F-Class shooting 223 of 556

[Rick Ratzlaff]

If I aspire to F-Class with a new rifle purchase, what do you all buy. A gun chambered for 223 or one chambered 556?

 

[MikeRu]

If shooting FTR then it has to be 223 or 308.
If shooting F open then it’s 284 Win or bust.
If you like recoil then 300 WSM.
If you’re cool and hip then 7/6.5 PRC.
If… out of ideas.

 

[Precisionhunter417]

I recomend starting with a Savage 12 FTR in either 223 or 308.

12 F/TR | Rifle for Long-Range Competition | Savage Arms

The 12 F/TR is built for long-range accuracy and competition with a 30" full-profile barrel, adjustable Target AccuTrigger, and single-shot Target Action.

savagearms.com

 

[chromatica]

If shooting FTR then it has to be 223 or 308.
If shooting F open then it’s 284 Win or bust.
If you like recoil then 300 WSM.
If you’re cool and hip then 7/6.5 PRC.
If… out of ideas.

FTR (Tactical Rifle) allows the use of a bipod but not a fixed front rest. You won't have to compete with shooters who spent $2,000 on a coaxial rest!

 

[Jdne5b]

FTR (Tactical Rifle) allows the use of a bipod but not a fixed front rest. You won't have to compete with shooters who spent $2,000 on a coaxial rest!

A $2000 rest that you can sell used for 90% of new price is one of the cheapest parts of the game.

Also.. F-T/R = Target Rifle. Nothing tactical about it.

 

[Rick Ratzlaff]

Thanks, I just thot that logic might fudge the 223/556 window. Do it by the letter. LOL

 

[Walt Krafft]

The FTR rifle needs to be chambered for an unmodified 223 or 308 CASE. The 223 and 5.56 use the same case. The throat can be modified, and needs to be, to work with the heavy bullets usually used.

 

[Sandstorm]

use of a bipod but not a fixed front rest.

You can use pretty much shoot any caliber including .223/5.56 or 308 in F-open and a Bipod if youd like.
You dont need a $2000 front rest. ( Its not ideal but its possible )

 

[DumpHollow]

You didn’t mention what your budget was? That would dictate to me where to start.

Just getting started, you have to think about your shooting style. You have a lot to learn without complicating the process. Staring with a Savage 308 in TR is a good strategy but that rifle has a 12’ Twist which works better with 150 class bullets. If you are shooting at a club that is 600 and less, no big deal.

My best recommendation is to look for a quality used F-Class rifle that may only need to rebarreleed and go from there. Go to a match or two and talk to the shooters. A 308 in F-TR [bipod] is a good entry level rig until you sort out your preferences. Just get started with a decent quality starter and shoot against yourself the first season. F-Class is a pretty deep rabbit hole to fall into.

 

[Turkeytider]

I recomend starting with a Savage 12 FTR in either 223 or 308.

12 F/TR | Rifle for Long-Range Competition | Savage Arms

The 12 F/TR is built for long-range accuracy and competition with a 30" full-profile barrel, adjustable Target AccuTrigger, and single-shot Target Action.

savagearms.com

The 12’s are very good target rifles. My first range rifle was a Model 12 LRPV , .223 with a 7 twist. 2000+ rounds through it, and it’s been great.

 

[XTR]

If I aspire to F-Class with a new rifle purchase, what do you all buy. A gun chambered for 223 or one chambered 556?

Is this a serious question or bait for the 223 vs 556 argument.

The rules stipulate for F-TR “…chambers of unmodified 308 Win/7.62mm NATO, or unmodified 223 Remington/556x45 NATO…”

In practical terms the only difference between 223 and 556 is the freebore SAAMI drawings and certified operating pressure, neither of which are of much concern to competition shooters. My 223 reamer has a .169 freebore, that’s not on either drawing.

https://competitions.nra.org/media/9386/2024-f-class-rulebook.pdf

 

[coorslight]

I started out with a stock Savage model 10 in .308 1 in 10 twist with bipod, fast forward 10 years later 5 rifles 3 different actions various barrel makers and scopes, Bipods, mechanical front rests. $$$$$$. keep it simple to start out to see if you like the game. You won't meet a better bunch of people that are willing to help. Good luck. PS I still occasionally shoot the .223 in a bolt gun and am competitive with it.

 

[urbanrifleman]

This kid shoots FTR in California and does quite well. He uses my Revolution stock. He shoots my 223 ISSF barrel also.

 

[Precisionhunter417]

This kid shoots FTR in California and does quite well. He uses my Revolution stock. He shoots my 223 ISSF barrel also.

View attachment 1705183View attachment 1705184

Thats a really good looking 308 setup!

 

[CNC-Dude]

I recomend starting with a Savage 12 FTR in either 223 or 308.

12 F/TR | Rifle for Long-Range Competition | Savage Arms

The 12 F/TR is built for long-range accuracy and competition with a 30" full-profile barrel, adjustable Target AccuTrigger, and single-shot Target Action.

savagearms.com

Do you know if the .223 version of this rifle has the barrel with a freebore to allow the longer, heavier bullets to be competitive...?

 

[memilanuk]

Do you know if the .223 version of this rifle has the barrel with a freebore to allow the longer, heavier bullets to be competitive...?

Unless they have changed it significantly since they introduced it (unlikely), it should have a Wylde chamber. Plenty long for things like the Berger 80.5 or Sierra 80MK, while being generous enough in dimensions to make loading relatively easy.

The newer longer heavier bullets will have to be seated deeper into the case, so you may start running into... not necessarily "problems"... let's say "complications". That said, I don't think you're going to find a factory gun with a longer throat - for that you'd have to go to a custom barrel.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Thats a really good looking 308 setup!

You know you are right. That's not my barrel. My mistake.

 

[Tempest]

For .223 the Berger 80.5 is the way to go!