I personally haven't shot hunter pistol in at least 5 years. I was totally unaware our bipods and buckets were excluded in the new rules. I say new only because I had not heard of that change.
For many years almost everyone that shot Hunter pistol used them. I was bringing a friend to a GP in early August to try the pistol game. He is well into his 80's and thought he would like to try it. For myself those rules won't work and I seriously doubt he will be able to comply also.
Would be really interested in the reasoning behind it. Will our hunter rifle bipods be next?
What?? Is there a new rule book for 2024. The last one updated was in 2023 and I don't see any of that Bill.
Still has seat without back and general class rules apply.
In 2024 it is supposed to allow variable scopes, but must be used on 12 power. That was in an update posted.
Unless I missed something.?
Where did you get that info?
@paul-porch Paul, I asked Leo G to send me the latest edition of AFFTA Pistol rules. The one he sent was the 2023 Rules revised December 2022. Pistol Target Rules line 8. No shooting sticks or mono/bi/tripods.
Line 12. Seats up to 6" high allowed.
Bill, I just shot pistol at Finger Lakes with seat and bipod, only change in rules was scope has to be set at 12 power, as Paul mentioned above.
@rick-vaeth Rick, the 12x power setting was always the max allowed. Years back it had to be a 12x max and not varible turned down to 12x. As I read the new rules the scope now can be varible and turned down to 12x or the next lower number and it seems they have added clicking? This rules seem screwed up. Maybe these are the limited rules for it does state in the Hunter class it does state no clicking so we can't have it both ways. Maybe the Hunter Pistol class was left out of the rules or it appears to be? I hope someone from the BOG looks into these issues because I'm not making this up!
Ahhh, Bill, I have your clarification...
Those first set of rules are the general rules that apply throughout. However if you hit the highlighted area marked, "common division rules apply "
THe SPECIFIC rules tHat apply to your class comes up. I'm there, it states that a backless seat, mono or bipods are allowed in hunter but no clicking....
@bill-day yes, the rule changed that you could only use a scope that went to 12 power, to a scope with higher power, but has to be set at 12 power. As far as limited rules I don’t pay attention since I shoot hunter.
@paul-porch and Rick, Thanks for your help, The Limit pistol class is the newest class I believe. They state the rules for that class and note at the bottom where the Hunter class rules differ. Seems kinda backwards way of understanding it but I do get it now. Thanks again!
Classes: AAFTA requires at least one sanctioned class for a legal match. Other classes may be
added if desired. Sanctioned classes are:
A. Limited Class: Rules as defined above.
B. Hunter Class: Rules as defined above, but no turret adjustment allowed during the match (no clicking.). Any form of seat without back or arms support may be used. Monopods, shooting
sticks, or bipods may be used, with the same restrictions as described in the Hunter Division
Rules.
Page 15 AAFTA 2023 rule book.
Yes, Leo, that's how we read it too for the 2023 Oregon St FT Championships & AAFTA GP we just competed.
I think Bill is confused about the difference between Hunter and Limited class rules... maybe the AAFTA rules doc should be clarified better to avoid future confusion.
Wayne Burns
AirGun Oregon
@wayne-burns Wayne, you are right I was a little confused. After the Limited pistol class rules were conveyed. There was no mention of the Hunter class until after the Limited class. Then only a small description of Hunter piston rules were presented in comparison to the Limited Class. The Hunter Pistol class has been the biggest class in Field Pistol Target and still is. We use to have are own rules but somehow got upsided by the Limited class which in my observations have very little participation.
When one reads the page 14 "Pistol Field Target Rules" one might think it might be the Hunter rules but infact it really is not. The Hunter rules are basically contained in the last 4 sentences under "B"
I didn't read it all and that's my bad and misunderstanding. At least we have it ironed out!
It does appears that the Hunter Pistol class is now a sub-division of the Limited class the way the rules are aligned.
