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HFT in the USA

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Laity

Laity

Member
Dec 14, 2018
331
13
Essex, United Kingdom
Hi all 



Just a quick question, Do any of you guys do HFT over there ?? I am in the UK ( freezing my butt off ) and do loads and loads of HFT , FT now and again . We use 12 ft/lb which makes things tricky as you like as you can imagine , Its really good fun , dead hard and it seems its a massive thing over here now and getting bigger . I started a World championships called the WHFTO , check it out if you wish . Its massive in Europe too .



So , do any of you guys do it ?



Rog 


 
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We do shoot hunter field target in USA, but rules are different. Power is capped at 20 FPE. Caliber is capped at 22. Max scope power is 16x. Target distance is in the range from 10 yards to 55 yards. During the match no adjustment to the scope other than parallax. There are forced positional lanes where you have to take shots kneeling or standing.

Rules are governed by http://aafta.org/ ( American Airgun Field Target Association)


 
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We do shoot hunter field target in USA, but rules are different. Power is capped at 20 FPE. Caliber is capped at 22. Max scope power is 16x. Target distance is in the range from 10 yards to 55 yards. During the match no adjustment to the scope other than parallax. There are forced positional lanes where you have to take shots kneeling or standing.

Rules are governed by http://aafta.org/ ( American Airgun Field Target Association)

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Thanks for that , I will have a look at their web site . We shoot FT to 55 yards but HFT to 45 max , we only use 12 ft/lb so its tricky when its windy but great fun . Are there many clubs that shoot that over there . I deal with a guy from Atlanta clue Paul and he has joined the WHFTO so I guess you will have an official team at some point . I know a few of us are coming over to check things out and do a bit of shooting , maybe we can try your HFT at 20 FPE , I bet that's ace ! I have a Red Wolf in .22 running 50 FPE .. Real shame I cant use that ! 



Rog


 
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Laity, do I recall something about British-style HFT using only one or two sizes of kill-zones, and restrictions on how far a smaller one can be placed? American Hunter FT uses anything from 3/8" to 1.5" diameter (typically, 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.25" and 1.5"). Not many years ago AAFTA added a rule stating any target set beyond 45 yards must have a 1.5" kill-zone; otherwise we have no restrictions regarding kill-zone size versus range (other than the 55 yard limit, of course).


 
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Welcome & "12fpe" yes! Likely the closest to your "HFT" is the AAFTA WFTF class & rules.

After starting out with "20fpe" but SO many at the local club in TN shooting sub 12fpe I dialed the power down - pcp and a diana48- the real fun showed up and yest again as when starting FT skills were improved.

Props to everyone that doesnt "need" 50fpe/10shot clip/laser ranging/... to achive shot vplacement.





Johhn
 
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There are ft links in this forum and perhaps with a Google search, you'll find another forum with a deep FT category? Try the initals GTA.

Both HFT and WFTF compete concurrently. 

We have two strong clubs on NorCal, practically brothers, one in Concord and one in Sacramento. We send our finest overseas to run with your big dogs. We've members that participated in multiple world championships, and one member was on on the world championship Spring gun team.

Most shoot WFTF rules, but some are addicted to their 19 ft lbs- me included. Of course, we shoot HFT pistol as well, and that is limited to 12 ft lbs. 

I believe a group of them are headed to Puerto Rico in February- keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 
 
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I think Alabama is where Paul Oswalt? runs regular HFT matches. I'm not aware of any other regular HFT matches in the USA.

In USA FT, there is a Division called "Hunter", but it is more like the Sporter classes shot in other countries. Hunter Division is very popular in the USA. But the course and shoot rules are like FT. It is shot on the same course along with WFTF and Open Divisions. You are allowed to focus range find. You can use shooting sticks, but most of the other FT support aids are not allowed. The on the peg prone style shooting position as used in HFT is not allowed in Hunter Division. Almost everyone in USA Hunter Division uses the sitting position, and any seat height is allowed.

Many FT shooters in the USA casually refer to our Hunter Division as "HFT". Kinda like "Football". When you hear Football, or HFT in the USA, they are usually talking about very different games than what you might be envisioning.


 
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Laity, do I recall something about British-style HFT using only one or two sizes of kill-zones, and restrictions on how far a smaller one can be placed? American Hunter FT uses anything from 3/8" to 1.5" diameter (typically, 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.25" and 1.5"). Not many years ago AAFTA added a rule stating any target set beyond 45 yards must have a 1.5" kill-zone; otherwise we have no restrictions regarding kill-zone size versus range (other than the 55 yard limit, of course).

Click to expand...



"...otherwise we have no restrictions regarding kill-zone size versus range..."

Actually, there are several rules that limit kill-zone size vs range. Each size has its own maximum distance that is allowed on an AAFTA course. For instance, 1/2" targets are limited to 25yds maximum.


 
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We use a 15mm kill zone from 13 yards to 25 yards, 20 mm from 8 to 30 ( I think ) 25mm from 8 to 40 yards , 30mm from 8 to 40 , 35mm from 8 to 45 yards . Its brilliant fun . I talk to Paul Oswalt as he has joined the WHFTO and a nicer guy you could not talk to . It was funny , I did bunch of video's for Fieldsports UK called the ABC of HFT , it was an introduction into HFT for beginners and he had it on his web site . Made me laugh . I dont know if you guys ever watch any Fieldsports Uk or anything on Gunroom TV on you tube but I try and do a bunch of HFT and a little hunting as well . Its a bit of fun and people seem to like it ... I am trying to put together another set of Vid's on HFT using a Daystate or Brocock or something like at the moment . Check it out and see what you think ?? 

Next time I come to the USA , I am going to have a go at FT with a bigger power gun for sure , I work in Racing and get about a bunch and spend sometime in the USA so makes sense ! I want to meet up with Paul and get some HFT done as well . All being well I will get it filmed and you guys can see how bad I am . 





Rog 
 
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 "Actually, there are several rules that limit kill-zone size vs range." 

I stand corrected, as I thought I might. Haven't been paying as strict attention to AAFTA rules as I did when I was active. They still disallow range-finders on the courses?
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In the current AAFTA established classes ... NO RANGE FINDERS ALLOWED

There has been some break out of the established classes the past few years in what many have dubbed "Freestyle" that is NOT an AATFA class, tho being shot time to time at some matches. Some clubs who allow the Freestyle class have also allowed range finders ( Tho freestyle shooters must shoot with other freestyle shooters when a range finder is in play )
 
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What's the point in having Range finders ?? Surly that takes the fun out of it ??
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It allows people that come straight from hunting to use same equipment that they already have, which is low powered scope, like 4x or 6x. With low power scope you can't measure distance with parralex. With 16x scope you can.

And also spirit of the sport is to emulate hunting. Modern hunters use rangefinders. 


 
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Yes, just as the Archery 3D guys now have a "known" class where yardage is provided for the shooter I have a "Known" class at my field target events. Not many people shoot that class but we have some older guys that only shoot offhand. They have inexpensive scopes that are around 3-9 power and they are just out there for fun. I have separate scorecards that have the distances for each target written in each scoring box. I haven't had a shoot yet that any of these guys beat the regular shooters but anyone can shoot any class as a known shooter if that makes it more fun for them. They just get scored separately. 
 
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I get that , makes sense .. kind of . We dont use range finders in HFT , its all done by eye , in FT they use these nuts high powered scopes that you can PX in and get the distance , I have looked at one at a comp , a March 80 mag scope and OMG , it was nuts ! You could PX it right into the yardage to within one yard .. WOW . Loved it . I use Vortex scopes for HFT , I have the PST Viper 2.5-10.32 and Diamondback 4-16-44 and both are totally amazing and bang on for HFT . I have often thought about range finding the whole course , writing the range down for everyone and seeing if they score more .It sounds like they would but to be honest , when only running 11.6 ft/lb as you can imagine the wind has a whole bunch to say !! Its difficult as you like the its windy and you are like holding off maybe 3 mill dots .. Really great feeling when you nail one though ! Love it ! 





Rog


 
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I work in F 1 , Formula E , World Rally WEC and TCR , I do the safety stuff . I love it !! I have been to Austin and LOVED it . Wen to the track there with McLaren , what a place ... Also Pete's Duelling Piano Bar was one of the most epic night's out ever !!! Next time I am there buddy lets defo have a beer and they are on me !!! . I love the states , I drove from Miami to LA last time I was there with some racing buddies and got to do a bunch of shooting and loads of other stuff . Best trip I have ever had . I cant wait tot get back if the truth be told , at least then I can get get some slugs from my Red Wolf ... you just cant get them in the UK . Such a shame . Also I looking at doing the next EBR with Daystate all being well and getting it filmed with GunRoom TV from he UK . 



Rog 
 
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I am very new, and have not competed yet. I have been practicing with a club in Wisconsin, (north central USA), and hope to try it in a few months. The norm there is 'bucket and sticks' shooting. Most guys use PCP, but a couple use springers. (I will shoot spring.) They limit scope magnification to 16X. Their power limit, (the USA norm), is 20 foot pounds. 

In the winter we shoot indoors at 30 yards. The target is two cocentric circles, (two points in the inner circle, one in the outer). Many shoot sub-12 fpe guns for this. I don't think many compete in field target with them because of the flatter trajectory of the higher power. 

If your ever stateside, look some clubs up. We would love to have you shoot with us! 
 
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