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Exactly what is "Field Target"

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Jack D:
This is the first time I've heard the term and my first impression of the term was random shooting at targets in a field....either live or otherwise. Exactly what is it? Perhaps a  sticky explaining the "sport" to those of us that aren't in the know.

PakProtector:
John covered a lot of ground. IME, there are a few things required to let you get top scores...one being able to determine the range to the target. this is quite important on the closer ones with the smallest 'kill zones', as the hold over varies by the yard and the total error generated if the range is dertrmined improperly is larger than the kill zone. the next being a rifle that you can consistently put the pellet where it is being aimed. This is at ranges up to the 55 yard limit imposed by the rules of engagement. In any given lane, there are usually 3 targets spread out at seemingly random distances...determine range, check dope sheet, aim at the proper spot and drop the pellet where it needs to be...man, that was a bit simpler to write than do in practice...LOL
cheers,
Douglas

I have yet to attend a match where I could not get the guidance required to understand what was going on. Ask for help, guidance and suggestions and they'll be freely given.

Jack D:
Thanks, John, Douglas. It's not at all what I envisioned when I first saw the term "Field Target". I had pictured strolling through a preset course in a "field" picking off pop-up targets, off hand, with an "off the shelf" air gun as in a hunting situation. I see that's not the case at all. These air guns are highly specialized and, seemingly, beyond many folks budgets. Seems like more of a "sniper" exercise to me. Not to say that's a bad thing....just not what I envisioned based on the term "Field Target".

nced:

--- Quote from: Jack D on July 18, 2013, 02:02:56 PM ---Thanks, John, Douglas. It's not at all what I envisioned when I first saw the term "Field Target". I had pictured strolling through a preset course in a "field" picking off pop-up targets, off hand, with an "off the shelf" air gun as in a hunting situation. I see that's not the case at all. These air guns are highly specialized and, seemingly, beyond many folks budgets. Seems like more of a "sniper" exercise to me. Not to say that's a bad thing....just not what I envisioned based on the term "Field Target".

--- End quote ---

"These air guns are highly specialized and, seemingly, beyond many folks budgets"..........not necessarily so, it all depends on what your purposes for shooting. When my brother and I started shooting Field target a couple decades ago it was ONLY to get in some good practice off-season for squirrel hunting, to get together with other airgunners of all stripes, and simply because it's FUN!

I started shooting FT with a .177 R9 springer with a 4-12 Bushnell Trophy scope and I'm still using a .177 R9, however I've replaced the Trophy scope with a 4-12 Vortex Diamondback with BDC reticle.  Here are the scores shot at the recent Maryland State Championship match........
Here is the ranking (score wise) at the recent 72 shot Maryland State match. Notice the hunter class "holdover only" scores and most if not all hft shooters use "dots" for aiming.......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ray Apelles...............Marauder Hybrid bullpup.............Leupold Comp. 35x.............CPL.............68.............WFTF..............PCP
Tim Hanold................Marauder........................................Millet TRS-1..........................CPH.............64............Hunter..............PCP
Dean Mihalovits........AA S500..........................................Millet TRS-1.........................CPH..............60............Hunter..............PCP
Eric Thesing..............Marauder.........................................Millet TRS-1.........................CPH..............58............Hunter..............PCP
Greg Shirhall.............TM1000...........................................Bushnell 6-24......................JSB 10.34....57............Hunter..............PCP
Rex Gori.....................Marauder........................................Hawke 8-32x56...................CPH..............57............Open................PCP
Jan Vandenberg.......Marauder........................................Leapers 8-32x56.................JSB 8.4........57............WFTF...............PCP
Al Otter........................USFT #16.......................................March X 8-80.......................CPH.............54.............Open................PCP
Ryan Hanold.............Marauder.........................................Millet TRS-1.........................CPH.............53.............Hunter..............PCP
Art Deuel....................HW97...............................................Leupold 6.5-20x40 EFR....CPL..............52.............WFTF..............Piston
Ed Canoles...............R9......................................................Centerpoint 4-16.................CPL..............48.............Hunter..............Piston
Jim Wilcox.................Steyr LG100....................................Hawke 3-12x50 SR6..........JSB 10.34...44.............Hunter..............PCP
Bill Price.....................R9.....................................................Centerpoint 4-16x40...........CPL..............44.............Hunter..............Piston
Héctor Medina..........D-54..................................................Hawke Eclipse 20x.............JSB 8.44......44.............WFTF..............Piston
Paolo Amedeo..........Marauder XL...................................Leapers 8-32x56.................CPL..............43.............WFTF..............PCP
Keith Knoblauch.......TX200..............................................Leupold 35 Comp................JSB 8.4........43.............WFTF..............Piston
Joe McDaniel............Gamo PCP......................................3-9x50...................................CPL...............38.............Hunter.............PCP
Chuck Jordan............EV2...................................................BSA.......................................JSB 8.4.........37.............WFTF..............PCP
Mark Martin................Daystate Air Ranger......................Hawke 10x...........................CPH..............32.............Open................Offhand
Paolo Amedeo..........Marauder XL...................................Leapers 8-32x56.................CPL...............24.............Open................Offhand
Walter Zielezinski.....HW100............................................Leupold 3-9x40...................JSB 14.3.......11.............Open................PCP (Novice)

Notice that there isn't a requirement for multiple thousand dollar rigs to shoot decent scores, and I do like to say "if the prize money were more (only  it would matter". :)

Scotchmo:
Sort of like golf. You are squaded with someone.

Strolling through a preset course, usually along a trail or road, picking off knock-down targets out in the field, off hand, kneeling, sitting, or prone, as in a hunting simulation. With an "off the shelf" or a totally custom air gun. Whichever suits you.

Two shots per target and usually two targets per lane (sometimes three targets per lane). I have seen anywhere from 8 to 15 lanes. Usually 40 to 60 shots per match. A point for each knockdown.

There are aspects of hunting, sniping, and marksmanship. The game is as much about being able to correctly set up a shot as it is about marksmanship. You ranging skills (sans laser range finders) is half the game. Wind is often a major factor. You also need an accurate rifle and need to develop some steady shooting positions.

You don't need a specialized gun to shoot Hunter Divison field target. I use a Marauder in Hunter/PCP class. I use a Leapers scope and Harris type bipod. The only modification to the gun is a regulator that allows me more shots between fills. The regulator is more of a convenience than a necessity.

I also shoot in the Hunter/Piston class using a heavily modified Chinese QB58 with a Leapers scope.

Both gun are good enough to win matches.

It is a lot of fun.

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