The Author, Kolby Rasmussen, and his Gauntlet SL30 shooting at the 100 Yard mark in Benchrest. 

        I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the 100 yard benchrest, gunslynger challenge, and hunter field target at this year’s Pyramyd Air Cup. In the couple of months leading up to this match, I went through my normal preparations for benchrest. With some 50 yard ARA bench cards that closely measure up to the 8 ring on the 100 yard cards, I shot a couple of those cards each week as time allowed.

Gunslynger preparations just consisted of loading a couple mags and running what steel I had in the backyard range. Unfortunately, mistakes were made in my preparations. I learned that on range day.

First Things First: Getting Ready

Ashley Rasmussen lined up behind her Gauntlet SL30 at the Pyramyd Air Cup Benchrest. On her second card EVER she shot a 225/250. 

Preparing for Field Target (Hunter) is where things started to get interesting. Finding information on field target is easy. Parsing through all the information is another thing altogether. Field target is much better explained in person by seasoned shooters rather than read about and imagined. I had a few conversations leading up to these practice sessions regarding equipment, rifles, etc., that proved to be helpful. I finally settled on the Umarex Notos and a Hawke Airmax 4-16x and started shooting at random distances at steel in the yard. I did take the time to write down distances on a reticle sketch. This proved to be the single most important thing I did preparing for this match.

This trip became a family ordeal about 4 weeks prior to the match, Ashley Rasmussen (my better half), had the opportunity to come shoot as well. I encouraged her to shoot in every match she could get into. She quickly started practicing in the yard with her Gauntlet SL30 for the 100 yard benchrest. This was our first out-of-state trip while both of us would be away from the kids, so you can imagine the anxiety levels upon our departure.

To the Range!

Probably the cheapest rifle set-up on the Field Target range by $2,000, Kolby rocked the Notos and Hawke 4-16X scope combo for a solid first ever attempt at Field Target. Tiny targets require gobs of concentration. Technique and an accurate air rifle will go a long way in this hunting themed event.

Arrival at the Cardinal Shooting Center was awe-inspiring. This is a massive shooting facility. We wandered our way to registration and started getting our legs under us.

100 yard benchrest was the first event. If I have learned anything about shooting benchrest, it must be that the winds are never calm on match day. I approached these cards with the simple goal of improving upon my previous scores in Utah. I was able to do that with relative ease, considering the scores I posted at the last event. I can share with great pride that Ashley posted a 225/250 on her second official card, EVER. She beat me by quite a large margin. When I think about all the variables of human and equipment that can arise during a match, I am even more impressed.

Gunslynger challenge was short and sweet for me. While practicing in the backyard, I practiced my closest target at 20 yards. This proved to be the nail in the coffin for any chance at advancing from the first round. I don’t think I hit a single chicken in the first few shots. I cut my losses and moved on to targets at ranges I had practiced. And that’s the story on how I got booted from Gunslynger…

Field Target Day 1

Ashley shooting the borrowed Thomas rifle in Field Target.  Most shooters in FT are very welcoming to new shooters, up to and including borrowing very expensive equipment! The real favor is being generous with tips and tricks.  Jerry and Linda were very supportive of Ashley in her first attempt at Field Target. 

The field target course put together by the folks at Pyramid is spectacular. The people shooting the field target lanes are even more impressive. A married couple who shoot FT quickly adopted my wife as she was able to finagle her way into shooting this event without a rifle. Jerry and Linda McGee let Ashley shoot their Thomas Field Target Rifle. She and I made more friends at this single event than we have in any one place while at the Cup. Even though we did not shoot in the same squad, I was able to watch her shoot on occasion due to the relaxed pace of Field Target.

This match starts with a large shooter meeting where safety and operations are addressed. I am not going to lie, while Tyler was talking, I caught myself staring at the rifles I was surrounded by. There was more “specialty” equipment than I have seen in one place. There I stood with my Notos, monopod, and a dream. I jokingly called these rifles “space guns.” Squads broke up, and we wandered down the lanes. The first couple of lanes consisted mostly of nerves for me and studying the other shooters. After speaking with my squad mates and settling down, things started to come together. I quickly realized the importance of accurately ranging my targets. I had a ranging wheel, somewhere, in my bags. I had failed to practice with or equip this wheel for the first match. After a handful of misses, I was able to find some mojo and started picking up more targets as the match progressed. I think I squeaked 29/60 for day 1. The kill zones on these targets are small, and each lane presents its own unique challenge. Once we left the range, I went and found the misplaced ranging wheel. This proved to be more important than I could have ever imagined.

Field Target Day 2

The author ranging one of the first targets on the course. Skinner Sights manufactures the custom soft bag pictured in the lower part of the frame. 

This match started in my head as soon as the first match was over. I gleaned a lot of good information on day one, from equipment tips to positioning tricks. With the help of the newly installed ranging wheel, I was able to get really close to what I thought were the most challenging targets. I found the closer targets to be the most difficult. Every single yard matters up to about 25 yards. After 25 yards, I was able to “bracket” the bullseyes with more success. Once again, my squad mates were the most valuable mentors I could have ever asked for. The .22 caliber Notos is more than accurate enough to hold its own on a Hunter Field Target course, which is dominated by .177 caliber. Day 2 finished with improvement to a 33/60. Given the opportunity, I will be shooting the Notos at more field target matches. With some more practice, match experience, and some equipment adjustments, I think a better score is easily achievable with this $300 airgun.