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What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177
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Author:  Dukemeister [ Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:33 am ]
Post subject:  What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

I am settling in to a style of shooting for backyard FT at 50 yards. So far I am plinking along with non-PAL rifles rated at 495 fps at various distances, 25 yards out to about 35 yards (I measured). With my Winchester 500XS and 4x32 scope I can just comfortably see and focus on a soup can at 50 yards. With my Benjamin and 9x40 scope I can see the target nicely. So I have concluded that for FT at 50 yds, a 9x scope is much more desirable. Anyhow, vision aside, what is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177 and .22. I find at 35 yards the .177 pellets make a light plink only, and the .22 pellets put a sizable dent in the can. Is it reasonable to expect a non-PAL .177 to be an adequate FT rifle at 50 yards? Or am I already pushing the limit at 35 yards?

Author:  CJN [ Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

Hi there Dukemeister,

Regarding your question: " Is it reasonable to expect a non-PAL .177 to be an adequate FT rifle at 50 yards?"

If you want to come out and shoot Field Target matches more for the enjoyment of being around other air gun guys and gals, and care little about your score, or improving your score over time, you will be fine with your non-PAL airgun.

If you would like to see the targets fall when you shoot at them, and care about improving your score as you gain more experience, you will need a more powerful airgun.

A sub 500 fps gun will not be powerful enough to make many of the targets fall over. We guarantee that our match targets will fall with 5fpe impact energy. Some targets will fall with less than 2fpe. Since your non-PAL airgun is shooting below 5fpe at the muzzle, the pellet energy will be much less at the target. If you do you trajectory homework with your non-PAL airgun, and guess correctly the distance of the target you are aiming at, you will still hit the target, and receive one point by doing so. One point for hitting the target, two points for making the target fall over. The greater goal is to make the target fall over. That is where you will have trouble with your non-PAL airgun.

I think it is better to come out and shoot a match(es) with a non-PAL airgun then stay home and not shoot. It is a good place to start at. After shooting a match or two you will likely become hooked, as the rest of the shooters have, and want to upgrade to a more powerful airgun and scope.


Dukemeister wrote:
I am settling in to a style of shooting for backyard FT at 50 yards. So far I am plinking along with non-PAL rifles rated at 495 fps at various distances, 25 yards out to about 35 yards (I measured). With my Winchester 500XS and 4x32 scope I can just comfortably see and focus on a soup can at 50 yards. With my Benjamin and 9x40 scope I can see the target nicely. So I have concluded that for FT at 50 yds, a 9x scope is much more desirable. Anyhow, vision aside, what is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177 and .22. I find at 35 yards the .177 pellets make a light plink only, and the .22 pellets put a sizable dent in the can. Is it reasonable to expect a non-PAL .177 to be an adequate FT rifle at 50 yards? Or am I already pushing the limit at 35 yards?

Author:  Pumpmaster [ Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

Dukemeister wrote:
rifles rated at 495 fps
Keep in mind as well that rifles rated by the manufacturer at 495 fps generally shoot quite a bit slower, meaning your fpe will be lower as well. Practice your FT technique on shorter range targets, come out to a match, then once you're hooked you can upgrade to something with a bit more oomph!

Author:  rsterne [ Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

If you have a rifle in .22 cal that is JUST under 500 fps with 14.3 gr pellets.... and if you use a good round-nose pellet such as a JSB Express.... You should have about 4 FPE remaining at 55 yards.... and 5 FPE at about 40 yards.... Assuming you can hit the KZ, most targets should fall for you....

Bob

Author:  Mac [ Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

I definitely agree with Bob. If you are going with a non-pal gun, just under 500fps, .22 is far superior for knocking targets down. A 16gr JSB shooting at 495 would have 8.7 ft/lb of energy at the muzzle.

Tim

Author:  CJN [ Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

Right, .22 will produce and maintain much higher energy levels. If non-FAC was the only option, .22 would be better.

I don't own any .22 non-FAC airguns. Is it realistic/common to see them shoot at 495fps with 16g pellets in stock form?

When you plug the numbers into Chairgun, it is revealing to see the trajectory results. Over two feet of drop, or over 200 clicks up (1/8) for the 55 yard shot! Wow.


Mac wrote:
I definitely agree with Bob. If you are going with a non-pal gun, just under 500fps, .22 is far superior for knocking targets down. A 16gr JSB shooting at 495 would have 8.7 ft/lb of energy at the muzzle.

Tim

Author:  rsterne [ Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

Supposedly non-PAL guns are rated using "normal weight" pellets.... ie 14.3 gr in .22 cal.... which is why I stated that.... If a gun will throw 16 gr. @ 495 and was ever tested my guess is "they" would consider it a PAL gun....

Acccording to Chairgun, if you sight it in at 20 yards, you will be within 1/4" from 7 to 22 yards.... 4.5" low at 40 yards.... and about 15" low at 55 yards.... If you had an extended Mil-Dot scope (like a Leapers 3-9X with 6 dots plus post).... you would be able to use the dots to 55 yards no problem....

Bob

Author:  Parker_101_ [ Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What is a reasonable FT range for non-PAL rifle in .177

rsterne wrote:
Supposedly non-PAL guns are rated using "normal weight" pellets.... ie 14.3 gr in .22 cal.... which is why I stated that.... If a gun will throw 16 gr. @ 495 and was ever tested my guess is "they" would consider it a PAL gun....

Acccording to Chairgun, if you sight it in at 20 yards, you will be within 1/4" from 7 to 22 yards.... 4.5" low at 40 yards.... and about 15" low at 55 yards.... If you had an extended Mil-Dot scope (like a Leapers 3-9X with 6 dots plus post).... you would be able to use the dots to 55 yards no problem....

Bob


You can also take advantage of the Mil-Dots above the scopes crosshairs...
Set the zero of the rifle to use the Mil-Dot above the crosshairs.. I used this method for 2 years. It does take a bit of getting use to at first, but it will give you a bit more range in which to work with... :wink:

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