CMP did it new F class category

[323]

We’ve offered that the last two years at our 1000yd matches in Mo. We don’t get many takers.

Same for up here, initially we had some takers but once they started shooting the 1k yd target they realized their rifles were not as accurate as they thought they were. Saw a lot 170’s score occasional 180’s. While our dedicated F/O shooters were shooting the normal mid to high 190’s. Nothing more humbling when you realize your rifle is not what you thought it was. Our 600yd matches we get some of the prs guys but nothing to get excited about. When I talk to the PRS/NRL folks about shooting with us I get the ol it’s boring what you guys do. I been to an NRL hunter match where I had to wait over an hour to shoot 8rds lol. I guess their and my idea of boring is completely different.

 

[323]

Steel and paper shooters are two different breeds and it’s always been hard to get one group to try or stay with the other game.

Hits on steel offer instant feedback and that really appeals to a lot of people. Also, on steel a hit is a hit. Center hits or edge hits, doesn’t matter. Some disciplines even a bounced in bullet hit counts.

Anyway, good to see suppressors gaining acceptance in the HP world. I’ve gotten to where I don’t like shooting without one and I have rifles that have never been shot without their can.

Erik Cortina might had the inside scoop that the NRA is going to allow suppressors now. He just introduced a new tuner that can be easily used with a suppressor.

 

[Laurie]

The UK could do with something similar, if they haven't already. I probably know twenty or thirty people with that kind of equipment for every one with an F class rifle. It's a good way to introduce new people to the sport.

Most of our clubs that encompass F-Class/FTR already do this. For instance PSSA at Diggle have an 'F-Mil' class which usually makes up 50% of the huge entries of the combined TR / FTR / F-Class / F-Mil fixtures. Mostly custom built PRS / tactical rifles with a very few heavy-barrel factory varmint-sporter rifles.

There were attempts in the UK years ago after FTR matured and became expensive to have a class like that the CMP is proposing - ie limited to largely unaltered factory rifles and with other restrictions. As a rule it hasn't taken off and in clubs where it has survived (AFAIK, 101RC at Altcar still does this) there are relatively few competitors. It appears there are far fewer 'varmint' shooters with suitable heavy-barrel rifles than there are Tactical / PRS / McQueens etc competitors willing to try slow-shoot prone competitions. (Some of the custom rifles also see field use despite their considerable weight.)

At Diggle, top F-Mil shooters' scores are right up with the best of the two 'F' disciplines out to 800 yards, but they usually drop down a little at 1,000 probably thanks to the shorter barrels they employ.

 

[Tangent]

Thanks Laurie, that's the first time I've heard of F-Mil, I'll have to look into that.

 

[Albany Mountain]

They really need to do a class for PRS style rifles. Basically require bipods and allow brakes. Maybe require the gun/ammo to be mag fed (or at least capable of.)

It’s in the new rules

 

[karrarararararar]

So this class is only valid for high power prone matches? A 50 or 80 shot match wouldn’t count towards this class… am I tracking?

Correct, it's a class within F-Class.

 

[karrarararararar]

I'd be looking at a T3X Ace Target if I was getting into this class. Looks like it's about the perfect rifle for it

 

[jackieschmidt]

Same for up here, initially we had some takers but once they started shooting the 1k yd target they realized their rifles were not as accurate as they thought they were. Saw a lot 170’s score occasional 180’s. While our dedicated F/O shooters were shooting the normal mid to high 190’s. Nothing more humbling when you realize your rifle is not what you thought it was. Our 600yd matches we get some of the prs guys but nothing to get excited about. When I talk to the PRS/NRL folks about shooting with us I get the ol it’s boring what you guys do. I been to an NRL hunter match where I had to wait over an hour to shoot 8rds lol. I guess their and my idea of boring is completely different.

This also happens in other shooting Disciplines.
At out Tomball 100 and 200 yard Score Matches, we offer a class called Modified that allows just about anything that is not an all out “Benchrest Rifle”. It’s perfect for shooters with high end Varmint Rifles, Precision Rifle, and even F class.
We get very few takers. The old…..”my rifle shoots 1/4 inch groups all day long” gets hit with a big dose of reality.

As for the new rule in FClass, something similar to this has been tried in just about every competitive endeavor. You try to set rules, but someone who wants to win badly enough will figure out a way to skate around them and gain a competitive advantage in equipment where there should not be one.

However, I admire the F-Class/High Power shooters for at least trying to do something to identify as an entry level class.