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.

 

[anon]

I've always wished there was an F-Open Bipod class, requiring folding, field type, bipods.

I've shot mid-range prone from a sling with an AI AT-X, in competition, in the summer, sweating, in my coat, in Houston.

It's a bummer that that rifle is a no go for this new class.

I guess I just put a bipod on my RPR. That rifle was good for high master mid range, and master long range, from a sling, in a coat.

 

[anon]

Hmph.

So, I pulled out my Gen 1 6.5 Creedmoor RPR that I have been shooting in prone matches since it was new, even shot it across the course a few times. As set up, it was as purchased, except for the Magpul MOE-K2-XL grip and White Oak slotted Match Handguard. With a Leupold MK4 4.5-14 LRT in a lightweight Nightforce unimount and any bipod I own, it is overweight. Bathroom scale says the rifle alone is 12.5 pounds, this is important later.

I have removed the White Oak handguard and replaced it with a Gen 2 handguard, substituted a Magpul 5 round AICS mag for the bob sled I had been using, and with an Atlas CAL with the picatinny mount, I make weight, just make weight.

The new Ruger RPRs have a heavier barrel and are shown as 12.5 pounds by Ruger. That rifle will not make weight as I have my Gen 1 configured, scope and bipod.

A current Ruger RPR and any scope and bipod should be able to make this class.

 

[anon]

An AI AT-X with the delivered 24" 6.5 CM barrel, hinge kit, AI bag rider, Vortex 6-36 in a Badger mount, and Atlas CAL is 18 pounds.

An AI AT-X with a 24" PVA Med Palma 6BR barrel, Vortex Golden Eagle in a Geissele, hinge kit, and sling attach point is 14 pounds.

They are both over the price limit and weight, but are representative of store bought rifles.

The other reality is, today, in December 2025, a bunch of people buy any of the crop of actions that accept prefit barrels, and put together their own rifle.

Again, it would be interesting to have a class that is folding bipods and squeeze bag only.

I am thankful for the new class and will be shooting an RPR in the prone matches, from the bipod next summer. I have both the Gen 1 6.5 CM and and Gen 2 5.56 cleaned up and configured to make weight in this new class.

 

[d0nkey]

I predict a plethora of Tikka T3X Ace Target and RPRs. I wouldn't mind trying this new category out!

 

[Fast14riot]

I suspect a bunch of Christensen Arms rifles showing up for 2-3 matches at most. Thats the most prevelant brand in the social media sniper crowd that shoots dots "all day long". Don't get me wrong, I want more shooters on the line. If a MD at the club level ever tried to turn away a shooter because of their rifle (beyond obvious safety reasons) they'd have an earful from me!

Again, this rule set as guidance for clubs makes sense so a newer shooter can go to a few different ranges and expect the same rules is a good thing. But I also think that the governing bodies should look at splitting rules between nationally regulated disciplines and non-nationally regulated. I.e. one set of rules acceptable for highest level of competition and another set, more inclusive for club/regional events. High level rules are within low level so you can have class award break out at the club level, but low level rules stop at a certain progression of skill and the shooter must level up to get higher in the sport. I also think the rule book should go to a 3 year revision period instead of annual.

 

[22 Excel]

I have been around braked PRS and hunting rifles. I do not want 1 of them next to me on the firing line bad enough when someone has a magnum for 1000 shooting. Suppressor no problem. All braked rifles would have to be on the same relay to be fair for all competitors. Wayne.

 

[JMayo]

How does a RM monitor all of this?
What keeps people from just fudging on the rules?

 

[karrarararararar]

I have been around braked PRS and hunting rifles. I do not want 1 of them next to me on the firing line bad enough when someone has a magnum for 1000 shooting. Suppressor no problem. All braked rifles would have to be on the same relay to be fair for all competitors. Wayne.

This class doesn't allow brakes or magnums

 

[323]

How does a RM monitor all of this?
What keeps people from just fudging on the rules?

Just like at Camp Perry during nationals cmp relies on the competitors to police ourselves and trust me competitors will call you out if your equipment is not up to snuff. I seen it happen, not me but other competitors. As they say no one cares until you win.

 

[mgunderson]

No dog in this fight. Feels a little like how Fclass was the first few years..... before the equipment race started.

 

[anon]

After a phone call to CMP I have a better understanding of the objective.

When I had read the rules,

"Type of Rifle. Must be a manually-operated magazine-fed repeater
or single shot rifle."

left me thinking it was detachable magazine or single shot, no ADL or BDL.

ADL and BDL type rifles are magazine-fed, internal magazine-fed.

Also, remage type barrel replacements seem to be acceptable, if still in the original profile.

Every range that is CMP affiliated for the purpose of Garand purchases ought to be required to host at least a few of these matches every year. I suspect that every member has at least one rifle that qualifies for this class. I know I do, even though I've never gotten around to buying a Garand.

 

[323]

After a phone call to CMP I have a better understanding of the objective.

When I had read the rules,

"Type of Rifle. Must be a manually-operated magazine-fed repeater
or single shot rifle."

left me thinking it was detachable magazine or single shot, no ADL or BDL.

ADL and BDL type rifles are magazine-fed, internal magazine-fed.

Also, remage type barrel replacements seem to be acceptable, if still in the original profile.

Every range that is CMP affiliated for the purpose of Garand purchases ought to be required to host at least a few of these matches every year. I suspect that every member has at least one rifle that qualifies for this class. I know I do, even though I've never gotten around to buying a Garand.

A lot of old timers that are still running matches have a lot of animosity towards cmp for the split between cmp and the NRA for nationals at camp perry and refuse to host anything cmp related. Our club I’m LR MD and our LR championship will be CMP sanctioned for 2026.