I read about the Brits stuck with shooting sub 12 fpe guns and I swore I would NEVER, EVER own one. Well, I got involved in benchrest shooting here in Florida using my 20 fpe TM1000. Nice gun, but I wasn't getting the results I wanted, so I started looking for a dedicated gun for BR. Naturally, being a red-blooded American, it had to be the biggest and the fastest. USARB limits sanctioned matches to .22s, so that's where I started looking. I've found that .22's accuracy can be problematic unless you go to super custom barrels and I wasn't ready to do that. I also know that the most accurate airguns are .177 cal rifles used in 10M international competition and those shoot at about 6 fpe. While shooting an FT match, one of my shooting friends just installed a regulator in his .177 cal Mrod, but didn't have time to adjust it. It was shooting 6 fpe. Well, he shot one of his best scores ever. Another data point. I called Martin at RAW and we discussed this. He didn't recommend a .22 for the same reasons that I thought, but suggested a 12 fpe rifle in .177 cal. I ordered an HM1000 thumbhole walnut rifle. So far, I have used it in two matches and I have had some pretty decent scores. Very competitive with the FWB 70FTs that seem to be gaining much popularity with the local guys. I love the 480 cc carbon air tank (which gives me at least 200 shots) and the 17 shot magazines. While everyone is scrambling around re-filling their guns in between targets, and dropping pellets all over the ground while single shot loading, I just sit there popping away. I just love this gun!! So, go for a 12fpe gun. If you can afford it, get a RAW. Martin will build you anything you want and they are well worth it. Essentially, you will be getting a custom rifle that will outshoot almost anything else.
