Quote Originally Posted by bozzer View Post
I can't really think of an air rifle target sport that isn't very little to do with the gun and everything to do with the shooter.

Virtually every decent air rifle for sale, with a reasonable trigger, will need you to find the right pellet, and right batch of pellets, for that rifle/barrel. When you've done that it will be capable of clearing a HFT course.

You will miss HFT targets because, you have poor technique, you are hopeless at range estimation, and more than anything else ... because of the wind.

The top of the range guns just tighten groups by a fraction and that won't matter if the wind is drifting your pellet 4 inches and you can't judge wind, or you pull shots off with poor technique.

The only thing you need to concern yourself with whether it's accurate or not ... is you.

Guns don't miss targets ... People do.

If this is your first PCP and your first entry into the world of HFT I'll give the same advice as I always do ... buy your first one second hand. The chances are that you will be swapping rifles within that first year, as you find the one that suits you best. If you buy new ... you will lose when you sell. If you buy a popular rifle at the right price second hand, and it doesn't suit you then you will sell it for little loss. The other great benefit of buying second hand in the target market, is that if you get the rifle from a reputable seller ( known on the target scene ) then it will probably be better than new ( as it will have little jobs that probably need doing from new already sorted ). The other massive advantage is that, if the seller is a decent target lad, then the right type/batch of pellet will already be known for that rifle. So you can just start shooting straight away without the heart breaking task of spending a fortune finding what pellet shoots well in that rifle/barrel. Seriously, that can take a while and a lot of cash.

It's a bit of a trek ... unless you can sort postage ... but ... I would seriously consider the HFT500 from Craig-P. He will have been over critical with any negative comments. The rifle will shoot well. He can tell you the pellets that suit that rifle best. He's as honest as the day is long. It's at a bargain price. If you don't go well with it you will sell it on for that money so you won't lose anything.
Perfect advice from Col.
And thanks for the kind remarks, mate (cheques in the post)