What is FT
In field target (FT) competitors aim to shoot the small “kill” zone that forms part of a larger metal faceplate. These face plates are often shaped to resemble small animals or geometric shapes.
Targets are shot from open “gates” in a firing line, and are divided into “lanes” of two targets each. Many competitions impose a time restriction of 2 minutes to shoot both targets after a competitor first looks through his or her sights. Targets may be placed at any distance between 10 yards and 55 yards from the firing line.
The hit or “kill” zone of a target is always circular, and nominally 40–45 mm in diameter, although reducer targets that are as small as 25 mm diameter may be employed for seated shots up to 35 yards. The targets are painted with the kill a contrasting colour to aid visibility, although the paint is quickly removed by hits during competitions, making it harder to distinguish.
In competition, 20% of the lanes will be designated as compulsory standing or kneeling, and there must be as even a split as possible between the two. Most competitions have 40 targets arranged in 20 lanes, so it is usual to have 2 standing lanes and 2 kneeling lanes. Grand Prix events have 25 lanes, so there will be 2 lanes of kneeling and 3 of standing. Standing or kneeling targets must be no more than 45 yards from the firing line.
Points are scored with 1 for a hit (resulting in the faceplate falling), and 0 for a miss (whether it strikes the surrounding faceplate, misses it, or “splits” on the edge of the kill but fails to down the target). Members of the British Field Target Association (BFTA) are graded according to their performance every six months. Their average percentage score over this period determines which of the four grades you are given – (in ascending order of skill) C, B, A and AA. Prizes at shoots are awarded by grade, so less experienced shooters still have a chance of winning a trophy if they perform well.
Clubs are members of regions within the BTFA, for example ETL is a member of South England Field Target Association (SEFTA).
What is Plinking
Plinking is shooting at metal targets (not quite tin cans though) and "plink" is the sound made when the target is hit.
The primary attributes of plinking that make it so appealing as a sport are as follows:
-The easy availability of locations.
-The affordability of it.
-Freedom in practice when you want and for as long as you want.
-It take you outdoors.
-And a more engaging shooting experience when compared to established target ranges.
In addition, gun ranges by necessity have many strict rules concerning the use of their facilities, where the shooter is allowed to stand and when they can go downrange to check their targets. Many shooters find the open air to be a much more pleasant shooting environment than the inside of a target range, which is usually made of concrete and steel. Plinking can be done alone at the individual pace of the shooter, who is free to move around at will, or in a group, which of course requires the use of some pre-determined safety measures. The targets themselves that are used are one of the main reasons why plinking is popular among gun enthusiasts. A plinking target will also often react much more positively to a hit than a paper target will, either with an audible impact, or by moving or falling over.
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