FT Blog: New outlook

Getting new shooters into Field Target is a tough Job. Having previously run and built up a general airgun club, from 6 to 60 members, I’ve lost count of the number of people we lost after just one or a few visits. Time and time again the main culprit to the short stay was ‘cost’- not club fees, but equipment! And it’s not just the £1500+ FT rigs that are off putting to the new potential member, with their ‘SMK’. For even on the plinker’s bench, it’s now common to see £200+ scopes and £800 guns; so Dad bringing the youngsters along can soon be put off.

Entry level

Of course, you don’t have to spend lots of cash on a gun and scope, but generally you get what you pay for. Saying that, it’s hard to beat an Air Arms S400, either new or used, as an ideal starter/plinking PCP gun! Same for a TX200, if you’re mad and fancy a springer! But what about the scopes? About the cheapest offering for FT is a second hand Big Nikko, (Diamond Sportsman) £400-£500 worth, and they do OK; well, World Champion, Jack Harris manages! No real advantage 95% of the time in spending £3,000 on a March, unless you really want one!

An idea I have had for a while is two-tier range finding in FT. In essence, a new ‘Have-a-go class’. Take a new shooter that has a £100-£300 scope that can only guess the range past 35 yards! So, we give them a card with the actual range to each target on it; thus, they do not have to spend thousands of pounds to instantly enjoy FT, as with known ranges and a trusty S400 and some rough hold over, they’re bound to do OK in the initial first few competitions.

Getting older

There’s a chance they’ll be hooked, which has to be better than scoring very low and being put off! Looking at the regional results up and down the UK, it’s quite common to see a new name only do 1 or 2 shoots, which says it all! Of course, we would have to pair up said shooters with other ‘known range’ cards, so that other shooters don’t cheat and look at the ranges- and of course, the course builders would have to have very accurate details about the course they have planned and built. But surely, we all do that anyway, or is it just me?

It’s an idea some will laugh off straight away, but it makes getting into FT much cheaper, and unless we drag some youth into the sport, we are on borrowed time? My rough guess would be the average age of an FT shooter is 45, so think on!

2017 Oaktree 60 open

Firstly, a massive thank you to Claire West at Air Arms for providing some excellent Air Arms goodie bags as prizes in the raffle for this year’s Oaktree 60 competition. Sadly, the combination of poor weather forecast and perhaps hosting this year’s event on New Year’s Eve, meant attendance was half that of last year. Happily, this meant we all got a prize in the Air Arms raffle!

Unfortunately, my wheels got washed away about mid-point in the competition, the 5 minute rain and hail storm totally put me out of my stride. Fortunately, I lost my title to one of the nicest men in FT, Richard Beaugie. Rich walked off with 8-tins of Air Arms pellets, £50 and most importantly, his name on the trophy.

I also had the pleasure of shooting with one of the keenest new shooters I have seen come into FT. No youngster admittedly but John Turner is to say the least, a good sport and I am sure with some careful help and set up guidance, plus another scope that can range find, he will improve. His current scope was anything from 3 to 8 yards out on all ranges, it really is a shame that unwary shooters are often told all scopes can range find for FT; when in reality, they can’t! It’s a very small list that can- so another Blog feature next month perhaps?

More improvement

James Gooch also deserves a mention, as over the last 12 months, he has started to show good improvement from 30-50% average a year ago, to his current 60-75%. So, what has brought about the change? A combination of good guidance and advice really. OK, that has meant some change of kit, one poor optical quality Big Nikko to an average one and a very recent stock upgrade for his trusty Ostler EV2, but the combination of having a permanent FT course to practise on and the right advice is essential for most shooters to improve. Luckily, he has me to guide him; but luckily for me, I have him to help build the course!

2017 Oaktree 60 open results:

Rich Beaugie 46 ex 60
Simon Evans 43
Gadget 40
Paul Maher 40
Mark Shepard 38

Open class

Ken Portecary 40