New Categories of F-Class Rifles - 2026

[davidjoe]

That 14 pound limit is the real trick, here. When I put together that varmint class BR gun with a 40-X single shot and it’s original barrel, I could see that anything other than the lightest stock combined with the lightest scope I used, a fixed 42X NF Competition, wouldn’t make weight. The only piece that wasn’t optimized was a steel Nightforce base I previously had bedded and didn’t want to remove.

But Production Class must work a Harris bipod into that limit. I think the barrels will have tk be lighter than the 40-X cone taper we are familiar with. Savage’s target profile is a bit heavier.

Savage made or still makes an LRPV single shot with the a shorter version of the 30 inch barrel that I believe is 26 inches long, but I don’t think that gun has any chance of making 14 pounds. I started F-Class travel matches with that gun in 6BR, with a Harris and an NSX and it was probably about 19 pounds.

The 24 inch Remington tactical in an H&S stock could do it, but its caliber choices were limited. It’s probably about the shape and mass we are looking at, - a short action without a solid bottom, aluminum bottom metal, a barrel that is thinner than a “target” profile, in a composite stock. 26” Sendero’s might have a chance as well.

I imagine that if we pulled out our old 1 inch tube scopes, choices open up. 30 something ounces or more is what we are accustomed to. I have never looked at a target 1,000 yards out with a 1 inch scope. All mine were relatively inexpensive.

 

[9146gt]

Looking at rule 3.22 I do not see a definition of "Ready Line" in the F Class rule book.
Tom

 

[323]

With f production class you will have to think along the lines of Bergara b14 HMR in a 6.5 cm they weigh 9.6 lbs and most PRS/NRL guys are running leupold mk5 or 6 a leupold mk5 5-25x56 is 30 ounces and is on sale for $1800 you can pick up bergara brand new for less than a grand. There are other rifles out there but they have short barrels 20 inch on most 308 and 6.5 cm. I think in this class the most popular will be the 6.5 cm and a lot of 140gr eld-m hornady match ammo will be sold.

 

[charlie b]

These days am not sure anyone at Savage even knows what an NRA rule book is. But, I'll bet their rifles become a factor in the new class. Maybe Bass Pro will order up a special configuration and sell them cheap

 

[Syncrowave]

Savage made or still makes an LRPV single shot with the a shorter version of the 30 inch barrel that I believe is 26 inches long, but I don’t think that gun has any chance of making 14 pounds. I started F-Class travel matches with that gun in 6BR, with a Harris and an NSX and it was probably about 19 pounds.

I have a Savage 12 Varmint Low Profile in 300WSM with 26" varmint contour barrel that, with steel Pic rail, Mark 4 steel rings, Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20X and Harris bipod attached, weighs <12.5# -- so it should fit the bill. Got wind?

Official rules as revised January 2026 here:

https://competitions.nra.org/media/10591/2026-f-class-rulebook.pdf

 

[Park ranger]

I have a Savage 12 Varmint Low Profile in 300WSM with 26" varmint contour barrel that, with steel Pic rail, Mark 4 steel rings, Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20X and Harris bipod attached, weighs <12.5# -- so it should fit the bill. Got wind?

Official rules as revised January 2026 here:

https://competitions.nra.org/media/10591/2026-f-class-rulebook.pdf

Are magnums allowed in CMP?

 

[moorepower1]

The Tikka T3 varmint will fit the production class nicely and is well under budget. This reminds me of NHRA, in the 70's where you could build a car that fit any class and go and win a trophy/ National record. I'm not knocking it as I raced H/SA for years, I'm just saying that it's going to create an expense for medals and limit fields of current shooters to matches.

 

[323]

Are magnums allowed in CMP?

not for the new f class practical class.

 

[CJ6]

not for the new f class practical class.

What are they classifying as magnum? Belted or by case capacity?

 

[jackieschmidt]

The Tikka T3 varmint will fit the production class nicely and is well under budget. This reminds me of NHRA, in the 70's where you could build a car that fit any class and go and win a trophy/ National record. I'm not knocking it as I raced H/SA for years, I'm just saying that it's going to create an expense for medals and limit fields of current shooters to matches.

I was thinking of the awards cost too.

As a Match Director for Varmint for Score Matches, I, (the Club), only have to buy trophy’s for one class.

With all of these classes now in F Class, , will clubs have to foot the bill for what looks like a lot of awards?

 

[323]

What are they classifying as magnum? Belted or by case capacity?

Cmp Rulebook say no magnums so I imagine anything with a magnum in its name is a no go.
NRA rule book doesn’t say anything about magnums

 

[323]

I was thinking of the awards cost too.

As a Match Director for Varmint for Score Matches, I, (the Club), only have to buy trophy’s for one class.

With all of these classes now in F Class, , will clubs have to foot the bill for what looks like a lot of awards?

As a MD you can alleviate this by putting in the match program minimum of 3 shooter for awards heck you can put minimum of 6 shooters, MD have alot of leeway. If not enough shooters for awards then they will be combined with another class usually the F/O shooters. That's how are club does it anyhow.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Rulebook say no magnums so I imagine anything with a magnum in its name is a no go.

A 28 Nosler does not have “magnum” in it’s name, but anything that holds that much powder should have

 

[moorepower1]

I was thinking of the awards cost too.

As a Match Director for Varmint for Score Matches, I, (the Club), only have to buy trophy’s for one class.

With all of these classes now in F Class, , will clubs have to foot the bill for what looks like a lot of awards?

In addition to that, it would be wise to use some sort of qualified matches to gather points for national matches. If you have a limited field, you could leave a bunch of shooters who shoot a lot of club and other local matches out in the cold, to a shooters who seldom shoot and get lucky and sign up early. They are opening a Pandora's box. I don't believe they thought about the problem's this will cause. I love the idea of more shooters, by the way, but I don't think this will end well.

 

[Cochran]

That 14 pound limit is the real trick, here. When I put together that varmint class BR gun with a 40-X single shot and it’s original barrel, I could see that anything other than the lightest stock combined with the lightest scope I used, a fixed 42X NF Competition, wouldn’t make weight. The only piece that wasn’t optimized was a steel Nightforce base I previously had bedded and didn’t want to remove.

But Production Class must work a Harris bipod into that limit. I think the barrels will have tk be lighter than the 40-X cone taper we are familiar with. Savage’s target profile is a bit heavier.

Savage made or still makes an LRPV single shot with the a shorter version of the 30 inch barrel that I believe is 26 inches long, but I don’t think that gun has any chance of making 14 pounds. I started F-Class travel matches with that gun in 6BR, with a Harris and an NSX and it was probably about 19 pounds.

The 24 inch Remington tactical in an H&S stock could do it, but its caliber choices were limited. It’s probably about the shape and mass we are looking at, - a short action without a solid bottom, aluminum bottom metal, a barrel that is thinner than a “target” profile, in a composite stock. 26” Sendero’s might have a chance as well.

I imagine that if we pulled out our old 1 inch tube scopes, choices open up. 30 something ounces or more is what we are accustomed to. I have never looked at a target 1,000 yards out with a 1 inch scope. All mine were relatively inexpensive.

Single shot long action. 13 lbs 4.3 ounces

 

[davidjoe]

Yeah guys, even I am rethinking how to make weight. Earlier today I decided that I can. Trigger pulled.

Seems like several of us are on tacit agreement that nothing has surpassed the Savage 12 in 20 years.

My trial route is going to be a 110 A-Tip in a 6 BR. A second, brand new 6BR to match the gun that I still have, which started an avalanche of gear buying so long ago.

Will an 8 twist barrel stabilize a bullet labeled by the maker for 7.7? I don’t know.

But by tomorrow I will know. New Rules have cost me one rifle and 4 new Harris Bipods. So far.

 

[323]

In addition to that, it would be wise to use some sort of qualified matches to gather points for national matches. If you have a limited field, you could leave a bunch of shooters who shoot a lot of club and other local matches out in the cold, to a shooters who seldom shoot and get lucky and sign up early. They are opening a Pandora's box. I don't believe they thought about the problem's this will cause. I love the idea of more shooters, by the way, but I don't think this will end well.

Clubs who run national matches for the NRA better get to buying more shotmarkers. On the cmp side they can run 5-6 relays easy with 100 electronic targets if not more on viale range at camp perry.

 

[323]

Yeah guys, even I am rethinking how to make weight. Earlier today I decided that I can. Trigger pulled.

Seems like several of us are on tacit agreement that nothing has surpassed the Savage 12 in 20 years.

My trial route is going to be a 110 A-Tip in a 6 BR. A second, brand new 6BR to match the gun that I still have, which started an avalanche of gear buying so long ago.

Will an 8 twist barrel stabilize a bullet labeled by the maker for 7.7? I don’t know.

But by tomorrow I will know. New Rules have cost me one rifle and 4 new Harris Bipods. So far.


View attachment 1750547

Dang big money

 

[davidjoe]

Yes, this factory rifle will stabilize 110 A-Tips. At least at 200 yards, and near sea level. That has virtually always borne out, further.

But who can argue with 107 SMK’s over 30.0 Varget, shooting like this off a Harris Bipod in 25 mph head winds today. It shoots flatter and smaller than that in the calm.

As my son’s first match used rifle about 16 years ago, I seldom shoot it to save for a third generation to use in a match. It’ll make it, that date’s known, now, and then backup will step in.

I’d date those rings as “Circa end of Cold War”. I bought a set of three materials, apparently Stainless, Aluminum, and Magnesium, from Bruno’s estate sale room last month.

The 25x Leupold probably also caught the end of the Cold War and never had a better use than a division specifying 25 power max.

 

[JLT]

Yes, this factory rifle will stabilize 110 A-Tips. At least at 200 yards, and near sea level. That has virtually always borne out, further.

But who can argue with 107 SMK’s over 30.0 Varget, shooting like this off a Harris Bipod in 25 mph head winds today. It shoots flatter and smaller than that in the calm.

As my son’s first match used rifle about 16 years ago, I seldom shoot it to save for a third generation to use in a match. It’ll make it, that date’s known, now, and then backup will step in.

I’d date those rings as “Circa end of Cold War”. I bought a set of three materials, apparently Stainless, Aluminum, and Magnesium, from Bruno’s estate sale room last month.

The 25x Leupold probably also caught the end of the Cold War and never had a better use than a division specifying 25 power max.

Man, those scope rings are 'interesting' . . .