F-Open Cartridge Selection for new guy?

[drop_point]

In the next year or so, I'll be moving to an area with F-class matches in reasonable driving distance. I've considered building a rifle and getting involved. Locally, there are more PRS-style matches. I fear my magazine-fed PRS rifle with a break and bipod just wont' quite cut it and I'll quickly plateau. Therefore, I'd like to flirt with building an F-class dedicated rifle. I have shot PRS rifles in F-Open in the past, even winning a few at the local club but that has been years ago.

After talking it over with my gunsmith, he made the suggestion to build a 6mm Dasher because I could use the same reamer, dies, and components on my next PRS barrel as well. He suggested since the more local clubs shoots 600 yards, that it would be just as competitive as anything and it would save me money.

While I expect to rarely venture out to the clubs with more range, the collective information I'm seeing on the interweb is to go .284 Winchester or some variant of.

What do you the Pros here on the Shooter's Forum say? Some friends have suggested I just spin a .308 barrel for my PRS rifle and shoot F-T/R and save the cost of a rest and new rifle. I'm not opposed to that idea.

 

[338 Mollett]

284

 

[chromatica]

You can get to 600 yards with 6mm, but you probably want 6.5 or larger for 1,000 yards. I shoot F-Class using my 260 Rem. I have seen a lot of 6.5x47 on the range as well as 284.

 

[CarlGeorge]

I was in a somewhat similar situation a couple of years back. I was debating between a 6.5 and .284.

Folks here said go .284......"You won't regret it."

That's an understatement. I love that cartridge. Very happy with what it does at 1,000.

 

[drop_point]

You can get to 600 yards with 6mm, but you probably want 6.5 or larger for 1,000 yards. I shoot F-Class using my 260 Rem. I have seen a lot of 6.5x47 on the range as well as 284.

When I was shooting before, it was a .260 Rem. It is an excellent round.

 

[drop_point]

I was in a somewhat similar situation a couple of years back. I was debating between a 6.5 and .284.

Folks here said go .284......"You won't regret it."

That's an understatement. I love that cartridge. Very happy with what it does at 1,000.

If 90% of your shooting was mid-range, would that change your decision making?

 

[Retired Grunt]

If you shoot 10% of your matches at 1000, the .284 is worth it.

 

[Jdne5b]

It sounds like you want to be competitive more than just shoot Fclass for kicks and convenience. I would suggest a .284 dedicated F-Open gun.

If you want to go FTR, then pick up a 308 barrel. If you can run at least a 30inch heavy Palma barrel, the stock rides a rear bag well, and stay under 18.18lbs, it’ll probably be competitive.

 

[drop_point]

It sounds like you want to be competitive more than just shoot Fclass for kicks and convenience. I would suggest a .284 dedicated F-Open gun.

If you want to go FTR, then pick up a 308 barrel. If you can run at least a 30inch heavy Palma barrel, the stock rides a rear bag well, and stay under 18.18lbs, it’ll probably be competitive.

Yes, if I'm going to get into it, I don't want to suck at it, but challenge myself. The stock on my PRS rifle is a Manners T2. I'm sure I could get an AICS single-shot follower, should I go that route. Would save a LOT of money.

 

[Jdne5b]

Yes, if I'm going to get into it, I don't want to suck at it, but challenge myself. The stock on my PRS rifle is a Manners T2. I'm sure I could get an AICS single-shot follower, should I go that route. Would save a LOT of money.

T2 wouldn’t be terrible, angle on the stock is kinda steep but it’s definitely shootable if you find a bag that fits well. Single shot adaptor would definitely make life easy loading rounds.

 

[lawman29]

1) How big is your budget. In F-Open it's just not the rifle it's the front rest: can you say "Seb Neo"..
2) Manners T2 - You can use it, but like I did when I started with a McMillian A2 and 6.5 creedmoor I participated I did not compete. You want a stock with a flat 3" fore-end and butt that's flat on the bottom to track in the bag.
3) Reloading: What is your equipment, Fx120i scale, dies, etc.
4) 600 yds FOpen shoot whatever you want in a 6mm, if it's tuned etc the rest is up to you.
5) 1k .284
6) FTR - the advantage for you going this route is you'll be shooting off a bi-pod: cheaper than a Seb Neo and you're kinda of practicing at the same time for PRS... At 600 you could shoot a 223.

 

[Medic505]

I shot a Manners T2A for several years and did pretty well with it. It's a good stiff stock and it's not going to be a limiting factor in TR. I would go .308 on the chance you'll shoot at 1000 once you get the bug. Don't get me wrong, I've had my butt beat with a .223 at 1000 but a .308 is an advantage. In my opinion that is....

 

[drop_point]

1) How big is your budget. In F-Open it's just not the rifle it's the front rest: can you say "Seb Neo"..
2) Manners T2 - You can use it, but like I did when I started with a McMillian A2 and 6.5 creedmoor I participated I did not compete. You want a stock with a flat 3" fore-end and butt that's flat on the bottom to track in the bag.
3) Reloading: What is your equipment, Fx120i scale, dies, etc.
4) 600 yds FOpen shoot whatever you want in a 6mm, if it's tuned etc the rest is up to you.
5) 1k .284
6) FTR - the advantage for you going this route is you'll be shooting off a bi-pod: cheaper than a Seb Neo and you're kinda of practicing at the same time for PRS... At 600 you could shoot a 223.

1. Hadn't really thought of budget. Usually I accumulate parts every payday until I have what I want/need. I'm sure rests aren't cheap, and that isn't something I'd considered. I figured I would start with a "budget" rest to start out with in order to start with a better gun.
2. The manners T2 would only be used if I did F-T/R because I already have it.
3. Reloading equipment...if I were to go with a new cartridge, I would need dies. The other poster was mentioning .308 and .223, I have Redding S-type dies, body dies, and expander mandrels. I typically use Forster BR seating dies. I have a Rockchucker I seat with and I typically process on the the progressive press. I have been eyeing a Giraud trimmer, but I have the drill-mounted units now that seem to work just fine and they are fast. I have a bench-source annealing machine, a wet tumbler and a dry tumbler. I do not have an Fx120i, rather a Chargemaster. I've talked to a couple of guys that seem to think a Chargemaster would not be the limiting factor. I spoke with Erik Cortina and he stated guys can win with them, so I've been fairly convinced the Fx120i is a good upgrade, but not a priority upgrade.
4. Noted!
5. Therein lies the problem, won't shoot much at 1k (the ranges are far from home and I have small children), but would I be best served building a "one rifle" for both 600 and 1,000? Or just focus on 600?
6. Those are some good points and very intriguing because I could just get a barrel spun and not have to wait on a full build.

Thank you for the thorough response. I will keep your suggestions in mind as well as any further insight.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Build your new rifle with an action big enough for the 284. But screw a 6br sized barrel on it to begin with and learn to shoot. If 1000 yards becomes something you want to do just change the barrel. The 6mm will be cheaper to shoot.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Build your new rifle with an action big enough for the 284. But screw a 6br sized barrel on it to begin with and learn to shoot. If 1000 yards becomes something you want to do just change the barrel. The 6mm will be cheaper to shoot.

That would be my advise.

 

[CarlGeorge]

If 90% of your shooting was mid-range, would that change your decision making?

I *think* if 90% of my shooting was at mid-range I'd still like the .284 choice. But I'm far from an experienced F-Open shooter. So take my answer with a grain of salt, as I'm a newbie when it comes to F-Class.

My progression:

• When I knew I wanted to build a gun I thought I might get into F-Class shooting
• My BIL is an avid F-Class shooter. He guided me a ton on various choice points and encouraged me to be "F-Class ready" - because he thought I'd like it.
• I actually got the finished rifle a couple of years ago. It has 1,000 rounds down it. Spent a lot of time diagnosing some bullet seating issues as well as load development and just getting comfortable with the gun and cartridge.
• Did some playing around at longer ranges (600-1,000 yd) but nothing formal. Going out with a good friend who also is just getting into F-Class.
• Shot my first F-Class (midrange) match just a month ago.

OMG the hook has been firmly set. Can't wait until next spring and matches start up again.

 

[drop_point]

Build your new rifle with an action big enough for the 284. But screw a 6br sized barrel on it to begin with and learn to shoot. If 1000 yards becomes something you want to do just change the barrel. The 6mm will be cheaper to shoot.

Thanks! Something like a Defiance Deviant SA should work for both, correct?

 

[dthomas]

Build a 284 if you want to go f open even if you shoot mostly midrange. You could get a seb mini for a front rest. If you want to try out f class before spending a lot of money spin up a 308 barrel for your current rifle and shoot ftr like you were thinking it would save you a bunch of money.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Many short actions will not extract a loaded heavy long bullet 284 sized round without removing the bolt. If your stock allows that no problem. If you have a tube gun type stock a long action makes life easier.

 

[Rset]

The cheapest way will be to put that .308 barrel on and shoot F_TR.
All other options should likely be decided once you have more experience in F-Class.
I have done very well with a 6 Dasher at mid range and even at a thousand.
Now, when the winds pick up, and they do, there is less room for error than with a 284.
I shoot one of those too.