Using high-magnification scopes in FT ... zooming?

[gokidd]

Greetings, Open Class FT shooters:
As a new shooter in Hunter FT, I'm curious ... during a contest, do you use lower power magnification to locate a target, then zoom in?
I've never looked through more than a 12X scope, so very interested to hear your shooting routine when using much higher magnification.

Do you use the zoom ring during a contest?
Thanks,
Bob

[Tpatner412]

Bob

Personally, if I have trouble finding a target through the scope, I will turn down the magnification to help find it.  Once located, then I will zoom in and range my target.  I usually shoot on 30x and range at 60x, so I change the magnification on my scope a lot.

[gokidd]

Bob

Personally, if I have trouble finding a target through the scope, I will turn down the magnification to help find it.  Once located, then I will zoom in and range my target.  I usually shoot on 30x and range at 60x, so I change the magnification on my scope a lot.

Wow, very cool.
Thanks for the insight!
Bob

[Tater]

Is field target possible at all with only a 12x scope?

[TwiceHorn]

Is field target possible at all with only a 12x scope?

The American Hunter class is restricted to 12x.  So, yes.  It is one of the "handicaps" that compensates for the use of a bipod.  The other is the inability to adjust windage or elevation during the match (no "clicking" for distance adjustment).  Also, as Tyler notes, using a high mag/power can decrease the depth of field, making ranging better at higher power, particularly at longer distances, so having to range at 12x is something of a handicap, as well.  Some scopes do it quite well, though.

[gokidd]

Is field target possible at all with only a 12x scope?

HA! I ask myself this on a regular basis. ;-)
I'm having lots of fun in Hunter FT, limited to 12x.
Accurate ranging (out in the 35 to 55 yards domain) is obviously a challenge compared to using a more powerful optic.

All this field target stuff fascinates me. But it (and airguns in general) seem to be a niche hobby in the U.S., so it's difficult to gain detailed knowledge of it.
I appreciate the fellows on GTA who share their info.
Bob

[farmerjoe99]

While I shot open class last year I only used a 4-16 scope (Optisan Viper)
but at the matches I went to most of the shooters that I was able to watch turned the scope magnification
quite a bit whether it was to find the target or for the shot I can't remember but they would turn it up to range find.

I'm hoping to upgrade my scope and try a higher power one soon but last season I did quite well with just the 16x(though it should be noted my eye's are much younger than most.)
The only time I really felt my scope was hurting me was at the PA cup on the second day in the open I was having a very hard time telling the range at 45yds and beyond(which their were more than a few of...
But hopefully this year I can come back and offer a little stiffer competition  and I'm excited to see the new course PA mentions.
 

[c_m_shooter]

Scan the lane in front of the target and follow the string.  At 20x I find it pretty easy to find most of the targets immediately unless they are in the trees. At 32x the field of view gets a little narrow for me and I just follow the string.  Once I range and load it is easy to find the focused distance in the lane and do a quick right to left sweep to find the target.

[Motorhead]

Shooting Field target now @ 6 years been primarily a Hunter PCP class shooter at 12x ... quite successfully too.
In 2015 spend most of that season shooting Open Class or Freestyle with a Big Sightron 10-50x60 scope.
Found ranging was more than sufficient at 30X and kept it there for all but Offhand and some kneelers ....
Once you know your gun and can get comfortable shooting BOTH EYES OPEN, target acquisition becomes much easier when at the higher X values.

Even tho at 30X in the shooting of rifle, having 50X at your disposal did come in handy on those targets poorly illuminated, in shadows or lacking texture.  Never liked shooting at 40-50x with image to bumpy, heart beat prone and just made you more tense fighting for a clean break of the shot.

Jmo ...
Scott

[gokidd]

This is pure gold!
Thank you, fellows.
Bob

[Frank in Fairfield]

I am going to chime in on Motorhead's remarks because he won't.
At our club in Concord, CA, only two people have cleaned the course.....48/48

Scott (motorhead)in Hunter Class (I scored that one.) and one other person in Open Class.
A lot of come close (not me).

Last month I was shooting with JimC (Hunter Class) and he shot 47/48.

Field Target was oriiginally designed to give airgun hunters something to do in the off-season.
Just like when Fred Bear started archery field target.

Both sports quickly became an equipment game but if a target can be hit at 55 yards with an air rifle then you can compete in field target with that very same rifle.

You are, in fact only shooting against one person.....yourself.

For Ol' Screws like yours truly, it gives us something to do besides sitting around listening to our arteries harden.

[nced]

Is field target possible at all with only a 12x scope?

LOL....a 12x setting is all that I've used since I only shoot hunter class. Here is a paper award from 2006 where I hit a bit over 88% of the targets shooting "from bucket and sticks" using a 12x scope setting at the DIFTA club I attended when living in West Virginia...........


The best I've done at the THAGC club was two 47/60s for a 70% knockdown rate using my breakbarrel R9!
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

[michaelthomas]

Some guys use fixed power scopes for Open...like the Leupold 35x and 40x.  As Scott said, once you get used to keeping both eyes open, finding targets is not a problem.

Mike

[Scotchmo]

Is field target possible at all with only a 12x scope?

The American Hunter class is restricted to 12x.  So, yes.  It is one of the "handicaps" that compensates for the use of a bipod.  The other is the inability to adjust windage or elevation during the match (no "clicking" for distance adjustment).  Also, as Tyler notes, using a high mag/power can decrease the depth of field, making ranging better at higher power, particularly at longer distances, so having to range at 12x is something of a handicap, as well.  Some scopes do it quite well, though.

"The American Hunter class is restricted to 12x.  So, yes.  It is one of the "handicaps" that compensates for the use of a bipod."

Rarely does a set of shooting stick compensate for the inability to range the target accurately. Many older or less physically inclined shooters prefer the higher seat as they are not able/comfortable doing a low position every lane. So Hunter Division in the USA is often considered an "old man" Division. Typical bipods are no longer allowed in AAFTA Hunter, only shooting sticks. When shooting from a high seat, as is allowed in Hunter, the shooting sticks can be an advantage. When sitting in a low position, the sticks don't do much. On a piston gun, they can be a disadvantage since many spring guns "bounce" funny when used with shooting stick. The sticks can be a definite advantage when a target is partially obscured and you need support in a higher potion.

Field target is possible with a 12x scope. But don't think that your range finding will ever be as easy/precise as with the 30-80x scopes. Even if you are able to develop a perfectly stable position in Hunter Division, you WILL be at a disadvantage when compared to those that can range the target accurately.

[dan_house]

Some guys use fixed power scopes for Open...like the Leupold 35x and 40x.  As Scott said, once you get used to keeping both eyes open, finding targets is not a problem.

Mike

Mike what scope are you using on that gun?