Action for F/TR

[wooger]

Hi Guys,
Forum newbie here but reading for a while. I recently competed in my first F class match and enjoyed it. I used a "practical" style rifle and shot pretty well but am interested in building a dedicated rifle with a longer barrel. What action would you recommend? I'm not interested in re working a 700 or the savage action at this time.
Thanks for the input.

 

[memilanuk]

I honestly don't think you need to re-work anything on a Savage Target action to be competitive in F/TR, but thats just me...

My next suggestion would be a Barnard. You can get them left port, right port, dual port, etc. etc. I'd say right bolt right port, get the vee-block mounting setup, they come with a pretty decent trigger, get a Mastin stock (available with the vee-block installed for a drop-in fit)... then just get a barrel put on it. Might want to get the Prone stock as I think the F-Class stock is a bit chunky and may cause some weight issues for F/TR.

See MTguns.com for all your Barnard & Mastin needs...

 

[flatlander]

Monte's given good advice on the Barnard, though personally, I don't think you're going to do a whole lot better with a custom action than what you'd get by going with a Savage F/TR rifle.

 

[1000yardstare]

I would say the Savage F/TR has doubled participation in Ontario F Class. Just buy it and shoot it.

I don`t see new shooters building F(Open) rifles. Any new barrels they are buying are in .308 for M700s to get the Rems on a competitive level with the Savage.

 

[wooger]

Thanks for the input. My experience with Savage was limited to one rifle, which had feeding issues but was surprisingly accurate. I suppose with a single shot that that wouldn't be an issue.

 

[wwbrown]

I built my F-class rig off of a Stiller Predator single shot action and it shot better than I did. Un fortunately someone stole the gun and I am now looking at building another and I am leaning towards the stainless steel Viper from Stiller. The Viper has a rail and recoil lug built in and I see that as a plus, one set less of screws to come loose and the static recoil lug is one less thing to worry about on a switch barrel. Will I be able to shoot more accurately with the Viper over the Predator, probably not but who knows.

My $0.02 worth,

wade

 

[Kenny474]

Team Savage does very well with factory Savage rifles. It seems there is an article about them cleaning house at a match every few months. If they can win at an international competition, I'm sure the rifle can be competitive at the club level as well.

Just buy a Savage F/TR and run with it. About the only modification that should be necessary is bedding the action, and that needs to be done to nearly every rifle so it's not unexpected.

For the money you would save over a full custom you could buy another barrel to compete in F-Open, or pick up a Savage F-Class in 6.5-285 or 6BR and still come out saving money and have a rifle for both FT/R and Open.
I had called around for quotes on a custom rifle similar to an F-Class rig a while back, and most prices were between $2500 to $3500 for a full custom rig. The Savage FT/R and F-Class have a street price of apprx $1050 and $1150. Less than half the cost of custom yet still able to be competitive, especially in FT/R.

I just don't think you need to lay out the cash necessary to build a full custom to get started with a competitive rifle, as you can only get so much accuracy from the .223 and .308 when shooting from a bipod. The real deciding factor in FT/R, which in my opinion is more important than if your rifle is factory or custom, is the ability of the shooter. If you can't hold steady and consistent from shot to shot than even a $4000 custom rig won't put you on the podium.

 

[Steve Blair]

Unfortunately someone stole the gun and I am now looking at building another and I am leaning towards the stainless steel Viper from Stiller.

Wade,
You may want to check with Stiller about availability. When I bought my Viper SS in March, this year, it was the last one in stock. They told me that there would not be any more for at least a year. That may have changed. I believe the aluminum Vipers are available.

I shoot a Savage 12F in F/TR and make weight by a little less than 1 ounce. The sunshade had to go, could not use a Nightforce (too heavy) and no adjustable cheek piece. The rifle shoots 210 Bergers very well from a 10" twist.