I have been considering for some time, a rifle that would be appropriate for casual HFT use. I have previously asked for feedback on the Royale 400 and Taipan Veteran, two rifles I own in .22, and would consider another in .177. Although both shoot well from the magazine, I would prefer a single shot.One that might be a strong consideration is the AA S500. I know the S510 Ultimate Sporter has a much more match oriented stock, but again, I think I prefer a single shot. So, I have two questions for the group out there. First, your opinion on the S500, don't see much about it. Secondly, how does the S510 shoot from the magazine? It's design seems a bit Rube Goldberg-like to me, but if it works well, maybe I shouldn't be put off by it. Thanks for any comments.
HFT rifle advice
- Thread starter elh0102
- Start date
I have a new s510 arriving Saturday, in .177. I went with the poplar stock- I'm a lefty and it was $300 less than other stocked options.
The S500 is a fab platform- I only paid extra for the S510 in case I decide to hunt with it. It will be primarily used for FT, silhouettes, and 10 meter work. I'll make a single loading tray out of a pencil eraser.
My friend George has the S510 in .22
We spent a day at the range comparing groups between mag fed vs single loading with his rifle this summer. It was much more consistent ( groups were 1/2 size) at distance when single loaded. It wasn't bad at 50 yards with the magazine, but it would clover leaf holes single loaded, vs. 3/4 to 1.5" groups with the mag
I'll follow up this thread Sunday- the rifle arrives Saturday and I've a silhouette match Sunday afternoon that I intend to use it for.
The S500 is a fab platform- I only paid extra for the S510 in case I decide to hunt with it. It will be primarily used for FT, silhouettes, and 10 meter work. I'll make a single loading tray out of a pencil eraser.
My friend George has the S510 in .22
We spent a day at the range comparing groups between mag fed vs single loading with his rifle this summer. It was much more consistent ( groups were 1/2 size) at distance when single loaded. It wasn't bad at 50 yards with the magazine, but it would clover leaf holes single loaded, vs. 3/4 to 1.5" groups with the mag
I'll follow up this thread Sunday- the rifle arrives Saturday and I've a silhouette match Sunday afternoon that I intend to use it for.
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I think either rifle would/could do just fine for HFT.
Personally, I'd say get just get a single-shot tray for your Royal and give it a try
Personally, I'd say get just get a single-shot tray for your Royal and give it a try
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One point to remember is most clubs have a 20fp energy limit so as not to damage targets. The royal and Tipan can both be turned down to that, but then in .22 they will have quite a loopy targe trajectory.
i would say before buying any thing new contact a club that holds matches and ask if they have a loaner gun as most do. If they don't I would bet some one in the club would make a gun available. Learn some about the game then make up your mind about what you want to spend your money on.
Hairsmith
i would say before buying any thing new contact a club that holds matches and ask if they have a loaner gun as most do. If they don't I would bet some one in the club would make a gun available. Learn some about the game then make up your mind about what you want to spend your money on.
Hairsmith
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That is a VERY WISE thing to do if wanting to purchase a gun for the FT game. As the match Director for the SVFTC we have a loaner as well others will let you shoot there gun many time after a match too get some relativity on the choices, trade off's etc each of us understand while making the final decisions on what we wish to shoot for gun and caliber.
Scott S
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Just to clarify, I'm aware of the 20 fpe rule, and I'm limiting my choices to .177, 20 fpe rifles. I may never shoot a single field target, just want it as an option. All my .22 rifles are sufficiently accurate, just too powerful. I could tune any of them down to 20 fpe, but then I wouldn't have an excuse for another rifle! And at that level, the .22 trajectory gets a bit steep.
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I have an AA S500 and love it. I use it in local field target and love how it loads. It has plenty of room to get my big thumb in there with a pellet. I have used all sorts of rifles and just don't like magazine fed rifles for FT. I don't hunt anymore but would not hesitate to take a single shot rifle hunting either. I used to hunt deer and other game with single shot rifles and pistols. Never felt handicapped. I think it makes you really concentrate on that one shot. My walnut stocked AA rifle is a beautiful rifle to look at and shoot. I shoot poorly in field target anymore but I am an old fat guy with a bad back and knees. The gun is not the reason I shoot poorly though. Oh, and I want to shoot FT for as long as I can, poorly or not.
Bob in WV
Bob in WV
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I starting using the AA S500 this year for filed target and I have been very happy with it it was the base model with the poplar stock I since changed the stock to the ultimate sporter / HFT500 Stock and the adjustable features make the difference, but as other people said before you buy an other rifle go to a match and see what people are using I shoot on Long Island and all over the Northeast if your in that area your more then welcome to try the rife out I also have a marauder and HW97K .
The winner of the 2019 Field Target Hunter PCP shot a Marauder.
The winner of the 2019 Field Target Hunter PCP shot a Marauder.
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I shoot an AA S400, similar to the S500 but with a bolt handle an no adjustable power dial. It has a Motorhead installed Huma regulator, tuned to about 19 fpe.
The gun holds it's own against much more expensive guns and the outcome of matches is more dependent on how well I shoot than how expensive the competition's guns are and I love the single loading.
The fact Oakhonor is buying an AA S510 to single load after shooting his buddy George's gun would be enough to sell me on an S500 if I didn't already have my S400. I shoot with both those guys (as well as Motorhead) and they're pretty persnickety fellows, lol!
The gun holds it's own against much more expensive guns and the outcome of matches is more dependent on how well I shoot than how expensive the competition's guns are and I love the single loading.
The fact Oakhonor is buying an AA S510 to single load after shooting his buddy George's gun would be enough to sell me on an S500 if I didn't already have my S400. I shoot with both those guys (as well as Motorhead) and they're pretty persnickety fellows, lol!
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If you haven’t bought a rifle yet, consider this.
If either one of your .22 rifles can be turned down to 20 fpe give that a go. Even if you have to go to a 13 grain or even lighter alloy pellet.
Here’s why. Your trajectory will mimic a 12 fpe .177 caliber. Many people who shoot the American HFT game at 20 fpe eventually find themselves wanting to play WFTF at 12 fpe. If you master the trajectory now, there will be less of a learning curve when you migrate over.
But whatever you do, shoot!!
If either one of your .22 rifles can be turned down to 20 fpe give that a go. Even if you have to go to a 13 grain or even lighter alloy pellet.
Here’s why. Your trajectory will mimic a 12 fpe .177 caliber. Many people who shoot the American HFT game at 20 fpe eventually find themselves wanting to play WFTF at 12 fpe. If you master the trajectory now, there will be less of a learning curve when you migrate over.
But whatever you do, shoot!!
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I am shopping for my first high cost air rifle, but looks like I cannot make a decision how to keep my costs down and have a single stick only...First I need to say that I am coming from archery long range shooting (FITA and Field) I was competing big tournaments for a decade and I was doing pretty well there. Do to some injuries and some surgeries (and I am 60yo) sorry to admit but cannot compete anymore. So I can go air rifles now?
I learned "in my previous life" and don't want to do mistakes again, don't collect cheap stuff in drawers but buy the right thing at first step.
My idea was to get a FX Impact and I can do both Field and benchrest. Just got an email from a "guru" the Impact cannot be turned down to Field allowed powers. OK, that price range was steep anyway and btw we can get two Dreamlines for the same amount. Now only question is to you,
Can the FX Dreamline be turn down the power and play Field and turn up the power enough to play benchest? Btw, the closest benchrest rifle range is 1.5 hours to the East of my house, the closest Field range is 2 hours West from my house. My archery range is 10 minutes only, and I am not going to mover again
I learned "in my previous life" and don't want to do mistakes again, don't collect cheap stuff in drawers but buy the right thing at first step.
My idea was to get a FX Impact and I can do both Field and benchrest. Just got an email from a "guru" the Impact cannot be turned down to Field allowed powers. OK, that price range was steep anyway and btw we can get two Dreamlines for the same amount. Now only question is to you,
Can the FX Dreamline be turn down the power and play Field and turn up the power enough to play benchest? Btw, the closest benchrest rifle range is 1.5 hours to the East of my house, the closest Field range is 2 hours West from my house. My archery range is 10 minutes only, and I am not going to mover again
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