Southampton Buccaneers Field Target Club

The Buccaneers are affiliated to the BFTA and are first and foremost a FT club, however, the similarities and skills between the two variations are very similar.  Although we don't compete within HFT, we see it and FT as variations of one sport and everyone is welcome.  Over the past few years, HFT has become increasingly popular, and highly competitive, due to it's accessibility and the ability to shoot what you've got at a fairly competitive level without the need to spend additional money on specialist parts and equipment.  This can be an ideal introduction to competition and it's not uncommon for events to be massively over subscribed with 200+ competitors waiting on the start line.  In fact there's now a need to pre-book your entry as just turning up on the day will not get you a start number such is the formats popularity.  HFT is in many ways similar to FT as they both have the same origins (HFT is very similar to the original FT format), but there are some significant differences between the two.  Here's a brief outline of the major differences between FT and HFT.  Full rules and additional information including competition dates and booking forms is posted on the UKAHFT website.

Distances

HFT targets may be placed between 8 and 45 yards.

Scoring method

In HFT you score 1 point for hitting the face plate and 2 for hitting the kill which results in the target falling flat.  A complete miss is scored as 0.  There are typically 30 targets, giving a maximum score of 60.  The targets are the nockover variety also used in FT.  Usually there are 2 targets per peg and a 2 minutes time limit as in FT.

Shooting positions

HFT does not permit the use of a bean bag, and the sitting position used in FT is also prohibited.  Many of the shots are taken prone (lying down flat) with some enforced kneeling and standing shots as it's permitted for the course designer to partially obscure targets or to place then in a position that forces a standing or kneeling position to be used.  To add to the difficultly each lane has a peg which you must be touching (any part of your body) when you take the shot.  You can also use features of the course to assist your shooting, for example you could use trees to help steady your aim on standing shots, or fallen logs (or even the peg) to rest your gun on when prone.  Bipods are not permitted though.

Range finding

Range finding using parallax adjustment on your scope or other equipment (such as laser range finders) is not permitted in HFT, although a good estimate can be made by 'framing' or by judging distance by the sharpness of the scope picture, both techniques being permitted within HFT rules.  With practice you can judge to within a few yards the actual distance of the target and adjust your aim point to take into account the arc of trajectory.  With the furthest targets being 'only' 45 yards away, range finding is not as critical as it is in FT.  You are not permitted to 'dial' the distance though so scopes with mildot or ballistic reticules are by far the most popular.

The majority of other aspects are per FT rules.

Equipment

This gives a brief overview of the equipment you'll need for HFT.

Rifle

There are some restrictions on the type of rifle that can be used, but they tend to apply to the stock rather than the action.  The stock must be of a 1 piece construction which prevents palm shelves (or 'hamsters') and butt hooks being used.  Custom stocks are permitted under the current rules.  Also banned are 'windicators' and spirit levels although these can be taped up if fitted to prevent their use during competition.  Although .22 can be used, typically 0.177 is preferred as the 'girlie' calibre gives a flatter trajectory making range finding less critical.  All rifles must produce less than 12fpe and almost any pre-charged (PCP) or spring/gas ram air rifle can be used, if you can shoot it accurately it'll probably do the job.  As in FT, magazines may not be fitted between lanes so a single shot capability is more useful than a magazine system during competition.  The reduced ranges that are shot in HFT makes any inherent inaccuracy in the rifle less apparent than in FT, and as a result you see a far greater variety of equipment being used in HFT.

Scopes

Once you commence shooting, you are not permitted to adjust your scope in any way for the duration of the competition.  The focus and magnification must be set the same for all shots, regardless of distance which results in many targets being shot out of focus.  Whilst this sounds awkward, you can approximate the range by the sharpness of the scope picture.  Most competitors use a magnification of around 10X which gives sufficient magnification to aim at the full distance targets combined with enough depth of field to allow you to see with some clarity both the closest and furthest targets whilst ensuring that not everything is in sharp focus.  Focus is often set at about 30-35 yards so that at 40 yards the image is slightly out of focus and at 45 it is noticeably out of focus.  This gives an indication of distance and allows you to alter your point of aim for the longer distances.  Almost any scope will do the job and a typical air rifle scope with 3-9 or 4-12 zoom with an objective lens of about 44mm would suffice, but higher quality optics will give you an edge, especially in low light conditions.  Unlike FT, there is absolutely no need for any higher magnification as you are not permitted to range targets, in fact anything much over 12x would put you at a disadvantage.  Because you're not permitted to 'dial' distances, mildot reticules are by far the most popular giving multiple aim points to compensate for pellet drop although you could use a 30/30 or duplex if that's what you've got. 

Pellets

The same requirement as in FT, domed headed being the choice of the majority.  Avoid pointed or hollow headed hunting pellets as the properties that make them attractive for hunting are counter productive in competition.  We've found that without exception hunting pellets trade stability and long range accuracy for penetrating power or the ability to deform to a greater extent on impact.  If you're looking for points, accuracy and consistency is what you need.

Other equipment

Nothing else is required for HFT.  You can use a FT style bean bag to rest your gun on or sit on whilst waiting for your turn at the line (it can get very muddy at a competition) but the rules prevent you from using it to assist you shoot the course.  Apart from a pellet pouch, the usual maintenance equipment and a supply of compressed air for PCP rifles there's little else to contemplate.  As you are taking many shots prone, waterproof clothing is a must as you may find yourself wallowing in a mud bath.

HFT is intended to closely emulate hunting and the equipment used whilst high quality, is more general purpose than in FT.  One of the key objectives is to allow anyone to turn up with what they've got and enjoy competing on a level playing field where ability is the differentiator.  The air rifles and especially the scopes used in FT are generally more specialised although not necessarily more expensive.  Indeed because of the more restrictive HFT rules, many top HFT shooters have equipment of considerable value, often more costly than a full FT set up to overcome these restrictions.  Custom stocks, top of the range rifles and very high quality scopes are not uncommon, however, the combination of scoring method and shorter distances means that even a novice is capable of having fun and obtaining a competitive score without spending a fortune.  Invariably those at the top of this sport have spent money on top equipment because they can, not because they need to, and would probably get a similar score with equipment of half the cost.  In FT, spending money on the equipment and in particular the scope does pay off assuming of course that you have the skill to utilise it.  Ability will always triumph over expensive kit!

To find out more about HFT, visit the UKAHFT (the governing body for HFT in the UK) website for more information and full rules.

Send mail to Robert at webmaster@sbftc.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 08-Oct-2007 09:30