shoot anything in between so it kind of stinks for setting up a gun.
A wise shooter mentioned that if you can nail the shots from 10-30, that's at least half and maybe 2/3 the course and makes for a pretty decent score.
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I'm in about the same boat. I shoot 3/8" bulls at 10-15 yards, as that is the smallest killzone you will encounter at those ranges.
I occasionally go to an indoor range to get out to 25 or 50, but you can't shoot anything in between so it kind of stinks for setting up a gun.
A wise shooter mentioned that if you can nail the shots from 10-30, that's at least half and maybe 2/3 the course and makes for a pretty decent score.
Totally agree with you, almost all American FT courses are 2/3 30-35 and under. WFTF courses are more than 50% long range. If you can get your numbers on your ranging with the scope off the gun you'll be one step ahead.
Keep in mind that your chrony numbers from Pine Grove 2500' ish vs near sea level your piston gun will shoot a little faster at the match.
Get a good chrony reading, measure scope height and then get a good zero at the match. 25-27 yards is where most people set it.
Have your chart from chairgun on hand and test it at the sight in period. I shoot 25 yards to check zero, then 10 yards and 55. If my holdover or clicks are good for those distances everything else is in the middle!
Bring a good sized box and a 165' measuring tape or a 55 yard string and a rangefinder. Before sight in bring your box out to 55. Ask someone if it's okay to shoot their 25 yard target, establish zero and then shoot 55 and start to drag your box in 5 yards at a time.
If you are coming to Sac Valley FTs match be sure to introduce yourself, we all like seeing new guys and most people will start throwing too much information at you. Be patient and have fun.
Do you shoot anywhere that has 25 yards? If you're in Pine Grove you can keep driving up 88 towards Kirkwood. There is plenty of land to shoot legally up there.
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Steve, did you have any success?
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Thanks for all the encouragement and suggestions and yeppers, I'm going to try and in make to the match in Ione on the 25th. I'll be the old guy with the lost look on his face.
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I'm going to try and make it to my first Field Target match (hunter class) later this month. Thing is, I have limited space for practice - basically just the length of my garage, about 25 feet or so. I'm wondering what others in similar circumstances are doing for practice. I'll be using a TX200 in the match, but it is a bit loud to shoot indoors. Do you have a different, ie quieter rifle for practice at home. Or is there a way to quieten the TX200 some.
Not sure I'll find a place to plot trajectories before the match either. Oh well ya gotta start somewhere...
Steve
In Pine Grove ... lets assume you plan on coming off the hill to IONE for one of the SVFTC matches ( This month on the 25th our years first )
In FT actual shooting at different distances really is the practice you need & MOST important is to .. at minimum able to shoot at your zero range of @ 25-30 YARDS.
The closer / farther distances you can work off Chairgun data and at your first match start getting a hang of the challenges you'll face during an actual match.
Over in your neck of the woods we have a very seasoned FT shooter who lives in Jackson you will meet if at one of the SVFTC matches.
Scott
Co match director of the SVFTC
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I'll be the old guy with the lost look on his face.
No, no!
That's me.
See you there,
Bob