Shooting Positions

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Tim Finley sitting position is always used on all FT shots other than the forced kneeling and standing shots. It is a very stable and comfortable shooting position which allows (&#$ !"#$ ('$ ;#$ #%(#5$ >+')$ (&#$ forward knee while the shooter

!" ,-./01.23./" 453./" -" scope FT RIFLE back HFT RIFLE front Field Target shooting or as it is more commonly known FT is the oldest outdoor target shooting air !"#$%&''(!)*$%+' (,$ Originating in the UK it has evolved over thirty some years from a sport which was very much like today’s Hunter Field Target -./01$ 2&#)$ !($ 3 %($ %(4 (#5,$ ./0$ is the younger brother of FT and

FT rear bag support

is actually more aligned to how FT started out. This began in the 1980’s with four power scopes

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and even open sights, now HFT has shooters using smaller 64*)!374(!')$ %7'+#%$ '8$ (#)$ times power or less. Nowadays 9:$ (!6#%$ 64*)!374(!')$ %7'+#%$ are what are needed in FT to be 4;<#$ ('$ 4)*#3)5$ (&#$ 5!%(4)7#$ to the targets. FT began with 64=!6>6$ ?:@A4 5$ <')*$ (4 *#(B%$ which moved out to 55 yards with the event of precharged +)#>64(!7$ +'2# #5$ !"#%$ 4)5$ <4 *# $ 4)5$ <4 *# $ 64*)!374(!')$ scopes. HFT has a maximum target range of 45 yards which also mirrors the longest range at quarry should be shot with a <#*4<$%#$ '8$ 4$ 8'46$ ;#45$ 3<<#5$ waterproof seat to sit upon and to place under the back foot when taking the forced positional kneeling shots found in FT courses. The now classic FT

!%$ '+# 4(!)*C45D>%(!)*$ (&#! $ &!*&$ 64*)!374(!')$%7'+#$('$ 4)*#3)5$ the distance to the target. The basic position is the same for most shooters, the forward hand cups the forward knee, with the !"#$ #%(!)*$ ')$ (&#$ 3 %($ 3)*# $ '8$ the forward hand as well as the

Classic FT sitting position in SFT

top of the knee, this takes all FT sitting shot NOTE the bean bag (&#$ 2#!*&($ '8$ (&#$ !"#E$ >)<#%%$ !($ !%$ 4$ %+ !)*$ !"#E$ ;>($ 6' #$ '8$ (&#$ peculiarities needed with #7'!($ 2!(&$ (&#$ 64D' $ KL@MM:$ /0$ !"#$ !%$ %#($ >+$ 5!88# #)7#$ (&4($ (&#$ %+ !)*$ !"#%$ FT kneeling shot biased slightly towards 8' #@%('7H$ !%$ )#I# E$ #I# $ standing, but is still usable for rested directly on the knee, but is sitting and kneeling, although cradled be the forward hand, not perfect. FT kneeling can be this hand is normally equipped as stable as the sitting position if with a padded target glove. FT you take the time to master it. The 4<<'2%$(&#$%&''(# $('$45D>%($(&#! $ 8 ')($ !"#$ %>++' (!)*$ &4)5$ 6>%($ ;>(($ &''H$ +'%!(!')$ ('$ (4H#$ >+@&!<<$ be clear knee, the rule being if ' $ 5'2)@&!<<$ (4 *#(%,$ J#$ !($ 8 '6$ you can drop your hand down the sitting standing or kneeling +'+><4 $ !)$ /0$ 4)5$ 4<<$ /0$ !"#%$ positions. A simple rule to based upon indoor target guns govern which way you move the have the ability to alter the butt butt hook is, if the target is higher position. There are no real tricks than horizontal then lift the to FT shooting positions other relative position of the hook on than being able to alter the butt the butt. If the target is lower, then hook, although it surprises me drop the butt hook. The greater greatly that not all FT shooters the angle up or down to the 47(>4<)#5$ ('$ 5D>%($(&#$+'%!(!')$'8$(&#$;>(($&''HE$ suit the three shooting stances, Anschutz type multi positional and it touches the knee, then sitting, kneeling and standing. buttpads/hooks are extremely the hand is not forward enough. Pull length of stock (butt to The deep FT stock must not be trigger), forend stock depth and cheek piece height should all be different for each shooting position. However, wooden stocks cannot be altered and to move the forend and pull length for each target even with a modern 10m style aluminium modular stock can take some time. The only practical option Foot on the peg prone is to move the butt hook/pad position up and down, it does resting upon the forearm either. help to stabilise the shooting The back foot must be vertical position. The FT stock and the bean bag can be placed dimensions are then a Free standing elbow on compromise between standing, hip

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under the shin/ankle of the rear foot to transfer the weight of the shooter to the ground. I also alter the position of the butt hook for kneeling, again moving it even more if the targets are not horizontal to the ground at the lane marker. The most stable standing position is to have the front elbow resting upon the front hip and the front hand drawn

HFT supported standing shot back to right in front of the trigger guard. FT shooters do not use the shotgun type lock arm stance for standing shots, unless forced to by extreme angled shots high in trees. With HFT there are two main s

HFT supported stander

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shooting techniques used in FT that are completely banned. One is the classic FT sitting position either on the ground, on a bean bag or on a turned foot when kneeling and other is the use of a supporting bean bag under the rear foot/ankle when kneeling. Also you are not allowed to alter any settings/positions of #N>!+6#)($')$#!(&# $A'> $ !"#$' $ scope once you start shooting. O&!7&$ 6#4)%$ )'$ 4)*#3)5!)*$ using the parallax, no 64*)!374(!')$ 7&4)*#%E$ )'$ elevation changes, no eye bell changes on the scope and no butt pad or stock depths 4<(# 4(!')%$')$(&#$ !"#,$P)$+<47#$'8$ the sitting shooting position the prone shot is the norm in HFT with some lanes having posts or pegs driven into the ground to act as both lane markers which must be touched by the shooter or (&#! $ !"#$ 4)5$ 4$ 7')I#)!#)($ %'%#$4%$4$ !"#$%>++' (,$ Q+$ ('$ 3I#$ '8$ (&#$ R:$ <4)#%$ )'2$ &4I#$ 4$ "4($ ('$ (&#$ * '>)5$ marker instead of a peg/post. This must be touched but provides no support to the shot. An important rule in HFT is that the trigger must not be forward of or 'I# $(&#$5#64 74(#5$3 !)*$*&$(&#$!)5#=$3)*# $74)$ be placed on top of the peg and the thumb held upright to form 4$7&4))#<$('$ #%($(&#$ !"#$8' #)5$ !),$ 0&#$ '(&# $ (& ##$ 3)*# %$ 2 4+$ around gripping the peg. The !"#$ 8' $ 4$ !*&($ &4)5#5$ %&''(# $ is down the left hand side of the peg. The variations on this are down to the length of the peg, its diameter and if you need to shoot down one side or the other of the peg to get a clear shot moving to the other side of the peg means you have to grip the peg with the (&>6;$ 4)5$ #%($ (&#$ !"#$ ')$ (&#$ !)5#=$3)*# ,$0&#$)#27#5$ "4($ <4)#$ 64 H# $ !%$ %'6#(&!)*$ P$ liked about HFT when I shot it in

Allowed in HFT

& !"6-7",0-,"8997":.00;3./ Sat on turned foot not allowed in FT or HFT

2004. Pegs soon took over on every lane, but in the 2008 season up to 5 “non peg” shots are on each 30 shot course. This type of shot relies upon the shooting skill of the shooter, rather than hanging on to a solid peg. Its this shooting position which I feel the use of a target glove is essential, as is good trigger control and breathing technique. Now for a good prone position trick, some course designers place pegs that do not have a clear sight on the target. These force the clever shooter to move off the peg to clear obstructions >+$' $5'2)$(&#$3 !)*$++' (#5$ ;A$ (&#$ gloved hand on the ground. Look for other competitors using this position as a clue as to the best way of taking on a target. I have even used this position left handed (I am normally right handed) the ambidextrous stock

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')$ 6A$ G(#A $ .>)(# $ KL@MM:$ allows me to do this. Practice these odd stances before you get to a national UKAHFT shoot. There are two supported and one unsupported standing/kneeling shots on a 30 shot course. These supported shots have a tree or a post as the means of support. The key to using a support is if the target placement and lane marker allows the shooter to get into a tripod stance. Both feet should be spread apart parallel to the targets faceplate with the third leg of the tripod ;#!)*$ !"#$ #%(!)*$ 2!(&$ 4$ target glove on the tree/post. S>%&!')!)*$ (&#$ !"#$ 4*4!)%($ (&#$ %' $ target glove is essential, making for a good hold as well as + '(#7(!)*$ A'> $ + #7!'>%$ !"#$ 4$ bit. If you stand in the normal unsupported standing position 2!(&$(&#$8##($!)$
effect happens. That is where the !"#$ 7')%(4)(++' ($ >)5# $ (&#$ ;47H$ foot/ankle. The rear foot cannot be turned and sat upon, but some shooters can place the ('+$'8$(&#$8''($"4($')$(&#$* '>)5$ without turning the foot, which is allowed in the rules. For those not supple enough to do this the bean bag can only be used under the knee to keep it clean or protected from stones/tree roots. Again the supporting hand must be clear of the knee as in FT, in the UKAHFT shoot rules it goes to describe that if the forward

HFT disc shot

%>++' (!)*$ !"#$ &4)5$ !%$ 5 '++#5$ and it touches the knee then the hand is not forward enough, targets will be marked as misses and you could be thrown off a

Supporting hand in FT and HFT

course for repeatedly breaking this rule. Often trees are placed near on are the lane markers for kneeling shots and it is good to take advantage of these stable platforms as long as it does not comprise your shooting position (''$6>7&E$2#!*&$>+$(&#$;#)#3(%$ of using or indeed not using any support. Often a clearer unrestricted view of the target can be taken off the tempting support, the use of such supports often induces sideways movement into the aim, and the lighthouse effect can happen in kneeling shots too if you are not careful. Angled shots high in trees in HFT happen in all three shooting positions. With prone you need to move as far up the peg as you can, if there is a peg. P)$%(4)5!)*$(&#$ !"#$74)$;#$ #%(!)*$ ')$(&#$3)*# (!+%$' $#I#)$45'+($4$ shotgun style lock are position, where the lead arms elbow is not touching the body as normal. Kneeling has the forward hand moving back towards the trigger making it a very lighthouse shot, 5'$ )'($ ( A$ ('$ 3*&($ (&#$ %2!)*$ (''$ 6>7&E$D>%($(!6#$(&#$( !**# $<#($'88$ with the crosshairs of the reticle passing the point you want to aim 4(,$ 0&#%#$ 4 #$ D>%($ 4$ 8#2$ '8$ (&#$ 64D' $ ( !7H%$ '8$ (&#$ ( 45#$ 2&#)$ !($ comes to HFT, the shooter needs much more of a technical thought + '7#%%$ !)$ D>5*!)*$ (&#$ ;#%($ shooting position than in FT. The body too needs to be more supple for some of the contorted shooting positions HFT competitors get into. I shoot both disciplines 4)5$ #)D'A$ ;'(&$ !66#)%#
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