Here is David's letter from the magazine.

I’d like to take issue with Sam Elliott’s complaint about some shooters doing better in Hunter Ft because they can afford the better equipment (Shoot us a line, August issue) – and the editor’s supporting comment!

Tell me, in what sport is it not the case that high-end gear is used by top shooters? Sam’s suggestion of banning scopes over 12x magnification will achieve nothing as the shallow depth-of-field suffered by such scopes renders high-mag optics a hindrance in HFT.

Restricting rifles on price is also unworkable – how, for instance, would you calculate the value of a second-hand rifle?

The editor’s suggestion to make courses easier would denigrate the event and with the competition already so fierce at the top, I have no doubt that there will always be a shoot-off for the top places, thus giving spectators an exciting end to the day.

And contrary to what the editor thinks, I understand that the HFT governing body has stated it will not be introducing a .22 class – and I’m in full agreement. At the end of the day, it’s down to knowing how your gun shoots, so the question of calibre is irrelevant.

Sam may think that HFT is losing out on the chance to be a “family sport”, but I totally disagree. My daughter comes with my wife and I... and thoroughly enjoys meeting her friends from around the country who also attend the shoots with their parents.