Difference between f-class and benchrest rifles?

[Laurie]

You can build a rifle legal in both but it will not be ideal for either.

Spot on!

........ and just to add to that, both disciplines see such tiny margins in results in top-end competition, whether group size or score, that competitors now have to strive for perfection, a single additional lost point in F over a weekend's multi-match fixture often changing final results by several places in high-end matches. The GB F-Class annual European Championship meeting earlier this month saw 3 points (out of five matches, 80 shots and 400 possible points) cover the top 10 shooters' aggregates, and of these, places six to 10 were identical on score, but determined on V-count. (Xs to US competitors.)

"You can build a rifle legal in both but it will not be ideal for either." I think Mr. Wheeler has it right, but I bought a used F open rifle with a Panda action in 6 dasher that will hold its on at 600 yd F and since it weighs a smidge less than 17 lb is legal for BR. So from my perspective it's just more opportunities to shoot.

I too have done this and enjoyed myself, which it should all be about at the end of the day, but you have to accept that the results may prove limiting in some circumstances and weather conditions, even at club match level.

Maybe we (in the UK) have windier ranges than you, but the sixes rarely do well these days even at 600 yards in F-Class. (Of course, we don't string-shoot, rather shoot alternately in pairs or even threes with a mandatory 45-second allowance to re-read the wind and take the shot.) It's so unusual for a six to win at beyond 500 yards these days that it caused considerable favourable comment when one of my Diggle fellow shooters took the F-Open class with a 6-Dasher in a 600 yard match a couple of weekends ago.

Another factor is some of the actions used in F-Class which are not optimised for fast operation and trouble-free feed. Again, likely another UK orientated characteristic, but especially in the early days of the discipline, the four-lug SWING / Paramount / RPA series of actions were widely used. Excellent actions though they are, and capable of producing superb precision, their 60-deg bolt throw with hard lift and 'notchy' feel make them pretty hopeless in BR where shots need to be got off quickly with minimum disturbance to the rifle position and aim. Three lug actions such as the Barnard 'P' have become the F-Open norm here, but one doesn't see this type too often in BR either.

 

[cavedweller60]

Thanks to all that replied. LRBR is a rare bird in my area so, i was more or less only concerned about, if a used BR rifle could be repurposed for use in F open.

I was most concerned about things such as stock geometry or other rarely talked about differences in the guns that made using one build, not just less than ideal but, a poor choice.

As I understand it now, as long as it complies with the rules or, it can be made to comply with rules, there is no substantial reason a BR gun can't be used in f class. It may be difficult to win at the higher levels (which is sadly, not one of my major concerns when I consider my age and medical history), but I can shoot and enjoy myself.

Once again, I appreciate all the replies. Take care.

 

[memilanuk]

In F you have 22 pound limit, in BR its 17 for light gun.

Alex, I thought one of the organizations raised or eliminated that distinction in the hopes of attracting some F-class shooters to the Dark Side?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Alex, I thought one of the organizations raised or eliminated that distinction in the hopes of attracting some F-class shooters to the Dark Side?

NBRSA went to 22 in LG. But I dont think its going to stay that way. Currently IBS and Freedom are 17 pounds. Some of my customers that bumped up the weight to 22 definitely thought it was an advantage in terms of gun handling and tracking.

 

[Will Henry]

In the days before "F" class morphed into "BR without the bench", the rifles were more different. As "F" class changed, and the rifles became more BR oriented, they rifles became more alike. In truth, anyone can still be pretty competitive in either discipline, with a Heavy Varmint rifle with a longer, fast twist barrel and a suitable scope and mount. WH