What is Field Target Shooting?

Field Target Shooting is a safe and modern shooting sport suitable for people of a wide range of ages and physical abilities. It is normally conducted on farmland or woodland. Field target competitions are carried out under rules laid down by the British Field Target Association. A more recent development is the Hunter Field Target competition, regulated by the UK Association for Hunter Field Target, which aim to more realistically test the shooting skills involved in hunting. Of course you don't need to be interested in hunting to participate in Field Target or Hunter Field Target events.

Field Target Shooters Commonly Fire From a Sitting Position. The Targets Can be Seen Near the Top of the Picture.

Air rifles with a power output not exceeding 12 ft-lbs are used in field target shooting. These may be purchased and used without a licence by law-abiding adults in mainland Britain. Two types of air rifle are commonly used in FT and HFT competitions. One is the pre-charged pneumatic (PCP), which is recoilless, and are charged with air from a diver's bottle sufficient for a number of shots before use. The other is the spring-piston rifle in which the barrel or a separate lever is pulled to cock a spring which then compresses air to propel the pellet by means of a piston. PCP rifles are generally more accurate and easier to use. Spring-piston rifles are more affordable, and provide a cost-effective entry into shooting. Telescopic sights are normally fitted to field target shooting to assist accurate shooting.

Spring-Piston Air Rifle

Pre-charged Pneumatic Air Rifle

Field Target and Hunter Field Target events use metal silhouette knock-down targets in the shape of common airgun hunting quarry such as crows, magpies and rats. Each target has a 15-45mm wide circular "kill zone" in the middle, which, when hit, causes the entire target to fall, scoring a point for the shooter in FT. In HFT one point is scored for hitting the metal target plate, and two for a knockdown. The target is then reset by pulling a long string attached to it.

Knockdown Target. Hit the White 'Kill Zone' to Knock the Target Down and Score a Point.

The targets are positioned at distances from as little as 5 yards up to 55 yards. Airgun pellets follow a curved trajectory as they leave the gun's muzzle, which means that it is necessary for the shooter to estimate the target's range and aim the rifle directly at, above, or below the target depending on its range in order to hit it. If there is a significant amount of wind blowing across the shooting course the shooter must also aim left or right to compensate. Some targets may be located up trees or other structures, or be positioned uphill or downhill from the shooter. A Field Target competition course consists of 40 knock-down targets, arranged in 20 lanes of 2 targets each. It is usual to shoot from a sitting position, although some competition targets can only be engaged from a kneeling or standing position in order to add to the fun and challenge of competition. A Hunter Field Target course comprises 30 knock-down targets at ranges of up to 45 yards, which may be shot from standing, kneeling or prone positions.

These factors all add up to make Field Target and Hunter Field Target shooting fascinating and challenging hobbies, particularly when shooting at longer ranges. While the further away targets are more of a challenge, the newcomer or less experienced shooter can can get going quickly on the closer range targets and start to enjoy the satisfaction of being able to shoot accurately and enjoy hitting the target regularly.

Westfield ARC holds regular Field Target and Hunter Field Target competitions.