F Open or F/TR ?

[XTR]

If you want self gratification shoot Open

If you are a masochist shoot TR. <-- My choice


TR is spec racing, the only real choice is what bullet to shoot, but the game is the same for both. If you shoot Open you'll see higher scores, but almost all of the open guys get higher scores, so you'll still finish about the same until you really learn to read wind. If you want to get to a higher NRA classification shoot Open. If you don't care shoot TR (going into Raton Jim Crofts, who is now the National Champion, was still an expert, though I think his scores at Raton will push him to Master).

Personally I'm not very interested in Open, to me it's the same game just easier to score higher but just as hard to win. Almost all of the Open guns are barrel burners. If you're serious about it you need to build a 7, probably a 7RSAUM, but what ever you build you're going to be rebarreling at about 1500 rounds or less.

 

[rvn1968]

Painless Tom,You left out the cost of the divorce.

 

[MNFinn]

If you want self gratification shoot Open

If you are a masochist shoot TR. <-- My choice

I may have to borrow that quote, it's priceless

 

[KT]

First of I'm not saying FTR or F-open is better. I'm just stating what I have seen. I really enjoy both discipline's I think it gives the new shooter a great choice to bring the rifle they have and shoot.

I agree that there are difference's between FTR and F-open.

I just think that some of the differences are exaggerated a bit.

Open guys most definitely have a ballistic advantage. No arguments at all with that. However it's not by 30 and 40 inch's like most make it out to be.

The open Nat's were won by a plain 280 rem this year. The barrel had 1900 rounds on it. I know for a fact that several of the top FTR guys don't shoot more that 2000 rounds through their barrels before it's time for a new one.

Also those top FTR guys are only getting one or two loadings out of the brass before it's trashed. Due to the fact of pushing the 200's as fast as they are. I'm sure someone will tell me that they get ten loadings out of there brass pushing the 200 hybrids 2750.

Broncman
The biggest thing is for you to get out and shoot and have fun. Whether you decide on FTR or Open come out and compete. I shoot at butner just as you do. In that fact we are pretty darn lucky, because they have huge turn outs for most all the events and NSSC puts on a great show. However you will see very quickly that to win a FTR or F-open match at butner you have to beat Rorer, Crofts, Kelley, Ballard, Eastman, and the list goes on and on. On the other hand most all of the shooters there are more than willing to go out of there way to help you out.

I will see you down there on the 20th.

KT

 

[broncman]

Lookin forward to Butner on the 20th. This is about me having fun and doing something I love. Their is some great talent at Butner and it almost is emabarssing and a little intimidating for a beginner like me!

Work has been brutal but I am off all next week and plan on shooting everyday!

I need to book a place to stay. Stayed in the barracks last time but that was several years back...

 

[SierraCJ5]

This is about me having fun and doing something I love.

I couldn't agree more and this is what helped guide me when I was recently faced with the same decision. I didn't look at it so much as a F Open vs F TR decision, I viewed it as a "what do I want to build and live with" decision. It's probably important to clarify that I didn't start shooting F class with the intent of "winning" or buying the best components available; I wanted to have fun and work on shooting skills at 1000 yards without breaking the bank. With these things in mind I chose a 6BR which solidly places me in F Open. Why did I choose the 6BR? Because I didn't want to build and shoot a 308. My 6BR is used for everything; informal targets with friends, F class, varmints, and hunting. It has quickly become my favorite rifle.

I should mention that I like the bipod component of F TR but I don't like the gigantic bipod so common today. When I shoot F Open I use a Harris bipod and squeeze bag because I feel this gives me the practice I want for field shooting and hunting. Again, I shoot for my own enjoyment and I like to see how my scores compare with the other guys (I'm always much lower) but the most important thing to me is seeing if I can improve relative to my past scores.

Maybe some day I'll feel the need to step up to an F TR rifle, or maybe a mechanical rest and proper "belly benchrest" rig but I doubt it. I'm having a ton of fun shooting what I have and letting everyone else argue the merits of one discipline over the other. Shooting is one of my favorite things to do but it's a small component of my life. I have a career, wife, and 5 month old son that are more important than anything else...including winning matches.

Jeff

 

[MNFinn]

I should mention that I like the bipod component of F TR but I don't like the gigantic bipod so common today. When I shoot F Open I use a Harris bipod and squeeze bag because I feel this gives me the practice I want for field shooting and hunting. Again, I shoot for my own enjoyment and I like to see how my scores compare with the other guys (I'm always much lower) but the most important thing to me is seeing if I can improve relative to my past scores.

This, in a nutshell, explains why I shoot F-T/R

 

[RStewart]

I only shoot .223 or .308, so I have not strayed from FTR. We have some guys that are tearing up FTR and are equaling the scores of the Open guys. Dennis H on here is one. So don't sell the .308 short as not being comparable to the Open guns. I currently am working with a stock Savage 12 FTR in .308. Berger 155.5's at 3071 fps. Shoots in upper 190's. It will do better, but I don't get to shoot much right now.

I am also having a new rifle built that I will shoot in FTR or Field Precision Rifle. Stiller Tac 30 action, Krieger 30" 1:12 twist barrel in a KMW Rifles stock.

But my primary rifle is a Remington 700 in .223. Many have made fun of me when I put it on the line. Many quite laughing soon after.

In short, go the route you think you will get the most use out of.

 

[Immike]

In short, go the route you think you will get the most use out of.
[/quote]
Absolutely right on,if you can get 2 jobs done with the same tool, then that's good business. Everything is evolving fast and the ftr is in leaps and bounds right now. I don't shoot it but see them in the rear view mirror gaining fast.