Field Target Rifle up to a £1K

[Pink or stink 162]

Been researching this a bit with a couple of Airgun World magazines and fancy giving it a go (well HFTR). Looking at the AA S410 and the FX 4000 but could do with some input from anyone who's had a crack so to speak?

 

Haven't shot for 14 years but it's not something you forget so rate myself as a fairly handy shot.I know there will be add ons for scope/mounts etc but 1st things 1st.

[davyt63 1,845]

hi buddy

are you telling us your budget is £1000.00?

 

and are you on about this rifle

 

http://www.airgunbuy...es&Product=2856

 

i haven't shot FT my self,i mainly shoot HFT. two different discipline's in shooting.

 

FT

is for more your blinged up rifles £1,100.00 to 1,4000.00,and i think that will be just the rifle,i have seen some scopes and there not cheap either, but every one to there own!

 

HFT

you don't need to put loads of money in to a air rifle, as most budget rifles £400.00 to 700.00 will out perform the £1,100.00 rifles which are creeping there way in to HFT mainly FT rifles.

 

i don't really see the point in spending silly amounts of money on a rifle which gets out performed by a standard Air Arms S410 and the like a £1000.00 will get you set up for HFT no problem

 

its not the cost of the rifle what's important! is the person pulling the trigger

 

then all you have to do is reignite those lost 14 years and get the wheels back in motion,and i am sure you are going to enjoy every minute of it

 

keep us updated on how you get on!

 

regards

 

Davy

[Pink or stink 162]

Cheers Davy. Yes, a grand for the rifle if necessary; seems it may not be though if HFT is the way to go. Yes, that's the rifle I was looking at but I should hang on until I have been to a club (next Sunday) and get to handle a few.

 

I agree it's the shooter and not the weapon, having confidence in the rifle does help. This scene has changed dramatically since I stopped the killing/shooting but there hasn't been a day where I haven't pretended to lign up on a target and pull the trigger.

 

Cheers again. I'll keep you updated.

[Buster321c 1,010]

Ide have a good look round the ' shoot the Breeze' website . Some very knowledgeable chaps on there , and you'll get help from some of the best on the FT circuit .

[gurtwurz 792]

i seem to remember reading somewhere recently that those fx royals are a bit prone to leaking seals, so you might want to check out if thats right mate. i had a handle of one when they came out and to be honest i thought they were very similar to the rapid range.

personally i'd go for a rapid if i was after a buddy bottle pcp though, just cos theyre tough ol' guns, reliable and very accurate, well easy to work on, and spares etc are cheap through the rapid owners websites, which are run by a sound bunch of lads to boot.

 

cheers, wurz

[Pink or stink 162]

Well guys I chose my setup. I went with a BSA R-10 MKII and a Optisan Viper 3-12x44. Been out three times in a week on a range and to say I'm impressed is an understatement. These PCP's make things a bit easier than when I used the HW77/80 Air Arms 100 etc. At 50 yards this things punching single holes in a 10 shot string. Getting used to the .177 which is pretty alien to me but fun. Not sure about the scope though; it's a bit busy for me but that was the only one available at the time that gave mil-dots. Back out tomorrow at the Greyhound club for further learning.

[andyz 30]

Nice set up there Pink, I bet you are really loving it!

 

As you probably already know but practice, practice, proctice!! It's all part of the fun! Maybe you could write a review of your new setup??

 

I look forward to hearing about your exploits......

 

ATB

 

Andy

[Pink or stink 162]

Cheers Andy, I'll post a few observations now. The rifle is a very well balanced unit and compact when compared to the springers I used over a long time. It's capable of far greater accuracy than I am. It did come with a very nice piece of walnut with some lovely grain on show. I am not a brand man so I just picked one off the shelf that felt right.

 

When shooting it at the range I thought it sounded rather loud even when the VC moderator was fitted. The bloke with the HW100 a few stages down put it to shame. However, he commented just how quiet mine was? He took a shot with mine and I couldn't believe it, mine was really just as quiet. I suppose for hunting purposes this has relevance but as a target shooter I just found it interesting.

 

Having shot mostly with a .22 I am surprised at the trajectory of a 177. Not as flat as I was expecting.

 

Loading a 10 shot magazine for target practice is annoying but it does help you think between sessions.

 

Mil-dots work; if just to confirm your own thoughts about holdover/windage.

 

I am not in love with the scope; I find the reticle just too busy. I should have held out and picked the sidewinder (out of stock). Don't get me wrong optically it's a delight but there's a thought at the back of my mind that's saying "change it".

 

I have tried Accupels, Bisley Magnums, Daystate LI's and JSB exact. The Magnums produce the best groups from this gun.

 

When on the range I keep looking out for flight-lines and runs, I wonder how long I can resist the urge to return to hunting.

[silentshot1 206]

Cheers Andy, I'll post a few observations now. The rifle is a very well balanced unit and compact when compared to the springers I used over a long time. It's capable of far greater accuracy than I am. It did come with a very nice piece of walnut with some lovely grain on show. I am not a brand man so I just picked one off the shelf that felt right.

 

When shooting it at the range I thought it sounded rather loud even when the VC moderator was fitted. The bloke with the HW100 a few stages down put it to shame. However, he commented just how quiet mine was? He took a shot with mine and I couldn't believe it, mine was really just as quiet. I suppose for hunting purposes this has relevance but as a target shooter I just found it interesting.

 

Having shot mostly with a .22 I am surprised at the trajectory of a 177. Not as flat as I was expecting.

 

Loading a 10 shot magazine for target practice is annoying but it does help you think between sessions.

 

Mil-dots work; if just to confirm your own thoughts about holdover/windage.

 

I am not in love with the scope; I find the reticle just too busy. I should have held out and picked the sidewinder (out of stock). Don't get me wrong optically it's a delight but there's a thought at the back of my mind that's saying "change it".

 

I have tried Accupels, Bisley Magnums, Daystate LI's and JSB exact. The Magnums produce the best groups from this gun.

 

When on the range I keep looking out for flight-lines and runs, I wonder how long I can resist the urge to return to hunting.

 

Get out there... you know you want to!