F Class weight limits...?
- Thread starter ISS
- Start date
Most importantly this weight must include ANY items that were used while shooting. This means sunshades, rain gear, mirage bands, etc. so if you have to weigh in make sure you bring ALL of that gear with you if there's any chance you'll shoot with it on.
Also remember that not all scales were created equally so if you attend a match that requires a weigh in your gun may be under or over depending on what kind of scale they're using (although any large format match will have a quality scale). I've seen fishing scales, shipping scales and bathroom scales used and none of those will likely be calibrated. I always leave at least a few ounces to spare (although I'm around 21.6lbs right now) just so I never run into a problem if I'm asked to weigh in. Nothing good will come from a gun that weighs exactly 22.04lbs (10kgs) at your house and you don't want a weight issue to be the reason you can't shoot to win.
Also remember that not all scales were created equally so if you attend a match that requires a weigh in your gun may be under or over depending on what kind of scale they're using (although any large format match will have a quality scale). I've seen fishing scales, shipping scales and bathroom scales used and none of those will likely be calibrated. I always leave at least a few ounces to spare (although I'm around 21.6lbs right now) just so I never run into a problem if I'm asked to weigh in. Nothing good will come from a gun that weighs exactly 22.04lbs (10kgs) at your house and you don't want a weight issue to be the reason you can't shoot to win.
It’s a bit paradoxical that building to the weight limit is a possible problem.
One of the issues is that gravity pulls your gun down onto the scale with a different force depending on location, and even time of measurement. Some places are more anomalous than others.
How wide is the range of difference on the earth’s surface, it’s a variance of somewhere between .5 and 1%.
That’s a lot by our standards. 1% off on bullet or charge weight isn’t acceptable.
It’s probably not a full percentage point difference in the extremes of the United States, but even at 1/2 a point, that would be approaching two ounces. That’s a lot of wood to drill out.
One of the issues is that gravity pulls your gun down onto the scale with a different force depending on location, and even time of measurement. Some places are more anomalous than others.
How wide is the range of difference on the earth’s surface, it’s a variance of somewhere between .5 and 1%.
That’s a lot by our standards. 1% off on bullet or charge weight isn’t acceptable.
It’s probably not a full percentage point difference in the extremes of the United States, but even at 1/2 a point, that would be approaching two ounces. That’s a lot of wood to drill out.
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
John is right. Saw this happen in the past. A well known FTR shooter built an FTR gun that made weight on his scales. Brings it to a match in Missoula and it does not make weight. In the instance that this happened, it turned out pretty cool. Our accurate shooter administrator shot FTR in the team matches but was shooting F Open in the individuals. He loaned his FTR gun to the FTR shooter (not to mention names, but let's stay his name was Tom) who used his ammo to shoot through our administrators gun. He won the FTR category and he's been winning some big matches every since. That true story is one that will not be forgotten soon.
Two lessons here. Don't cut it to close in weight and the group of people who shoot competition are very helpful.
Two lessons here. Don't cut it to close in weight and the group of people who shoot competition are very helpful.
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Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
A simple balance beam with water is the ideal way to get an accurate weight and/or to calibrate your scale.
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
That's funny. I didn't know that. Makes sense logically as long as the scale has the resolution and accuracy needed. Sounds like it didn't.It wasn't so much that he cut it close, it was more the cave man method he used to 'weigh' his gun - ie first he got on his bathroom scale with the gun, then without. Subtract the two, voila, there's the gun weight.
Except it was off by over three pounds
ISS
Gold $$ Contributor
I am lucky to live in Idaho. I can just take the rifle in a soft case to my PO. They let me take it out, and weigh it on their +/- 1/10th pounds and ounces scale. I had to do that with my Sharps after a bad scale at the Nationals had several competitors a couple ounces overweight. I was one of them. I went to Raton's PO and convinced them to weigh mine. 2 ounces under. They gave me a receipt with my serial number on it to take back to the shoot. There were rumors of a Lynch Mob being formed.
Spartan Rifles is going to complete the rifle and they will give me an accurate number; but I am going to the PO, just to double check.
Spartan Rifles is going to complete the rifle and they will give me an accurate number; but I am going to the PO, just to double check.
Monte F
Silver $$ Contributor
Are those the ones with a traceable certificate to the national standards institute?
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