FT Rules and Classes for shooting field target in Canada.
Quick Reference Chart
Optional Item | Classification of Shooter and Airgun | ||
Open | WFTF | Hunter | |
Match Style Airgun | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Sporting Style Airgun | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Unlimited Optics | Yes | Yes | No |
16X Magnification or less | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Other sights | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bum Bag/cushion | Yes | Yes | Yes |
All forms of Clothing | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Shooting mat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Seats 18″ (46cm) or Under | Yes | No | Yes |
Seats 6″ (15cm) or Under | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Straps | Yes | No | No |
Harness | Yes | No | No |
Kneepad | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Elbow pad | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Separate/adjustable Knee Riser | Yes | Yes | No |
Traditional Rifle sling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Single point Rifle sling | Yes | Yes | No |
Bipods | Yes | No | No |
Crossed Sticks | Yes | No | No |
Monopods | Yes | No | Limited |
Natural support | Yes | No | Yes |
Match style Butt Hook | Yes | Yes | No |
Adjustable Butt Pad | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Adjustable Butt Plate | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Rifle mounted Wind Indicator | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hand held Wind Indicator | Yes | No | No |
Separate Sighting system | Yes | No | No |
Range finder system | Yes | No | No |
Power level of rifle | 20 ft/lb of Energy | Set by WFTF | 20 ft/lb of Energy |
Currently, items not listed, are not allowed. |
Definitions
Air Rifle
- Any safe airgun, of any configuration, shooting a single pellet per discharge.
- Any airgun declared unsafe to people and/or property, including targets, by the match director, will be barred from use in the match.
- In the event of a broken airgun, the Match Director may allow repairs to be done without penalty.
- If a replacement airgun can be found, the competitor may continue with the approval of the Match Director.
Sights
- Any form of sighting system may be used in all Divisions, subject to the provisions in subsection B
- Turret clicking, all types of reticles, and focusing (for a sharp image and range finding) are specifically allowed in all Divisions, except the Hunter Division, where turret clicking is not allowed.
- Hunter Division Optical Sights may not be set higher than sixteen (16x) times magnification at any time in the Hunter Division.
- Focusing (for a sharper image) is allowed, however all distance markings must be covered in the Hunter Division.
Ammunition
- Any design of pellet that is completely constructed of lead, zinc, or their alloys, may be used, in 0.177, 0.20 or 0.22 calibre.
- Slugs are not permitted
Shooting Equipment and Accessories
- Bum bags and cushions are allowed to be used by all competitors, provided they are not higher than 6” (15cm).
- All competitors may use a shooting mat to keep their clothes from getting dirty or wet.
- Portable seats, which are 18” (46cm) or less in height, are allowed in the Open and Hunter Divisions, provided that they do not have a backrest.
- Portable seats will be allowed in the WFTF Division, provided they are not higher than 6” (15cm) and do not have a backrest.
- Portable seats may Not be used as a Support in Any Division.
- Straps or harnesses, that improve a shooter’s position, will be allowed in only in the Open Division. (These will not be allowed in the WFTF or Hunter Divisions)
- Kneepads and elbow pads are allowed in the Open and WFTF Divisions.
- Kneepads and elbow pads with a maximum thickness of one inch (1.0”) are allowed in the Hunter Division.
- Thigh rests are Only allowed in the Open Division.
- Knee risers (separate and/or adjustable)are allowed in the Open and WFTF Divisions, only. These will not be allowed in the Hunter Division.
- Traditional rifle slings will be allowed in all Divisions.
- Traditional rifle slings have two attachment points on an airgun.
- Single point rifle slings are allowed in the Open and WFTF Divisions.
- Single point rifle slings will not be allowed in the Hunter Division.
- Bi-pods, crossed sticks, and mono-pods will be allowed in the Open Division, only.
- These will not be allowed in the WFTF Division.
- Mono-pods only, will be allowed in the Hunter Division.
- Match style Butt Hooks will be allowed in the Open and WFTF Divisions, only.
- Adjustable Butt Pads/Plates and adjustable cheek pieces will be allowed in all Divisions, with some limitations outlined in the hunter division.
- A butt hook will not be allowed in the Hunter Division.
- Rifle mounted; non electronic wind indicators are allowed in all Divisions.
- Handheld wind indicators are allowed in the Open Division but will not be allowed in the WFTF and Hunter Divisions.
- Separate sighting or range finding systems, will be allowed in the Open Division.
- These will not be allowed in the WFTF and Hunter Divisions.
- All forms of clothing, hats, shoes, boots, and gloves are allowed for all competitors in the Open and WFTF Divisions, regardless of their style of shooting.
- Shooting jackets and gloves will not be allowed in the Hunter Division.
- Any item not listed in Sections A to K, above, will not be allowed.
- See Division Rules for any further allowances or restrictions.
Targets
- Silhouette-style targets, having a circular hit zone through the face plate that the pellet must pass through, consequently striking the trip paddle with sufficient energy to cause the target to fall, will be used.
- Targets will be re-settable from the firing point and may not have any markings that simulate a hit-zone.
- Forced position lanes must be clearly marked at the firing line.
- Targets should not be closer than 10 yards, nor should they be further away than 55 yards, from the firing point.
- The Match Director should ensure that all shooting lanes and physical limits of the firing points are clearly defined.
- A clear and unobstructed view of the hit zone must be afforded to all competitors from the shooting position for that target.
- Shooters may reset their own targets once the scorer gives them permission.
- Maximum distances to targets will be set according to the following chart:
Hit Zone Size Inches | Maximum Distance Yards | Troyer Factor | Kneeling Maximum Distance | Troyer Factor | Standing Maximum Distance | Troyer Factor |
0.25 | 15 | 60.0 | N/A | N/A | ||
0.375 | 20 | 53.3 | N/A | N/A | ||
0.5 | 25 | 50.0 | N/A | N/A | ||
0.75 | 35 | 46.7 | N/A | N/A | ||
1 | 45 | 45.0 | 20 | 35.0 | 20 | 40.0 |
1.25 | 50 | 45.0 | N/A | N/A | ||
1.5 | 55 | 41.3 | 40 | 40.0 | 40 | 53.3 |
1.75 | 55 | 35.4 | 40 | 34.3 | 40 | 45.7 |
Scoring
- Scoring will be done on the basis of 1 point for each “hit” and 0 for each “miss”. A hit will be awarded when the target falls.
- Any movement of the kill zone paddle, which does not result in the target face plate falling, will be recorded as a “miss”.
- For the Hunter Division, two (2) points will be scored for a knockdown, one (1) point for a hit on the target, and a zero (0) for a complete “miss” of the target.
- A discharge into the ground, without first announcing one’s intention to deliberately discharge the gun in such a fashion, shall be recorded as a “miss”.
- If a gun discharges due to a malfunction of the gun, the shooter will complete the lane, but the incident will be recorded and reported to the match director, who will decide on how to score the lane.
- A shot taken is defined by air going down the barrel.
Shooting Position
- Any shooting position is allowed, but some lanes may be set up for a forced position, such as standing, kneeling, or prone. Bum bags, cushions, and shooting mats may be used to protect the shooters clothing from the ground.
- Kneeling shall be defined as one knee and both feet in contact with the ground. The airgun will be supported by the shooter and by no other means, other than traditional rifle slings or single point rifle slings, which may be used according to Division rules.
- The leading hand supports the gun and may not be supported in any way. A bum bag or cushion may be used as a support for the kneeling leg and ankle and/or to protect the knee from the ground.
- This is also a safety issue to protect the shooter’s knee from stones or sharp objects that may be in the ground. A shooting mat may be used for the same purpose.
- Standing shall be defined as standing upright. The airgun will be supported by the shooter and by no other means, other than traditional rifle slings or single point rifle slings, which may be used according to Division rules.
- Prone shall be defined as the shooter lying on the ground. The airgun will be supported by the shooter and by no other means, other than traditional rifle slings or single point rifle slings, which may be used in accordance with Division rules.
- No support may be used from the ground to the shooter or rifle, unless allowed in the Division rules. The shooter may use a shooting mat to protect their clothing from getting dirty or wet.
- If a shooter is unable to take a forced shooting position for any valid reason, the Match Director may allow the shots to be taken from any other forced position in lieu of requirement, or if unable to do so, from their normal shooting position, with no penalty given the shooter.
- When a shooter is not in a forced position, natural support may be gained from the course, such as resting on logs or branches at the shooting position, unless Division rules prohibit its use.
- Forced position shots shall not account for more than 20% of the course of fire.
Disputed Scores
- Any challenge to a target, must be recorded on the score sheet, before leaving that lane.
Penalties
- Disqualification from a match includes and is not limited to:
- a deliberate infraction of the Shoot Rules
- unsafe gun handling
- unsafe practices
- unsportsmanlike conduct
- or any form of cheating,
Target Sequence
- The Match Director may designate a sequence for shooting targets, by number, shooting left to right, nearest to farthest, etc.
- If there are multiple targets on a lane, the shooter must declare the order in which he/she is planning to shoot them, if there is no suggested order.
- If it is not clear from the shooter’s position which target is near, far, left, or right, the shooter must declare the shooting order they will use before beginning the shot sequence on the target they will engage first.
- Once order is understood, a target shot out of order will be recorded as a miss for the target that should have been shot.
Time Per Shot
- The Match Director may impose a time limit per lane or per target before a regular match begins or if a match is being unduly held up by an individual or group of shooters.
- Timers will be used at the CAFTA National Championship Match. Timing will be set at one (1) minute per shot in each lane plus one (1) minute preparation time. Time will run concurrently.
- Timing will start when the shooter enters the shooting area as specified by the Match Director.
- Shots not executed within the time limit will be recorded as misses.
Tied Scores
- In the event of two or more shooters tying for an award, a shoot-off or other tie-breaking system will take place as decided by the Match Director.
Match Director
- Any matter, not covered by these rules, will be the decision of the Match Director, and that decision will be final.
Shooter Classifications
Open Division
PCP
- Any PCP airgun, with any sight. Includes those powered by Co2, single stroke pneumatic, and multi-stoke pneumatic.
Piston
- Any Piston airgun, with any sight.
WFTF Division
PCP
- A complete list of the WFTF Rules is posted at http://www.world-field-target-federation.com/Rules
Piston
- A complete list of the WFTF Rules is posted at http://www.world-field-target-federation.com/Rules
Hunter Division
PCP
- See Hunter Rules below
Piston
- See Hunter Rules below
Hunter Rules
- Any airgun design, with any sight, but with optics subject to restrictions in sub-section
- Match airguns may be used and must have all adjustable parts set as prescribed in section F.
- Seats, bum bags, or cushions will not be used, as a rest, to support the rifle. Natural support may be used if within the shooting area.
- Optical sights will not be set higher than 16times magnification. Adjusting the turrets may not be done once the match has begun and focusing is only allowed to obtain a sharp image.
- All distance markings must be covered. Any reticule is allowed.
- Single point rifle slings will not be permitted.
- Match style butt hooks will not be allowed.
- Adjustable cheek pieces may be adjusted to fit the shooter.
- The length of pull may be adjusted to suit the shooter and a butt pad/plate can be adjusted, vertically only, to suit the shooter.
- No adjustments will be made during the match.
- Shooting jackets and gloves, specifically designed for match shooting are not allowed.
- A regular jacket and hunting type gloves may be worn.
- Kneepads and elbow pads up to 1” thick may be used to protect the knee or arm and support the gun.
- Handheld wind indicators will not allowed.
- Knee risers and thigh rests, either attached to the rifle, or held separately, will not be allowed.
- Straps and harnesses that improve the shooter’s position will not be allowed.
- Separate sighting or range finders systems will not be allowed.
- Monopods are allowed provided they are not attached to the rifle in any way nor will they be driven into the ground.
- They will not have a surface that touches the gun larger than 2” by 3” on the top when looking straight down, to rest the rifle on.
- Only one flat surface or two flat surfaces that form a “V” may be used.
- The monopod or stock will not have any additional attachments or modifications to it that form fit the monopod to the gun and give lateral or longitudinal support to the rifle, as if it was sitting on a bench or in a fitted notch or channel.
- The base that touches the ground will not be larger than 1-½” in diameter or smaller than 3/4” in diameter.
World Championship Match
Should CAFTA apply to the WFTF to host a World Championship match, the WFTF Core Rules will be used as the Shoot Rules for the Championship, augmented by CAFTA rules that are not in conflict with the Core Rules.
World Safety rules will apply unless they conflict with the Hosting Club, in which case, the Hosting Clubs’ safety rules will take priority overall.
Airguns will follow the guidelines of the WFTF with the power to not exceed 12-foot pounds energy at the muzzle, with pellets that the competitor shoots in the match.
Matters that are not covered in the Core Rules will be covered by CAFTA rules, and for those matters not covered in all rules, the match Director’s decision will be final.