F-class novice

[stewie333]

Hi.

I would really like to try F-Class,m) this summer but I am at a loss as to which rifle/caliber combination to go with. .223 or .243 seem like good starting points as they have low recoil allowing for more shooting time. But, the factory barrel twist rates really limit the size of bullet that can be used. This is a big problem if I want to reach out to 900m. I need a "out of the box" combo that will do the job. I don't expect to win, I would like to hit the target though. I'm in Canada so the equipment selection is much more limited than what is available to U.S. shooters. I do load for my Swede 6.5X55 but it has been modified too much for this class.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas

Stewie

 

[M700]

A lot of my friends have started out, and stayed with the .308 Win. With 175's, it will shoot to 1000 yards no problem. It can be loaded lighter for less recoil as well. Barrel life is excellent, and a fellow has a huge choice of handloading components as well as the availability of factory ammo...

Regards, Guy

 

[Travelor]

As a beginner, I would stay away fromt he .223 as it is too wind sensitive. The .243 will work, but your barrel life will be limited.

You might seriously look at a Savage 10BVSS in 308. This makes and excellant starting platform and when the barrel finally goes, it is easy to rebarrel and there are some very good pre-chambered barrels available. You should get around 3500-5000 rounds before needing to rebarrel. This gun comes with a 26" barrel, so I would do as the gentleman above stated, use the Sierra MK 175 gr. bullet. You can do well with a 10X scope and not have to spend a bunch of money on the total package.

I shoot a modified Savage BVSS and regularily beat custom guns.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year,
George

 

[SF340Driver]

A 308 or 223 will allow you to shoot in both TR and unlimited classes.

The unlimited class is highly competitive with basically 1000yrd BR guns laying on the ground. It will cost quite a bit more to be competitive in this class.

The TR class has a number of guys showing up with factory or only lightly modified factory rifles and they are winning matches.

I am switching my dedicated F-Class gun to 308 for next year.

 

[stewie333]

The only reason I did not consider .308 vs .223/.243 was due to recoil. Further research is leading me to conclude that factory chamberings for .223/.243 simply are not suitable for 900m because of slower twist rates. I may have to reconsider .308 again. I would prefer 6.5x55 but factory rifles in this caliber are few and far between.

Thanks for your input.

Stewie

 

[bglenn]

stewie
Your choice of 6.5 X 55 caliber is excellent in my opinion. With a heavy barrel at 26" length or longer it should work great. I am going to chamber a barrel in this caliber for my rifle. Now if you can find something. I have been shooting a 308 for the last year. I am running in the middle of the pack, hope to move up.
bglenn

 

[stewie333]

I have a Mauser in 6.5x55 but this is my hunting rifle. I'm not sure if putting a heavy barrel on such an old action is worth the cost or effort. I have read the 6.5 is ballistically excellent. This would also bump me up to f-class,open) and I would be competing with guys with pretty serious rigs. Some of the front rests are worth more than my entire rifle LOL.

 

[Exercion]

I can't speak to a pure factory F-Class gun, but would guess that to do that you're looking at the F/TR class, and unless they do it differently in Canada that's limited to .223 or .308.
You are right about rebarreling a military Mauser for this game. I have and shoot various Swede Mausers, and even shot my first long range stuff with a stock Swede sniper model. As much as I love them, I don't think that's the best idea for competition.
I shoot a Remington actioned 6.5x55 in the F/O class, and really like it,mine started life as a .270 lightwieght rifle). With a 30" tube I can comfortably push the 142g Matchking at low to mid 2900's. Currently I run them a tad slower in the high 2800's. I am expecting very decent barrel life especially compared to some of the hotter cartridges. I think my scope cost more than my rifle. As to a front rest, I have a Cowan and am very happy with it, both from a cost and quality aspect. The current limiting factor in performance vs. the 6.5-284 folks with my setup is the nut behind the trigger.


Eric

 

[JER]

Shoot TR instead.

 

[JeffT]

Shoot TR instead.

why?

what have you got against f-class?

 

[usngunner]

Shoot TR instead.

why?

what have you got against f-class?

TR is F-Class. F-TR actually. It is limited to .223 and .308 caliber rifles, shot from a bipod.

It is a seperate class from the open class, which is basically belly benchrest using dedicated custom rifles and wildcats. Much easier to get started and be competitive in.

 

[Lbart]

There seems to be some confusion regarding terminology here. JER refers to TR and since unlike Jeff and Stewie he has not ID’d his location in the world, it becomes hard to divine exactly what he is referring to. My pet peeve on shooting forums is people do not say where in the world they are located. This leads to messages like mine.

TR in most of the shooting World means Target Rifle; this term is used around the world, to ID what in the US is normal called Palma/long-range prone. TR is not F/TR. Since Stewie is Canadian TR most likely means Target Rifle as in prone with a sling & .223//308 iron sight meaning. In Canada their F,F) is the USA F/TR. The F-Class,m) he refers to may well be one of the F-Class factory classes they are trying to get started.

BTW, F-Open is not belly benchrest even though the equipment in many cases appears similar. The two types of shooting require completely different tactics and shooting styles. Referring to it like that, is like calling Palma ‘belly offhand’.

Larry Bartholome
Texas

 

[usngunner]

There seems to be some confusion regarding terminology here. JER refers to TR and since unlike Jeff and Stewie he has not ID’d his location in the world, it becomes hard to divine exactly what he is referring to. My pet peeve on shooting forums is people do not say where in the world they are located. This leads to messages like mine.

TR in most of the shooting World means Target Rifle; this term is used around the world, to ID what in the US is normal called Palma/long-range prone. TR is not F/TR. Since Stewie is Canadian TR most likely means Target Rifle as in prone with a sling & .223//308 iron sight meaning. In Canada their F,F) is the USA F/TR. The F-Class,m) he refers to may well be one of the F-Class factory classes they are trying to get started.

BTW, F-Open is not belly benchrest even though the equipment in many cases appears similar. The two types of shooting require completely different tactics and shooting styles. Referring to it like that, is like calling Palma ‘belly offhand’.

Larry Bartholome
Texas

Good point Larry, I missed that.

I also should have been more clear as to my "Belly Benchrest" remark. I meant that the open rifles and the equipment used are specialized pieces of equipment and the open class is tough to be competitive in without a similar rig and caliber.

Mea Culpa.

 

[JimmyO]

so....

a .308 or .223 must be shot off a bipod if not shot in open class?

I'm waiting on a TBA 7-08 with a 28" Kreiger.I've already got a 3.5-15X nightforce BR & a Sinclair windage rest with an extra Shadetree joystick top . Do you think that setup could be a serious contender or do I need another barrel.

 

[Lbart]

Jimmy,
I don’t know what a TBA is; but a 7-08 with the right bullet could do quite well in F-Open. As far as being a serious contender that depends a lot on the shooter. Considering your location I would recommend you go out to the Ben Avery,Black Canyon) range Feb 2-4 during the AZ State L-R HP Championships and visit with the F-Class shooters there. Some of the world’s best will attend. Pick their brains. The program is located at http://www.arizona.rifleshooting.com/azlrch.html

Larry Bartholome

 

[JimmyO]

Thanks Larry,

Here's a link to TBA:
http://www.texasbrigadearmory.com/barreledaction.htm

I thought they'd be a good choice for a long range hunting rig because they make their rifles for heavy field use. Their 1/4" MOA warranty is nice too. The down side is over the 7 months it might take you're tempted to change a bunch of stuff

 

[Shelley]

I kinda have a problem with a 1/4 MOA accuracy guarantee without defining what they mean by that. Do they mean two shot groups or three or five shot groups and will it do it every once in awhile or will it consistently fire these groups? If so you could win at least some benchrest matches with the rifle. And that's with a less than ideal stock configuration. Most Benchrest matches will have five or six rifles shooting in the low to mid .2s and the rest shooting in the high .2s and .3s.

Then there's that statement that, they will hold the accuracy of their work to .0001" or less. The bearings in all but the most expensive lathes,Monarch EE at maybe $50,000) won't hold those tolerances.

Maybe they can do it but I'm skeptical. If I were to want one of their rifles I'd see if I could take it a little furthur down I-20 to Gene Beggs tunnel and see if the gun shot as well as I needed it to and if so I'd buy it. I really don't care how tight the machining tolerances are so long as the performance is there.

Shelley Davidson

 

[butchlambert]

Shelley,
I'm with you. I think that the 1/4" or better guarantee deserves the BS flag being raised. Would it shoot a 1/4" 3 shot group occaisionly? Yes it might. I consider a quarter inch gun one that will average it all day long in different conditions.
Butch

 

[stewie333]

Not that this rifle has a 1/4 MOA guarantee, but can anyone offer an opinion on the Savage BVSS-S,single shot) with the Wundhammer laminate stock in .308 with a 26" barrel for f-class,m). Out of all the rifles I have researched this one seems to offer the best bang for the buck,no pun intended). I would put the Savage 10FP-LE with the McMillan stock as a close second. This rifle is available with either the 20" or 26" barrel.

Stewie

 

[DBailey]

Not that this rifle has a 1/4 MOA guarantee, but can anyone offer an opinion on the Savage BVSS-S,single shot) with the Wundhammer laminate stock in .308 with a 26" barrel for f-class,m). Out of all the rifles I have researched this one seems to offer the best bang for the buck,no pun intended). I would put the Savage 10FP-LE with the McMillan stock as a close second. This rifle is available with either the 20" or 26" barrel.

Stewie

Stewie

If your talking F/TR, the BVSS-S in 308 is a good starting point.