Getting the Most Out of Your HFT 500 Air Rifle

The HFT 500 Air Rifle is a powerful and accurate air rifle that can help you hit your targets with ease. It has a muzzle energy of 30 ft-lbs, making it suitable for hunting small game.

To get the most out of your HFT 500, make sure to use the right type of pellets. According to the manufacturer, the HFT 500 is designed to work best with JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy pellets.

Proper maintenance is also essential to ensure the longevity of your air rifle. Regularly clean the barrel and breech to prevent debris buildup and maintain accuracy.

The HFT 500 is designed to meet the specifications of Hunter Field Target, with a power limit of 12 foot-pounds and a maximum scope magnification of 12X.

Its ambidextrous stock is adjustable, with a cheek riser that allows for a comfortable fit. The grip angle is similar to that of the TX200, which some may find a compromise but I find very comfortable.

The rifle features a "thumbs up" grip, where the thumb runs directly in line with the main axis of the rifle, and a shallow dished-out spot behind the receiver that allows for repeatable indexing of the trigger hand.

The HFT-500 was designed by Air Arms to meet the specifications of Hunter Field Target.

It's a version of Field Target found primarily in the UK, with rules limiting the power of the rifles to 12 foot-pounds and a maximum scope magnification of 12X.

HFT targets are set at various distances out to 45 yards, the same distance as the farthest targets in air rifle silhouette.

The rifle has an ambidextrous stock, which features an adjustable cheek riser and a grip angle that fits comfortably.

The grip angle closely resembles that of the TX200, which the author finds most comfortable.

The author prefers a "thumbs up" grip, where the thumb runs directly in line with the main axis of the rifle.

The HFT-500 stock has a shallow dished-out spot behind the receiver that allows for repeatable indexing of the trigger hand.

The deep belly of the fore-end enables the author to hold the rifle with the open palm of their support hand.

The HFT-500 has a two-stage trigger, which can be improved with a bit of work.

From the factory, it comes with an adjustable "button" style trigger shoe, but the author has settled on using the vertical bar itself as the trigger blade.

The Air Arms HFT 500 Air Rifle is a specialized piece of equipment designed for hunter field target competitions.

It needs to produce consistent accuracy right out to 50 metres, in all kinds of weather from chilly sub-zero temperatures to the intense heat of midsummer.

The HFT-500 has a proven track record and the potential to win the greatest prizes in the sport, thanks to its Air Arms proven S510 valving system.

The rifle has a fully-adjustable laminate stock that provides optimum stability, balance, fit, and control in every shooting stance possible.

This is a big advantage, as it allows the shooter to adapt to different shooting positions and conditions.

The HFT-500 also features a precision, position-variable, match trigger that fine-tunes the ergonomics of the rifle.

This means the shooter can focus on their technique without any distractions from the rifle itself.

Here are the key specifications of the HFT 500 rifle:

The HFT-500 also comes with a 3 Year Air Arms Warranty, providing peace of mind for the shooter.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle delivers on its claims, especially when it comes to accuracy. It's clear that this rifle is a precision tool for Field Target shooting.

Air Arms' claims center around accuracy, consistency, and fitness for purpose, and the HFT 500 lives up to these expectations. The rifle's performance is justified by the test review, which highlights its capabilities.

In terms of performance, the HFT 500 is a reliable and consistent air rifle, making it a great choice for Field Target shooting.

The trigger effort of an air rifle is a critical aspect of its performance. The Air Arms HFT 500 Air Rifle's cocking effort is impressively low, weighing in at 5 lb 8 oz.

This is a testament to the rifle's well-designed cocking mechanism, which operates smoothly with precision and no slop. The side lever cocking system has a wonderful, "buttery" feel to it.

The trigger itself is highly adjustable, with a two-stage design that allows for precise control over the pull weight and take-up. The factory setting worked just fine for the HAM team.

The trigger pull weight averaged 2 lb 2 oz and was very consistent. This suggests that the rifle's trigger is well-suited for a wide range of shooting styles and preferences.

Understanding learning and power curves is key to unlocking performance. Learning curves show how quickly we improve at a task, while power curves show how much we can achieve in a given amount of time.

A classic example is the learning curve of a new language, where beginners start with slow progress, but as they gain experience, their progress accelerates exponentially. This is due to the way our brains adapt to new information.

The power curve, on the other hand, shows that even with rapid progress, there are limits to how much we can achieve in a short amount of time. For instance, a professional athlete may be able to run a mile in under 4 minutes, but they can't suddenly run a marathon in an hour.

As we learn and improve, our power curve shifts, allowing us to tackle more complex tasks and achieve greater results. This is why continuous learning and practice are essential for sustained performance.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle is a precision tool designed for Field Target shooting. It's clear that the manufacturer's claims of accuracy, consistency, and fitness for purpose are justified by the rifle's performance.

The HAM team found that the factory setting of the two-stage trigger worked just fine for them. This suggests that the manufacturer has optimized the trigger for Field Target shooting.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle has a wonderful, "buttery" feel to its side lever cocking mechanism. This makes it easy to cock the rifle, with a mere 5 lb 8 oz effort required.

The trigger itself has a unique design that encourages consistency and prevents the trigger from being pulled by the finger joint area. This is a big key to accuracy in Field Target shooting.

The HAM team found that the second stage of the trigger is very easily detected, and it takes just a breath more pressure to release the sear. This indicates that the trigger is well-suited for Field Target competition.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle is a great value for the dedicated Field Target competitor who needs the maximum in precision to realize their skills and win competitions.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle delivers outstanding accuracy, making it perfect for Field Target competitions. Its free-floated Lothar Walther barrel is a significant contributor to this accuracy, but it's not the only factor - the combination of trigger, ergonomics, and scope all work together to extract the best possible performance.

Accuracy is consistently excellent, even at extended ranges. In fact, HAM tester Doug Rogers was able to achieve an excellent group at 25 yards using Air Arms Diabolo Field pellets.

Here's a breakdown of the muzzle velocity and accuracy of various pellets tested with the HFT 500:

The HFT 500 is also remarkably consistent, with a Standard Deviation of just 5.6 fps over the range of standard HAM test pellets. This level of consistency is truly exceptional.

I spent a significant amount of time researching online air rifle forums and manufacturer websites to get a feel for what was out there.

There were plenty of rifles that had some of the attributes I was looking for but not necessarily all of them or even a majority of them.

Some Field Target rifles like Steyr, Feinwerkbau, and Anschutz seemed like perfect candidates, but were in the $3,000 to $5,000 range, which was out of my budget.

The Air Arms HFT-500 caught my attention with its excellent reviews, ergonomic attributes, and price-point of around $1,300 new.

Its slightly lower-than-desired power level of just under 12 ft/lbs for the UK market and a factory weight of only 8.2 pounds were the only drawbacks I could see.

I was willing to work with these limitations to see if I could bring the rifle up to an excellent option for myself.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle is a masterclass in consistency. It was supremely accurate with all the pellets in the standard HAM test suite, even with one that would never be used for Field Target competition.

The muzzle energy of the HFT 500 was within about half a Foot/Pound of the 12 Ft/Lb target for all the tested pellets over 7.9 Grains. This is a testament to the rifle's ability to deliver consistent performance.

The Standard Deviation – the measure of shot-to-shot consistency – was a mere 5.6 fps over the whole range of standard HAM test pellets. This is about the best performance we've ever seen.

Here's a breakdown of the muzzle energy and standard deviation for the tested pellets:

The trigger pull weight was also extremely consistent, with a variation of only plus or minus 2 ounces around the 2 lb 2 oz average. This is a testament to the rifle's ability to deliver consistent performance.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle is specifically designed for Hunter Field Target competition, making it a close to perfect tool for precision shooting in this class.

It's worth noting that this air rifle is not for hunting, as it's over-specified for that task, making it more like buying a Ferrari for trips to the local supermarket.

The HFT 500 is a must-consider airgun for those who shoot WFTF Field Target competitions, due to its exceptional quality, usability, value, and performance.

For its outstanding combination of quality, usability, value, and performance, the Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle receives a HAM Gold Award.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle is a highly specialist item, so you won't find it in just any local sporting goods store. It's readily available from Pyramyd Air and other online dealers.

You'll be pleased to know that guns sold in the US come with a limited lifetime warranty from Air Venturi. However, if your gun needs attention, you'll be responsible for shipping costs to Air Venturi.

The owner's manual is comprehensive and covers the basics of filling and adjusting the air rifle. It's worth noting that the barrel should be cleaned and re-lubricated as frequently as every 250 shots for ultimate accuracy.

Air Arms is a company that specializes in producing high-quality air rifles, particularly for Hunter Field Target competition. Their HFT 500 model is designed specifically for this purpose.

The HFT 500 is a close to perfect tool for precision shooting in Hunter Field Target competitions, with everything optimized for this one task. It's not designed for hunting, so it's not the best choice for that purpose.

This air rifle is a must-consider for anyone who shoots WFTF Field Target competitions, thanks to its combination of quality, usability, value, and performance. It's like buying a Ferrari for trips to the local supermarket – it's waaay over-specified for that task.

The HFT 500 provides consistent accuracy right out to 50 metres, in all kinds of weather from chilly sub-zero temperatures to the intense heat of midsummer. It's a specialized piece of equipment that's worthy of winning trophy after trophy in hunter field target competitions.

The HFT-500 has a proven track record and the potential to win the greatest prizes in the sport, thanks to its Air Arms proven S510 valving system. It's a rifle that's ahead of the field.

The HFT-500's fully-adjustable laminate stock provides optimum stability, balance, fit, and control in every shooting stance possible. It's a precision, position-variable, match trigger that fine-tunes the HFT-500's ergonomics.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle is a highly specialist item, so you won't find it in every local big box sporting goods store. It's readily available from Pyramyd Air and other dealers online.

Guns sold in the US benefit from a limited lifetime warranty from Air Venturi, but the customer is responsible for shipping costs to Air Venturi in the unlikely event that a gun needs attention. The owner's manual is comprehensive and covers the basics of filling and adjusting the Air Arms HFT 500 Air Rifle.

The manual is available in English only, and one unusual suggestion is to clean and re-lubricate the barrel as frequently as every 250 shots for ultimate accuracy. This requires some special consideration from the user.

The Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle does not come with a safety feature, so it's not an air rifle for the inexperienced shooter. Be aware of this when handling the gun.

The maximum fill pressure for the Air Arms HFT 500 air rifle is 2756 psi, which is lower than the more common 3,000 psi.