17 pellet shooters and 6 slug contenders combined for a total turn-out of 23 shooters for the night match on October 5th. We had contestants from as far away as Florida. The match started at dark and the weather was perfect, temps around 90 degrees with minimal wind to fight.

A lot of well-known industry players and elite shooters. I enjoyed getting to know a bunch of them and just talking generally talking airguns.


The prize and raffle pool totaled out to over $2500 and is the biggest we've seen for a long range/higher power field target match at Phoenix Rod and Gun Club. We've got many very generous sponsors to thank for that.
Sponsors include...

• Utah Airguns
• Element Optics
• DonnyFL/Saber Tactical
• Texasfieldtarget.com
• S&S Targets
• JD’s Custom Designs
• Captain O-Ring
• Stud Loader

So many awesome raffle and door prizes and prize packages that I couldn't even keep track. A few of the standouts were DonnyFL/Saber Tactical sponsoring first place pellet class with a $500 prize, Element Optics supplying a Titan 5-25x56 scope, and Utah Airguns donating prize money and guns and bipods, etc. The plaques were made and donated by Dan F.









Here's a look at the course from the service road up above, pardon the blurry image, but I'm including this because it gives a sense of the unique atmosphere of shooting in the dark. The pinpoints of light strewn across the desert are each a target or a lane/trail marker.




Field Target is such a challenge because no sighters are allowed. A shooter has to know and understand the trajectory of their chosen projectile and how to account for changes in elevation and wind speed and direction. A shooter has essentially got to know their equipment well enough to have a pretty dang good idea of where the pellet or slug (accounting for distance and wind) is going to go prior to even taking the shot. They have to be able to repeatedly attain a stable position, moving from lane to lane, seated on a stool or bucket and using sticks/bipod. And all of that is on a timer, 4 shots in 4 minutes. For some the 4 minutes is more than enough, others would have liked more time I think. Lots of things to mentally assess and process in a limited amount of time to do it. Shooters that can pull that all together for a winning score definitely earn their points.

This was the course layout for the match, but doesn't fully represent all the intricacies of what shooters dealt with. There are elevation changes from target to target, as well as geological features that funnel wind in strange ways.


Those new to field target may be unfamiliar with the term "Troyer" in the above data table. Brad Troyer created a difficulty factor for sub 20fpe field target 20+ years ago. I consulted with him a few years ago and extrapolated his chart (that stopped at 55 yards) out to 100 yards, using bigger kill zones. The Troyer Factor is essentially the distance in yards divided by the size of the kill zones, in inches. However, a few difficulty factors are applied for further distances, as well as for standing shots or windy conditions. Those interested can find more info here: https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/extreme-troyer-factor.868700/

The Ultimate FT course on 10/05 had an overall Troyer of 41.35. That makes it one of the harder courses that Ben has set for us in the last 24 or so months. So, if you didn't do as well as you'd have liked, be comforted in the fact that this was a rather difficult course.

The following data table shows equipment lists as well as how each shooter did. The columns to the far right show performance on some notable lanes: the standing bipod lane, as well as the three hardest targets (highest Troyer #) of the course. I included the far on Lane 10 b/c the wind seemed the most tricky there for me and I was curious if anyone else struggled on it like I did.


Since we've been doing slug and pellet classes for the last few years here it has been interesting to compare scores. Typically there isn't as large of a difference between them as one would expect, but for this night match we had the one and only Thayne Simmons. I held the previous slug record at one of these matches, a 36/40. Thayne took care of that quite nicely. Thayne now holds the record for slug and overall high scores, also prevented Steve M from being the new slug and overall high score record holder with his 37/40. In the pellet class, Van Tucker was up ahead of the rest of the pellet shooters by a cool 3 points. Great shooting Thayne and Van, and on a VERY hard course (relative to past matches).

High score pellet and High score slug (Van and Thayne).


I believe pellet class paid out 5 spots and slug paid out three, but there were so many gift cards and raffle prizes and door prizes that I had a hard time keeping track of who ended up with what. Again, thanks to VERY generous sponsors.

Here are the rest of the top placing shooters.



Thank you to all of the competitors. We're glad you came and hope you had fun and return to shoot in the future. We've joked for a couple years now about how this high power/long range game of field target is the most fun somebody can have, while simultaneously being extremely frustrated, makes a shooter want to come back and do better next time. Thanks to Ben and his crew (Scott H, Stephen K. Mike S, Dan J, etc etc etc) for putting in all the behind the scenes work, setting the course, managing lights and painting targets and etc. And finally, thanks to Phoenix Rod and Gun Club for hosting us and sharing your range.

Hope to see you all at future matches.

(there was also an Oct 7th match, very similar to the above, I'll get the data compiled for that and post another match report in the next day or two).

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Interested to know how many Chumps besides me FX Has guns for

I sent out an email Saturday morning regarding a leaky front reg on my impact M3. Just got an email & shipping notification from Utah Airguns this morning. New reg being sent out.
Seems like everyone is hard at work to get everything back in order.

Hey guys see link :

I have Prime and they have a 20% sale for $280.

I have taken things like this apart before (Nitro piston r/c trucks and actual cars) so I don't fear maintenance etc.

All I have is a bottle converted Avenger (~360cc ) and a Notos with plenum to fill. I don't really want a Yong Heng because it needs all that water hose stuff and I know the CS2 is only for filling the gun directly not buddy bottles so I figured should be good choice.

Just wanting to know if that's the deal I should be looking for and jump on it???

Does anyone have any information or opinions on Air Tanks For Sale/Top Gun Airguns out of California?
I can’t find any mention of them on any blogs.
Thanks
Elliot

Where did the SIG ASP went? was it a marketing failure? I thought it was taking off when it began, saw lots of interest.

Update.

I love the trigger and feel of the RAW HM1000x. By setting either the OEM or Huma regulator beyond the max targeted pressure using adapters from HUMA, I’m able to connect my tethered tank with an external dual air regulator to the gun and control the supplied air pressure. With adjustments of air pressure and hammer spring settings I’ll check ballistic data and precision using my LabRadar chronograph.

Tuning is not as convenient as an FX Impact, FX Panthera or the pending Epic 2 air rifle, but I have a great shooting pellet rifle, so if I can find a slug or two that shots well I’m going to call it a day.

My next air rifle will be for slugs along the lines of the FX Panthera, Epic 2, but curious what is hinted at as forthcoming from BRK with their Ghost gun for slugs.

Original post

Tuning a RAW HM1000x is not very convenient, especially for myself who lacks patience. My interest in determining which slugs and tune if any work well for my .30 caliber HM1000x is going to require lots of trial and error.

My RAW requires the main air bottle to be removed and the action block depressurized to adjust the regulator. However, you won’t know how much of an adjustment you’ve made, just the adjustment direction until you put a gauge into the action. This however, is not convenient and can’t be done with the action in the stock.

Knowing small changes in air pressure and hammer spring tension can have a significant impact on precision and performance and I wanted an easier way to try different air pressure and hammer spring tensions quickly. Contacting HUMA and using my external dual air regulator and adapters I’m going to remove the air bottle, open the regulator all the way and control the air pressure to the gun (action) via the dual air regulator connected to my 97 cubic foot external tank. This will allow pressure changes and hammer spring settings to be made quickly and easily while the action is fitted in the stock and the gathering of slug or pellet ballistic and precision data.

This will allow me to see how much pressure I’m delivering to the gun and noting my hammer spring settings while monitoring velocity and precision using a LabRadar. This will allow me to know when additional hammer spring tension has plateaued and to slightly lower the hammer spring tension.

Due to the limited plenum size of the RAW HM1000x, it is likely going to be necessary to increase the air pressure which may require a heavier hammer, time will tell. I’m not sure if the 2022 RAW barrels are choked or not and if they lend themselves to shooting slugs of varying weights well enough, the motivation behind this adventure. I suspect very higher pressures will be less efficient which if acceptable slug performance can be obtained is an acceptable tradeoff for me.

Congratulations to Irwin Segermen for winning the EBR 50y Benchrest event with an impressive lead of 11 points over his closest competitor. Irwin is no stranger to the podium and this is his second time at the top at the EBR….along with being a two time pellet class N50 National champion.

I would like to say thank you, on behalf of Thomas Air, to Irwin for being a good friend and for choosing our rifles to compete in these events. It means a lot.

Mike

So I had to perform a complete teardown of my M3 because I got water in it from a bad water separator. Anyways, there is a socket head screw right under the lip of the reg #1 pressure gauge. It's in the 10:30 position under the lip if the gauge and is a M3 x 6mm socket head. According to the parts diagram there is a o-ring and a 1mm plastic washer. I swear I never saw a 1mm washer when I pulled the screw but it's likely I lost it. So I have some questions:

1) Is that washer just a spacer to keep the o-ring spaced off of the air hole at the bottom of the slot? I know that hole cannot be blocked because I screwed the M3 screw down somewhat tight, without the plastic washer, and the o-ring sealed the hole and my reg #1 gauge wouldn't read a pressure.
2) I noticed on my other M3 that the screw top sits flush with the surface. In that position is the plastic washer bottomed out and the screw head and washer squeezing the oring to create a seal?

So I'm hoping somebody had some experience with this area before I pull the screw on my other gun, tear the o-ring, and put that gun out of commission too.

In line regulator in box. I never used it. Asking 125.00 shipped to conus. Call/text Ron 714-296-7489

I have for sale Walther 1250 Dominator .177 Pellet Pneumatic Air Rifle. It is in excellent condition.

$100

FX Impact M3 here. I bought the 22 version, but I think now I want the bigger cal 25 version. I thought I read somewhere that I will only need to buy the 25 cal barrel. No need to buy a brand 25 cal gun.

Is that correct?

I bought a GK1 and have been impressed. So I thought why not a K1? I’ve read a lot of good things about it. NE’s website info totally turned me off. Here’s an excerpt;
Huben Repairs, We have been doing all repairs inhouse. We have one certified repair technician who is also the owner of the business so repairs are made during "free time" like days off (open 7 days a week, there are no days off). You will be billed for time and materials at a reasonable rate. (reasonable for the repair shop)

We do not provide estimates but will contact you if we feel the repair is extensive and requires your authorization. Time for repair may be unreasonable, we are sorry but that is the current reality. Parts are coming from overseas so we have to combine part orders with product orders. Life Happens to us too.

if you wish to pay an expediting fee to meet your short time demands, please let us know and we will bill you in advance adding plenty of cushion to cover any and all unexpected costs. (you might be paying for a new gun... (reality hurts). If we have to make custom parts the cost might be more than a new gun.

They ask;
How fast do you need it. *
i'm poor or frugal, I have lots of PatiencesI will pay some fee but don't need to be first in line.I need it as fast as possible - I will pay anything.

Hueben, my god set up more distributors with repair. I like all 3 I know of, how about adding 3 more and work on the parts supply chain. NE website scared me

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Have plenty of air tanks and several high end air compressors filled, just in case my compressor breaks down. It's sort of like our strategic oil. Oh yea,,my wife's biggest cabbage.

I have a nice HW44 .22cal. for sale. Extremely accurate. I made a post on here about this pistol. Not pellet picky. Included 2 magazines, fill and protect probes. Asking $625 shipped. Accept PayPal friends and family or Venmo. No trades. Price is FIRM.
Note - Scope and rings are not included.

I’m crazy surprised how many times I meet a fellow airgunner who has no idea what field target is.

I recently acquired my uncles Diana model 72. I’ve heard these are very rare. Does anyone have any information on these air rifles? I typically do not collect air guns so I’m open to letting it go but don’t really know what it’s worth.

Well I found a gen 1 criccket for sale on the classifieds with a scope for a good price and pulled the trigger.

Having it sent to Charlie for a full look over and tune, though it was already tuned so it might not need much.

Still a bit expensive for me, but it looks like a great gun and with the tune/going over by charlie ill feel confident its at its maximum potential.

Sadly I'll have to wait until my deployment is done early next year before im back stateside to play with it.
Probably will see about getting a donny fl add on for it to make it extra quiet.

I bought a Beeman 250 in .20 caliber in 1982 at the Beeman San Rafael, CA location for $162.42. It had been discontinued and sitting for sale in their showroom/office. I had recently bought a FWB 124D, loved it, and was trying to follow the hype that Beeman was making over new guns in .20 caliber. So I bought it.

Now , after 41 years, I've learned that this .20 cal rifle was from the first and only lot of Beeman 250 .20 cal ever produced--and the first production .20 rifles ever made. Apparently, this .20 caliber Beeman 250 even predated Beeman's foray into the experimental Beeman R5 (.20 cal). From what I can read, this .20 caliber was in a lot of only 40 (some confusing references say 60) ever produced!

When Dr. Beeman wrote his artical on "For the Record: Rare Beeman Guns" he called this rilfe "extremely rare"; and in another article, "The Most Collectible Airguns of the Twentieth Century, he listed it as "highly desirable". And finally, in his article about the Beeman R5, he says “They are now among some the most desirable collectors’ items of adult airguns.”

I was blown away by all this hype. But was it only hype? When I looked it up in the 2020 Blue Book of Airguns 13th Ed., it was valued, at most, at $440.

I am now very confused about this rifle: do I have a very valuable vintage airgun? Are there actually any collectors interested in the very first .20 production air rifle? Or, do I have a 40 year-old nice, nostalgic, historic rifle...worth maybe $400.

I think all of us have guns that we love to think are "really worth something", but are actually just a treasure for our own enjoyment and imagination. And its external value is only what some other person, if any, is willing to pay....as always.

Traded.

Selling a nice Artemis PP750 .22cal multi shot side lever. Adjustable cheek piece and butt. Over tube bipod adapter, one magazine, ldc adapter. Holds air forever and is very efficient on air.
Asking $300 shipped. Accept PayPal friends and family.

Just wanted to pose a question to the tuners and DIY guys who do their own repairs. A common failure I see is with the O-ring on the small end (high side) of a regulator spool. What usually happens is the regulator will begin leaking out of its atmospheric vent. Upon disassembly, this particular O-ring is found to have lost all elasticity and just crumbles to bits. Meanwhile the larger O-ring on the opposite end looks and feels fine.

My best guess is it has to do with the repeated adiabatic heating of the plenum refilling, causing the elastomer to rapidly age and harden. Granted, both O-rings are exposed to the plenum air and therefore experience a temperature rise as the pressure recovers. But perhaps the reason the large O-ring doesn't degrade to the same extent is because the big end of the spool is a larger thermal mass that helps absorb away the heat.

Anyway it occurred to me I've seen this failure again and again on Huma regulators and others sharing a similar design but I don't remember ever running into it on a Ninja paintball regulator. Why? Well, the fundamental operation is the same and in some cases the regulators even have similar dimensions so that doesn't seem to be the reason why. But Ninja uses polyurethane O-rings whereas the brittle O-rings always seem to be the more common Buna-N. If indeed that's the relevant difference, it runs counter to the industry data on O-rings, for which polyurethane has the lowest temperature rating of all common elastomers.

Do any of you guys have experience or knowledge that either substantiates or challenges this theory?

Well if your name was Tony, it was a clean podium sweep at the 50 yard springer event at EBR!!
Tony Starr was 3rd, Tony Pellegrino was 2nd, and Tony Turchetta was 1st.
The springer field more than doubled from last years EBR. We had 12 shooters and it was a blast.
Nothing like watching your pellet dance all over your card. I am glad I didn't have to score the cards.
Here are some pics of the field and the winning TX200 in a Lukas FT stock.

Utah Airguns is now the official US distributor and service center for FX Airguns. Please contact us at 385-685-5951 or [email protected] for any needs. Thank you.