7 Max - 7 BSM Is F-Class Moving Faster?
- Thread starter gmr4
- Start date
Yes, I've learnt up to a point the bullet and velocity make a difference, but an incorrect wind call can be feet not fractions of an inch.
It's not about speed. If you get caught up in that race then you've already lost - the wind is your friend if you work at it.
gmr4
Silver $$ Contributor
I appreciate everyones thoughts on this.. no matter what I shoot the wind reading is the key. Im seeing some really good shooters moving faster though. Was working on tuning for new barrel yesterday and my last load, last 3 shots ended up around 1” at 1000. Had to tell someone!
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Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
Are some guys going to bigger stuff, yes they are. I am getting a lot more requests for 7-300/270 wsms than I ever have. More 300 wsms as well. I have even done a 300 Norma and about to do a 300 prc. So yes that seems to be the direction its headed. I am not saying it will stay that way.
gmr4
Silver $$ Contributor
Its friggin awesome and tons of work
There is a real possibility that we as individuals can never be as happy nor quite as productive with the cartridges or bullets we have moved “up” from, should we try to go back.
Superior BC, other variables being equal, is the functional equivalent of three things that would never be allowed, the first is moving closer to the target, the second is the prerogative to shoot in less wind, and the third, because one and two aren’t allowed, is shooting at larger rings on the target than others have, (when it’s windy).
The purist in us wants to be the best wind reader we can be, but the score sheets rank us by points. (There’s no reward for shooting a .223 mid pack in open with hero calls that others couldn’t make, though that would force improvement; at some point we all cave to BC).
If it’s not windy enough that YOU drop points, huge BC varies from being slightly to very significantly counterproductive.
Has anyone else tried going back? There are two relevant questions if you have, are you as good as before with that trusty .284, and even if you are, can you make up the difference against the bigger guns?
I don’t think either answer is yes. I don’t see or hear of guys going back. Now, there was one exception, the 2013 US Open team guys did tend to all revert back to .284 cartridges after worlds. But I would argue that when they did revert, they were at that time still mainly up against other .284’s. That’s not the case now.
It is true for each shooter that so long as they still lose points to wind, they have room to improve their reading skills. But it is also true that as they miss by “smaller” distances each year while they get better, the distance they miss by will get small enough, that some of them wouldn’t have been a miss with certain combinations. If this seems doubtful, test it the other way, by taking your best midrange 6BR to a 1,000 yard match.
Eventually, we won’t improve, and will decline. It stinks but that’s nature. The country varies widely in wind conditions, big guns are useless some places and small guns in more. The key is to maximize your score at each physical stage with the combination that best considers your reading skills, your body, your match wind conditions and your wallet, sometimes it’s not even just one gun.
Superior BC, other variables being equal, is the functional equivalent of three things that would never be allowed, the first is moving closer to the target, the second is the prerogative to shoot in less wind, and the third, because one and two aren’t allowed, is shooting at larger rings on the target than others have, (when it’s windy).
The purist in us wants to be the best wind reader we can be, but the score sheets rank us by points. (There’s no reward for shooting a .223 mid pack in open with hero calls that others couldn’t make, though that would force improvement; at some point we all cave to BC).
If it’s not windy enough that YOU drop points, huge BC varies from being slightly to very significantly counterproductive.
Has anyone else tried going back? There are two relevant questions if you have, are you as good as before with that trusty .284, and even if you are, can you make up the difference against the bigger guns?
I don’t think either answer is yes. I don’t see or hear of guys going back. Now, there was one exception, the 2013 US Open team guys did tend to all revert back to .284 cartridges after worlds. But I would argue that when they did revert, they were at that time still mainly up against other .284’s. That’s not the case now.
It is true for each shooter that so long as they still lose points to wind, they have room to improve their reading skills. But it is also true that as they miss by “smaller” distances each year while they get better, the distance they miss by will get small enough, that some of them wouldn’t have been a miss with certain combinations. If this seems doubtful, test it the other way, by taking your best midrange 6BR to a 1,000 yard match.
Eventually, we won’t improve, and will decline. It stinks but that’s nature. The country varies widely in wind conditions, big guns are useless some places and small guns in more. The key is to maximize your score at each physical stage with the combination that best considers your reading skills, your body, your match wind conditions and your wallet, sometimes it’s not even just one gun.
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Precisionhunter417
Silver $$ Contributor
I shoot in F-TR and have started to go back to 223 recently to spend more time making better wind calls and less time on rifle management. I have found that even more true with my f-open rig that is chambered in 300 WSM vs its counterpart that i chambered in 6mm XC.
The focus on managing the recoil and rifle tracking distracts me from the wind calls that, in my opinion, makes much more impact on my scores.
I see the never ending pursuit for ballistic advantage but at some point the guy next to you shooting a non magnum 6mm or 7mm is going to handily run circles around you and have a smile on his face while doing so.
We have a diverse group of shooters at my local club and each month 6br, 6GT, 7-FCP, 7PRCW, 300WSM will all be next to each other. The 6br will win half the time. At 1K its not as prevalent but my statement still stands. More is not always better.
The focus on managing the recoil and rifle tracking distracts me from the wind calls that, in my opinion, makes much more impact on my scores.
I see the never ending pursuit for ballistic advantage but at some point the guy next to you shooting a non magnum 6mm or 7mm is going to handily run circles around you and have a smile on his face while doing so.
We have a diverse group of shooters at my local club and each month 6br, 6GT, 7-FCP, 7PRCW, 300WSM will all be next to each other. The 6br will win half the time. At 1K its not as prevalent but my statement still stands. More is not always better.
There are only 2 things that "overcome" wind, SPEED and BC. If you have a 7mm bullet of "X" BC and drive it 2800f.p.s., you get "so much" wind drift say in a 10mph crosswind. If you ADD 200f.p.s on to that, you will get a "noticeably" less wind drift figure. However, the old adage comes into play>>> there is no free lunch! You will also get "noticeably" LESS barrel life. You WILL get a noticeable increase in recoil. Additionally, you will be using more powder. Will the "extra" velocity cause you to go from an "average" shot to a highly competitive individual? No way! I have been shooting F-Class since 2011. I have tried about everything and have learned quite a bit.
If you want to become a real competitive shooter, I think it boils down to a nominal few things.
1.) Having the proper rifle for your discipline.
2.) Using a cartridge with reasonably good ballistics.
3.) Having an excellent barrel and load, that screams ACCURACY!
4.) A "fair" amount of practice along with LOTS of time at competitive matches! WHY? To LEARN how to read wind! You can have the most accurate cartridge / load, BUT if you are not adept at reading wind, you will not be "REALLY" competitive! Just to let you know that I know what I am talking about, I have NEVER been a "highly competitive" competitor. I simply can not read wind good enough>>>no matter how many matches I went to. However, just for accuracy purposes in load development, I can shoot with the best of them. But at 1000 yards, I am sorely lacking. Wind reading is the key!
If you want to become a real competitive shooter, I think it boils down to a nominal few things.
1.) Having the proper rifle for your discipline.
2.) Using a cartridge with reasonably good ballistics.
3.) Having an excellent barrel and load, that screams ACCURACY!
4.) A "fair" amount of practice along with LOTS of time at competitive matches! WHY? To LEARN how to read wind! You can have the most accurate cartridge / load, BUT if you are not adept at reading wind, you will not be "REALLY" competitive! Just to let you know that I know what I am talking about, I have NEVER been a "highly competitive" competitor. I simply can not read wind good enough>>>no matter how many matches I went to. However, just for accuracy purposes in load development, I can shoot with the best of them. But at 1000 yards, I am sorely lacking. Wind reading is the key!
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