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FT Blog: Give it a Go!

FT Blog: Give it a Go!

One of my goals in my shooting life is to see more people try Field Target. We see many join Tondu Field Target Club (F.T.C.), but never pluck up courage to have a go on a 40-shot regional course. I am sure it is the same in many other clubs and even other shooting disciplines; got the kit, can shoot to a degree, but dipping your toe in the water is always scary! Another part of the reason, I think, is the misconception that others will look down on new shooter’s (possibly) low score, especially if the equipment they are using costs less than just the gun of the local ‘star’! Not so! We nearly all started on cheaper kit and then upgraded as the FT bug got its grip.

It’s like cars. I’m sure what you’re driving now is a damn sight better than your first car. But hey ho- it got you started and you had fun. Likewise, you don’t need £5000 of FT kit as you can have a lot of Fun with an Air Arms S200 and a 6–24 mag scope; both bought second hand for about £450. Can’t buy much of a car for that!

TIER SYSTEM

So fancy a go, but think you can’t compete with the top lads? Don’t worry, that’s most of us! Most FT comps have a 4-Tier grading system, with AA the top grade, then A, B and C. The national system details can be found here:
http://www.thebfta.net/forum/index.php/ topic,701.0.html

Regional shoots usually put new shooters in C-Grade- at least for the first three shoots, when an average is reached, and a suitable grade is awarded. Thus, you are not going to be up against the best of the best straight off, and it’s not uncommon for new shooters to quickly be taking a podium spot and possibly a trophy!

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So give it a go, you will meet loads of like-minded shooting folk, and make many new friends. Details of regional and national FT competitions can be found by searching through the ‘Shooting The Breeze’ (STB) calendar. You can also ask about local clubs if you are not already a member of one.
http://www.shooting-the-breeze.com/ forums/calendar.php

NEFTA CLASSIC

THE FORMAT

So now I have preached that you should try something new, I will explain what went wrong on my first go at the NEFTA Classic. 2016 was the 26th time this two day FT event has been held, but unbelievably my first time. It runs over a weekend, and you get to shoot a 40-shot FT course, and a 40-target Silhouette course too.

I had always been put off by the silhouette side of the competition! These are four banks of five targets at set ranges, chickens at 20 yards, pigs at 30, turkeys at 36 and rams at 40. All taken standing; yes you read that right! Plus you are not allowed to use a dedicated shooting jacket /10 m jacket when shooting the ’sillys’, though you can use it on the NEFTA FT course. I’ve been using a 10m Shooting jacket (Gimp coat) for about the last 6 years and it has helped improved my scores no end.

THIS YEAR’S EVENT

Saturday morning was a tricky affair on the FT course and after a bad start, missing five out of the first 10-targets I was happy to only miss four out of the next 30! It was then my first go at the NEFTA sillys, minus my FT jacket. A pretty dismal score of 17 out of 40 was however still lots of fun and a sociable Saturday evening were enjoyed. Sunday started with a strange event on the practice range. I hit lots of silhouette targets, 18 out of 20! New found confidence saw me starting well on the racks but I got stuffed on the turkeys only hitting 2 of the 10, and by the time the last ram was missed, I was on 21.

A slight increase but not what I was hoping for. Sunday’s FT course was somewhat windy, but that was not my main problem. You can pick a partner for the ‘pairs’ competition, so I choose Justin (Woody) Wood. My dismal performance was playing on my mind as I felt I was letting him down. This of course was rubbish, as Woody was only concentrating on his own (excellent) results. My own poor shooting was offset by the great company and fun shared by those around me on the course, and it really was a good event.

 

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