Exactly what is "Field Target"

[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]

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".

"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.

[chuckinohio]

  Way to go Ed, #2 Piston shooter on the list.

  Thems bragging rights son!!

[nced]

  Way to go Ed, #2 Piston shooter on the list.

  Thems bragging rights son!!

Thanks a bunch for the kind words! Field Target is broken up into divisions such as WFTF, the OPEN division, and the HUNTER division. These divisions are then broken up into "classes" of PCP, Piston, and offhand so folks can compete with similar equipment in their class.

The rules do vary within the individual classes. For example, one restriction of the WFTF class is a 12fpe power limit, the hunter class has a 12x max scope power for rangefinding via scope and shooting (among a few other restrictions). As mentioned, the divisions are split into PCP/Piston classes.

The posted ranking was collated based only on total score....not "score by class" so there are 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place (sometimes even 4th place) certificates for the winners of each class within the divisions IF there is enough participation within a class.

[Carlos G]

Hi All,
After reading the description in the link, it seems like Field Target shooting is loosely similar to Archery 3d? Sounds like it could be fun.  Where might one find more info and targets etc.?

Carlos G

[nced]

Hi All,
After reading the description in the link, it seems like Field Target shooting is loosely similar to Archery 3d? Sounds like it could be fun.  Where might one find more info and targets etc.?

Carlos G

How about making your own targets?
http://airguns.net/ft_woodfieldtarget.php
Field targets in the US have killzones from about 3/8" diameter to a couple inches and are set at various distances from 10 yards to 55 yards.

Here is a site explaining the Troyer difficulty rating system as it pertains to easy, moderate, hard, and expert difficulty........]
http://www.aafta.org/html/education/education_planning_coursedesign_difficulty.html

[Frank in Fairfield]

I read in the Marauder Forum those guys all shoot dime groups so they should have no problem. Oh wait, that's right, no bi-pods, no bags, no wind flags, no BS. Just fun. 

[Scotchmo]

I read in the Marauder Forum those guys all shoot dime groups so they should have no problem. Oh wait, that's right, no bi-pods, no bags, no wind flags, no BS. Just fun. 

Being able to shoot a dime sized group is definitely a plus, but the real trick is being able to hit inside that dime on your first shot, at an unknown target distance.

[Frank in Fairfield]

"I" know.

[Motorhead]

I read in the Marauder Forum those guys all shoot dime groups so they should have no problem. Oh wait, that's right, no bi-pods, no bags, no wind flags, no BS. Just fun. 

Being able to shoot a dime sized group is definitely a plus, but the real trick is being able to hit inside that dime on your first shot, at an unknown target distance.

Note the CROW ... different hole sizes possible to get a hit on paddle  ... Good FT events will have target with holes anywhere from 1/2" or less  to 2" and you never know match to match what target with what size Kill hole you will be faced with ... Thus the FUN FUN FUN of this sport.  Tough game but loads of giggles to be had too 

[Frank in Fairfield]

I saw BC is selling Zombie FT type targets. (Birchwood-Casey)

[Scotchmo]

RETATCDUDE and Motorhead,

I noticed that you are both in California. The Western States Regional Field Target Championships will be August 17th and 18th in San Luis Obispo County near Morro Bay. Fairfield and Placerville are only a 4 hour and 5 hour drive to the range. I hope you can make it. Great weather and free camping on site for competitors.

[Motorhead]

RETATCDUDE and Motorhead,

I noticed that you are both in California. The Western States Regional Field Target Championships will be August 17th and 18th in San Luis Obispo County near Morro Bay. Fairfield and Placerville are only a 4 hour and 5 hour drive to the range. I hope you can make it. Great weather and free camping on site for competitors.

I may try and make it ... There are a few of us here in Nor Cal who likely will make the trek 

[lillysdad621]

also consider that there are more specialized rules, and the Hunter class is more of a shooters competition than a wallet competition. Originally, FT in the UK was shot with non FAC rifles... under 12 fpe. so at 55 yards you better know your trajectory. after the race became too technical and based on how deep your pockets were, hunter FT was introduced... i shoot strictly HFT. here in the USA the rules are a bit laxed about position, power and scope rangefinding... the real HFT will not allow for adjustments to the scope after the first shot. no AO adjustments. and max 12X magnification. So most competitors used a fixed mag scope and set the AO at 25 yards... a bit fuzzy up close and a bit fuzzy at 50+ yards. The line was shot from any position you wanted as long as a part of your body was touching the Line peg which denotates the shooting lane. you may use a tree, or the peg or a monopod for support, but some part of your body must be in contact with the peg. it was the most realistic hunting simulation available. And it was shot with whatever you brought to the competition... I use a FWB 124 and a HW77k. but have also used a S200, and now a benji disco. it is affordable and plenty fun. now i am also getting into pistol FT... whole new ball game. find a shootingclub and try to go to the nearest FT competition around you... is definitely worth it.

[lethemgo]

I've been wanting to try this since seeing it on American airgunner. They had a couple shows showing basics of FT. I bought a squirrel target and we have fun knocking it down in the yard. Going to have to go to a match and see if theguns I have live up to the ones being used there. Here's an episode from American airgunner.
Sorry guess I'm not allowed to post an external link.....go to youtube the shows were in season 2. Maybe someone else could post it to make it easier to find. I'm buying a rifle from a guy that shots FT and silhouettes that said I could come check out some as his guest.....can't wait.