Caliber for F-Class

[dskinner103]

I would like to start competitive shooting. I have access to a range (300 yards) and am now reloading my own 308, 7mm Rem Mag and 338 Win. and I am comfortable with all of that thanks to a friend of mine who has started my "ADDICTION"! What caliber would you suggest for a rookie to start with? I feel comfortable with any of these with respect to recoil no matter how many rounds I shoot. Again, the club I will be joining has 100, 200 and 300 yard ranges so this is where I will get my start.
Thank you everyone.
Also, what would be a good entry level gun/trigger/barrel, etc. for this attempt? I have some very nice hunting rifles but I am afraid they will not be competitive enough.

 

[HPMike800]

338 is too big to met NRA rules. If you shoot 308 and use a bipod you can compete in f-T/R class. The first thing you need to do is decide if you want to shoot F-Open (belly benchrest) or F-T/R (308/223 & bipod).

The main problem with a hunting rifle is the barrel and stock. The barrel is not heavy enough and will over heat . The stock is set up for standing/kneeling not prone.

Savage makes some useable target rifles and there is a lot used stuff that comes up.

 

[memilanuk]

338 is too big to met NRA rules.

Not entirely true... NRA rules allow up to .35 cal, with individual range envelope possibly restricting further. A .338 may not be much fun without a muzzle brake though, which is not allowed per NRA rules...

For the OP... if your club has out to 300yds, I'd say get a .223 Rem with a fast twist barrel. Pretty much anything with a 1-9" twist or faster will work at that distance. If you see yourself travelling a bit to other ranges that possibly have distances out to 500-600yds, I'd still say .223 Rem but try very hard to get one with a 1-8 or 1-7 twist to drive the longer 75-80gn bullets designed for single load use (75 A-Max, S80MK, B80VLD, B82BT, etc.). Alternately a .308 (the other caliber allowed in F/TR) will work equally well for you, and if you have a range in reasonable driving distance that goes out to 1000yds, the .308 is probably a better all-around choice.

 

[HPMike800]

Your right, why was I thinking 338 was too big.

OP - 223 with a 1:8 and 75-80's is a very good midrange cartridge and often wins the local matches in 500yd F-TR class. It's also cheep to shoot.

 

[benjamin199]

For Midrange Fclass 300-600 yards, it is very hard to beat the 6mm BR. At the midrange matches I attend usually the majority of the top finishers are shooting a 6mmBR or one of its versions. Another cartridge to look at would be the 6.5x47 lapua, I have seen some shooters have success with that cartridge as well. Be careful though, if you think you are addicted now, wait until you start shooting some matches.
Good luck,
Ben

 

[dskinner103]

Thanks again everyone. I have been doing a lot of research and have always been a fan of .308 and have looked long and hard at a 6mm. There is a reason this website is named so. I never gave a 223 much thought for long range but now, as always, there is much more research to do before making my final purchase. I want to do it right the first time and not waste my money. There are a lot of custom builders out there and now I have to make my pick of barrels, actions, etc. I will keep my eye on these classifieds but I also do not want to buy a rilfe that has more real estate behind it than in front of it. I also plan on attending more matches as a spectator to help satisfy my curiosity. There is so much to learn and many hurdles to cross. I just want to pick all of your brains and stay up nights on the forums to limit my rookie mistakes.
There is something about a custom built rifle with my own cartridges that gives a great sense of accomplishment whether punching paper or taking game.

 

[Dgd6mm]

dskinner, for the range you are able to shoot at the .223 is what I would use. HPMike800 is spot on.

 

[effendude]

I am laughing heartily that you think you will be satisfied with just "one rifle". I gave up on that a long time ago. All of the above comments are great. You can never go wrong with another rifle, whatever caliber. F-TR with a .223 would be a great entry level learning rifle for the shorter midranges, and inexpensive to load for.
Scott

 

[Dgd6mm]

1 rifle, whats that? ;D

 

[Steve Blair]

1 rifle, whats that? ;D

It is a place to mount one (1) scope.

 

[TonyR]

Thanks again everyone. I have been doing a lot of research and have always been a fan of .308 and have looked long and hard at a 6mm. There is a reason this website is named so. I never gave a 223 much thought for long range but now, as always, there is much more research to do before making my final purchase. I want to do it right the first time and not waste my money. There are a lot of custom builders out there and now I have to make my pick of barrels, actions, etc. I will keep my eye on these classifieds but I also do not want to buy a rilfe that has more real estate behind it than in front of it. I also plan on attending more matches as a spectator to help satisfy my curiosity. There is so much to learn and many hurdles to cross. I just want to pick all of your brains and stay up nights on the forums to limit my rookie mistakes.
There is something about a custom built rifle with my own cartridges that gives a great sense of accomplishment whether punching paper or taking game.

Laurie has been playing with a .223 Rem for a while and it looks like he has figured it out:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/05/223-remington-shooter-equals-gb-1000-yard-f-tr-record/

He posts here a lot and has talked about this build. You could also PM him

 

[boogershooter]

Let a rookie help a rookie, just find a good smith and send him a check for your dream rifle and go ahead and find another one at a shop or in the classifieds to shoot until you get the custom in hand. And yes scopes hehe,dont skimp on optics. Most importantly- have a blast and make many friends.

 

[lal357]

shot my first f-open match (300yrd) in may and i'm hooked took 2 guns savage lrpv in 223 and a savage tigershark in 308 (wanted to see which one i liked the most ). finished 8th out of 19 and my 2 buds finished 5 and 6th.using the 223 not bad for new guys(shot in the 190-194 range ) 1 never shot 300 or my rifle before . now i'm planning on rebarreling my 308 for open and use the 223 in f t/r class its addictive for sure i can see a 1-8 twist in the 223's future when i shoot out the factory barrel.

 

[Troy13]

I have a .223 with an 8 twist rem action set up for FTR. 3-600. It hammers with
80g VLDs. 26" kriger on it. Went to F-Open. Pm me for pics and price if interested.
Troy.
Deltadrake13@yahoo.com