F-Class 1000 Yard

[Retired Grunt]

I jumped into Mid Range two years ago and have now shot 14 matches, making progress along the way. I know some shooters have multiple rifles for different matches. I may not be able to swing a .284 right off the bat.
I shoot F-Open with a Savage 12 LRP, 6.5 Creedmoor in a MDT TAC 21 Chassis that weighs 18.2 LBS with great balance and stability, Optics are a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25 x 56 (I can see the X and Numbers at 500 Yards)
I haven't shot 1000 yards in 40 some years on a M-14 Familiarization Range.
Any tips?

 

[MikeMcCasland]

What kind of tips are you looking for? Equipment? Technique?

From your OP, the very first thing I would do is get a purpose built optic; something with higher magnification and 1/8th MOA adjustment.

I've shot 1k with a 27x 1/4 MOA optic before; going to something with 50x+ magnification is a massive step up, even if you can't use it at max power all day/season. Secondly, the ability to adjust in 1/8th increments will greatly help you center up your group.

 

[ShootDots]

In actuality, a 6.5 Creedmoor is an excellent 1000 yard cartridge>>>>when the wind is not huffing and puffing.. Several years ago, shooting at Bayou Rifles in Texas, I got my "High Master" classification at Long Range (1000 yards in Houston) using a 6.5 x 47 Lapua. There is nothing wrong with a 6.5 Creed or any other 6.5 as long as you understand that when the wind is contrary you will have difficulties. Having said that, WE ALL have to learn how to read the wind. I shoot a .300WSM that slices thru the wind better than almost anything "out there". Yet, I can and do, still come up with some pretty lousy scores because wind reading to me is about like reading Hieroglyphics!

 

[rardoin]

I concur with Mike and Ben. Just go shoot! Your optics will be a little limiting at first and more limiting as your wind reading skills improve. The same with the cartridge/bullet (use a 140-142gr)...it will be the least of your limitation until you start to get a handle on wind reading. Go have fun. See you at the range.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I disagree with all of the above. DON'T DO IT! Run away. Run away. Run far, run fast.

If you try it, you will be hooked and your wallet will develop a leak.


I tried to warn you.

 

[Sandstorm]

I put in a season with a 6.5 Creedmoor and let me tell you it was an extreemly
humbling and very learning experience. I highly reccomend you go out and enjoy yourself
at the 1000 yd line. While I didnt win any that year, I had the time of my life and learned more
than any textbook.....although I did do some reading too....lol

 

[swd]

A 6.5 Creed won our state championships a couple years ago and we have several guys that shoot them for mid and LR both and do extremely well with them. There’s no flies there..

 

[Ned Ludd]

You'll be fine. Just do it. Be sure you know appropriate windage for your loaded rounds and the sizes of the target scoring rings in MOA, then watch the flags and mirage through your spotting scope like a hawk. If you see something in the conditions you don't like, keep your finger off the trigger. Most of all, just enjoy the experience and don't get so caught up in trying to perform well that you forget to have fun. That's what keeps us coming back.

 

[mike a]

What kind of tips are you looking for? Equipment? Technique?

From your OP, the very first thing I would do is get a purpose built optic; something with higher magnification and 1/8th MOA adjustment.

I've shot 1k with a 27x 1/4 MOA optic before; going to something with 50x+ magnification is a massive step up, even if you can't use it at max power all day/season. Secondly, the ability to adjust in 1/8th increments will greatly help you center up your group.

+1 for 1/8 clicks. Get dead center on the waterline because that bull isn’t square.

 

[Tod Hendricks]

Pick ONE cartridge, preferably a proven LR cartridge, stick to that ONE cartridge, learn how to load for it and how to shoot it.

 

[Retired Grunt]

Thanks all, I know I was kind of vague for the "Tip" request, you all hit on some good ones. I know I will eventually assemble a dedicated Long Range rifle. I shot more this Covid Year than my first year, 14 Matches then about 2 practice sessions a month, our club range max is 500 yards, I don't know of a 1000 yard range except at Camp Atterbury, I am pretty sure it is only available on match days. I am really considering retiring in the spring, and my wife likes it when I go shoot.

 

[boltman13]

I have competed in Long Range since 2007 with a 6.5 Creedmoor. First in sling then F-Open. I shot a lot of F-TR with a 308 and it was about like the 6.5 Creed in the wind. Now I shoot only F-Open with my Creed and with the current bullets I can occasionally post a Master score. The top shooters are mostly into the 284 and improved ones but many of them got to High Master with 6.5-284's and 140 gr Berger's. The Creed can't reach 2900 fps but gives much better barrel life and almost neglagable recoil. The matches at Atterbury are well within driving range and God willing the 2021 Nationals are there. A bigger scope will help at 1K yds. but don't wait to get started, jump right in, and have some fun.

 

[lawman29]

Pick ONE cartridge, preferably a proven LR cartridge, stick to that ONE cartridge, learn how to load for it and how to shoot it.

Grunt; this guy stumbled to 3rd place at the recent Nationals with a miserable 83 X's out of 160 shots. So "one cartridge, preferably a proven LR cartridge". The 6.5 creedmoor is not a proven LR (1k) F open cartridge. You can look at the equipment lists of the top shooters .284 predominate and then some. I like you shot the 6.5 when I started at both mid-range and long range. I also had a 4-24x50 scope with 1/4 clicks and a Hart rest. I did graduate to shooting Berger 180 hybrids at LR until the rotator cuff gave out (and now have a scope that goes to 50x and 1/8 clicks and a Seb NEO). I now shoot a Dasher at both mid and long range. I am competitive at mid range and a participant at long range. You can participate with anything...

"learn how to load it" so what are your reloading techniques & equipment? Got an FX120i? I do now - when I started had a digital rcbs upgrade from my beam... Dies? Bullets? etc. etc. How confident are you that your loaded rounds are consistent as to powder charge, seating depth, neck tension... How do you test your loads to decide on a recipe...

"learn how to shoot it" so with 14 matches under your belt which way is the arrow going - up - down - static??? The measure is your scores and classification. Think about it and ask yourself so when I started comparing scores from then to now (given comparable match conditions..) am I shooting better scores and is my x count increasing?? These numbers tell the tale of your load testing and reloading procedures and your competitive shooting ability.

 

[rardoin]

Start participating now, then figure how to be competitive if you desire.

 

[Retired Grunt]

Grunt; this guy stumbled to 3rd place at the recent Nationals with a miserable 83 X's out of 160 shots. So "one cartridge, preferably a proven LR cartridge". The 6.5 creedmoor is not a proven LR (1k) F open cartridge. You can look at the equipment lists of the top shooters .284 predominate and then some. I like you shot the 6.5 when I started at both mid-range and long range. I also had a 4-24x50 scope with 1/4 clicks and a Hart rest. I did graduate to shooting Berger 180 hybrids at LR until the rotator cuff gave out (and now have a scope that goes to 50x and 1/8 clicks and a Seb NEO). I now shoot a Dasher at both mid and long range. I am competitive at mid range and a participant at long range. You can participate with anything...

"learn how to load it" so what are your reloading techniques & equipment? Got an FX120i? I do now - when I started had a digital rcbs upgrade from my beam... Dies? Bullets? etc. etc. How confident are you that your loaded rounds are consistent as to powder charge, seating depth, neck tension... How do you test your loads to decide on a recipe...

"learn how to shoot it" so with 14 matches under your belt which way is the arrow going - up - down - static??? The measure is your scores and classification. Think about it and ask yourself so when I started comparing scores from then to now (given comparable match conditions..) am I shooting better scores and is my x count increasing?? These numbers tell the tale of your load testing and reloading procedures and your competitive shooting ability.

Right now for LR all I have for F-Class is the 6.5 CM
I shoot off of a Grizzly Front Rest with a 3" Bag and Bag rider on the rifle, Protektor Rear Bag.
The Vortex is a 1/4 MOA FFP, it was a big improvement over my first, Vortex HS.
I have been Hand loading except my first two matches, I have a good load and good seating depth. I an using a Hornady single stage press, match grade dies and the Auto Charge dispenser, it will be awhile be I can get the FX120i, though
I switched to Berger 140 VLD's, early on and showed better results.
As far as shooting, I made progress last year and then plateaued then the last 3 matches started improving again until my last match I shot a 198 12X 194 5X 194 3X 586 20X
My Club Range can have some real windy conditions, the Pits sit in a bowl surrounded by a wood line, we shoot across a bean field were the 6 flags can go 2 (maybe 3) different directions because the wind catches the right wood line and then is drawn into the bowl. I have been told those that learn to shoot well there shoot better elsewhere.

 

[Retired Grunt]

I am in this for the Camaraderie and fun, but I also want to improve.

 

[Dgd6mm]

You will improve. Go out and work your plan. Enjoy yourself and your retirement. Out of everything I read 2 thing especially jumped out at me. 1 a scope that's built for a paper shooting discipline, 2 shoot your conditions, if they change, wait, they'll come back.
I'm editing, I didn't read post #13 by lawman 29 till after I posted. His post is very informative. Well established f class shooters on this site. I learn all the time.

Don Dunlap

 

[Falfan2017]

Wind has more than double the effect as it does at 600. Everybody has their own strategy but I like to watch the flags and mirage through a spotting scope. Figure out what the most common prevailing condition looks like. Then get my sighters centered up in that condition. Shoot when the flags and mirage look the same. I don’t like to make big wind calls and try to hold. So if the wind changes I just wait till it comes back. You can run out of time doing this so if you have a steady condition you can run off a bunch of them quickly just keep an eye out for the switch.

 

[Chedward]

I jumped into Mid Range two years ago and have now shot 14 matches, making progress along the way. I know some shooters have multiple rifles for different matches. I may not be able to swing a .284 right off the bat.
I shoot F-Open with a Savage 12 LRP, 6.5 Creedmoor in a MDT TAC 21 Chassis that weighs 18.2 LBS with great balance and stability, Optics are a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25 x 56 (I can see the X and Numbers at 500 Yards)
I haven't shot 1000 yards in 40 some years on a M-14 Familiarization Range.
Any tips?

I got into F-class a few months ago. I started out just shooting a tikka in a 6.5 creedmoor off an atlas bipod just to get trigger time at long range. Fast forward 8 months, and 2 rifles later, and now I am in the process of building a 284 to compete with. I love shooting and competing and really enjoy the people I shoot with (really the main reason i've invested so much time into this). Keep your ears open and learn from the people around you. Most people in this sport are very willing to help. I would be no where near where I am without the people who've helped me.