F class F open

[No i deer]

Hi all..
I was wondering what's preferred and what seems too work best..
Free recoiling or shouldered..??

 

[Dgd6mm]

I don't believe free recoil is allowed in F Class.

 

[Chaotik]

I prefer to shoot free recoil with my .284 Win in Fclass, but when I do the scope ends up smacking my forehead with recoil . Doesn't work too well, so I shoulder (pin) the rifle for F class. I use a completely different hold (free recoil) for long range benchrest.

 

[swd]

No free recoil in F Class. And you don’t want a bigger round getting a run at you anyways..

 

[Terry]

Watching with interest.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Both work, varies from person to person and stock to stock. I’d suggest trying both to see what works for you. That is, unless your scope is too close…

 

[No i deer]

Well my saum shoulders fine..
Doesn't move..
My 7mm 270 has more kick and sometimes find having too nudge it forward into the stock stop..
Not something that happens intentionally..
I've never tried free recoiling that's why I asked the question..
I didnt realise free recoiling wasn't allowed..

 

[memilanuk]

I didnt realise free recoiling wasn't allowed..

It's a matter of semantics.

The rules say the following in the main (conventional High Power Rifle) portion:

5.3 Position of Rifle Butt

...the butt of the rifle must be held against the front of the shoulder on the outside of the shooting coat or shirt...​

​

then again in section 22 (F-class specific):

3.4 (a)(3) and (b)(2)

...The rifle must be fired in the prone position from the shoulder of the competitor...​

5.6.1 Positions

F-Class Prone is fired in the prone position from the shoulder.​

​

Note that there is *no* mention of free-recoil, for or against, anywhere.

One interpretation of the rules (as written) is that 'fired from the shoulder' means as opposed to say, a specialty single shot handgun.

Even if a person were to invoke rule 3.18 General and it's mention of the 'spirit' and/or intent of the rules... it specifically addresses devices or equipment, not methods or techniques.

Functionally... if a person were to push the gun forward, and then relax their shoulder ever so slightly rather than explicitly maintaining pressure against the butt plate... they get the same effect as free-recoil. They may or may not be pushing against the butt... and the only way you're ever going to know would be to go down the line, and stick a feeler gauge between their shoulder and the gun, while they're trying to shoot. Good luck with that. Maybe create a new rule requiring a pressure sensor in the butt plate that only allows the gun to fire if a specific amount of contact is present. The way the NRA HP committee as been with rules lately, either one is possible.

Personally, I think it's an idiotic issue. AFAIK, nobody is out there openly letting the gun take a 1/2" or more of a run at their shoulder. Even if they were, all someone has to do is wear a loose fitting shirt and you'll never be able to prove it. Find something better to argue about.

 

[No i deer]

I've seen guns recoiling back on the rests/rear bags..
They make bags these days with a slick surface so the gun can glide backwards..
I didn't start the thread too make an argument just too answer a question i thought of..
So there can be a little free recoiling going on depending on clothing worn.

 

[No i deer]

If you use a RAD that must compress an inch or more as it recoils into your shoulder giving it that much free recoil i suppose...

 

[Sandstorm]

I don't use alot of contact anywhere on my rifle but its not free recoil either.
Everyone seems to find their own preference,

 

[No i deer]

I don't use alot of contact anywhere on my rifle but its not free recoil either.
Everyone seems to find their own preference,

Thanks that was a good answer..!!

 

[swd]

I don't use alot of contact anywhere on my rifle but its not free recoil either.
Everyone seems to find their own preference,

I think that describes a lot of us!

 

[No i deer]

I've always shouldered the rifles..
Always didn't like the idea of the scope cutting or blacking my eye..
I just feel the stock against my shoulder with a little pressure..
Cheek barely touches the stock..
I will try a little free recoil out of intrest..

 

[Dkk37058]

I’m not a free recoil person but use a light touch of pad against the shoulder and light cheek weld

 

[RDavies]

I don't believe free recoil is allowed in F Class.

No I deer is in U.K so the U.S rule of no free recoil does not apply to him.

 

[RDavies]

No free recoil in F Class. And you don’t want a bigger round getting a run at you anyways..

The poster is not shooting in U.S so the no free recoil rule does not apply to him.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm sorry, I posted unknowing the fact of what region of the world he lives. But it does open my eyes to the fact that some U.S. NRA competitors try to get away with it, or am I wrong on this? It's possible, but I doubt it.

 

[Dkk37058]

Dgd6mm unfortunately you are right there’s always someone somewhere that will try to skirt the rules

 

[Rope2horns]

When you have great teammates looking out for your safety and well being let you free recoil a 300WSM.



I do "free recoil" my Shehane....the WSM not so much.