F-Class now has it's own Rules Book (2024)

[Stumpy1]

As a match director, here is one that just bit me on the keister.
For F-Class, apparently, you can shoot three different rifles in a one-day, three stage match, or even 6 different rifles in a two day agg.

9.1 Changing Rifle–– A competitor may change rifles to another of the same or different caliber only between fired matches or between stages of a multiple stage match even if these stages are included in an aggregate match.

This is in contrast to the long-standing High Power Rules which state;
9.1 Changing Rifle—Unless otherwise provided in the program, no competitor will change his rifle during the firing of any single stage, multiple stage, or aggregate match unless it has become disabled and has been so designated by the Chief Range Officer.

and

9.1.1 Voluntarily Changing Rifles—If at any time a competitor wishes to change rifles, he may do so before the start of a stage or match. It is the responsibility of the competitor to notify his score keeper and a Range Officer that he has changed rifles. His scores for previously fired matches in the aggregate in which the rifle is changed will be disallowed in that aggregate. Previously fired individual match scores will stand, but will not be counted as a part of the aggregate score. That aggregate will be noted on the scoreboard and in the results bulletin as a “Disallowed Score, Rule 9.1.1”

Edited by me: This was a HUGE surprise to me, and certainly runs counter to what I had THOUGHT had been the rule on changing rifles -in reading old versions of the rulebook prior to this year, there it was under F-Class rules.

Won't Mom be surprised when she hears about this?

Frank

 

[Rocketvapor]

Individual match scores will stand alone.
Aggregate will be low missing previous stages.

 

[Stumpy1]

That isn't what the rule reads -there is no 9.1.1 in the F-Class rules.

Here is the rule in its entirety (from the "Conventional" Rules);

9. COMPETITION REGULATIONS
9.1 Changing Rifle–– A competitor may change rifles to another of the same or different caliber only between fired matches or between stages of a multiple stage match even if these stages are included in an aggregate match. A competitor may not change his or her rifle during the firing of a single stage unless it has become disabled and has been so designated by the Chief Range Officer. For the purpose of this rule, the firing of a stage is considered to have started when the competitor has fired his or her first record shot. A claim that a rifle is disabled must be made immediately. All shots fired up to the time of the claim is made will stand as part of the official score. (See Rules 10.9 and 10.10.)

 

[Rocketvapor]

So where did this 9.1.1 come from ?

 

[Stumpy1]

From the 2024 'Regular' High Power Rulebook.

 

[F Class John]

In F Class, the biggest failure to follow the 'changing rifles' rule is that it's not uncommon to see an F Class shooter swap rifles during a Palma when in fact a Palma is ONE entire match. Therefore once you go for record at 800yds you CANNOT swap out rifles for the entirety of 800/900/1000. This includes shooting a team Palma as well.

Edit: Forgot to say that this was historically an issue, but with the new rule book it appears to be allowed now.

 

[memilanuk]

once you go for record at 800yds you CANNOT swap out rifles for the entirety of 800/900/1000.

I'm okay with that.

 

[FatBoy]

I’m going to ramble a bit as there is a lot here.

I had to stop reading after page 5. Maybe Larry responded, maybe not. When Larry pulled Monte, Paul, me and a couple others pre-F class guys in to put the first proposed rule set together, F Class was basically build off the Canadian rules. Weight limits for FTR was based on the heaviest issues sniper rifle of the day (British L96) in 308win. IIRC the open rifle was based on one of the BR sanctioning bodies rifle weight. This allowed BR shooters to come participate as well as Active Duty shooters with issued equipment. Palma rifles already met the rules without change.

Alex , when asked at inception my initial intent was to fire these rifles from the shoulder, with rear rest and or front rest/bipod. Both Open ans FTR. Keep in mind this was written when Harris and the Versa-Pod was all that was available and Sinclair made the most used rest. Nobody could have envisioned the Sebs, joystick bipods, etc. we have now. I still personally still think the rifle should be shouldered BUT as a former MD I can say I wouldn’t be looking, as a fellow competitor I don’t really care and as someone who has been on a jury I don’t know how it could be fairly enforce. This seems like an unenforceable rule.

We have seen some significant changes since Rusty and I put on the 2nd F class Nationals at Oak Ridge (pre-sanctioned) but most of this has not been rifle/stock related. The rests, the calibers being the two biggest advancements and then the target size reduction to account for these. That .5 MOA change seems to have countered the “Arms Race” and kept the matches in line with the Highpower shooters since its adoption. I was skeptical about this at first, but it had been a very good rule IMO.

For me, this comes down to two things.

1) will the rule set foster participation and have enough similarity that I can continue to shoot Highpower along side the people I enjoy sharing the range with and

2) are the rules clear enough that a match director can run a fair match concurrent with Highpower.

Hopefully we get this resolved, and in a manner that isn’t driving a wedge between F class and sling shooters , as to me these are just different rifle classes in the same sport . At the end of the day, the match director can put whatever exclusions they want in the program when submitted as well as make changes in the morning brief. (We do it with rule 9.1 all the time) It’s all fixable, so hopefully this doesn’t push more people over to PRS and further reduce our numbers.

Hope to see you on the range …

Chris

 

[XTR]

As a match director, here is one that just bit me on the keister.
For F-Class, apparently, you can shoot three different rifles in a one-day, three stage match, or even 6 different rifles in a two day agg.

9.1 Changing Rifle–– A competitor may change rifles to another of the same or different caliber only between fired matches or between stages of a multiple stage match even if these stages are included in an aggregate match.

This is in contrast to the long-standing High Power Rules which state;
9.1 Changing Rifle—Unless otherwise provided in the program, no competitor will change his rifle during the firing of any single stage, multiple stage, or aggregate match unless it has become disabled and has been so designated by the Chief Range Officer.

and

9.1.1 Voluntarily Changing Rifles—If at any time a competitor wishes to change rifles, he may do so before the start of a stage or match. It is the responsibility of the competitor to notify his score keeper and a Range Officer that he has changed rifles. His scores for previously fired matches in the aggregate in which the rifle is changed will be disallowed in that aggregate. Previously fired individual match scores will stand, but will not be counted as a part of the aggregate score. That aggregate will be noted on the scoreboard and in the results bulletin as a “Disallowed Score, Rule 9.1.1”

Edited by me: This was a HUGE surprise to me, and certainly runs counter to what I had THOUGHT had been the rule on changing rifles -in reading old versions of the rulebook prior to this year, there it was under F-Class rules.

Won't Mom be surprised when she hears about this?

Frank

This has been the case for a long time with the “regular” F class rules, if you want to make it a one rifle match use make it a Fullbore match. I haven’t looked in 2 yrs, but last time I looked you can’t switch rifles between stages of a Fullbore match. (Disabled rifle rules notwithstanding)

 

[brshtr]

This week I’ll have my best shooting set up in a decade and it will be the only Open gun(s) steered from the rear with an angled butt stock and hard hold with a pinch bag, so free recoil isn’t my personal issue,

Just so you won't feel lonely -- that makes two of us shooting an Open gun with an angled buttstock and hard hold and squeezing a bag. I shoot mine on a bipod and a rear Protektor bag.

Dave Rabin

 

[Rank Amateur]

That isn't what the rule reads -there is no 9.1.1 in the F-Class rules.

Here is the rule in its entirety (from the "Conventional" Rules);

9. COMPETITION REGULATIONS
9.1 Changing Rifle–– A competitor may change rifles to another of the same or different caliber only between fired matches or between stages of a multiple stage match even if these stages are included in an aggregate match. A competitor may not change his or her rifle during the firing of a single stage unless it has become disabled and has been so designated by the Chief Range Officer. For the purpose of this rule, the firing of a stage is considered to have started when the competitor has fired his or her first record shot. A claim that a rifle is disabled must be made immediately. All shots fired up to the time of the claim is made will stand as part of the official score. (See Rules 10.9 and 10.10.)

OK, so I'll throw more fuel on the fire. 9.1 Changing Rifle section ends with reference to Rules 10.9 and 10.10. These Rules are also referenced in section 9.4 Defective Cartridge, and section 9.5 Defective Rifle, and in the index referencing "Refires". In these cases the reference states: "For procedure in case of defective cartridge (rifle) See Rules 10.9 and 10.10".

Unfortunately, the F-Class Rules book does not contain EITHER rule 10.9 or 10.10. In fact, the rule book skips from Rule 10.7 (Firing Line Procedures and Commands) directly to Rule 10.11 (Pit Discipline).

The defective cartridge section mentioned above (9.4) also contain reference to "For refiring privileges see Rule 9.14."

Rule 9.14 reads literally "(Blank)"

 

[105gr]

Old thread but good read. I am not a competition shooter. I just target shoot long range. I have pondered competition. Until now. Atleast not anything in F-Class (F-Prac looks neat). If you want more shooters on the line you better A) Get rid of the NRA. B) Make the rules so people with normal rifles can compete. I'm not spending $2,000 on a front rest. $5,000 on a gun. $3,000 on a scope. And waiting 2yrs on a "gunsmith" to "build" a rifle. This is why you have low numbers. Non-steerable front rest or bipod only. No single-shot actions. Just an opinion from somebody who loves to shoot that would love to be at a match with all these legend-ey people that will never get there because I cant spend $10,000 on a rifle/gear.

 

[danny]

Old thread but good read. I am not a competition shooter. I just target shoot long range. I have pondered competition. Until now. Atleast not anything in F-Class (F-Prac looks neat). If you want more shooters on the line you better A) Get rid of the NRA. B) Make the rules so people with normal rifles can compete. I'm not spending $2,000 on a front rest. $5,000 on a gun. $3,000 on a scope. And waiting 2yrs on a "gunsmith" to "build" a rifle. This is why you have low numbers. Non-steerable front rest or bipod only. No single-shot actions. Just an opinion from somebody who loves to shoot that would love to be at a match with all these legend-ey people that will never get there because I cant spend $10,000 on a rifle/gear.

You need another game created, you know, something mostly social, where you can have firearms, any kind you wish, and they don't keep score. There will be Coke (not the white kind) chips and French Onion dip, too. Sorry, what you have now is what you have. People do go to matches to attempt to win....

Danny

 

[Stumpy1]

Old thread but good read. I am not a competition shooter. I just target shoot long range. I have pondered competition. Until now. Atleast not anything in F-Class (F-Prac looks neat). If you want more shooters on the line you better A) Get rid of the NRA. B) Make the rules so people with normal rifles can compete. I'm not spending $2,000 on a front rest. $5,000 on a gun. $3,000 on a scope. And waiting 2yrs on a "gunsmith" to "build" a rifle. This is why you have low numbers. Non-steerable front rest or bipod only. No single-shot actions. Just an opinion from somebody who loves to shoot that would love to be at a match with all these legend-ey people that will never get there because I cant spend $10,000 on a rifle/gear.

105 -You would be more than welcome to come and shoot at my club. There is nothing in the rules that says you can't come out with the rifle you have. Pretty much no matter what you have, it will fit in there somewhere. As you probably know, 223 and 308 - you fall into F-T/R (or sling). Any other caliber -you fall into F-Open (or sling, again). Unless you are super-talented, you are unlikely to win your first match, and that is OK. From my perspective, the people and the experience of shooting with others is the important part of match shooting anyway.
Who knows, after the bug bites, you may decide to dedicate more money into equipment. There is a LOT of used equipment out there that comes available at decent prices.

My $0.0000002, but you (and others like you) have a place on the line at my matches anytime you show up.

Frank

 

[Sumtoc]

105 -You would be more than welcome to come and shoot at my club. There is nothing in the rules that says you can't come out with the rifle you have. Pretty much no matter what you have, it will fit in there somewhere. As you probably know, 223 and 308 - you fall into F-T/R (or sling). Any other caliber -you fall into F-Open (or sling, again). Unless you are super-talented, you are unlikely to win your first match, and that is OK. From my perspective, the people and the experience of shooting with others is the important part of match shooting anyway.
Who knows, after the bug bites, you may decide to dedicate more money into equipment. There is a LOT of used equipment out there that comes available at decent prices.

My $0.0000002, but you (and others like you) have a place on the line at my matches anytime you show up.

Frank

This. I've been shooting competitive rifle matches for almost 45 years and except for 2-3 self appointed "line Nazis" everyone I've met has been very friendly and helpful....... Try it.

 

[Dgd6mm]

105gr, you have nothing to lose but the experience if you don't go and shoot a match. The NRA matches will continue with light attendance, and I'll tell you why....dedication! You and your thoughts are not going to change a thing, especially if you've never stepped foot on a range where a f class match is being held. Most shooters here will bend over backwards to accommodate you providing it is within the rules of the match they are running. Other than that you'll continue to be on the outside looking in, by your choice, and they can live with that.

 

[anon]

Old thread but good read. I am not a competition shooter. I just target shoot long range. I have pondered competition. Until now. Atleast not anything in F-Class (F-Prac looks neat). If you want more shooters on the line you better A) Get rid of the NRA. B) Make the rules so people with normal rifles can compete. I'm not spending $2,000 on a front rest. $5,000 on a gun. $3,000 on a scope. And waiting 2yrs on a "gunsmith" to "build" a rifle. This is why you have low numbers. Non-steerable front rest or bipod only. No single-shot actions. Just an opinion from somebody who loves to shoot that would love to be at a match with all these legend-ey people that will never get there because I cant spend $10,000 on a rifle/gear.

@105gr

I shot my first F-Class long range match 18 years ago with a factory Remington 700 VLS in 308 that had a monster big chamber with a long throat, a Leupold 6.5x20 LRT, and a Harris bipod. On its best day it was a 1 moa rifle. I was using 190 SMK's because everything else I tried was well over 1 moa.

I had a blast. All shots were on the target, some even in the black.

Go shoot.

 

[105gr]

105 -You would be more than welcome to come and shoot at my club. There is nothing in the rules that says you can't come out with the rifle you have. Pretty much no matter what you have, it will fit in there somewhere. As you probably know, 223 and 308 - you fall into F-T/R (or sling). Any other caliber -you fall into F-Open (or sling, again). Unless you are super-talented, you are unlikely to win your first match, and that is OK. From my perspective, the people and the experience of shooting with others is the important part of match shooting anyway.
Who knows, after the bug bites, you may decide to dedicate more money into equipment. There is a LOT of used equipment out there that comes available at decent prices.

My $0.0000002, but you (and others like you) have a place on the line at my matches anytime you show up.

Frank

Where is this? I am in Newark, OH. I'm an hour from Thunder Valley and Rayners. Kelbly's isn't too far either. I drove up there years ago and they helped me install my Jewell in my 700. It's a 1976 r700 in 6.5CM. Just a bipod. I don't even really need to compete. I don't need or want to win. I just want to shoot, learn and have fun.

 

[105gr]

This. I've been shooting competitive rifle matches for almost 45 years and except for 2-3 self appointed "line Nazis" everyone I've met has been very friendly and helpful....... Try it.

Thank you. I'll look into it.

 

[105gr]

@105gr

I shot my first F-Class long range match 18 years ago with a factory Remington 700 VLS in 308 that had a monster big chamber with a long throat, a Leupold 6.5x20 LRT, and a Harris bipod. On its best day it was a 1 moa rifle. I was using 190 SMK's because everything else I tried was well over 1 moa.

I had a blast. All shots were on the target, some even in the black.

Go shoot.

Mine's a BDL but same scope even.