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Dutchess CountyPistol Association

Field Target 

 

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What is Field Target?
Field Target Ray Field Target shooting is a popular form of airgun competition worldwide, but many shooters may be unfamiliar with this sport. Matches are held outdoors, with multiple targets engaged using a variety of positions: prone, kneeling, sitting, and standing. On a walk-through, multi-stage course, targets are placed at unknown distances from 10 yards to 55 yards. Targets are typically silhouette-style animal shapes with a small, central “hit zone” on the target; the shot must strike that zone to score — a shot hitting the surrounding faceplate does not count. Targets are shot from open “gates” in a firing line, divided into “lanes” of one to three targets each. Many events have a time limit to shoot all of a lane’s targets.


Field Target Equipment
Field Target Hans Though some FT matches include air pistols, most shooters use pneumatic rifles fitted with very high-magnification scopes with oversize focus rings. By using the focus rings or side-parallax controls, competitors can range target distances, and then compensate by holding over or dialing elevation with their scope turrets. In practice you simply focus your scope until your target is sharp and then read a range value marked on the scope. Accurate target ranging is very important because air rifle pellets drop dramatically past 30ft. In the US, 0.177 caliber rifles are the most popular, as their high-velocity pellets have a flatter trajectory than the slower .22 caliber alternatives. Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) rifles are more popular than spring guns because PCP rifles have less recoil and are generally more accurate. The American Airgun Field Target Assn. (AAFTA) rules set a maximum rifle power of 20 ft/lb.

Field Target Squirrel Shots are taken from various shooting positions including sitting, standing, kneeling, and prone. But the greatest challenge for FT shooters is the wind. Learning how to dope the wind successfully can take many years. Pellets can be blown sideways by even a light breeze. In stronger winds it is not uncommon to aim completely off the faceplate in order to score a hit, and judging the amount of “Kentucky Windage” takes a lot of practice. Head and tail winds can also have an effect on the trajectory of the pellets, causing them to hit high or low.


Field Target Matches
DCPA Field Target matches are run according to AAFTA rules and guidelines. We host approximately 4-5 Matches per year (Jan, Apr, May, Aug, Nov) that are open to both DCPA Members and the public. Please check our Events Calandar for specific Dates & Times.
*NOTE: Members who are interested in shooting FT but don't have their own equipment can make arrangements with Ray Apelles to use "loaner equipment".


For more Field Target information, please visit these links:


For More Information:
Contact: Paul Cray
Phone (845) 416-5831
Email: fieldtarget@dcpistol.org


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