TargetTalk

Thanks to everyone who has given me input on this topic. Let’s gather some data on this topic. The target rifle category which contains the 853, 888, T200 and the like. and the precision air rifles produce a muzzle velocity of about 500 fps give or take 25fps. The Sporter spring guns and unlimited are 900 fps or so up. Quite a difference in wind bucking ability.
Owen

"Precision" airguns (Olympic style) and Sporter style are not the same "target" gun. Sporters have DISTINCT disadvantage. Nebraska 4-H probably made the right call when thy got the nod for the 4-H shooting sports nationals in only going with the sporter guns. Those guns, however, cannot reliably shoot in even a mild breeze .... too low of a velocity and I'd support a 20% reduction in distance for the sporters and "pneumatic" sporters (853, 753, etc)

The 853's, 888's T200's of the world are 10 meter target guns NRA Silhouette rule 3.3.(a)and are lumped in the same category as precision air rifles for awards. The 853 and the like are 500-520 fps and Anchutz 2002 -8002 are in the 575 - 600 fps range all using the same 8.2 pellet.
The NRA Sporter 3.3.(b) is primaly a spring gun with a muzzle velocity of 875 fps + with 8.2 pellet some as high as 1100 fps.
From what I am hearing the 4H is going back to rules used 2004, 2005 that allowed the spring guns 875 fps to compete against the target guns 510 fps. The 2008 rules did not allow this. This gives the few states that have the heavy "sporter" spring guns a tremendous advantage. I witnesed this first hand in MO in 2005. You have fallen into the definition trap that has plagued us for years. It is my belief that the vast majority of 4-H clubs have the true 10 meter target class rifles such as 853's, 888's. I could support a seperate awards category for the spring guns but not head to head with the 10 meter guns.