F-Class & Benchrest (IBS) with Same Rifle???

[john2a]

Is it possible to compete in both types of competition with the same rifle? If yes, the what caliber and rifle would work. I realize the difference in short range and long distance BR. I don't think you can get a rifle rifle that could compete in all distances, but would be interested in your comments. If I had to choose, I would prefer the the long range benchrest and F-Class with the same rifle. If it would make sense? I think I have seen this discussion before, but I do not remember the facts.

If it's possible, I would like to give it a try and compete in both disciplines.

Again your insight and comments would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS

 

[Laurie]

It's perfectly feasible to run one rifle in F Class and long-range (600yd and 1,000yd) BR, although as a Brit I'm not au fait with IBS rules. (We use one of the US bodies' rulebook over here, but I can't remember which.)

Weight is the main issue for us in the rules we work too. Virtually nobody shoots Heavy Gun in long-range, so the 17lb Light Gun weight limit can be the limiting factor with F class allowed 10kg or a bit over 22 lb.

Many F Class shooters don't use all of that weight allowance anyway and if the rifle is just a bit above the 17lb limit with a heavy Nightforce BR or NXS scope, a swap for a BR match to a lighter fixed power BR scope and lightweight rings will save over a pound weight.

Short-range BR? No, I don't see the average F Class rifle being anywhere near competitive in this discipline as well as the long-range alternatives. F Class and long-range BR have a lot in common with their ballistics requirements, longer barrels used and so forth, but not with short-range BR.

Cartridges / calibres? I wish I had a pound for every word written on the scores of threads and hundreds of posts on this forum about this question. I'm not going there!

Laurie,
York, England

 

[Zilla]

I shoot a .284 F-Class gun in IBS 1000 yard benchrest. Did pretty well in both disciplines this year.

 

[jamesh]

As David said you can do it but there a couple caveats.
You will need to limit the gun to 17# if you want to shoot in Light Gun Class at a BR match.
You will need to limit the forearm width to 3" for F-Class.
If you have a muzzle brake you will have to remove it for F-Class.
This winter IBS members will decide if you can still keep the brake on for Heavy Gun Class. Williamsport and NBRSA both allow it.

How's the LG project going David?

James

 

[Steve Blair]

I have a Stiller Viper SS 6BR in an ST1000 that is just under 18 pounds with a Nightforce. It could easily make 17 with a lighter scope. I originally intended to shoot 600 yard BR but now use it for Mid Range F-Class. It works well in F-Class and likely would in 600 BR.

 

[Zilla]

James

No light gun so far. I have a new saum in the works but it's for f-class. We'll see how it turns out and maybe do another, lighter stock for it.

 

[john2a]

How would a Savage 12 F-Class (30" HB) in 6mm BR or 308 work for both? This would be the least expensive way to give it a try, and what I am hearing the Savage's can hold their own right out of the box.

I am leaning towards the 6mm BR, but have a lot of experience with the .308. Also, the only ranges close to me are 600 yds.

 

[seb]

Quote: "I don't think you can get a rifle rifle that could compete in all distances..."

John 2a,

I believe it can be done, especially between F-class and 1,000 yds BR.

Still didn't shoot the F-class & 1,000 yds BR, yet - but my (switch barrel-switch caliber) rifle work well for the point blank match 100/200 and 500 meters "Fly" shoot.

Look at this link:
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/?s=seb+ppc&submit=Search
http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?76395-My-new-stock-your-thought&highlight=my+new+stock+your+thought%3F

The gun can be easily converted to LG (17 lbs), or HG, or F-class Open. And of course LV/HV short range.
The front & rear fixture are movable.
I will use it for F-class & 1,000 yds BR match in the near future.

seb.

 

[Jim See]

if all you have is 600 yards the perfect choice is a 6mmBR.
I have one on a remy 700, Brux, timney, and Mcmillian f-class. With a Leupold 1" straight 30x it makes the 17lb limit.
This summer it and I won the 600y WI midrange state championship. 1589 90X
In July it was smallest group at Corbin 600y with Ryan Pierce shooting it. 1.539"

http://www.centershotrifles.com/gallery/img/2011_FOpen_WI_Champion_8-30-11-038.jpg
http://www.centershotrifles.com/gallery/img/DuaneCorbinRange_NewRecord_600yard_7-17-11_RyanPierce.jpg

 

[john2a]

THANKS Guys for your insight.

I am probably going with the Savage 12 F-Class in 6mm BR.

This way I can shoot both lang range bench rest and F-Class.

 

[NeilNE]

I used to shoot 1K BR and found out about F-Class. I found out I could shoot FClass Open with my light gun. I could use all the 1K stuff and only had to get mat. Its a modified 7 WSM so I only shoot it at 800 + yds. At Rotan NM nationals I took 2 guns. It was very windy. At 600 yds I used my 6mm (similar to 6xc) and felt I handy cap myself. At 1K I used the 7mm. I did quit well, for me, I even won a match. So yes you can do both. Caliber will be the most critical choice.

 

[boogershooter]

The Savage 6BR would be a reasonable way to get your feet wet. I didn't like the accu- trigger too well so probably would swap it out for a Rifle Basics you can install yourself if you have some mechanical skills(around $110) if you feel the need . You will enjoy it and can always upgrade when the bug bites you, and believe you me it will! :'( :'( :'( :'(

 

[john2a]

The Savage 6BR would be a reasonable way to get your feet wet. I didn't like the accu- trigger too well so probably would swap it out for a Rifle Basics you can install yourself if you have some mechanical skills(around $110) if you feel the need . You will enjoy it and can always upgrade when the bug bites you, and believe you me it will! :'( :'( :'( :'(

THANKS. I am going with the Savage 12 and will replace the trigger.

 

[jameydan]

John,

I run the matches in Missoula for F-Class and LR. Over the last two years, we have seen a noticable amount of bench rest guys come over to F-Open and lay in the dirt. They have all done very well in F-class. The ones that do the best grasp wind reading the best, of course. Their rifles are very accurate, so that leaves the shooter to do their job executing the shot and reading the conditions. Interesting comments I heard were along the lines that BR was too expensive and they wanted to shoot more F-Class (I find some humor in that, as I think F-class is pricey - I shoot service rifle). So, yes, I can see, and have seen, a BR rifles doing well at LR, and MR F-class.

Savage rifles: During the past two seasons we had the same winner for the F-TR division during our Montana LR and F-Class Regional. A guy out of Idaho shooting a stock Savage in 308. The savages can do well in F-Class, but I am not aware of how well they can do in BR.

Hope this helps.

JW

 

[Laurie]

The savages can do well in F-Class, but I am not aware of how well they can do in BR.

Jamey,

we have a 'Factory Sporter' class in our BR comps in the UK. For a while, the Savage 12 F Class in 6.5-284 was the rifle to beat in this class in 600 and 1,000yd competitions. If it had a really good barrel that is - there's nothing guaranteed in this respect being a mass produced factory product. But, if you got a good one, they were very hard to beat!

 

[4xforfun]

I have "anchors" in the front of my Shehane MBR trackers. The gun makes the 17llb IBS limit, and then I add a 3" wide steel plate that weighs 5 lbs.

Just ad the plate for the f class shoots.

 

[memilanuk]

The gun makes the 17llb IBS limit, and then I add a 3" wide steel plate that weighs 5 lbs.

No problems with the change in center of gravity? I know its still riding on a rest, with the extra weight directly over the front rest... just seems like it'd change the way the gun handles?

 

[4xforfun]

The gun makes the 17llb IBS limit, and then I add a 3" wide steel plate that weighs 5 lbs.

No problems with the change in center of gravity? I know its still riding on a rest, with the extra weight directly over the front rest... just seems like it'd change the way the gun handles?

It is actually a fairly thin chunk of metal....it goes all the way back to my trigger guard for exactly the concern you pointed out.....the weight is actually pretty far back on the gun. But on the flip side...I see many, many "F" class guns that have 30" long strait 1.25 taper tubes......I use a 1K HV taper...fluted. It finishes out at around .920. The "F" class guys have a much more bbl heavy setup than me, even with the weight.

 

[Steve Blair]

The "F" class guys have a much more bbl heavy setup than me, even with the weight.

Not necessarily true. I have a 32" Ø1.25" barrel on a BAT 3LL action mounted in a Manners Composite F-Class stock. My forend is 18" from the recoil lug rear face. Get a tape measure and see where that puts the balance. The Precision Rifle and Tool F-Open laminate stocks are similar. A long, heavy barrel can be a real advantage in certain calibers but must be complemented by a correct stock choice. My balance point is ~4" in front of the action and tracks very well, even with the recoil of 180 Bergers at 2950.

Per your point, I do see people with standard length stocks intended for 28-30" HV profiles using 30-32" straight cylinder barrels and their rifles will not track properly.

 

[fayettefatts]

Being relatively new to shooting from a rest, can you tell me how to tell if my rifle is tracking properly? Where should the center of gravity be? I have been questioning my set up lately, and I don't mean to hijack this thread, but this seems like a good place to jump in with this question.