F-class for first time competitior or ? Top caliber choices?

[IA_shooter]

I'm looking to get into some competitive shooting this year and I have to decide which class to try and which caliber to start with.

From what I think I know so far it looks like the F-class would be a good starting place. What do you think?

I have been really looking hard at the Savage 12 in 6 Norma BR but I'm wondering if I'm overlooking another caliber that is somewhat popular/capable that can produce decent results in the right hands with the right loads. Opinions requested.

Thanks in advance.

Trevor

 

[eric32]

try the model 12 palma 308win and shoot F-T/R get a good wide bipod and a sightron scope and your set

 

[mac86951]

+1 to a .308 for someone starting out. If you really have to be different, try to pick something with mass and high BC, 6.5mm and 7mm have many bullets available. If you don't want a .308, try 7mm-08, or 7mm Rem Mag. Truth is you'll learn the entire process: hand loading, rifle tuning, wind reading, marksmanship with a .308.

-Mac

 

[xswanted]

Go with your choice of 6BR....low recoil easy to reload for and they are crazy accurate.

Put a good scope on it, get a decent rear bag and front rest and go have fun.

 

[fayettefatts]

6BR is a good choice. Easy enough to screw on another barrel if you want to try something else after you've shot it a while.

 

[Immike]

I have been really looking hard at the Savage 12 in 6 Norma BR but I'm wondering if I'm overlooking another caliber that is somewhat popular/capable that can produce decent results in the right hands with the right loads. Opinions requested.

Thanks in advance.

Trevor
[/quote]

You said alot when you said in the right hands. That's the right approach to competition and will take you far. You strike me as someone that will hit the ground running. I look forward to seeing you on the line.

 

[Rtheurer]

+ on 6BR.... So easy to get it to shoot small groups. Everyone should have one.

RT

 

[broncman]

I went the 308 Savage FT/R route. I was familiar with ftr and had shot a few matches with a 223. Not sure I would go the 308 FT/R route again for a few reasons but looking forward to my first match with this rifle. Still sorting out loads and holds...firm hold...soft hold etc.

I imagine for someone starting out, the 6BR might eliminate some of the recoil issues associated with the heavier bullets in 308. Going from 223 to 308 shooting 178's, my method of hold on the rifle is taking some sorting out.

Either way you go, this is a TERRIBLY addictive sport..
Have fun!

Ken

 

[Steve Blair]

6BR is a good choice for 300-600 yard competition. Not as good for 1000. If there is any significant wind, the little cartridge is at a distinct disadvantage. I agree with those who suggest shooting F-T/R until you build your chops. You may find that the challenge of shooting a .308 well from a bipod is very gratifying and never go to an Open rifle.

 

[6BRinNZ]

The 6br can be a good cartridge to start with..it is accurate and has light recoil so its easy to put the effort into your wind calls and since its accurate, you can be sure of what the wind is doing to it...BUT, if you shoot more than 600 yards you will definitely be wanting to change once you have a handle on everything....simply because it gets pushed around (relatively) too much (what sleepygator said).

FTR .308 would be my choice for starting over...the calibre and rifle don't need to change as your skills and experience increase, at worst you might play around with bipods and scopes.

As an option if you built the 6br and stayed within FTR weight limits (since its a 6br you don't need a 20Ib rifle to manage it) you could move to FTR .308 (later if you chose) as the bolt face is the same, so you could re-purpose the rifle and just be up for reloading components. Ballistics are close enough between the two so the adjustment to wind calls won't be a big leap...recoil is another matter.

Good luck.

 

[IA_shooter]

Thanks again for all the replies everyone.

I plan on hitting the ground running AFTER I make an informed decision.

I'm 90% sure at this time I'll be going the 6 BR route.

I'm an extremely meticulous type of person when it comes to a lot of things. I've excelled in other various competitions in the past just due to this fact. Just last year I earned a State Championship with my team members in pool at the ISPA State Championships and I relate pool to shooting in a lot of ways just due to it's precise nature of setting up shots and doing it in a consistent/repeatable manner and learning that the ONLY shot that matters is the one you're about to execute. I've learned to be comfortable even in serious competition which I hope helps me as well.

Hope to see a lot of you in the coming years and get a chance to meet face to face.

Trevor

 

[Ringostar]

Trevor, After getting set up you will have shooting options north and south of you. St Louis has many matches, or you can drive up river to LaCrosse Wi. They run weekend 4 gun 600 matches 3 times a year. They have F-class along with sling shooters, for these matches. You don't have to look for F-class specific matches. We also shoot F-class alongside of the palma shooters at their 800-1000 matches. Winnaquah Gun Club is 2 hrs northeast from Dubuque. We have alot of matches also.

 

[IA_shooter]

I looked hard at the 6BR but decided to get my feet wet with my Savage .243 since I have all the reloading stuff I need for it.

Got a SS Criterion 28" 1 in 8 twist bull barrel for it and I'm hoping to get a nice load/bullet combo figured out in the next few months. Looking at numerous ballistics tables/charts I figure I should be able to come up with something that should be competitive out to 600 yards with a .243. as long as I can learn to do my part behind the gun.

I've got bullets ranging from 87 gr V-max up to 105 A-max so far and will be looking at getting some bullets up to 115 gr to try out.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Thanks again for all the replies everyone.

I plan on hitting the ground running AFTER I make an informed decision.

I'm 90% sure at this time I'll be going the 6 BR route.

I'm an extremely meticulous type of person when it comes to a lot of things. I've excelled in other various competitions in the past just due to this fact. Just last year I earned a State Championship with my team members in pool at the ISPA State Championships and I relate pool to shooting in a lot of ways just due to it's precise nature of setting up shots and doing it in a consistent/repeatable manner and learning that the ONLY shot that matters is the one you're about to execute. I've learned to be comfortable even in serious competition which I hope helps me as well.

Hope to see a lot of you in the coming years and get a chance to meet face to face.

Trevor

Shooting is a lot like pool, except that in shooting sometimes the wind is like if someone would bump the table right after you take a shot! ;D

 

[Immike]

It's pretty close to playing pool in the leaning tower of Pisa.! You are correct that (strategy) is the path to success in any sport. The study of ourselves and awareness of our equipment gives us foundation. I have a question - what are you shooting right now? We have a class sunday at St.Louis and will be shooting a relay of fclass as part of the class. If you want to drive down I would be glad to sponsor you and get your feet wet on some 600yd fclass.

 

[mgx1138]

6BR is a good choice for 300-600 yard competition. Not as good for 1000. If there is any significant wind, the little cartridge is at a distinct disadvantage. I agree with those who suggest shooting F-T/R until you build your chops. You may find that the challenge of shooting a .308 well from a bipod is very gratifying and never go to an Open rifle.

Not sure what you call a "distinct" disadvantage? The ballistics for best 6mm target bullets compare very well with the best 30 caliber target bullets... especially when you consider that you can easily push the 6mm bullets 200fps faster. Add to that the reduced recoil with the 6BR and I'd say that the .308 is at a "distinct" disadvantage.

 

[Erik Cortina]

6BR is a good choice for 300-600 yard competition. Not as good for 1000. If there is any significant wind, the little cartridge is at a distinct disadvantage. I agree with those who suggest shooting F-T/R until you build your chops. You may find that the challenge of shooting a .308 well from a bipod is very gratifying and never go to an Open rifle.

Not sure what you call a "distinct" disadvantage? The ballistics for best 6mm target bullets compare very well with the best 30 caliber target bullets... especially when you consider that you can easily push the 6mm bullets 200fps faster. Add to that the reduced recoil with the 6BR and I'd say that the .308 is at a "distinct" disadvantage.

In F-Class, there are two classes.
F-T/R allows 223 and 308 only.
F-Open allows anything under 33 caliber. (Might be 35 cal)


If you buy a 308 you will go up against F-T/R guys shooting mainly 308's at 1,000 yards. So pretty level playing field.

If you buy a 6BR and want to compete at 1,000 yards with it, you will be going up against F-Open guys shooting 284's, 7mm short magnums, and some 300 WSM's.
So, a DISTINCT disadvantage to shoot a 6BR at 1,000 yards.

 

[Hombre0321]

Erik,
First I would like to congratulate you on your placing at the Berger Shoot, good shooting in challenging conditions...

So, a DISTINCT disadvantage to shoot a 6BR at 1,000 yards.

Never a more true statement under the situation you lay out. However if you consider F-Open as a whole I don't believe that the 6BR is anything but a good choice. While most or at least some of us F-Open shooters prefer 1,000 yds ( I certainly do ) most F Class matches are shot at the mid range distance of 600 yds. This is probably due to the ranges across the country with the facility's to shoot 600 yds vs 1,000 yard ranges.

The 6 BR "can" be a very good choice then (in my opinion) for F-Open even though it is challenged at a 1,000.

I personally am not of the belief that a new shooter is best served by as a beginner to start in F/TR as is common advice right here on this Forum. I know all of the arguments, have heard them dozens of times. In Open you will shooting against Custom Thousand of dollars rifles is one of those arguments. Another is you can shoot what you have, and this list goes on and on.

True there are a lot of customs in Open and I am sure that many of them cost thousands of dollars. I am amazed sometimes at just how quick you can add to the cost of a rifle. As an example I recently purchased here in the classifieds a Pierce action and it came with a McMillan Stock and Jewel Trigger. The purchase price was very, very good and I bought it just to have a spare action and stock as a spare if something happened to one of the three other Custom F-Open rigs I have went down for some reason.

When I got it I did not like anything about that McMillan Stock, not the way it looked or felt, so I thought I would just restock it. Ordered a new Shehane stock and then thought well might as well go on and barrel the thing. Installed a new 31" Krieger 1.125 straight barrel on it. Then I hear that little voice in the back of my head saying " What about a scope?" New Nightforce, rings, 20MOA rail later this supposed to be "SPARE" action had taken on a life of it's own and now was a complete Custom Actioned F-Class rifle ready to shoot any match anywhere. Cost? $5,975.00.

Now with that said a new shooter does not have to be as stupid as I am about this, start on a budget Stick To It and end up with a very good rifle built from a Factory rifle at a mere fraction of what I spent.

The Savage Model 12 F-Class rifle is a very good starting point, and one that is winning matches today as well. Everytime I read the results from matches I always smile when I see a Savage in the top two or three at a match, the smile comes from that Factory rifle out shooting all of those thousands of dollars Custom Rigs. And them I remember that its not the rifle after all, it is the nut behind the butt that is winning those matches.

Another reason given is F/TR is more fair and a level playing field since everyone is shooting the same caliber. Horse Pucky, there are many, many of those Thousands of dollars Custom Rifles showing up and competing in F/TR chambered in 308.

Also as long as I have to lay down and shoot against folks like Erik Cortina, Danny Biggs or Bob Pastor there is nothing fair about that deal, and there is no level that will fix that.

Roland

 

[Steve Blair]

A factory rifle like the Savage F-Class (I have two, one is still almost stock) can do pretty well at F-Open club matches. At events like Berger SW LR or the National Championship, it is unrealistic to expect that it might do well, regardless who is behind the butt. My original post said that a 6BR was a good choice for Mid Range and that, "if there is any significant wind, the little cartridge is at a distinct disadvantage." I don't see how you could disagree with that statement. I shot a 198-9X at 1000 on first relay with my 6BR but subsequent relays (with a lot more wind) did not go as well. A 6BR shooting 105 Hybrids around 2940 has about the same wind deflection as 200 Hybrids at 2640 in .308. Both examples are close to best case scenarios. The problem, as Erik noted, is that the 6BR will compete against rifles like my .284 Shehane or .300 WSM, where it is not comparable. It just seems that learning marksmanship fundamentals and wind reading is cheaper and more rewarding when using a .308 and competing against more closely matched equipment.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Erik,
First I would like to congratulate you on your placing at the Berger Shoot, good shooting in challenging conditions...

So, a DISTINCT disadvantage to shoot a 6BR at 1,000 yards.

Never a more true statement under the situation you lay out. However if you consider F-Open as a whole I don't believe that the 6BR is anything but a good choice. While most or at least some of us F-Open shooters prefer 1,000 yds ( I certainly do ) most F Class matches are shot at the mid range distance of 600 yds. This is probably due to the ranges across the country with the facility's to shoot 600 yds vs 1,000 yard ranges.

The 6 BR "can" be a very good choice then (in my opinion) for F-Open even though it is challenged at a 1,000.

I personally am not of the belief that a new shooter is best served by as a beginner to start in F/TR as is common advice right here on this Forum. I know all of the arguments, have heard them dozens of times. In Open you will shooting against Custom Thousand of dollars rifles is one of those arguments. Another is you can shoot what you have, and this list goes on and on.

True there are a lot of customs in Open and I am sure that many of them cost thousands of dollars. I am amazed sometimes at just how quick you can add to the cost of a rifle. As an example I recently purchased here in the classifieds a Pierce action and it came with a McMillan Stock and Jewel Trigger. The purchase price was very, very good and I bought it just to have a spare action and stock as a spare if something happened to one of the three other Custom F-Open rigs I have went down for some reason.

When I got it I did not like anything about that McMillan Stock, not the way it looked or felt, so I thought I would just restock it. Ordered a new Shehane stock and then thought well might as well go on and barrel the thing. Installed a new 31" Krieger 1.125 straight barrel on it. Then I hear that little voice in the back of my head saying " What about a scope?" New Nightforce, rings, 20MOA rail later this supposed to be "SPARE" action had taken on a life of it's own and now was a complete Custom Actioned F-Class rifle ready to shoot any match anywhere. Cost? $5,975.00.

Now with that said a new shooter does not have to be as stupid as I am about this, start on a budget Stick To It and end up with a very good rifle built from a Factory rifle at a mere fraction of what I spent.

The Savage Model 12 F-Class rifle is a very good starting point, and one that is winning matches today as well. Everytime I read the results from matches I always smile when I see a Savage in the top two or three at a match, the smile comes from that Factory rifle out shooting all of those thousands of dollars Custom Rigs. And them I remember that its not the rifle after all, it is the nut behind the butt that is winning those matches.

Another reason given is F/TR is more fair and a level playing field since everyone is shooting the same caliber. Horse Pucky, there are many, many of those Thousands of dollars Custom Rifles showing up and competing in F/TR chambered in 308.

Also as long as I have to lay down and shoot against folks like Erik Cortina, Danny Biggs or Bob Pastor there is nothing fair about that deal, and there is no level that will fix that.

Roland

Thank you Hombre0321.

I think a 6BR is a great starter rifle for midrange matches as well as the occasional "fun" LR matches. I say fun because I believe anyone going for a win at LR would be disappointed with a 6BR.
The 6BR is also a good platform to build on down the road if they decide to build a LR rifle.