Is FT an expensive thing to get into? What items are must haves and nice to haves? I haven't shot competition airgun since high school.
Resources Getting into FT
- Thread starter Familyguy91b2
- Start date
As a new FT shooter myself I love that you can go as deep/expensive as you’d like. I’d first consider what division of FT do you want to get into. Hunter? WFTF? Open? That’ll help you determine the gear you’ll need or need to avoid
Upvote 0
Go to a match
They will show you
They will let you shoot their guns
When Cameron K first shot FT, he shot with me in Ione, CA.
I taught him everything I knew.
Now he is the world champion in WFTF and other disciplines, many times over!
They will show you
They will let you shoot their guns
When Cameron K first shot FT, he shot with me in Ione, CA.
I taught him everything I knew.
Now he is the world champion in WFTF and other disciplines, many times over!
Upvote 0
If you can go to a one day local match and ask questions and learn from the people attending. I'm sure the people you meet will more than gladly show what they are using and will chat to you about the choices they made.
Upvote 0
Arlington has FT events, You need to check in with Jeff Cloud. He runs it and he can help you get into FT. He will likely chime in here at some point.
Upvote 0
Hunter field target is probably cheaper to get in, you could do it with a Notos, a centerpoint scope, a 5 gallon bucket, shooting sticks and a hand pump.
So probably under $500 total all in price.
Unless you get a good deal on used stuff that’s about as cheap as it will be.
So probably under $500 total all in price.
Unless you get a good deal on used stuff that’s about as cheap as it will be.
Upvote 0
Arlington Sportsman Club. Great range and very active. Matches are the last Saturday of the month. I am sure Jeff will see this and chime in. I will shoot you a PM with my phone number if you want to discuss FT and shooting at ASC. Way to much to type here.
Upvote 0
Yes and no
You don’t have to spend a bunch of money.
Here’s a used rig I put together for a new HFT <20 fpe shooter
Marauder FT
Hawke scope
Parallax wheel by scope Werks
Pellets!
If hunter class you will also need:
Seat and sticks/bipod
You can shoot a springer also and can get in even cheap
Last edited:
Upvote 0
As a few have said above.
Attend a match first.
Have a budget in mind.
I bought a marauder 177 before I ever shot a match. Then bought a different gun. Ended up using the marauder and it’s been an amazing setup. You can start pretty low end and be just fine. Then upgrade or change as you feel you want.
Hunter will be the best introduction into field target. A short bucket or stool and a bipod/sticks of your choice. That’s all you really need. Don’t spend a fortune on a scope. You can start with something like an Athlon to get you going. A Hawke Sidewinder is an amazing upgrade. Does make a big difference in the longer ranges but especially in the shaded targets in the woods. That’s where the difference comes in.
Attend a match first.
Have a budget in mind.
I bought a marauder 177 before I ever shot a match. Then bought a different gun. Ended up using the marauder and it’s been an amazing setup. You can start pretty low end and be just fine. Then upgrade or change as you feel you want.
Hunter will be the best introduction into field target. A short bucket or stool and a bipod/sticks of your choice. That’s all you really need. Don’t spend a fortune on a scope. You can start with something like an Athlon to get you going. A Hawke Sidewinder is an amazing upgrade. Does make a big difference in the longer ranges but especially in the shaded targets in the woods. That’s where the difference comes in.
Upvote 0
The most expensive part of FT is the travel expense. Gas, food, lodging. Sometimes there is camping allowed at the event, which helps. Hotels are nice, but will kill your budget.
Upvote 0
Some clubs, let you dabble in a class called, unlimited, or some variant of that which lets you start to learn how to read wind, use laser rangefinders, and anything that you already have so you could start playing right away and learn the sport. As chimed in before, if you communicate with a match director, most of the time somebody will either let you shoot their rig as a part of the match, or bring an extra one for you to play with. Don’t be shy. This group is pretty generous when it comes to bringing in new folks. As for cost, just remember that it’s cheaper than a boat, a plane, or any nefarious activity that could potentially require a bail money.
Upvote 0
First Texas is BIG . where are you ? quite a few air shooters in TEX and places to shot , maybe your near someone / someplace and competitions ( definition of near = a few hours drive ) rules link
Upvote 0
Family guy,
Welcome to the friendly world of FT. FT shooters tend to regularly acquire new(er) equipment just because we can afford something different. That means there are some great deals on their previous favorite rifles/scopes/pellets/equipment. If you put the word out, most shooters have an extra rig to sell cheap but aren’t actively trying to sell because we still like them.
Many people will tell you to “buy once, cry once” - meaning buy expensive stuff to start; but half the fun (for many) is upgrading to something new and learning the ins and outs of it. If you start with a $2500 rifle, theres not much room to move up into. I started with a (great) $1300 rifle, bought a $2000 rifle, and then bought a used .177 Avenge-X for $325 because it’s good enough to compete. (Also, when I outshoot a buddy with a $$$ rifle; I can do the NA NA na na NA na dance in his face!). Haha!
I guarantee that the first rifle you buy won’t be the last - if you enjoy the FT game. Do yourself a favor and don’t start with a Thomas rifle and a March scope - you can only go down from there! Buy adequate equipment, learn the ropes, learn what doesn’t work for you, and only upgrade when your equipment is limiting your scores. (Or you find extra cash)
Each match you shoot will pair you with another shooter (or 2). Watch them and ask how/why they do it their way. You will learn lessons the easy way and advance faster; but don’t blindly follow EVERY piece of advice. Check it out yourself and see if it works for you. I started out shooting pretty good, then was told to change pellets to what is “the best weight” to use. Turns out my rifle did worse with the 10.3s and I did worse also. Whichever pellet your rifle likes is the best pellet to shoot. Start with the tried and true, but don’t limit yourself to only that. Testing and experimenting can be really fun when it results in a better shooting rig.
We are all here to have fun and be around interesting people. Do expect to win matches right away, just try to improve and outshoot your last match. Oh yeah, and bring a buddy or 2with you! The more the merrier!
Welcome to the friendly world of FT. FT shooters tend to regularly acquire new(er) equipment just because we can afford something different. That means there are some great deals on their previous favorite rifles/scopes/pellets/equipment. If you put the word out, most shooters have an extra rig to sell cheap but aren’t actively trying to sell because we still like them.
Many people will tell you to “buy once, cry once” - meaning buy expensive stuff to start; but half the fun (for many) is upgrading to something new and learning the ins and outs of it. If you start with a $2500 rifle, theres not much room to move up into. I started with a (great) $1300 rifle, bought a $2000 rifle, and then bought a used .177 Avenge-X for $325 because it’s good enough to compete. (Also, when I outshoot a buddy with a $$$ rifle; I can do the NA NA na na NA na dance in his face!). Haha!
I guarantee that the first rifle you buy won’t be the last - if you enjoy the FT game. Do yourself a favor and don’t start with a Thomas rifle and a March scope - you can only go down from there! Buy adequate equipment, learn the ropes, learn what doesn’t work for you, and only upgrade when your equipment is limiting your scores. (Or you find extra cash)
Each match you shoot will pair you with another shooter (or 2). Watch them and ask how/why they do it their way. You will learn lessons the easy way and advance faster; but don’t blindly follow EVERY piece of advice. Check it out yourself and see if it works for you. I started out shooting pretty good, then was told to change pellets to what is “the best weight” to use. Turns out my rifle did worse with the 10.3s and I did worse also. Whichever pellet your rifle likes is the best pellet to shoot. Start with the tried and true, but don’t limit yourself to only that. Testing and experimenting can be really fun when it results in a better shooting rig.
We are all here to have fun and be around interesting people. Do expect to win matches right away, just try to improve and outshoot your last match. Oh yeah, and bring a buddy or 2with you! The more the merrier!
Upvote 0
Visit, handle and shoot some guns others are using at an FT event or three before deciding on a gun .... While forum suggestions may give a trend for what folks like or use, it will be mostly noise as many who post about FT or have comment Don't actually shoot Field Target !!
Don't shoot the messenger
Don't shoot the messenger
Upvote 0