- Last edited by a moderator:
- Replies: 11
Last edited by a moderator:
So here’s the 2023 FLFT Grand Prix match results!
The third annual FLFT (Finger Lakes Field Target) match was held over the weekend of July 15-16, 2023. A high-quality field of 35 competitors participated and there was some great shooting taking place!
Day One of the match was held in the windy “open field” course (above). While – for Day Two – the challenging “woods course” was the venue. In the woods, it’s tough to actually see many of the targets – let alone hit them!!!
Top scorer – with 112 – and WFTF PCP class winner was Paul Cray. That’s Paul behind his Thomas air rifle and March scope in typical pose, below.
Paul’s an Irish ex-pat and very proud of his origins. Hence the orange, white(-ish) and green color scheme of his rig matches the colors of the Irish flag. Great shooting, Paul!
The next highest score was Bill Rabbitt’s 109. Bill – that’s him below – won the Hunter PCP class. Again with a Thomas, although this time paired with a Nightforce scope…
The highest piston score was achieved by Leo Gonzalez with 95. Leo also won the WFTF Piston category with his Walther LGU. That’s Leo in action in the woods, below.
The Hunter Piston winner was HAM Field Target Editor Greg Shirhall. Greg scored 85, also shooting a Walther LGU.
It’s interesting to see that – in both PCP and piston categories – the highest scorers in this FLFT Grand Prix match were competing under WFTF rules. In other words that their air rifles have a maximum Muzzle Energy of just 12 Ft/Lbs. That makes their achievements even more remarkable!
Also shooting strongly in WFTF PCP class was Pyramyd Air’s Product Manager Tyler Patner (below). he was also shooting a Thomas. Hmmm, looks like there’s some type of pattern here…
Being so close to the Crosman/Benjamin headquarters, the FLFT always has a good number of shooters from the company. They participate for fun in their own time, I should add!
This year’s Benjamin Team included Shawn Pragle (that was his back in our cover photograph, above!). Also shooting was designer John Solpietro – yes he’s the guy behind recent Crosman and Benjamin airguns.
John (below) was shooting a “Frankengun”. What looks at first glance like a standard Marauder was actually composed of the “top half” (breech and barrel) from a Crosman Challenger, combined with the internals of a Benjamin Marauder but housed in the tube from a Semi-Automatic Marauder (for increased air capacity).
John built the gun himself, of course!
The third Benjamin/Crosman shooter was Daryl VanWhy (below). Daryl was shooting his own Marauder and was justifiably happy with his score of 91 with an unregulated gun. Great shooting Daryl!
The Benjamin Team were all shooting a new type of secret Benjamin 10.5 Grain pellet. Oops, I don’t think I was meant to say that…
Last – but not least – we should thank Eric Brewer for running the FLFT Grand Prix match. Eric is also the HAM specialist piston air rifle tester and a HAM Community Moderator. He even found time to shoot, as well as being Match Director.
Thanks Eric!
We’ll see you all next year for the 2024 FLFT….
The post 2023 FLFT Grand Prix Match Results appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.
. Now I’m 2 hours away from that one as well as Lebanon PA. 
. I’d have to detune my Dreamline .22, I really want a .177 for it though.
