Canadian Airgun Forum

I participated (it would be a stretch to say "competed") in my first FT match this past weekend. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

I used my $90 Crosman Optimus from Princess Auto with a 3-12 x 44 Vector Veyron scope from Airgun Archery Fun (Wes was great to deal with).

I had my scope set to 10x for no real good reason. It worked well enough, but since this was my first time I do not have anything to compare so I thought I would reach out to this knowledgeable (or at least highly opinionated) group.

HFT allows up to 16x but you cannot change any settings other than parallax for focus during a match. So if you set it at 16x you'll be using that on the 10 yd targets as well as the 55yd.

The match at HAHA was on the rifle range and brightly lit - it got a bit dull during the heaviest rain and I had to work to see some of the hash marks on my reticle a couple times.

I am thinking that future matches in a forest course might be a challenge. I have never even looked through a scope with an illuminated reticle though.

So, here are my questions:

1. Does anyone use the maximum 16x magnification in HFT or is my 10x approach reasonable?

2. Is an illuminated reticle helpful in a forest or dull environment?

3. What is your favorite reticle style?

Feel free to add any other advice.

I am really happy with the one that I have, but a bit leery of taking it into a dim spooky forest.

Thanks all,
Rob27


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You are allowed to focus your optics in the hunters class??? So with a side wheel you could mark the distances where focus came in then use the reticle dots to get precise elevation?

I'd upgrade the rifle before the optic in this case. I don't like illumination at all when precision is involved. The Hawke Airmax mildot reticle is my favorite.

btw my respect for attending the match. I've been wanting to join the Grenville group for some time, time not allowing. One day.

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I have some airguns.

You can adjust for focus but any yardage marks must be covered. You cannot use your scope for range finding in Hunter class. My Veyron has a side wheel and I found it very handy to use.

Yes, I have thought about a rifle upgrade...looking with longing at an HW50 from the forum store, but then maybe a different brand.... It may sound strange to this experienced group, but the Optimus is the best air rifle that I have ever fired. I have read many glowing reviews of the HW, but also several that complain of high cocking effort and a price not worth the difference.

I can see why so many people love their PCP guns, but break barrels are in my heart.

If I upgrade the rifle it would become obvious where the weakest link is!

Thanks,
Rob

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Side focus good, markings bad. Good to know.

There may be more consistently accurate choices but there is nothing wrong with the Optimus, nothing at all. Maybe there should be an under $200 retail class. If ONLY for FT I'd save for a TX200 or a HW97 and if not they both are still incredible multi purpose. PCP is where it's at but I love my springers as well. I believe we are all in the same boat when it comes to being the weakest link.

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I have some airguns.

Here are the CAFTA rules: https://www.ftcentral.com/viewtopic.php?t=475

You are allowed to set your scope to a maximum of 16X for Hunter class. Nothing says you can't reduce the power to a lower level and then bring it back to 16X. Parallax markings must be covered and you are not allowed to adjust your turrets in Hunter once the match has started. There are rumblings about possible rule changes/clarifications regarding scopes.

My considerations for a scope:
- must parallax to a minimum of 10yd, go to the manufacturer's site to confirm this if the vendor doesn't advertise it. There are a lot of scopes out there that only parallax down to 25/50/100 yards
- must be capable of 16X or greater (16X should be marked on the magnification ring)
- manufacturer must warranty the scope for spring guns (pcp guns aren't as hard on the scope)
- illuminated reticle is nice but not mandatory, I have used mine once in a forest course where shadows made some shots difficult
- a reticle with .5 mildot increments or better, in Hunter we have to hold over/under depending on the scope zero and the range. You will develop a dope card telling you what you need to do at any given range.
- reticle matches the turret i.e. mildot reticle with mildot/ mrad turrets
- FFP scope, my personal preference and there is a whole internet full of the pros/cons of FFP vs SFP
- have a good look thru any potential scope. Some are clearer than others. Some scopes get a bit fuzzy around the edges at their max power level.
- talk to other shooters at a match and ask to look thru their scopes. They will give you their opinions of their scopes good or bad.
- a whole range of prices and qualities available out there.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Hi Rob,

You know, 10 yard minimum focus may not be close enough. This past weekend's match at HAHA. There was a target I would swear is much closer than 10 yards. I had to hold under almost 2 mil dots in order to hit it.[emoji12]

Still learning in FT shooting.

Tom

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AirArms TX200HC
AirArms S400F
Diana Outlaw
Feinwerkbau 300S
FX Dreamline Classic
Weihrauch HW100KT FSB
Weihrauch HW97KT
Weihrauch HW50S
Artemis M16
Artemis PP700
Weihrauch HW40
Beeman P17
Stoeger XP4

Hi Rob,

You know, 10 yard minimum focus may not be close enough. This past weekend's match at HAHA. There was a target I would swear is much closer than 10 yards. I had to hold under almost 2 mil dots in order to hit it.[emoji12]

Still learning in FT shooting.

Tom[/quote]

Yeah that close one on lane #8 was frustrating. It felt more like 7yd to me. My scope says it goes to 10 yd, but it actually goes to 9 or so as proven in my basement.
By the time I came by that lane there was so much lead on the face I couldn't actually see where that tiny hit zone started. I could not focus that close so I aimed for the blob and missed....twice! You would think that after the first miss I might have changed my point of aim. Nope.

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I set my scope on 16X and never move it when shooting hunter division. I use a 4-16 AirMax with the lighted reticle, which is a must for me when your reticle starts disappearing on a dark target on a dark day. Reticle has mildots and lines between so actually half mil dots. I find that FFP scopes tend to cover too much of the hit zone at the high magnification. This may not be as big an issue when max mag is only 16X. In FT, I shoot all shots at 50X, so 16X seems zoomed out significantly. You would be surprised at the difference even between a 12X and 16X scope when looking at the long shots.

Shot my TX-HC today with AirMax and even at 55 yards I can see exactly where the centre of the crosshairs are located in the hit zone. Was able to put second dot on zone and make the shot, providing I did not wiggle of course.

The HW50 is an excellent rifle and well worth the investment, especially at the price Dan is asking. Usually can not get the used for that price. To add to that, few people sell them once they have them.

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Tim
CAFTA Governor and lifetime learner