BR to F-Class. Possible fisrt timmer questions.

[lmorrison17]

I have 6Dasher setup for 600yd IBS. But only 1 place to shoot it, while there are 3 places within driving distance that shoot F-Class. Bridgeville, New Holland and Cumberland Riflemen. I have read some of the rules but have never witnessed a match. I know they pull the target after each shot, 2 sighters and 20 rounds for score 3 times. I read something about squading, don't know what that is. I know how BR matches run in relays how do these F-Class matches run. Last how do most people setup their rests and rear bags stably on grass, gravel, dirt, ECT? Does anyone have pics of how their rests are setup? TIA
Larry

 

[Erik Cortina]

F-Class is also shot in relays.

Squadding means they will tell you what relay and which target you are going to shoot on, once they tell you that you will shoot in that order all day long.

I use long legs on my rest to be able to level it regardless of how uneven the gound is, the rear bag you have to look for a place that is even on the ground, I set up my rests on the ground, but some people set up the rear bag on top of their shooting mat. Make sure you use F-Class feet on your rest so that it will not sink into the ground.

 

[memilanuk]

Sounds like the ranges you are looking at run what are called 3x600 matches - three stages @ 600yds.

At sign in or shortly there after, the match director will give you a score card with a target number and relay number as Eric described. Usually there will be a short shooter's meeting / safety brief, after which people go to their assigned places. Relay #1 starts bringing their stuff to the line (but not their guns, yet) and setting up their shooting mats, range bag, rests, etc. on the spot assigned for their target. Relay #2 sets up a folding chair or stool behind and slightly off to the side of the shooter on their firing point, so they can score for the shooter. Relay #3 heads to the target pits to set up the targets and make everything ready.

Relay #1 shoots, then there is a pit change - Relay #3 comes out, Relay #1 heads down to the pits. Relay #2 shoots, Relay #3 scores. Then they swap, Relay #3 shoots, Relay #2 scores. Relay #2 shoots again, and #3 scores. Another pit change, and Relay #2 heads to the pits, #1 comes out. #3 shoots, #1 scores, then #1 shoots, #3 scores. #3 shoots one more time, then another pit change and #3 heads to the pits and #1 sets up to shoot, and #2 comes out and scores. Finally, #2 shoots and #1 scores.

Relay #1 shoots first, and often gets the best (mildest) conditions of the day. Relay #3 starts out and finishes in the pits, and has to get the targets out and put them away. Traditionally #3 is the newer / lower ranked shooters, and #1 is the more experienced / higher ranked shooters (i.e. rank has some privileges). Depending on how the squadding works out, that may or may not happen at a particular club, but some places do it that way so the more experienced shooters - the ones most likely to be vying for Match Winner - shoot together on the same relay under the same conditions all day. Other places spread the experienced people out across the relays to help herd the new shooters around and show them the ropes (how to pull and score targets, for example).

If the above is confusing, don't worry. Talk to the match director before the match, explain you are a new shooter, and they will likely have someone look after you. If all else fails, follow the other shooters on your relay - if you look around and they are all headed for the pits, you probably should be also

 

[Erik Cortina]

Also, once they give the command to bring the rifles to the firing line, there will be a preparation period, DON'T SHOOT during prep! After prep period is over, they will give a FIRE command, I always wait for someone else to shoot before me just to make sure. Also, be very aware of your target number and make a habit of looking at the target number before you shoot to avoid cross firing and thus loosing 10 points!

You will have tons of fun, go out and enjoy it!

 

[lmorrison17]

Thanks everyone. The next one around here is on May the 7th and I think I'm gonna go. I need to work up something for my rest and set my scope adjustment up to where it should be on paper at 600. What if you dont get on paper with 2 sighters, seen a lot of times in BR where folks had trouble getting on.

 

[Dgd6mm]

That depends on the Range you are at. Port Malabar Gun Range will pull you off the line for the day if you have a clean miss.

 

[TonyR]

I have 6Dasher setup for 600yd IBS. But only 1 place to shoot it, while there are 3 places within driving distance that shoot F-Class. Bridgeville, New Holland and Cumberland Riflemen. I have read some of the rules but have never witnessed a match. I know they pull the target after each shot, 2 sighters and 20 rounds for score 3 times. I read something about squading, don't know what that is. I know how BR matches run in relays how do these F-Class matches run. Last how do most people setup their rests and rear bags stably on grass, gravel, dirt, ECT? Does anyone have pics of how their rests are setup? TIA
Larry

Bridgeville would be a great place to start F-Class. There are some great shooters there but people go out of there way to help new shooters. Just show up and, when you register, tell the match director you are new to F-Class and would like some help. Just take your regular gear and some pieces of wood that will fit under the feet of your rest. The firing line is gravel and your rest feet need something to sit on. Otherwise you should be fine. It is OK for new shooters to get help getting on paper. The first time I shot there, one of the guys showed me how to boresite and get on the first shot. can't speak to the other ranges, but Bridgeville is one of the nicest places to shoot.

 

[lmorrison17]

Well I wish it were at Bridgeville as I am familiar with it and know some of the people because they shoot the BR matches too. But it's at club Called Cumberland Riflemen up in Jersey.

 

[jjbduke2004]

Bridgeville would be a good place, but the next F-class match is not until June.

Having been in the pits at Bridgeville when new shooters were firing, there's nothing scarier than a new shooter that can't hit the target: the clangs of number board strikes and the whizzes of bullets ricocheting over the pits is rather frightening.

I recommend you zero the rifle at 200 yards (or 100 yards if that's all you have access to) and apply a come up to zero in for 600 yards. For the .223, a 15 MOA change is a standard come up for 600 yards from a 200 yard zero. Add 1.5 MOA if you're starting at 100 yards. Bridgeville won't throw you off the line for missing, but it's not good to miss.

memilanuk described the three relay system. But depending on turnout a two or four relay system is used. Two relays: one relay on the line, the other in the pits marking targets AND keeping score. The two relay system is often used for low turn out high power matches, I haven't seen it needed at a prone/F-class match. Four relays: relay one on the line, relay two scoring behind the line, two relays in the pits (two per target--nice and easy). Four relays are used when the range is at or near capacity. If you look at a match program, you will see a capacity listed: it's the number of firing points times four. New Holland has 10 points and will list a capacity of 40. Bridgeville has 12 points, so a capacity of 48.


At Bridgeville when we use the three relay system the order is:

relay one shoots 1st stage, relay two scores, relay three in the pits
relay two shoots 1st stage, relay one scores, relay three in the pits
relay one shoots 2nd stage, relay two scores, relay three in the pits
[PIT CHANGE]
relay two shoots 2nd stage, relay three scores, relay one in the pits
relay three shoots 1st stage, relay two scores, relay one in the pits
relay two shoots 3rd stage, relay three scores, relay one in the pits [relay two done shooting]
[PIT CHANGE]
relay three shoots 2nd stage, relay one scores, relay two in the pits
relay one shoots 3rd stage, relay three scores, relay two in the pits [relay one done shooting]
relay three shoots 3rd stage, relay one scores, relay two in the pits
[match over, relay two cleans up pits]

 

[sbrabec]

Here is few photo's from a match my boy shot:

Enjoy
Scott

 

[lmorrison17]

I have the information all loaded into a ballistics prog. and it's telling me I need to be 11" high at 100. I'm going to go set that up tomorrow. Hopefully all will go well on sat.
Larry

 

[lmorrison17]

OK I did it.
I got there and told the RO I was new and wasn't zeroed but had the come up dialed in. He called over a couple fellas and after a bit of discussion they though I ought to put another minute on. I had a little bit of time to talk to a few folks and then RO called everyone over to the shed and passed out the score cards. I was on the third and last relay.

Then I made my first mistake I put the card in my Jeep without looking at the target # while grabbing glasses, muffs and water. I caught a ride down to the pits after a bit of figuring my target# was determined. I had a bit of time and few folks helped me out but the fella to my Right I think his name was Bob Mayers helped me a lot by showing how to set the score disk and how the rules went and when it was time to paste on the new centers helped me again.

Finally when it was my turn to score the fella I was scoring for was very patient and told me what I had to do and what my responsibility's were. Then when It was game time for me and conditions were still pretty good I got out my gear but had to use shooting mat the the previous shooter kindly left for me. Luckily for my first belly flop match there was a concrete firing line and it was easy to setup my rest and bag. When it was announced that our time had started I inserted my bolt and looked at my scorer for confirmation that all was ready I popped one in what would normally be the eject port of my dual port Lawton closed it up settled in and let her rip, I didn't have clue where it would land. Lo and behold I was high in the 8 ring and fuzz right, hmm my numbers were good. Back down 3/4 of a minute couple clicks left a look at the flags sampled the wind on my face "BANG" a 10! OK here we go, I shot as fast I could but had to wait a few times for my wind but it went pretty good. During my last 2 strings I shot a couple 8's when the wind I had dialed in died but went good for the most part till it was over.

When it over and during cleanup I got some time to talk to the friendly guy from the pits and his friend Rich who as it turned out were parked next to me. Then we went to look at the score board and I was thinking Ok that was fun. The biggest kicker of all was I won. BR guys if you've been giving it some thought but holding off, what the heck ya waitin for? Come play a new game!
Larry

 

[Nodak7mm]

Congratulations!!!!

Sounds like you had a great time too!!

Rod

 

[Cigarcop]

Larry, that was me that helped you when you came up from the pits and you scored for me your first time, was nice meeting you and you did very well indeed, you even got me by 3 points when it was over...musta been that fancy front rest you were using! Next time put a bi-pod on!......Again congrats and hope to see you again. Keith

 

[lmorrison17]

Thanks Keith, but next time I think we ought to let you use the rest. I keep front rest bags bags in my stuff to fit all the forearm sizes. I know you introduced yourself as did about 5 or 6 others and I was on info overload. I wish I could remember everyone's name. Bob's I had to go get from an old BR results list that from a shoot we both attended a few years back. I think I'll be a regular at least till the Bridgeville starts back up. New Holland is next week I'm hoping to go as I have never been there but I really need a new set of cases. But I wanna try out a new powder too. Thanks again for the help.
Larry

 

[Cigarcop]

I'll be at New Holland for sure bud and hope to see you there if you can make it!

And you guys now have me wanting to build a full F-Class rig, instead of shooting my Tactical rigs!

 

[boogershooter]

Larry, I knew you would get hooked! I hope to see you this Sunday.

 

[Oliveralan]

I'm not sure yet but hope to go shoot the match at New Holland next weekend. If so will be the first F-class match for my 6.5x47L!

 

[Erik Cortina]

I'm not sure yet but hope to go shoot the match at New Holland next weekend. If so will be the first F-class match for my 6.5x47L!

Good luck and believe me, you will enjoy that caliber!

 

[rocketron]

I'll be at New Holland for sure bud and hope to see you there if you can make it!

And you guys now have me wanting to build a full F-Class rig, instead of shooting my Tactical rigs!

i knew it was just a matter of time till you would throw that harris in the weeds.

Ron