F class and suppressors

[Steve Blair]

The fact is, NRA competition needs to modernize, and quickly. Allowing cans in competition would be a huge step in the right direction.

Why do you think this is a fact? F-Class is progressing well without suppressors. It seems you are projecting your own bias and calling it a fact.

 

[Ray Gross]

Why do you think this is a fact? F-Class is progressing well without suppressors. It seems you are projecting your own bias and calling it a fact.

Agreed Steve, F-class is growing. My comment referenced NRA competitions in general, not just F. One only has to look at the declining numbers at the various other national championships to see that the overall trend is unsustainable, those are the unfortunate facts. F-Class is growing and that certainly is helping, but it is not reversing the overall trend.

I am suggesting that modernizing various rules in all the disciplines, could help turn that trend around. This particular topic being just one of them. Several changes are happening. For instance the new Service Rifle rules and development of a set of rules for electronic target usage.

Per my other comments above, you will note that I do not see suppressors being used by top competitors at major events, there are too many downsides (additional weight, substantially more mirage to divert, potential changes to the bore ID due to the OD reduction required for threading the muzzle, more zeroes to keep track of). Even so, the question keeps coming up. There are people who would just like to do it and I think we would be wise to let them, because it gets them involved in the sport.

You have to get people to the range first, for them to be bitten by the competition bug.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I guess I'd put it this way - if they were legal, how long do you think it would be before we had people whining and wanting to be on separate relays because the rest of us don't have, nor want, suppressors on our rifles?

How long would it then be before we demanded to have muzzle brakes? Then we could blow each other's plot sheets off the side of the range.

I like the rules exactly the way they are. Modernize? I don't think that suppressors are a modern thing. They have been around for a very, very long time. The only thing "modern" about them is their popularity with various groups of "tactical" shooters.

I bet you that the guys, like me, that are not winning as often as they like would much rather have benchrest style wind vanes downrange. The problem is that the competition is supposed to be difficult. Some of the difficulty is dealing with the wind, mirage, condition uncertainty, recoil, and noise.

In the end, I see it as growing ourselves to meet the challenges of the game, not changing the game to suit ourselves.

End rant...

 

[mao0720]

I am all for allowing a shooter to use a suppressor at a local F-class match, but he/ she should know that his/her scores will not be officially reported to the NRA. That would allow new shooter to come and see what F-class is all about, and use the equipment they have until they decide whether or not it is for them. As to the comment about the NRA making service rifle rules that dictated a rifle have a flash hider, bayonet lug, and pistol grip even though some states don't allow those features on a rifle, they don't. As I recall Service rifle rules, allow for a plain muzzle if a flash hider is not legal in a shooters state, or if a shooter desires, same with the bayonet lug. Not to mention I've never seen a flash hider or a bayonet lug offer a competitive advantage to a shooter.

 

[savagedasher]

I am all for allowing a shooter to use a suppressor at a local F-class match, but he/ she should know that his/her scores will not be officially reported to the NRA. That would allow new shooter to come and see what F-class is all about, and use the equipment they have until they decide whether or not it is for them. As to the comment about the NRA making service rifle rules that dictated a rifle have a flash hider, bayonet lug, and pistol grip even though some states don't allow those features on a rifle, they don't. As I recall Service rifle rules, allow for a plain muzzle if a flash hider is not legal in a shooters state, or if a shooter desires, same with the bayonet lug.

I feel the same . Some don't understand about how finding new shooters works. Larry

 

[Marksman63]

I am all for allowing a shooter to use a suppressor at a local F-class match, but he/ she should know that his/her scores will not be officially reported to the NRA. That would allow new shooter to come and see what F-class is all about, and use the equipment they have until they decide whether or not it is for them. As to the comment about the NRA making service rifle rules that dictated a rifle have a flash hider, bayonet lug, and pistol grip even though some states don't allow those features on a rifle, they don't. As I recall Service rifle rules, allow for a plain muzzle if a flash hider is not legal in a shooters state, or if a shooter desires, same with the bayonet lug.

We are doing this in the Italian F Class Championship in order to allow new shooters to understand and familiarize with F Class, before drying their bank accounts and get divorced...

We arranged two categories of COTS rifles (even equipped with muzzle brakes) shooting all together according F Class match conditions. Therefore F Class TR and Open shooters would not disturbed by muzzle brakes.

 

[Warren Dean]

Here we go again....:/

 

[Never Forget]

Thanks for all the comments, didn't think it was going to get this heated. I am interested in giving F class a shot but the only rifle I have at this time to get me to 1000 yards and have any accuracy is my 300 win mag. My shoulder to torn up to shoot it without a break or suppressor for more than a string of 5 shots. I wouldn't ask anyone to sit next to me when running that gun with a break, I've knocked my coffee mug off the bench already with that gun. Running a suppressor reduces enough recoil that I can manage it and doesn't piss off everyone around me. Some of you mentioned it would offer an unfair advantage and I agree with that statement, but if it's allowed some people may chose to take advantage of it, as some mentioned maybe it's actually disadvantage. I only have 1 club some what near where I live to shoot 1K and only F class matches are open to the public there. Guess I now have an excuse to buy another gun, time to go shopping.

 

[effendude]

Never, Where in WI are you located? There are several clubs in WI that hold leagues that would probably be very welcoming to you as a beginner. I would suggest visiting a club without the intention of shooting, introduce yourself and explain your situation. As a group, we are very welcoming and accommodating to new shooters. At matches, we are focused on shooting and the atmosphere is different. I would also focus more on midrange to start. 600 yards is much fun and much more readily accessible than 1000.

Scott

 

[Never Forget]

Never, Where in WI are you located? There are several clubs in WI that hold leagues that would probably be very welcoming to you as a beginner. I would suggest visiting a club without the intention of shooting, introduce yourself and explain your situation. As a group, we are very welcoming and accommodating to new shooters. At matches, we are focused on shooting and the atmosphere is different. I would also focus more on midrange to start. 600 yards is much fun and much more readily accessible than 1000.

Scott[/QUOTE]

I'm just outside Milwaukee. I have Lodi about an hour and a half away to shoot 1K and Columbus about the same distance to get out to 600. Planning to shoot at Columbus this year but still waiting on my 6BR build to be finished.