Did you lose?!
I say, lets ban all PCPs and target style airrifles from HFT comps. Bug standard springers only. I also say that resting the gun on the floor on its butt should also be banned. This is becoming a point of contention with some of my fellow shooters too. There is no skill in resting the butt on the floor and supporting the forend of the rifle on the peg wearing target gloves. Lets have it, what do u think?
A.G
Did you lose?!
Master Debater
Sounds like it could be fun
This just reminded me that I had my first place prize taken away from me at Tawd Vale open HFT and given to one of their members,
Reason because I turned up with an EV2.
Its the one and ONLY time I have shot HFT because of being cheated.
Master Debater
I never win anyway but that is not the point. A chap I plink with in our club came over and I asked him to put his name down and I would pair up with him. He took one look at my rifle and all the others around me and said " with all that gear on show I'd have no chance " and walked away. I really felt sad for him. He shoots a 95 in a 98 dress with an old Bushnell on top. So no my ' not winning ' is not the issue as I am often in the low 50s anyway.
A.G
They have separate sections for springer and PCP you do know?
Master Debater
When all this first started decades ago I read a bloke won a biggish comp with a BSA Mercury and open sights.....!!!!
This was happening in practical pistol prior to the ban, my 1911 stood me at £415, & back then i was competing against £1000+race guns, a back to basics category was introduced.
Different categories should be offered, at club level you can offer what ever you want, but at national level the guidelines are strict.
There is a similar approach with 10m air rifle; a 'sporter' class was introduced to encourage more people into the sport.
Not everyone can afford £2000 rifles and £1000 stiff leather suits...
Or would want to be seen in one!
Too many guns, or not enough time?
Some sensible replies and suggestions at last. I think that all this ' sophisticated gear ' in HFT goes against the grain of the sport. There is FT after all for all those who wish to partake.
A.G
The 'Sporter' and NSRA websites have all the details. It was originally created for juniors, but there is an 'open' category for any age.
http://www.sporter.org.uk/
http://www.nsra.co.uk/index.php/home/reference/rules
I was going to have a go myself, but never got around to it - life keeps getting in the way!
A number of manufacturers produce rifles tailored for this discipline, they are not the leery creations used in 10m precision, but I think any rifle that meets the criteria in the rules can by used.
Hope this helps.
Mark.
Too many guns, or not enough time?