Just so happens that testing function of one of my most problematic extreme field targets coincided with testing my .22 Ataman AP16 to ascertain its viability for a likely pistol extreme field target match at the 2022 TEXtreme Field Target Championships come December. The BIG, HEAVY bison has proven to be one of the most obstinate targets to tune for reliable function, and its low-mounted reset eyelet also makes it one of the HARDEST TO RESET. The problem lies in tuning it (and some others) to fall to low as possible foot-pound paddle hits from pistols, but not fall to 70+ foot pound face-plate hits from rifles. I decided I might as well have some fun in the target testing process.
The bison being one of our standing rifle lane targets (bipods allowed), I figured I might as well also see if the 4" kill zone at 59 yards would be too far a stretch for pistols from Hunter Class sitting PFT position (also shooting off a bi-pod). Just guessing amount of hold-over and wind drift in light cross-winds, the bison fell only once from my first seven-shot magazine. Examination of the target showed only one paddle hit, an encouraging sign (as pertains proper target function).
However it fell four times to my second magazine; and sure enough, showed four paddle hits on the repainted target. Then oriented to where to hold (for windage and elevation), Big Buf fell to all seven shots from the third magazine despite the fact my widest two shots slightly nicked the edge of the kill-zone (as seen in the photo if you expand the image size and look closely).
Some pistoleros might be thinking "four inches at 59 yards ain't so tough". True enough, but the KZ's triangular shape allows 4" error only vertically OR horizontally; not both directions! In real-world wind conditions triangular kill-zones are more challenging than their inch-size designations might suggest.
That Big Buf does not fall to face-plate hits from my 88 foot-pound .30 caliber PCP, but does fall to 8 foot pound hits to the paddle tells me a modification made to improve reliable function works as well as hoped. And that I was able to reset the target from sitting position with one hand tells me another modification effected to lighten the reset effort (considerably) by limiting how far the faceplate falls works better than hoped! Before that modification it took a strong guy using both hands and a LOT of "you gotta REALLY WANT IT" effort from standing position to reset the buf (and other large, heavy extreme field targets).
I love it when a plan works out. Even more-so when it involves BIG FUN! Felling the big target from 59 yards with an air pistol is quite a thrill. Really looking forward to a whole pistol extreme field target match in December.
The weapon of choice-
.
