I'm new to all of this and don't have the funds to have too many unique purpose guns. Id like to find something I can dip my toes into learning field target and some close benchrest. I have other guns for 50yd and 100yd benchrest. Everything i own is either a 22 or 25. Getting sub 20ft with a 22 seems tricky and probably giving up accuracy. Looking for some insight, opinions and experience. Open to learning and trying to shoot as much as possible meaning I need to shoot different disciplines.
Is there one gun to do both FT and Benchrest thats entry level?
- Thread starter Bramezy
- Start date
I am also looking for the same thing you are. Having never shot any airgun matches since ISU style events back in the 80s, it is all new to me. The only thing I have decided on as far as a Field Target gun, is that I will want one in .177. But, .177 doesn't look like the best choice for Benchrest, so for one gun, I would be leaning towards something with known out of the box accuracy that can be easily tuned and allows swapping barrels quickly. My concern there is that if I swap the FT barrel for a Benchrest match, then go back to the FT barrel, all my hold data for FT will no longer be correct. Not a big deal going the other direction since I can re-zero the Benchrest gun in a few minutes.
I haven't decided on whether to shoot pellets or slugs for Benchrest, nor have I made up my mind on what caliber to use. With the few guns I have been able to play with, I find it much easier to find a pellet that shoots extremely well vs slugs, but I have not tried very many slug brands yet.
I may give up the quest for a single gun and get one for FT and one for Benchrest with a combined value for both guns at about the same price as a single FX M3 or a Daystate Alpha Wolf or something similar in price.
If money was not an issue, I would most likely buy a Thomas FT model and a Thomas Benchrest gun and mount March scopes appropriate for each discipline on both.
I haven't decided on whether to shoot pellets or slugs for Benchrest, nor have I made up my mind on what caliber to use. With the few guns I have been able to play with, I find it much easier to find a pellet that shoots extremely well vs slugs, but I have not tried very many slug brands yet.
I may give up the quest for a single gun and get one for FT and one for Benchrest with a combined value for both guns at about the same price as a single FX M3 or a Daystate Alpha Wolf or something similar in price.
If money was not an issue, I would most likely buy a Thomas FT model and a Thomas Benchrest gun and mount March scopes appropriate for each discipline on both.
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Just FYI….Thomas FT guns are BR guns in a different stock. Many guys shoot BR using the FT stock with a 3” front rest shoe added to the Anschutz rail.
Mike
Mike
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If money was not an issue, I would most likely buy a Thomas FT model and a Thomas Benchrest gun and mount March scopes appropriate for each discipline on both.
AHH "the stuff of dreams " to quote Shakespeare , if ordering at the same time .
Sounds like a Marauder order is for you , ol'deadeye won nationals , in 2012 ? this gun can do both bench and FT and is a good starter general rifle .
Not a whole lot of investment and more than reasonable results . allows you to find out if you will like FT and Bench
AHH "the stuff of dreams " to quote Shakespeare , if ordering at the same time .
Sounds like a Marauder order is for you , ol'deadeye won nationals , in 2012 ? this gun can do both bench and FT and is a good starter general rifle .
Not a whole lot of investment and more than reasonable results . allows you to find out if you will like FT and Bench
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I will agree ... A Standard WOOD stock Marauder purchased with the LW barrel option. ** NOT the F&T model 
Add an aftermarket regulator and install with a lighter hammer you got a stellar rig on the fairly cheap.
Add an aftermarket regulator and install with a lighter hammer you got a stellar rig on the fairly cheap.
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Good to know! Thanks. I saw a photo of a Thomas FT gun and just assumed it was a different animal rather than just a stock change.
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I truly think a person should start out with a less costly gun, Maybe lower to middle range gun , learn with that till the shooter is better or at least equal than the gun , then upgrade . I think this because with the high end gun you cannot learn your mistakes as easily and correcting the mistakes is harder not as obvious .
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I submit the Airgun Revision HFT Challenger for you to consider. This rifle is a Crosman Challenger 2021 (10m target rifle) that has been slightly modified to be an excellent field target rifle, with a price of $995. I have been very, very tempted to buy one, but have not yet. There has not been a lot of chatter about this rifle, because Airgun Revisions is a small company, but I have spoken to the owner and this rifle has an excellent barrel, and should be very accurate. The Challenger has a great reputation. I also like that the stock is fully adjustable to fit about any shooter. It is regulated. Heck, I should just get it over with and buy one, so I can give you my two cents. As a little background, I only shoot 30-yard bench rest, mainly with .177s.
Here is the site: https://www.airgunrevisions.com/product/ar-hft-challenger-proto-type/
Here is the site: https://www.airgunrevisions.com/product/ar-hft-challenger-proto-type/
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Curious, why not the F&T model? You can get it with a LW barrel and it is already regulated?I will agree ... A Standard WOOD stock Marauder purchased with the LW barrel option. ** NOT the F&T model
Add an aftermarket regulator and install with a lighter hammer you got a stellar rig on the fairly cheap.
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Old story .. short recap
Regulator up against valve, nearly no plenum volume. factory reg is so so at best IMO. Poor engineering on Crosman corporations part.
Power is greatly limited and tuning range is not very broad.
Aftermarket reg added with plenum and a light hammer to a Standard M-rod far out perform the factory attempt at a regulated M-rod
As one who Tunes / Modifies and done many many Marauders these past 10 years ... do with it what you will.
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Thanks for the
Thank you Motorhead. Good info.Old story .. short recap
Regulator up against valve, nearly no plenum volume. factory reg is so so at best IMO. Poor engineering on Crosman corporations part.
Power is greatly limited and tuning range is not very broad.
Aftermarket reg added with plenum and a light hammer to a Standard M-rod far out perform the factory attempt at a regulated M-rod
As one who Tunes / Modifies and done many many Marauders these past 10 years ... do with it what you will.
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The AGT Vulcan 3 in .177 with the 500mm barrel is my bench and HFT gun. Very accurate with JSB 13.4 diabolos. More $ (less at Krale) but worth a look.
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Yes thanks. Ive seen the chatter both ways about the crosman barrel and LW barrel. Do you have any personal experience? I can find a steal on a crosman barrel but have always wanted a nice CZ or LW barrel. At most this rifle would be 25yd benchrest indoor for fun, learning some FT and plinking.Old story .. short recap
Regulator up against valve, nearly no plenum volume. factory reg is so so at best IMO. Poor engineering on Crosman corporations part.
Power is greatly limited and tuning range is not very broad.
Aftermarket reg added with plenum and a light hammer to a Standard M-rod far out perform the factory attempt at a regulated M-rod
As one who Tunes / Modifies and done many many Marauders these past 10 years ... do with it what you will.
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Factory .177 barrels can be very good .. just a hit / miss on if you get a REALLY good one. Can always upgrade to an LW barrel at a later date
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A thomas would be the best option, buy once, cry once. Other would let you disappointed in one category, the other but most probably both
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Do not agree !!
Buying into top shelf equipment right away and having to learn all your yet to know with a platform that is honestly not your average sporting air rifle can work against you. Trick as the THOMAS is, there still a billet chassis, fairly heavy and ergonomically odd rifle to use to its potential.
Not a beginners gun IMO. I own one and speak of personal feelings weighed against other premium guns one can own, and definitely more mainstream offerings.
To at some point own a THOMAS .. absolutely !!
There somewhat CLASS sensitive or should say Bias. Shooting Open or WFTF there best of the best. Hunter class they can work OK, but not ideal IMO due to the ergonomics and weight distribution.
This is not a Dig on Thomas in any way. Think of it like driving, have the basic concept of driving needing to learn, then get mid level sports car, not a Ferrari !
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Went ahead and bought a 177 Marauder LW barrel. PA had a great deal on one. Now to start pellet testing and tinkering lol.Old story .. short recap
Regulator up against valve, nearly no plenum volume. factory reg is so so at best IMO. Poor engineering on Crosman corporations part.
Power is greatly limited and tuning range is not very broad.
Aftermarket reg added with plenum and a light hammer to a Standard M-rod far out perform the factory attempt at a regulated M-rod
As one who Tunes / Modifies and done many many Marauders these past 10 years ... do with it what you will.
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In benchrest, the thomas is easier to shoot than any other rifle without a br stock. In ft, it sucks shooting with a normal rifle, more so for a beginner, it’s way easier with any adjustable piece of kit than a tradicional rifle out of the box, at least a hamster is a must have.
In both categories, you will benefit from a 0 poi shift and accurate rifle so you know if you miss, it’s you
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All that you are saying might be true but that’s not all the OP asked for.
“Is there one gun …thats entry level?”
Most people do not consider the Thomas airguns to be entry level.Upvote 0