F-Class Stock options - weights etc
- Thread starter RallyFan
- Start date
MikeMcCasland
Team Texas F-T/R
Open or TR?
MikeMcCasland
Team Texas F-T/R
Not many options I'm aware of are great for both, especially as it pertains to weight.
A McMillan Kestros BR (not on their site) may be the closest thing. The challenge you're going to have is almost none of the TR stocks have that 3" wide flat fore end
As far as the carbon aspect, I have both standard and CF McMillan XITs. There's not much weight difference between them. The main reason to go carbon is to save those last few ounces in order to run a certain scope or contour. That's a big deal in FTR, but significantly easier to work with in F-Open.
If it were me, I'd take some time to decide if you want to shoot open or TR. It'll make stock choice a lot easier, and you'll end up with a better purpose built rig in the longer term.
A McMillan Kestros BR (not on their site) may be the closest thing. The challenge you're going to have is almost none of the TR stocks have that 3" wide flat fore end
As far as the carbon aspect, I have both standard and CF McMillan XITs. There's not much weight difference between them. The main reason to go carbon is to save those last few ounces in order to run a certain scope or contour. That's a big deal in FTR, but significantly easier to work with in F-Open.
If it were me, I'd take some time to decide if you want to shoot open or TR. It'll make stock choice a lot easier, and you'll end up with a better purpose built rig in the longer term.
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Southern shooter 59
Gold $$ Contributor
Another option is a chassis. MPA makes an ultralight. You can convert from TR to Open with the addition of a bag rider attachment.
I use the XLR Evolution for F-TR. Love the feel of the chassis over a traditional stock. Lots of options for chassis's out there. One advantage of the XLR Evolution is the mounting block design. It uses what they call a Multi-point radial cut which eliminates the need for bedding of the action compared to V-Block designs.
The XLR as do other manufactures, have accessories that can convert the chassis very easily from bipod for F-RT to shooting rest for F-O, among other accessories such as being able to add weights for F-O.
There are a lot of great chassis's out there. Well worth the time to check them out.
If I may suggest, weight can be a real problem in the F-TR class, 18.2 lb. So when I was putting together my rifle I created a list of parts and their weights. Helped me to put together the best combination by weight to ensure I got the weight as close as possible to the goal without exceeding it before I made all my purchases.
The XLR as do other manufactures, have accessories that can convert the chassis very easily from bipod for F-RT to shooting rest for F-O, among other accessories such as being able to add weights for F-O.
There are a lot of great chassis's out there. Well worth the time to check them out.
If I may suggest, weight can be a real problem in the F-TR class, 18.2 lb. So when I was putting together my rifle I created a list of parts and their weights. Helped me to put together the best combination by weight to ensure I got the weight as close as possible to the goal without exceeding it before I made all my purchases.
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Boatschool02
Silver $$ Contributor
Recommend picking one or the other. (Open or TR)
Both can be rewarding endeavors/pursuits because the level of competition is so high.
Develop a decent sub 1/2MOA load and go shoot as often as possible.
Spend your time learning to read the wind instead of digging deeper into "the gear chase."
Don't get too focused on exotic materials... they're not needed to shoot small.
If you try to keep one foot in both camps, you'll end up with a jack of all trades, master of none rifle that you won't love and will be a nightmare to sell.
Damfino
Gold $$ Contributor
Good information in the above posts. My experience is that everything is a tradeoff. I shot F-TR for years. Got a JoyPod and a McMillan XIT (adjustable cheekpiece/3 way adjustable butt plate) made High Master in mid-range, although continued to languish in Expert at long range, but still managed to occasionally (infrequently) shoot Master and even High Master scores with it. Changed to F-Open last year with a Sinclair benchrest adaptor on the XIT rail (https://www.brownells.com/shooting-...accessories/benchrest-adapters-prod45123.aspx) and a Seb Mini. Shot a number of cleans at 600 with a Dasher and the setup got me into Master at 1,000 after 2 matches with a .284. Hopefully I'll make High Master eventually. Now I'm thinking about F-TR again with the Berger 200-20X bullet. I like the versatility of the XIT and the setup works for me. I recognize that it is a compromise and a dedicated setup might work better, but there are no guarantees. Good luck with your decision.
Eliseo chassis with a solid action, Gary’s pickleforks for open, flip able bag rider, Seb or Phoenix Bipod for ftr and class specific barrels of course. You’ll prob need to add some removable weight to the rear tube or assembly to somewhat balance a heavy open barrel. Prob one of the more easily sale-able convertable systems but as stated before, if you are trying to win at the highest level just concentrate on one class. The wind is your friend regardless of arena and comp in this sport, learn as much as you can about it in general and range topographic / flag / ballistic specific if and where possible.
How about a picture
I have a FTR and Open rifles both in McMillan XIT stocks in carbon fiber. With the anschutz rail In the forearm. I can shoot both off a bipod or I can put a machined piece in the forearm to make it have the 3” flat for an open rest. Weight is easily added, I have a weight built to fit under my cheek piece for added weight.
Killick
Transcendental Capitalist
My rig was a sling rifle until I switched to F-Class. Now it’s an Open rifle with Gary’s pickle forks. It could just as easily be converted to TR by removing the pickle forks, adding a Seb JoyPod and changing the bbl.. Weight is no problem with Gary’s tube stocks.
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