Field target shooters
Tom Jackson
On Jan. 3 the Quail Creek Air Gun Club held its first Hunter Field Competition of the year.
What is a Hunter Field Competition? We have graduated from the Red Ryder BB guns that were common in most families. Instead of a BB, most shooters use .177 caliber lead or eco-friendly pellets. The pellet basically has the shape of a badminton shuttlecock. Soft pellets flatten and fall. Participants shoot in classes. There is a springer class (similar to the Red Ryder) and another class for shooters using a compressed air gun. That class has subclasses due to what upgrades have been made to the gun. As in all hobbies, the upgrades can be never-ending. Why have a putter when you can afford a Scotty Cameron putter?
We are allowed to use maximum 16 power telescopic sights. The 10-meter targets have a 1/2-inch diameter bullseye that you have to hit to knock the target over. The 55-meter target has a 1-1/2-inch bullseye that has to be hit to knock that target over. One shot, one knocked-over target equals one point, and our matches have a perfect score of 48. So, you may ask, what is so hard about that? Like real hunting, you find a rest. Ours are a pair of crossed walking sticks and a bucket to set on. Quail Creek holds their matches at our range in the area near the Quonset huts.
We had a terrific day for the competition. We also had new members who showed up to gain some insight into the club and equipment.
VT shot a 48 out of 48. He took first place, gold medal, and the clean sweep medal for the perfect score. JA 47, Silver, BD 45, Bronze. The rest of the competitors scored well, with Bron Greenwood (43), LF (41), and Tom Jackson (37).
Come on down to watch, or join in the next competition.