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Questions on Field Target Hunter class https://www.airgunforum.ca/forums/topic67637.html |
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Author: | Aroo [ Sun Apr 19, 2015 9:41 am ] |
Post subject: | Questions on Field Target Hunter class |
Hi everyone, Just purchased a AA pro sport .177 (love the gun) and would like to practice FT hunter class. I was going through the CAFTA rules and have a few question I hope can be clarified. 1. Under the rules for hunter class it states that optics are restricted to 16x. If I presently have a scope with higher optics (8x - 32x) can I still use it? 2. I noticed in the Canadian rules it is 16x and American is 12x for restriction on optics. How does everyone practice consistency is you are competing in Canada and the U.S.? 3. The most confusing and most importantly question that I have is, under the rules for hunter class "all distance markings will must be covered up". As my understanding is that targets can be placed any where from 10 to 55 yards. How do you range for targets? 4. The buckets that I notice that shooters are using as seats look like they are taller than 18", but according to the rules the seat cannot be taller than 18". What is everyone using as a seat for hunter class? 5. Where can I go to practice or get involved in Field Target in and around the Calgary area? Thanks Everyone for any help or direction you can offer. Andy |
Author: | GerardSamija [ Sun Apr 19, 2015 11:48 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Questions on Field Target Hunter class |
1. I should think the answer to this is obvious; no. Unless of course it's a 'friendly' match where the rules aren't been observed seriously. But for formal competitions the rules are the rules, plain and simple. 2. Again this seems obvious; if you're going to compete on both sides of the border, it seems prudent to set up your air rifle with a 12x scope so that you can shoot within the limits of both sets of rules. 3. Shooters must learn to guess the correct range. This is one of the most difficult elements in HFT or in hunting itself, learning to relatively quickly judge distances. In hunting you can of course use a laser rangefinder. This is forbidden during the matches, as is using any focus markings on a scope. According to one statement I heard from an official recently, internal focus range indicators in scopes so-equipped are to be 'ignored' on a trust basis... but I doubt this would pass in formal competition as it's just too easy to glance at the edge of your scope's field of view and see a number. A range card with your indicated holdover is, I think, allowable, but not with mapped ranges for a given course of fire, so going over the course with a laser and pre-marking your holdovers would not be allowed. It's a skill to be learned. Some UK HFT shooters are very good at this from what I've seen on a couple of their Youtube channels, being able to estimate within a yard or two when compared with a laser. 4. An average kitchen chair seat is 18" to 19" high. What buckets are these you've seen which seem to be over that height? I haven't seen a 5 gallon pail higher than about 15", with most in the 13" to 14" range. [EDIT: Actually... amend this to "I've just chopped a few inches off each leg of my folding tripod seat and hot glued the feet back on, so now it's within the 18" limit." Guess I just can't resist doing a mod once I've thought about it. Thanks for reminding me to do this; last time at Mission HFT I was bothered by the excess height, made monopod shooting awkward for me as I had to hunch a bit to get down to my fixed-length monopod. This is much more comfortable.] 5. Sorry, not from Alberta so can't comment there. I use a tripod folding stool with nylon seat, the tallest point of which is 22" when sat upon. But I haven't competed formally. If/when I do that I'll either chop down the legs of this one or more likely shop around for something short, probably very short, as it looks like the knee support options for the arms improve with the folding stools in the 10" to 12" height range. |
Author: | marauder8190 [ Sun Apr 19, 2015 12:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Questions on Field Target Hunter class |
Not sure where Gerard got his info on scopes, but it is not correct. 1. Yes, you can use that scope, it has to be set at <=16x prior to match. CA: "Optical sights will not be set higher than 16 times magnification." US: "Variable scopes of greater than 12X must be turned to the 12X or nearest lower factory marking on the scope." 2. I shoot both US and Canadian and I choose to shoot 12x at both, even though this might put me at a disadvantage in Canada. It gives me the consistency that I need. And since I'm not ranging using the AO it doesn't affect me as much. 3. Yes, in Canada the marking must be covered. However, you can use bracketing to accurately get distance down to the yard. Bracketing is measuring the height/width of a known target in Mil-Dots . You can then calculate the distance down to the yard. Here is a great link to how this works and also gives you some practice examples -- http://www.anstonftc.co.uk/hft-mildots/ |
Author: | GerardSamija [ Sun Apr 19, 2015 12:48 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Questions on Field Target Hunter class |
marauder8190 wrote: Not sure where Gerard got his info on scopes, but it is not correct. Sorry, I misstated it. When saying that you will not be allowed to use greater magnification than the rules stipulate for a given event I did not mean to indicate that a scope capable of higher magnification was to be discarded, only that it's higher levels of magnification were not permitted. I was not aware that a higher-magnification scope was permitted to be adjusted to a lower magnification, so I did not specify that provision, only saying that you would not be allowed to use the scope 'at that magnification.' Hence the phrase "it seems prudent to set up your air rifle with a 12x scope..." which I understand can be taken to mean switching scopes. Sorry about any confusion. |
Author: | Aroo [ Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:21 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Questions on Field Target Hunter class |
Thanks for everyone's responses. marauder8190 that link for mil dot ranging is perfect just what I was looking for. Thanks |
Author: | dhb [ Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:11 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Questions on Field Target Hunter class |
In the 3 big Crosman matches I have shot in NY there is no formal equipment check. In 2 Canadian Nationals the only equipment check that I've seen is a sort of honour system chronograph station. FT in Canada/USA seems to be very minimalist when it comes to equipment verification, unlike major bullseye matches. |
Author: | Biagio26 [ Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:17 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Questions on Field Target Hunter class |
Very true DHB The US and Canadian matches are very relaxed when it came to proper equipment. I think it has something to do with, they are not trying to chase people away from the sport. Especially here in Canada, The numbers are a little low, and therefore they let people shoot whatever they are used to. Like our shoots here on the West coast. You will have people shoot our Hunter class, with anyting from sub 500fps rifles and pistols, to all the way 1000fps rifles. Biagio |
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