HFT Diary: Power to the People

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Last updated: 20/11/2017

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Just when we’ve got into the swing of things it seems, summer starts to slip away; and it really is hard to believe, that as I compile this report, we’re probably left with just a few key weeks to enjoy! OK; it’s all about having the right gear, and Hunter Field Target can obviously be enjoyed all year round, but the pleasure of being out, in a beautiful country location, bathed in warm sunshine, whilst we navigate a target course, is for many of us, hard to beat.

August has been particularly busy, and there’s been a host of events staged to keep us competitive types amused. Also of interest, is the new chronograph regime that’s being adopted at national competitions around the country- so I’ll cover that in a moment.

English open, Misfits, Oakham, Rutland, sponsored by Leicestershire airguns and Daystate

The English Open hasn’t quite taken off as the high profile event that it could be, and remains a bit low-key. However, the Misfits gang are a great bunch, and with a lovely venue seeing a target course laid out over a hay field, and arcing around a pretty piece of woodland, it’s a hugely challenging and enjoyable competition. A stiff breeze in places had us all fretting over the swaying target up a tall pole, and others shot across water, and up into trees, kept everyone on their toes.

Dave Hunter shot extremely well, finishing on a 58ex60, but Sarah Pantling drew large applause from the crowd, as she secured 3rd place overall after a shoot-off, beating no less a tough nut than James McLachlan, one of the most ruthlessly efficient shooters on the circuit. Great shooting Sarah, and proof, if it were still needed, that HFT, truly is a sport where both sexes can compete on an equal footing.

UKAHFT national rounds 5 & 6- Furniss mill, Kidderminster, Shropshire

Day1 sponsored by Brocock

Furniss Mill has to be one of the best venues in the country, with a network of fishing lakes, alongside a stunningly beautiful piece of woodland for the HFT courses. So with this as a backdrop, it was difficult not to enjoy a double header weekend of shooting action. Warm conditions, and just a gentle breeze, meant scores were always likely to be high, but Dave Ramshead, Jim Harney and Justin Grice, all finishing on 59’s was still brilliant shooting. Dave has long since given up being the bridesmaid, and stole another title here, to add to his recent haul, after a tense three-way shoot-off.

Andy McLachlan walked away with a Brocock Compatto rifle in the raffle too, so he had a good day!

Day2 sponsored by MTC Optics

I could only make the second day of this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the course, shooting off a high ridge, across a lake and up into trees; it was all here, and the quality of the course really was excellent. My 53 didn’t look too clever at the end, but with a usual strong first half, and a careless closing third, I wasn’t totally despondent- knowing what I’d missed, and how it could be worked on! Talk of the day was poor old Simon Vant, who had a clear round denied him, for apparently firing after the ceasefire had been called. Rules are rules as they say, but it still seemed harsh.

Young Tom Willingham was perhaps star of the day, winning his Juniors class for the second day running, having posted a 57 and 58. Brilliant stuff, and he has to be a major threat next year, when he moves to Open class! All I can say is be afraid!

New chrono regime

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Regular HFT goers may have noticed the new chronograph regime now being implemented at national events. The new compact chronos feature a level line to line up the gun, and then competitor’s actual pellets are weighed, and a power calculation then made by the marshal, using that exact pellet weight. It seems a fair system, and seems to be working well. Each shooter is given a few shots in which to be below the legal limit of 12ft/lbs, but the best advice has to be to aim to set your rifle to perform around 20 fps below your prescribed maximum velocity, with your given pellet. Shooters do actually get barred from the day’s shooting, so heed the warning!

For pre-booking application forms and downloads regarding established UKAHFT events (where bookings are possible), and all the latest information on anything connected with Hunter Field Target shooting, take a look at the following websites:

https://sites.google.com/site/ukahft/ and www.shooting-the-breeze.com https:// sites.google.com/site/whfta1/

In addition, details of HFT Masters events can be seen at www.hftmasters.com and www.whfto.com

English open, Misfits - results

Open Class: 1st Dave Hunter 58ex60, 2nd Daz Taylor 57, 3rd Sarah Pantling 57
Juniors: 1st Megan Reed 54
Veterans: 1st Nick Yates 54
Oddballs: 1st Simon Howarth 51

UKAHFT national rounds 5 & 6 - results

Day1 sponsored by Brocock

Open Class: 1st Dave Ramshead 59ex60, 2nd Jim Harney 59, 3rd Justin Grice 59
Junior 9-13: 1st Megan Reed 51
Junior 14-16: 1st Tom Willingham 57
Ladies: 1st Kathy Thompson 55
Recoiling: 1st Perry Broad 48
.22 Class: 1st Edward Tandi 54
Veteran: 1st Ken Pothecary 55
Top Manufacturers Team: Steyr
Top Club Team: Oakleaf

Day2 sponsored by MTC Optics

Open Class: 1st Paul Kelly 58ex60, 2nd Ian Clark 58, 3rd Daz Taylor 58
Junior 9-13: 1st Megan Reed 54
Junior 14-16: 1st Tom Willingham 58
Ladies: 1st Michelle Parsons 54
Recoiling: 1st Gary Chillingworth 48
.22 Class: 1st Simon Howarth 50
Veteran: 1st Mike Burgess 56
Top Manufacturers Team: Steyr
Top Club Team: M.A.D.