Field Target
Field Target is a safe and modern shooting sport suitable for people of a wide range of ages and physical abilities.  Field target competitions are carried out under rules laid down by the British Field Target Association.

Air rifles with a power output not exceeding 12 ft-lbs are used in field target shooting. These may be purchased and owned without a licence by over-18's who do not have significant criminal convictions in mainland Britain. Field Target is equally open to under 18's who may use but not own air rifles, and to under 14's who may only possess or use air rifles under adult supervision. Air guns are tegally classed as firearms, and the appropriate firearms laws must be observed.

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. The other is the recoiling spring-piston rifle in which the barrel or lever is pulled to cock a spring which then compresses air to propel the pellet by means of a piston. PCP rifles are more accurate and easier to use, however they are more expensive. .177 calibre is preferred for target shooting due as the pellets have a flatter trajectory than .those used in 22 air rifles. Telescopic sights (scopes) are always used in Field Target shooting. Before purchasing a rifle it is well worth visiting a club, where there is the opportunity to try a variety of guns under supervision. Many clubs also have rifles available specifically for visitors to use. While top-end competitors tend to use expensive rifles, it is possible to get started in FT or HFT with a much more basic and affordable rifle.

Field target competitions are held outdoors, making use of the varied terrain of farmland and woodland with targets positioned out in the open, uphill, downhill or in trees. so as to form varied and challenging shooting courses. Metal knock-down targets, of various shapes are used. The target has a circular "kill zone" between 25mm and 45mm in the centre. When a pellet hits the kill zone, the entire target falls down and a point is scored. The target is then reset from the firing point by pulling an attached string. A field target course consists of 40 knock-down targets, positioned at ranges of between 8 and 55 yards. (Grand Prix shoots use 50 targets). These are grouped into 20 lanes of two targets each. Most can be shot from a sitting position, however a few lanes must be shot standing or kneeling to add variety and challenge to the shoot. The close-in targets are relatively easy to hit, hitting these targets gives the new shooter a sense of achievement and confidence. The distant targets, however are much more challenging. To successfully hit them the shooter must accurately assess the target's range and aim an appropriate distance above the target, due to the fact the the airgun pellet follows a curved trajectory. This, along with the need to allow for the effect of wind on the pellet, and the need to master sitting, kneeling, standing and prone positions makes Field Target shooting a fascinating and challenging hobby.

Field Target is also a very sociable hobby, indeed half the fun of visiting a club or entering an FT shoot lies in enjoying a shared interest with like-mined shooting enthusiasts.

Field Target competitions have a series of classes, each with their own prizes. These allow shooters to compete against others of similar ability, and put the potential to win a prize within reach of all.

• Class A for the most skilled shooters
• Class B for shooters of medium ability
• Class C for entry-level shooters
• Sporting Field Target class
• Junior class

Hunter Field Target
Hunter field target (HFT) is a target shooting sport derived from the air gun disciplines of field target shooting and hunting. Primarily an outdoor sport, shot with UK legal air rifles (rated at a maximum of 12 ft·lbf), a typical HFT course is made up of 30 lanes, with each lane comprising of a peg and a metal "knock down" target placed in a position to simulate a hunting scenario. The peg marks the shooting spot and the shooter must touch the peg with part of his or her body or gun for the shot to count. The targets are mainly based on typical UK-based quarry such as rabbit, rat, crow, magpie and grey squirrel. They are made from metal and mimic their counterparts in both shape and size. Each target has a circular "kill zone" that varies in size, (typically 15-45 mm in diameter), and are set out at varying ranges (typically 8-45 yards/7.3-41.1 m). A direct hit to the "kill zone" triggers a mechanism that makes the target fall back flat, simulating a "kill". Successfully "killing" a target rewards you with two points and the target is reset by pulling the "reset cord". "Plating" a target (hitting the target anywhere but the "kill zone") rewards you with one point. Missing the target altogether results in a zero.

The main skill in HFT is the ability to assess the range of the target as accurately as possible. Ranging is either done using the traditional method of "visualising" the number of yards separating you from the target or, more scientifically by using a telescopic sight fitted with a "mil-dot" reticule but also a 30/30 reticle. There is no dailing in for range finding, this is the domain of the normal Field Target discipline. When shooting, contestants may adopt one of three stances: prone (laying down), kneeling, and standing.

Sometimes contestants will be forced to adopt a certain stance, for instance a lane that has "STANDING ONLY" sign must be shot in the standing position. If the shooter fails to follow this rule, the score for the target will be marked as a zero, even if it was "killed"

A typical HFT rifle set-up consists of an air rifle fitted with a telescopic sight.. The rifle can vary from the very basic break-barrel spring-powered rifle to the most advanced electronic recoil-less pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifle. The most popular calibre for HFT is .177 because of its flat trajectory and telescopic sights capable of x10 magnification are favored. HFT does not discriminate to what rifle or scope is used, A rifle could be a Chinese spring or pneamatic rifle with Chinese optics or the very latest Field Target rifle with the most expensive scope. A typical HFT rifle set-up consists of an air rifle fitted with a telescopic sight. The rifle can vary from the very basic break-barrel spring-powered rifle to the most advanced electronic recoil-less pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifle. The most popular calibre for HFT is .177 because of its flat trajectory and telescopic sights capable of x10 magnification are favored. HFT does not discriminate to what rifle or scope is used, A rifle could be an affordable Chinese spring or pneamatic rifle with Chinese optics or the very latest Field Target rifle with the most expensive scope.

Participants of HFT are separated by class, and it is primarily the equipment used that will affect the class shooters enter:

• Open Any shooter. Primarily contains shooters using pre-charged pneumatic rifles in .177 or .20 calibre
• Junior Shooters aged between 9 and 16 (2 classes 9 to 13 & 14 to 16)
• Recoiling Spring-powered or gas-ram air rifles (any calibre)
• 22 Any rifle in .22 or .25 calibre

The competition side of HFT has a controlling body in the form of the United Kingdom Association for Hunter Field Target] (UKAHFT). The UKAHFT series that has run every year since 2003 currently consists of nine rounds held at different venues around the United Kingdom. Each round attracts around 200 shooters from all over the country, with varying abilities and equipment. When a club hosts a UKAHFT round, it must adhere to various strict rules controlling the format of the course.

The main rules for a UKAHFT round are: Target "kill zones" must be 15 mm to 45 mm in diameter. Targets must not be places closer than 8 yards (7 m) or further than 45 yards (41 m). 15 mm targets must be set at a range of between 13 and 25 yards (23 m). 20 mm targets must be set at a range of between 8 and 30 yards (30 m). 25 mm targets must be set at a range of between 8 and 35 yards (32 m). Rules may change from time to time and are also available on the UKAHFT website. The site has a clubfinder that will highlight the UKAHFT affiliated Airgun Clubs in your area, these are clubs that adhere to the UKAHFT rules.