New to FTR, not sling shooting

[Park ranger]

I can’t see the open sights with my Palma gun anymore to keep it enjoyable. It’s a Bartlien 1/12 twist with 3500+ rounds chamber in 2011 fullbore. Remington 700 in Eliseo chassis.

Shot FTR today at 600 Y and didn’t do very well. But, crappy $350 sightron on top, Winchester virgin brass, 155 berger Hy. A 185-3 x on F class target.

Maybe it’s the scope, after Camp Perry I’ll try this again with my March 10-60. But , it got me thinking. If I wanted to be semi serious in FTR, how does a Northland criterion in m118LR chamber sound? I have so many 155’s and 175’s.

Anyone have experience with northland criterion remage and FTR with this short of a throat?

 

[Walt Krafft]

I don't know anything about the scope. F class requires much better ammo than sling. My palma ammo took me to LR high master and yet scores as you did when I tried it F class.

 

[DirtySteve]

That scope probably did you no favors. But it did get you to shoot your first match so that is a plus..

I have no info on that barrel but I use a SAMMI chamber and shoot 175's with no problems.

 

[Precisionhunter417]

For better scores in F-T/R you are going to need a 1/2” max load. I wont even place anymore unless i have a consistant 197 for the whole match. I do recommend the Berger 185 Juggernaut for that twist of barrel. The scope was a handicap but you knew that from the start.

You shoot sling as a primary disclipine so form should not be your problem but i am curios what bipod and recoil managment did you use? To get going i used an tactical Atlas PSR Bipod and i could barely break 190 on a good day. With a Sinclare i was able to make it to the mid 190’s. When i moved to a better ski design i have come closer to linear recoil and my scores continue to improve and the rifle feels more comfortable over an entire match.

Keep hammering.

J

 

[Park ranger]

Fyi, here is the set up.

 

[Highpower-FClass]

Bullet selection and having a tuned load is very important on an F-Class target. Shooting 155s and 175s is giving oneself a handicap at 600 yards. The scope might be a factor, but at 600 yards, as long as the scope tracks, bullet selection and a tuned load will be a bigger factor.

The Berger juggernaut 185s, or the Berger 200 hybrids or 200-20X do better at 600 than 155/175s out of most barrels, assuming the freebore is there, in part due to having less wind drift. If you really want to get into F-TR using a 308, a 26-30 inch 10-twist barrel is a good ticket.

The criterions from Northland are great barrels, as are the shilens, but the 155s/175s will be a limiting factor. If it was me, and I was to get the criterion, I would get a 10-twist throated for the 200-20X. My experience with 155s is that they will shoot well with large jumps in a 10 twist, and you would have the option to work up a load and shoot the 200s.

Once you start shooting the 185s or 200s you will likely leave the 155s/175s behind.

 

[LVLAaron]

I can’t see the open sights with my Palma gun anymore to keep it enjoyable. It’s a Bartlien 1/12 twist with 3500+ rounds chamber in 2011 fullbore. Remington 700 in Eliseo chassis.

Shot FTR today at 600 Y and didn’t do very well. But, crappy $350 sightron on top, Winchester virgin brass, 155 berger Hy. A 185-3 x on F class target.

Maybe it’s the scope, after Camp Perry I’ll try this again with my March 10-60. But , it got me thinking. If I wanted to be semi serious in FTR, how does a Northland criterion in m118LR chamber sound? I have so many 155’s and 175’s.

Anyone have experience with northland criterion remage and FTR with this short of a throat?

Northland barrels are pretty good. I earned High Master with one. If you have a lot of 155's and 175's to burn up, I wouldn't hesitate to get a barrel for them. Yeah, 185's and 200's are "better" but you can do just fine with 155's for midrange... and they're a super easy bullet to load for.

 

[drop_point]

I can’t see the open sights with my Palma gun anymore to keep it enjoyable. It’s a Bartlien 1/12 twist with 3500+ rounds chamber in 2011 fullbore. Remington 700 in Eliseo chassis.

It certainly sounds like your barrel could be toast. If you want to be competitive a better bullet is called for.

How does it shoot at 100? How consistent is the velocity? What were the conditions like?

 

[clowdis]

You need great ammo to shoot good F-class scores but you also have to learn the discipline. You don't automatically shoot well by just putting on a bipod and having at it. You have to learn how it's done first. I know my Palma ammo is half minute ammo but I can't shoot that well off bipods.

 

[danny]

I can’t see the open sights with my Palma gun anymore to keep it enjoyable. It’s a Bartlien 1/12 twist with 3500+ rounds chamber in 2011 fullbore. Remington 700 in Eliseo chassis.

Shot FTR today at 600 Y and didn’t do very well. But, crappy $350 sightron on top, Winchester virgin brass, 155 berger Hy. A 185-3 x on F class target.

Maybe it’s the scope, after Camp Perry I’ll try this again with my March 10-60. But , it got me thinking. If I wanted to be semi serious in FTR, how does a Northland criterion in m118LR chamber sound? I have so many 155’s and 175’s.

Anyone have experience with northland criterion remage and FTR with this short of a throat?

Just get a proper shooting prescription in a set of shooting glasses and you don't have to give up on the fun of Highpower Rifle.

Danny

 

[D-4297]

As others have said ; 3,500 rounds is pretty much near the end for that Barrel , and there are many excellent choices for TR . Bartlein , Kreiger , Brux , as well as the other ones mentioned .
Many TR shooters are using a Vortex Golden Eagle , and it is making a very good "rep" in the class .
Recommended bullets would be the Berger 185gr Juggernaut Target , 200.20x , 200gr Hybrid Target , and some are shooting the 215gr Hybrid , when they can be found .
Powder choices are N-140 , N-150 , Varget , IMR 4895 , either the Accurate or IMR 4064 . I think they now make H-4895 from Unobtanium .

 

[Park ranger]

Thanks everyone. I’ll follow up in a month when I put my March 10-60x on it and test again.

 

[Fire Dog]

Fyi, here is the set up.

I have one of Gary’s chassis in 6BR and I can recommend changing the pistol grip to a more vertical one. I have put one of MDT’s “Vertical Elite” grips on it {part # 105032-FDE} that only needed a slight amount of fitting with a sharp knife to add a bit of clearance in a couple of places and a longer bolt to reach the mounting lug
Gives a lot better feel/grip and can be adjusted to just the right angle to suit your hand position.
The Berger Juggernauts that others are advising are being used by a fellow shooter in his FTR rifle and they absolutely hammer and recently delivered the shooter a 200.14 at 700yds. Powered up by Varget.
BTW: The March will also give you a distinct advantage over your present scope… I have just up graded to a “Majesta” from my Hi Master 10x60 and love it though nothing wrong with the 10x60 as it got me the club F Open championship for the year.