HFT Diary: Welcome to the Future

Well, it’s been another busy month, and it kicked off with one of my favourite events of the year- the Air Arms RSN10 Memorial Open Challenge competition, and this has now quite rightly established a regular slot in the HFT calendar. The initials celebrate Bob Nichols, the founding father of the main engineering company that started Air Arms, and the father of Claire West, the current Air Arms Managing Director.

Air arms RSN10 memorial open challenge 2017

The day follows a tried and tested formula, with a 25-target course to be shot in the morning, then all back to the clubhouse for a hot lunch, which is all part of the entrance fee, then back out in the afternoon for the second 25-target course. The aggregate scores out of 100 are then tallied, and the Champion decided. You must pre-book this one, and with a full take up, we headed for the picturesque hillside to do battle. Two truly stunning courses were set before us, which included shooting around and over a lake, and up into the treetops at targets across the valley. In the wood and out in the field; it was all here, and the breeze, coupled with challenging terrain kept everyone on their toes.

Top shot Richard Woods, emerged the victor, and with some generous sponsorship from Air Arms, a great day was had by all. Young Jack Houghton couldn’t quite believe his luck as he walked away with the top prize of a brand new HFT500 rifle from the raffle, but there were plenty of other goodies also laid on. Well done to Richard, but thanks to Air Arms and all who helped stage this terrific shoot.

The latter part of September hailed in Round 7 of the UKAHFT National Series, and here, Cambridge was the venue- another club that always lays on brilliant shoots. Here we have a horseshoe of targets inside a copse, then a series outside the wooded area, shooting into open, unprotected fields. Wind comes from all sides, and judging it right takes some doing. Take a look at the results listing, and there’s some big names that aren’t quite where you would expect them to be! That said, that man Richard Woods was in the thick of the action yet again, with an excellent 56. This time, he took second, just pipped by Jason Bressington- clear winner ahead of the pack with a 57. Brilliant shooting on the day.

Sure-Shot Airguns, main sponsors of this round, set up camp for the duration, and at close of business, Helen Kelly won the main raffle prize of a Zbroia Hortitsia 450/220 rifle, which certainly made her day!

 

Results:

Open Class: 1st Richard Woods 93ex100, 2nd Roger Dibbens 91, 3rd Steve Edmondson 91
Primary: 1st Connor Leonard 59
Recoiling: 1st Paul Burt 86
Veteran: 1st Mike Burgess 89
.22 Class: 1st Edward Tandi 75
Juniors: 1st George Danvers 77
Ladies: 1st Stephanie Isaac 76

 

3D printing….....Are you ready?

On my travels, I’m seeing an increasing number of airgun components produced using the relatively new technology of 3D Printing, and it really is fascinating stuff. For those unfamiliar with the process, it involves a technical drawing and product specification being entered into the computer, and then that requested product or component is then made, or ‘printed’, by a machine which keeps going back and forth, (like a printer head) building up the 3D shape by adding tiny layers of synthetic particles little by little. The layers build slowly until the object has been formed.

Obviously, main precision airgun parts aren’t always possible, especially where they are load bearing, and take stress and wear. However, the use of 3D printing to save weight for example, means stock components are an interesting option. I encountered just such an offering at the Air Arms Memorial event, and whilst I’m not able to reveal the source, I was allowed to show the work- and quite remarkable it is too! The complete stock had been 3D moulded, save for the supporting carbon fibre rods, and whilst the aesthetics may leave a bit to be desired, with layer lines and a slightly rough finish, there’s no doubting the fully adjustable functionality, comfort and super lightness. A sign of things to come, me thinks!

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

 

Results:

Open Class: 1st Jason Bressington 57ex60, 2nd Richard Woods 56, 3rd Daz Taylor 56
Junior 9-13: 1st Megan Reed 51
Junior 14-16: 1st Ethan Pantling 54
Ladies: 1st Michelle Parsons 47
Recoiling: 1st Matt Goodson 48
.22 Class: 1st J Lockett 50
Veteran:  1st Ron Whitney 53
Top Manufacturers Team: Steyr
Top Club Team: Oakleaf

 

2017 competition dates remaining:

HFT Masters Events 2017
30th Sep-1st: Oct European HFT Championship:
29th Oct: MAD, Essex