New to HFT and looking for advice on Pellets

cavedweller said:

Having purchased over 60 targets out of my own pocket and also maintaining those same targets myself, I would never let anyone shoot at them if their FPE exceeded <20 …. $$$$ and maintenance issues would increase dramatically. even cheap Pellets with antimony in them is problematic.

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I wasn't sure why the 20ft/lbs limit was in place in the first place. I did not know whether it was to protect targets or an effort to allow less powerful guns to compete against the more powerful PCP's that happen to have much higher pressures. This clues me in.

c_m_shooter said:

13 to 14 grain pellets are going to be your best choice. Those, at 20 ft lb, have about the same trajectory as the 12 ft lb wftf shooters with .177. If you stick with the game, you will be in search of a .177 rifle sooner than later.

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@c_m_shooter I just received a tin of Air Arms Falcon 13.43gr in .22 so I’ll see how they do soon. So far, I’ve not found anywhere to shoot HFT within 2 hours driving distance from my home. So hopefully by the time the .177 Barrel Change Kit comes back in stock for my gun, I’ll actually have a place to shoot HFT. Can’t even buy the darn thing yet so there’s that. (But the wife be happy because a new Rangecraft Chrono ALSO arrived with the tin of pellets today. )

In specific reference to searching for an acceptable round to use with an Air Venturi Avenge-X .22 for Hunter Field Target competitions.

Well after more than 400 rounds down range at both 48 yards (my backyard) and 50 yards (the Izaak Walton League Range I belong to that is MUCH nicer than my back yard), I determined that I could not come up with the correct tuning to allow for the 13.43gr Air Arms Falcon Domed to work or otherwise meet the criteria of staying below 20ft/lbs Fe, even if I used the 2% leeway allowance. At least on that was the case on my Air Venturi Avenge-X .22 rifle anyway. I mean I definitely gave it the ole college try. I have know idea how many times I released all the air and refilled the tank so I could start from scratch. All though I do have detailed notes, I just don't have the in front of me while I type this. But rest assured, it was A LOT! Small increment adjustments as to keep both the Reg Pressure and Hammer Spring Tension "Balanced", over and over and over. I quickly became frustrated that with the Tactical version of the rifle, you have the disassemble quite a bit to adjust the hammer spring in any significant amount of rotation. You'll need to remove the Butt Stock, the "Fake Buffer Tube" (consisting of the Butt Connecting Rod, M5x50mm Screw & it's washer, Rear Connecting Seat Cover, Castle Nut), the Pistol Grip (Consisting of The Pistol Grip Handle, The Pistol Grip Handle Cover and it's two screws), The Rear Stock Connecting Base Top along with it's M5 screw and it's Connecting Base Plug. After you have removed and reinstalled these parts once or twice you'll quickly appreciate my modification to the gun which thereafter only requires removal of the Butt Stock Assembly (consisting of the Butt Stock, Fake Buffer Tube Assembly and the Rear Connecting Seat Cover. This mod GREATLY reduces the effort required to gain access to the Hammer Spring Tensioner. (More on that Mod to follow later).

So I gave up. I was so disappointed especially after ordering the Air Arms Falcon 13.43gr as mentioned on this forum. I went through all those pellets and was super frustrated to say the least. In fact, I had already given up. I don't have the notes in front of me but I think the lowest energy ratings I was getting achieving somewhere in the 40ft/lbs range.


It wasn't until several days had past that I had my epiphany moment. "Hey idiot, you forgot all about that "Transfer Port" didn't you. You never even considered or tried the "L" setting on the Transfer Port.

So after more testing, I was able to find that the 13.43gr Air Arms Falcon in .22 caliber could make the weight so to speak if I change the Transfer Port to "L" (from "H") and then begin to bring up the Hammer Spring Tension. Otherwise, when testing every combination I could of Regulator Pressure & Hammer Spring Tension, I could NOT for the life of me get it down below the acceptable 20ft/lbs criteria, even with the 4% allowance.


Like I previously mentioned, I don't have my notes in front of me but I will return and add the settings for my specific gun onto this thread for all to see. Hopefully, you will be able to help me improve on it and others will find it as either a good starting point OR a reference as to what NOT to do. Your mileage may vary and I wish you all the best.

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