aa S400 MPR FT suitable/legal for HFT?

[chiro972b]

I am wanting to try to move to PCP class of hunter field target and have my eyes on the Air Arms S400 MPR ft. The gun has an adjustable comb and I'm told the stock is very short without adding some spacers in the butt. So, is this gun legal with the comb and butt adjusted for me? Or would I have to push those to the minimum (and likely unusable) settings to be legal?

Is there a way the positions can be fixed in place to be legal (a la how we can use a scope that is higher than 12x but have to keep it at a lower setting) or would I have to figure in a whole new stock? (which would put the budget that is already stretched to the breaking point).

[michaelthomas]

http://aafta.org/html/handbook/handbook_hunter_rules.html

This says all adjustable components must be at their minimum......with butt pads centered.

I suppose local clubs may have different rules.

Mike

[DFWdude]

I am wanting to try to move to PCP class of hunter field target and have my eyes on the Air Arms S400 MPR ft. The gun has an adjustable comb and I'm told the stock is very short without adding some spacers in the butt. So, is this gun legal with the comb and butt adjusted for me? Or would I have to push those to the minimum (and likely unusable) settings to be legal?

Is there a way the positions can be fixed in place to be legal (a la how we can use a scope that is higher than 12x but have to keep it at a lower setting) or would I have to figure in a whole new stock? (which would put the budget that is already stretched to the breaking point).

The AA S400 is a fine rifle for FT.  I'm not aware that the Length of Pull is too short.  I have no LOP issues shooting my S200/CZ200S, and it is a smaller rifle than an S400.  So, you might want to find someone with this rifle to hold and determine for yourself.  Rumors are not always true, especially internet rumors.  Everyone has an opinion.

I've seen other rifles with Butt Spacers installed (as from the factory, like the Target S200) as well as rubber overlay recoil pads to increase LOP.  So (just my opinion) I don't see anyone complaining if you have a spacer installed -- if needed -- as long as the original (vertical and horizontal) centered configuration is observed.  The cheek piece (comb) WILL need to be in the lowest, unadjusted position, though.  The intent of the rule is that you compete with a standard, non-adjustable, SPORTER hunting stock.

As for scopes, you are indeed limited to 12x (and no more than 12x for Pistol).  For rifle, you may have more mag than 12x, but it must be set at no more than a factory-marked 12x... or... any marking Less than 12x.  So, if your scope is a 4-16x, and there is a 9x marking but no 12x, it must be set at the 9x as your maximum, or less.

[Norm_m]

I have a AA S400 MPR-FT and I love it, sub 8 shot 1/2" groups at 40 yards all day long. I will be stretching it out to 50 yards as time permits. I was pretty fortunate as PA had donated one that was auctioned off on GunBroker to help fund the US FT team's trip to the World Championship in Germany. I got it for a great price!

Yes the LOP is way too short! It does come with several spacers which I installed and they made a big difference but I did not like how they looked. So I made a 3/4" thick aluminum spacers that attaches between the stock and the butt pad that I fitted to the stock. It looks like it was factory installed and it is fixed in length with no sliding in or out.

As with many AG rifles the comb is too low but being able to adjust it up is a big plus.

I am sure I would like to get into FT Matches but living in NH is not much help as I have not found any that are close enough.

Norm

[chiro972b]

If you want to shoot Hunter class, why the MPR? Unless you plan on shooting open class down the road, save the money and get the regular 400/410. Save a bit more by purchasing used and get the older bolt action model with the better trigger.
 Also the best deals I have ever seen on suitable FT rigs is AT an FT shoot.
 I did concider the MPR when it first hit the market at $580.00 but at current prices there just may be other choices.
John

I can't find anyone who stocks the regular 400/410. Any suggestions?

[chiro972b]

Just as an update, I found an S500 FAC for sale on the yellow classifieds that looks very promising and the price was right so it's on the way to me now. The owner did a bstaley tune on it and posted a shot string that looks like I could get more than enough shots for an entire match at about 12.5 fpe and around a 20 fps es. I'm going to try the gun just how he set it up and if I don't like it, nothing has been modified other than the addition of the o-rings so I can put it back to stock. Now if I can just find a reasonably priced side wheel for my Hawke Varmint SF and I'll be all set.