max pressure and velocity for open rifle?

[SqHunter]

What is the maximum velocity allowed in open class? I thought it was 800 fps for a .17 cal, but I don't see it listed in the rules on another forum. Thought you guys might know.

Thanks,

Rex

[richard]

There is no specific rule regarding pressure or velocity however if the rifle damages targets or is unsafe it can be disqualified. Rules 3.17 and 9.30.1 kind of cover it, plus I believe the Match Director has enough general authority to ban a rifle that is not "in the spirit" of competition.
Air rifle silhouettes made of pot metal are easily damaged and steel targets are a bit tougher but both are legal.
The issue of more concern with air rifles is that if you increase pellet velocity too much you will lose accuracy. Also realize that even "10 meter" 6fp rifles can knock over the rams so power and speed are not that big of a deal anyway.
Rick Bassett

[SqHunter]

There is no specific rule regarding pressure or velocity however if the rifle damages targets or is unsafe it can be disqualified. Rules 3.17 and 9.30.1 kind of cover it, plus I believe the Match Director has enough general authority to ban a rifle that is not "in the spirit" of competition.
Air rifle silhouettes made of pot metal are easily damaged and steel targets are a bit tougher but both are legal.
The issue of more concern with air rifles is that if you increase pellet velocity too much you will lose accuracy. Also realize that even "10 meter" 6fp rifles can knock over the rams so power and speed are not that big of a deal anyway.
Rick Bassett

What is the average power range? 12 fpe? If it is that weak, then the open class would not have an advantage over target.

If it helps put it in perspective, the reason i asked the question is that i just found out that the rifle i thought I wanted only comes in 12 fpe 800 fps form. That is very weak compared to most high pressure PCP sporters.

[Grantmac]

12fpe hammers steel rams way harder than 22lr does on rimfire ones.
That said I tend to limit rifles to 20fpe to prevent target damage.

[acorneau]

20 ft/lbs is an unofficial limit that seems to be a good spot. We've had people shoot .22 that were just over but were allowed to shoot because the targets didn't show any damage.

My Open air rifle, a tuned-up AA HFT-500, shoots the 10.34 pellets at about 765fps which means about 13.5 ft/lbs of energy. My friend's LG-110 shoots the same 10.34 pellets at about 930 fps, or just under 20 ft/lbs. Other than bucking the wind a little bit more, I don't find that my rifle is at a major disadvantage at all.

Hope that offers a few more data points for you.