Range find on maximum zoom magnification and then turn it back down to X12 power before taking the shot ?

or does it have to stay at x12 for the match and not be touched ?

rules aren't clear .... or rather don't mention this.

Sights:
A. Optical sights of any reticle style may be used, but are limited to a maximum of 12 power magnification. Variable scopes of greater max power than 12X must be turned to a 12X factory marking or the nearest lower factory marking on the scope.
B. No turret adjustment allowed during the match. (No clicking.)
C. Optical sights with parallax adjustment (adjustable objective, or sidewheel focus), may be adjusted so that the target is in focus. Range (yardage) markings may be used.
D. No separate range finding device may be used.

cheers

James

that i suppose it is the call of match director or a club decision.

on the other hand it says must be turned down to 12x or next lower marking. Period. Does not say only has to be turned down when shooting.

Setting the scope at higher than 12x at any time would violate: "...are limited to a maximum of 12 power magnification."

HTH,
HookEm

Is to limit use of the scopes at higher than 12X in that class. Use of more than 12X during any phase of the match would for sure negate intent the rule.

I think the wording is clear if you know the intent. Any rule might be subject to intense debate if one looks for every possible loophole ... suppose I were to bring a non-shooting "coach", one equipped with a very high mag scope being used as a rangefinder, and this person used it and advised me of all the ranges, meaning I personally wasn't using a powerful scope ... according to the "rules" I would be ok as I read the rules, but its clear to me that FT is not a team sport, so I needn't require specific wording that precludes such "coaching".

just didn't want to unintentionally break them.

cheers

James

"A. Optical sights of any reticle style may be used, but are limited to a maximum of 12 power magnification. Variable scopes of greater max power than 12X must be turned to a 12X factory marking or the nearest lower factory marking on the scope."
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Waaaaaay back when I first started shooting hft at the DAFTC club in Harrisonburg, VA only scopes of 12x max were allowed and scope rangefinding wasn't allowed, even at 12x. Matter of fact, the rangemaster at that club (club no longer exists) would put a wide rubber band over the AO range marks so you COULDN'T get a range reading.

Think of it...........if you could rangefind at 32x, then turn back the scope to 12x to take the shot, there would be no disadvantage of shooting at 12x, especially with scopes with mill dots and half mill dots that don't even require "clicking on"!

Anywhoo, I guess it was never considered that someone would actually use "open class ranging advantages" in a class where only "12x max scope settings" are allowed and shooters with a "normal" hunting scope would have a definite equipment disadvantage. Consider that even at 12x I can clearly see .177 pellet holes in a 55 yard target so aiming precision isn't an issue. Only the lack of rangefinding precision at longer distances is a disadvantage for hft shooters. LOL, with the half milldot scopes like I've seen and the allowed "cheat sheets" you don't even need to "click on" to have "clicking on" poi precision.

Like the hft shooting guy I saw at DIFTA a few years ago who brought a short lounge chair with a back, a PCP with a camera tripod attached, and was actually ALLOWED to shoot by reclining in the chair.........it amazes me of the lenghts some folks will go through to try gaining an advantage!!