Field Target Shooting

Outdoor air rifle hunting simulation

Not Offered at Pinhoe TSC

Pinhoe TSC specializes in indoor target shooting. We do not have outdoor field target courses. This page provides educational information about field target shooting in the UK.

For field target in Devon/Southwest, contact the British Field Target Association (BFTA) to find clubs and courses.

What is Field Target?

Field Target (FT) is an outdoor air rifle discipline that simulates hunting scenarios. Shooters engage steel animal-shaped targets at varying distances (8-50 metres) from different shooting positions - prone, kneeling, standing, and seated. When hit in the “kill zone,” targets fall backwards, providing immediate feedback. It combines marksmanship, range estimation, and fieldcraft.

Field target outdoor course with knock-down targets

How Field Target Works

The Basics

Location: Outdoor courses set in woodland or fields
Distances: 8 to 50 metres (targets at unknown distances)
Targets: Steel animal silhouettes with “kill zones” (15mm-45mm diameter)
Positions: Prone, kneeling, standing, sitting (off sticks or improvised supports)
Scoring: Hit kill zone = knock down = 1 point. Miss or hit body = 0 points
Course: Typically 30-40 targets per competition
Equipment: Air rifles under 12 ft/lbs (no certificate needed)
Range-finding: Allowed using parallax adjustment on scope

Main Formats

Field Target (FT)

Standard format. Any position allowed (prone, kneeling, standing, sitting). Parallax wheel range-finding permitted. Adjustable scopes allowed. Most popular format in UK.

Rifle power: Sub-12 ft/lbs (no certificate) or FAC power (with certificate)
Scope: High magnification with parallax adjustment wheel
Positions: Choose best position for each target

Hunter Field Target (HFT)

More challenging variant. No adjustable parallax scopes - forces range estimation skills. More realistic “hunting” simulation.

Scope rules: No parallax adjustment (fixed parallax scopes only)
Range estimation: Must estimate by eye or mil-dot ranging
Positions: Usually standing or kneeling required

Other Variants

Vintage Field Target: Using pre-1980s air rifles. Nostalgic discipline with simpler equipment.
Pistol Field Target: Air pistols instead of rifles. Shorter distances (up to 25m). Very challenging.
Air Rifle Silhouette: Standing offhand shooting at metal animal shapes. Different scoring but similar concept.

Skills Required

Marksmanship Skills

Position building: Stable shooting from various positions
Trigger control: Smooth release in field conditions
Hold control: Steadiness in outdoor environment
Breath control: Timing shots properly
Follow-through: Maintaining aim after shot

Fieldcraft Skills

Range estimation: Judging distance accurately
Wind reading: Assessing and compensating for wind
Target spotting: Finding camouflaged targets
Position selection: Choosing best stance for each shot
Course management: Pacing and strategy over full course

Equipment Guide

Air Rifles

Field target rifles are specialised for accuracy and consistency:

Entry Level (£400-£800)

Air Arms S410, Weihrauch HW100, Daystate Huntsman
Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) recommended over spring
Good accuracy potential for learning discipline

Intermediate (£800-£1,500)

Daystate Air Ranger, Air Arms EV2, Steyr LG110 FT
Better consistency, improved triggers, more adjustability
Competitive at regional/national level

Competition Level (£1,500-£3,000+)

Daystate Red Wolf, Thomas FT, Air Arms Ultimate Sporter
Electronic regulation, match-grade barrels, custom stocks
Top-level competitive capability

Scopes & Optics

Magnification: 10-50x variable typical (16x minimum for FT)
Parallax wheel: Side-focus parallax for range-finding (FT only)
Reticle: Mil-dot or specialised FT reticles
Quality: Good glass essential for low-light woodland shooting
Cost: £200-£1,500+ (scope often costs as much as rifle)

Accessories

Shooting sticks: Two-piece adjustable sticks for seated shots (£30-£150)
Scope wheel labels: Range markings on parallax wheel
Pellets: Match pellets tested for accuracy (£10-£18 per tin)
Hamster/kneeling pad: Cushion for kneeling position (£15-£40)
Weather gear: Waterproofs for outdoor shooting
Chronograph: Test pellet velocity consistency (£100-£300)

No Certificate Needed (Usually)

Air rifles under 12 ft/lbs do not require a firearms certificate in England & Wales. This makes field target very accessible. Scotland requires Air Weapon Certificate for all air rifles. Some shooters use FAC-rated rifles (over 12 ft/lbs) which require Section 1 certificate.

Range-Finding Techniques

Parallax Method (FT)

Field Target allows parallax range-finding using adjustable scopes:

Focus on target: Adjust parallax wheel until target is crystal clear
Read distance: Wheel position indicates distance (with calibration)
Dial elevation: Use scope turrets or holdover for calculated drop
Shoot: Take shot with confidence in range estimate

Mil-Dot Bracketing (HFT)

Without parallax adjustment, must estimate range using reticle:

Know target kill-zone sizes (15mm, 25mm, 40mm, 45mm)
Measure kill zone in mil-dots through reticle
Calculate distance using formula: Distance = (Kill zone size ÷ Mils) × 1000
Dial or holdover for calculated distance

UK Competition Structure

Club Level

Monthly club shoots on local courses. Typically 30 targets. Friendly atmosphere, ideal for learning. Entry £10-£20 including course access.

Regional Championships

BFTA regional Grand Prix events. Travel to different venues across region. 40+ targets. Graded classes (C, B, A, AA). Entry £20-£30.

British Championships

BFTA National Championships (usually June). Weekend event with multiple courses. Best field target shooters in UK compete. Entry £30-£50 plus accommodation.

World Championships

WFTF World Field Target Championships (biennial). GB team selection via nationals. Held in various countries. Represents pinnacle of international field target.

Why Try Field Target?

Outdoor Sport

Shoot in beautiful woodland and countryside settings. Connection with nature.

Immediate Feedback

Target falls when hit correctly. No waiting for scores - instant gratification.

Complete Challenge

Combines marksmanship, range estimation, position work, wind reading.

Social & Friendly

Welcoming community. Help each other find targets and read wind.

Accessible Equipment

No firearms certificate needed for sub-12 ft/lbs rifles in England/Wales.

Year-Round

Shoot outdoors in all seasons. Embrace weather as part of the challenge.

Getting Started

Steps to Start Field Target

Find a club: Use BFTA club finder to locate clubs in your area
Attend a shoot: Most clubs welcome beginners. Watch, learn, ask questions
Try club equipment: Many clubs have rifles to try before you invest
Get coaching: Experienced members help with range-finding and technique
Purchase equipment: Start with entry-level setup, upgrade as you progress
Practice range-finding: Key skill - practice at known distances first
Enter competitions: Start in C Class, progress through grades

Field Target Organizations

BFTA

British Field Target Association - Governing body for field target in the UK. Manages rules, competitions, club affiliations, and national team selection. Affiliated with World Field Target Federation (WFTF).

Visit BFTA Website →

Interested in Indoor Target Shooting?

Field target is outdoor-based. If you’re interested in air rifle shooting but prefer indoor ranges, Pinhoe TSC offers comprehensive indoor air rifle programmes:

Indoor Air Rifle at Pinhoe

Climate-controlled precision shooting

Get Started at Pinhoe

Try indoor target shooting