When I started in F-Class 1 ½ years ago, I chose to go down the F-TR route. I saw F-Open as a discipline that would constantly be evolving in the areas of equipment, load development, round development, (wildcats), etc., all in the pursuit of greater precision and accuracy. But, regardless of the technological advancements, at the root of it is the finely honed skill of the shooter. The discipline still requires skill to read the wind, drive the rifle, withstand the mental and physical wear and tear of a match, work the pits, move your gear, setup your gear, take a battering from the wind, on and on. I also thought F-Open would be a bigger money pit. Boy was I mistaken.
With that said, I started with a MPA Hybrid chassis PRS rifle I converted to F-Class by installing a heavy palma barrel. I was using a fixed Accutac bipod and rear squeeze bag. I found myself at a disadvantage as I looked down the line and saw adjustable bipods, Joypod, Phoenix, Tier One, and sloped rear fixed bags to match up to the toe drop of the prone stocks in use. I thought I could help myself with installation of an Adjustable Bag Rider and a flat top Protektor bag. I used it for a club match or two. But, after much back and forth with the NRA High Power Competition Dir, input from folks on these forums, and a match director I greatly respect, I dismounted the ABR and waited impatiently for my Joypod-X.
My scores would indicate I received no advantage from the ABR. I have not received any advantage from the Joypod either. I still need to develop and hone my shooting skills. We’ll see if moving to an F-Class specific build will help me, (XIT stock, Defiance action, Joypod, heavy Palma barrel, NF Comp scope). Some of those components were on the MPA chassis, the stock and action are the big changes. I very seriously doubt it will help. My skill level just isn’t there yet. But, the occasional 196-11x keeps me coming back.
My point is this;
- To think having rollers on an F-Open rest is a mechanical advantage over other rests I’ve seen on the line is ridiculous.
- To think an ABR mounted to a F-TR rifle offers an advantage over a Joypod, Phoenix, or other adjustable ski footed bipod at the front end is also ridiculous.
If I suck as a shooter, (I do), all the technology at my disposal won’t change that. I still have to learn to drive the rifle. I still have to learn to read the wind. I still have to develop the mental fortitude to compete in this difficult game. Rollers, no rollers, ABR, no ABR. Matters not. Skill still defines the competitor.
My stance on the NRA? The NRA has ceased to serve the competitive shooter and gun owners in general. They have been splayed open by all the legal actions against them. The only thing the NRA seems capable of is, collecting competition fees, posting scores to the Competition Portal months after match directors have sent them in, and promulgating ridiculous rules.
I’ve spoken my piece and counted to 3.
Yeah, I’m in a bad mood again tonight.
Oh, and BTW, I’ve seen fore-end stops mess up shooters, so no mechanical advantage there.
If we want to shoot off-hand, let’s shoot Silhouette. Hardest damn game ever.
