Hello All,
Shooting for 60 years, mostly competitive pistol shooting, from Bullseye in the early days to IPSC for the most recent twelve years. Retired and moved to Canada and am still enjoying shooting. Right knee went ‘kaput’ two years ago and am looking at a replacement in the near future. Meantime I got interested in long distance F Class rifles (1000 yard), started with a Tikka but soon realized I needed something different. Photo below is my latest and probably last F Class rifle.
Originally started loading 9mm for IPSC shooting (relatively simple) then moved to precision rifle …. what a change. The photo shows my setup for F Class FTR in 223. Also have additional bolt / barrels for F Class FTR in 308. Barrels (2 per caliber), 34” Heavy Palma contour, one with a tuner the other without, FTR rifle as shown with bipod weighing in at 8.2 kg. Finally, added additional bolt / barrels for F Class OPEN in 7mm SAUM. Barrels (again 2, 34” Straight 1.25” contour, with and without tuner, rifle as shown weighing in at 9.9 kg.
There are several ‘rabbit holes’ for loading F Class, each costing $1000 (average) and take time to do. Examples are many: special case cleaning and preparation (trimming / chamfer, primer pocket, etc), annealing cases, very accurate powder measurements (0.02 gr accuracy), very accurate case sizing (neck or full), and very accurate seating depth control (base to ogive measurement only). I am sure I forgot some. Then, bullets with very accurate bullet prep (weighing / sorting, concentricity, etc).
I live by the rule that if a ‘rabbit hole’ does not show on the target (typically 600 yards), it is not worth the time and expense, thus I do not use it. An example, cleaning cases.
Finally, both a mandatory comprehensive powder load and seating depth processes with range testing.
This testing typically puts 150 rounds through a new barrel, then competition follows. Looking for best velocity node with very low es (less than 15) and sd (less than 7), specifically to reduce longer range vertical dispersion.
Results for my rifle with 3 calibers and six barrels. After above, I shoot 5 - 5 shot groups as a final test (using 2 foulers, then 5 shots and barrel cool down, 35 shots total). All 3 calibers have all 5 groups at sub-caliber size at 200 yards. Testing only on a good day; no wind, very slight (if any) mirage, etc. Interestingly, the barrels with the tuner have slightly better groups. End result is simply one ragged hole, what I work for.
Then, it is time for competition at 1000 yards. Success is then how well I can read the wind and mirage.
Whew …..
Shooting for 60 years, mostly competitive pistol shooting, from Bullseye in the early days to IPSC for the most recent twelve years. Retired and moved to Canada and am still enjoying shooting. Right knee went ‘kaput’ two years ago and am looking at a replacement in the near future. Meantime I got interested in long distance F Class rifles (1000 yard), started with a Tikka but soon realized I needed something different. Photo below is my latest and probably last F Class rifle.
Originally started loading 9mm for IPSC shooting (relatively simple) then moved to precision rifle …. what a change. The photo shows my setup for F Class FTR in 223. Also have additional bolt / barrels for F Class FTR in 308. Barrels (2 per caliber), 34” Heavy Palma contour, one with a tuner the other without, FTR rifle as shown with bipod weighing in at 8.2 kg. Finally, added additional bolt / barrels for F Class OPEN in 7mm SAUM. Barrels (again 2, 34” Straight 1.25” contour, with and without tuner, rifle as shown weighing in at 9.9 kg.
There are several ‘rabbit holes’ for loading F Class, each costing $1000 (average) and take time to do. Examples are many: special case cleaning and preparation (trimming / chamfer, primer pocket, etc), annealing cases, very accurate powder measurements (0.02 gr accuracy), very accurate case sizing (neck or full), and very accurate seating depth control (base to ogive measurement only). I am sure I forgot some. Then, bullets with very accurate bullet prep (weighing / sorting, concentricity, etc).
I live by the rule that if a ‘rabbit hole’ does not show on the target (typically 600 yards), it is not worth the time and expense, thus I do not use it. An example, cleaning cases.
Finally, both a mandatory comprehensive powder load and seating depth processes with range testing.
This testing typically puts 150 rounds through a new barrel, then competition follows. Looking for best velocity node with very low es (less than 15) and sd (less than 7), specifically to reduce longer range vertical dispersion.
Results for my rifle with 3 calibers and six barrels. After above, I shoot 5 - 5 shot groups as a final test (using 2 foulers, then 5 shots and barrel cool down, 35 shots total). All 3 calibers have all 5 groups at sub-caliber size at 200 yards. Testing only on a good day; no wind, very slight (if any) mirage, etc. Interestingly, the barrels with the tuner have slightly better groups. End result is simply one ragged hole, what I work for.
Then, it is time for competition at 1000 yards. Success is then how well I can read the wind and mirage.
Whew …..
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