Extreme Field Target Extreme Field Target Rules, Explanation And Experiences

[hameditor]

Back in this thread - Wasatch Airguns preparing for the EFT in August - HAM Moderator Lee Unsworth asked for a description of EFT rules.

Somehow his request was missed, so perhaps we can help him here?

My instinct was to look at the EFT rules in the Extreme Benchrest page Extreme Field Target Rules - Extreme Benchrest

But is there a better explanation for those who are not familiar?

Perhaps HAM members can also chime-in to explain to Lee how they feel about competing in EFT? What exactly makes it such a fun competition? (Remember Lee's based in the UK and so used to the sub-12 Ft/Lb limit that exists there). I'm sure we will have his mouth watering...

Thanks

 

[Lee unsworth]

Thanks very much Stephen I’m always interested to learn all areas of our sport . Hi power - big bore - or our 16j max pea shooters the rules and regulations in the USA and many other countries are so much more relaxed and also supported and encouraged. I really do wish the uk would be more relaxed to allow so many more people to enjoy our sport

 

[Centercut]

100 FPE limit. Up to .30 caliber. Pellets only. 20 to 100 yards. Shot mostly bucket and sticks. Forced lanes(s), (if used - not required) are standing with bipod. Scope mag limited to 32x. Simple rules, lots of fun.

And what makes it fun is that you can use, and be competitive, with the gun you take hunting for small game. There aren't all kinds of rules to remember, no silly ranging with scope focus, distances that you'd normally shoot when hunting ground squirrels or rabbits, and more. There's a REAL time crunch to get your shots off, which hunters know is important, since the game isn't going to sit there and wait for the wind to die down or you to figure out how to dial or hold over for distance. Distances are pre-marked, but you can still use a laser rangefinder to confirm.
Calibers from .22 to .30 have won, so you don't need a specific caliber to be competitive.
And let's face it, it's just plain fun to see a target at 100Y with a 2.5-inch KZ fall at 100 yards in a 10-mph cross wind...

 

[Lee unsworth]

I really must take a trip and experience this sport of high power sounds so much fun

 

[hameditor]

100 FPE limit. Up to .30 caliber. Pellets only. 20 to 100 yards. Shot mostly bucket and sticks. Forced lanes(s), (if used - not required) are standing with bipod. Scope mag limited to 32x. Simple rules, lots of fun.

And what makes it fun is that you can use, and be competitive, with the gun you take hunting for small game. There aren't all kinds of rules to remember, no silly ranging with scope focus, distances that you'd normally shoot when hunting ground squirrels or rabbits, and more. There's a REAL time crunch to get your shots off, which hunters know is important, since the game isn't going to sit there and wait for the wind to die down or you to figure out how to dial or hold over for distance. Distances are pre-marked, but you can still use a laser rangefinder to confirm.
Calibers from .22 to .30 have won, so you don't need a specific caliber to be competitive.
And let's face it, it's just plain fun to see a target at 100Y with a 2.5-inch KZ fall at 100 yards in a 10-mph cross wind...

Mike, thanks, that's great! I have to say I find the "simple rules, lots of fun" formula very attractive myself

 

[Solo1]

I shoot every month at Broome County Sportsman near Binghampton Ny. This month we are shooting regular 20 fpe field target for the first match and we’re having a second 40 target high power match. Its being called high power because we’ve made our own targets and are playing by our rules. The targets are based on regular ft targets with heavier paddles and faceplates. We shoot up to 30 cal 80 fpe from a known distance of 25-100 yards. This will be the second match we’re having like this so we’re still learning a bit but it sure is fun!!!
Oh the 12th this sat is the match we start early match about 9 practice 8 for anyone that wants to come out.

 

[0akhonor]

I got to say, this is probably one of the most exciting new versions to our sport out there. We have a huge community of Air gunners in Northern California, but it would be much broader if we could be inclusive to more rifles/pistols. Along those lines, Diablo Rod and Gun added full power air gun silhouettes to our regular monthly 20 ft lb and below silhouettes matches.
Full power field target is on the menu- purchasing the correct targets is the only hinderance.

 

[isledweller]

The cost was a big factor for us too. We ended up using old targets and replaced the face plate with thicker ones. We then replaced the linkage with a modified one and welded on some AR gongs to the paddles.....viola! Tomorrow will be the second match on them and hopefully they will work as well as they did the first match. As time and money allows, we will replace them with other ones.....but if they keep performing, maybe not !

 

[0akhonor]

Thank you for that insight - the larger kz makes beefing up and reusing the current targets not an option- unless we change the whole faceplate like you just shared. Brilliant!

 

[Solo1]

Here’s a pick of 1 i made as listed in this thread

Field Target - Making hp field targets

Well i really got the bug to shoot high power field target, love shooting field target can think of nothing better to do on a nice day with friends!! So i have some targets for 20 fpe, bought a 2’x2’ x1/4” piece of plate and marked out some targets and round discs to weld on the paddles Got...

community.hardairmagazine.com

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

Although I'm completely terrible at it, this event is really fun. The time crunch killed me a few times but I agree with Mike, nothing like seeing a small kill zone go down at 100 in the wind.

 

[CTAirgunner]

100 FPE limit. Up to .30 caliber. Pellets only. 20 to 100 yards. Shot mostly bucket and sticks. Forced lanes(s), (if used - not required) are standing with bipod. Scope mag limited to 32x. Simple rules, lots of fun.

And what makes it fun is that you can use, and be competitive, with the gun you take hunting for small game. There aren't all kinds of rules to remember, no silly ranging with scope focus, distances that you'd normally shoot when hunting ground squirrels or rabbits, and more. There's a REAL time crunch to get your shots off, which hunters know is important, since the game isn't going to sit there and wait for the wind to die down or you to figure out how to dial or hold over for distance. Distances are pre-marked, but you can still use a laser rangefinder to confirm.
Calibers from .22 to .30 have won, so you don't need a specific caliber to be competitive.
And let's face it, it's just plain fun to see a target at 100Y with a 2.5-inch KZ fall at 100 yards in a 10-mph cross wind...

I would love to participate in something like this, we have a FT group here but its the regular FT , the EFT seems more my style. Up here in the Northeast we are not so lucky to have lots of competitions and whatnot.

 

[hameditor]

I believe that one issue in the North East is that there's a relatively limited number of ranges that can accommodate an EFT course, including 100 yard shots. But I would welcome input on that from Match Directors.

 

[CTAirgunner]

I believe that one issue in the North East is that there's a relatively limited number of ranges that can accommodate an EFT course, including 100 yard shots. But I would welcome input on that from Match Directors.

This may be so, theres a field across the street from me thats used for nothing, 160 yards and then if you go over the briar looking out to 221 yards... if I had access to it Id think about hosting something, however I do not. There are plenty of places but I think you may be right, as far as actual rifle ranges go.

I wish I had the connections to make something happen.

 

[wolfmangreg]

I believe that one issue in the North East is that there's a relatively limited number of ranges that can accommodate an EFT course, including 100 yard shots. But I would welcome input on that from Match Directors.

This is what has tempered my expectations for EFT (or is it XFT???) in this region, or east of the Mississippi in general. Lots of land that could support a 100 yard course, but very little owned by people or clubs that would be willing to host such an event. Especially when they calculate the cost of 20 or more suitable targets.
Still optimistic that opportunities will sprout, but skeptical that it will see the kind of growth it's enjoyed in the western US. Hope I'm all kinds of wrong, would be happy to eat that crow.

 

[CTAirgunner]

This is what has tempered my expectations for EFT (or is it XFT???) in this region, or east of the Mississippi in general. Lots of land that could support a 100 yard course, but very little owned by people or clubs that would be willing to host such an event. Especially when they calculate the cost of 20 or more suitable targets.
Still optimistic that opportunities will sprout, but skeptical that it will see the kind of growth it's enjoyed in the western US. Hope I'm all kinds of wrong, would be happy to eat that crow.

I would gladly buy the targets!!! thats the thing, I guess just need to find enough people, get together, and see if we can make something happen?

 

[wolfmangreg]

There's a REAL time crunch to get your shots off, which hunters know is important, since the game isn't going to sit there and wait for the wind to die down or you to figure out how to dial or hold over for distance. Distances are pre-marked, but you can still use a laser rangefinder to confirm.
Calibers from .22 to .30 have won, so you don't need a specific caliber to be

Couple questions on that subject...

When does the clock start, is it when the shooter takes his/her seat?

Can double checking the distance with your rangefinder be done prior to the clock starting?

The event I went to last weekend was very low key, only two of us shooting & only one target per lane- but tried to approach each as if I didn't have time to dawdle.

 

[Centercut]

Couple questions on that subject...

When does the clock start, is it when the shooter takes his/her seat?

Can double checking the distance with your rangefinder be done prior to the clock starting?

The event I went to last weekend was very low key, only two of us shooting & only one target per lane- but tried to approach each as if I didn't have time to dawdle.

This one is different with each MD. I personally would start the clock before the shooter steps into the box. Some MDs start it when the shooter sits, others when the shooter looks through the scope after he sits.

We use a 1-minute setup, plus 30 seconds per shot as is the practice at the EBR EFT event. So, if you have two targets and two shots per target in a lane, it would be (30 sec x 4) + 60 sec = 180 sec or 3 minutes. For EBR with 8 shots per stage, its five minutes.

Yes, you can check the distances with a Laser Rangefinder anytime...

EBR is more regimented in that they have announcements and music between the stages. So, when your time is up, you must go to the next stage and get ready, which includes sitting down and checking your gun, etc. before the timer starts. It also includes filling magazines and filling your gun if you need air. I think there are two or three minutes between stages. If you're used to regular FT and just taking your good ole time, you'll be rudely surprised at EBR EFT. The "time crunch" is an important part of the challenge!

 

[wolfmangreg]

Appreciate the detailed explanation Mike.

Not that my stamp of approval is required, but that time limit seems just about right- can't be ignored so adds some pressure, without turning it into a race.

 

[isledweller]

Thank you for that insight - the larger kz makes beefing up and reusing the current targets not an option- unless we change the whole faceplate like you just shared. Brilliant!

Just put together 2 more targets with faceplates donated by one of our competitors! Got 5 more to go and Greatly Appreciate the donation!!