F-open rifle advice

[Mudder]

Hi guys
Im trying to get a couple rigs sorted to start learning F-open. Could you give me thoughts on how to proceed?

I've got two Dashers using Shehane baby trackers and two 6.5x47s on McMillan A5s.
I guess I would have these options as far as I can tell?
Dashers with a front rest and rear bag.
A5s with a track plate or similar and front rest/rear bag.
A5s with a bipod and rear bag.

What would you fellas recommend?
Thank you!
Wade

 

[R.Morehouse]

A-5 track plate and front rest. Check the weight and see where you are at with the 22lbs. How much does your whole gun weigh now? How much speed can your get out of the 6.5 with 142's?

 

[Mudder]

A-5 track plate and front rest. Check the weight and see where you are at with the 22lbs. How much does your whole gun weigh now? How much speed can your get out of the 6.5 with 142's?

Thanks transport. I believe my rifle is around 17lbs but I better double check. I've been shooting Berger 130vld. AB Molibe says I'm at 2970fps.

 

[Mudder]

I could really use some more advice. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[lawman29]

How about a little more information as follows:

Barrel contour, length & twist on the Dashers (what bullets are you shooting, ie is freebore good for 105 class bullets)? Same for 6.5x47

What distance will you be primarily shooting 600 or 1K?

What is your front rest & rear bag?

Optics you have?

 

[Kyle Schultz]

Hi guys
Im trying to get a couple rigs sorted to start learning F-open. Could you give me thoughts on how to proceed?

Best advice is to get to a local match and experience the fun first hand. I would recommend you start with a short range match (300 yards) simply because it's easier for someone just starting out to get on paper. Bring whatever equipment you have. Everyone there will be eager to help you.

After that, then you need to decide how far your want to advance your skills. If you just enjoy shooting with friends at local matches, the investment in time and equipment can be very minimal. But if your goal is to be competitive at the state and national level, then the investment, especially in time, will become significant. But it's like any competitive sport. Those who are successful earn their success.

Good luck.

 

[Mudder]

How about a little more information as follows:

Barrel contour, length & twist on the Dashers (what bullets are you shooting, ie is freebore good for 105 class bullets)? Same for 6.5x47

What distance will you be primarily shooting 600 or 1K?

What is your front rest & rear bag?

Optics you have?

I use #17 Krieger on everything. 8 twist for 6mm. 8.5 for 6.5mm
Hart front rests and protector rear bags.
NF competitions on all rifles
Looking to shoot 600 and higher.


Curious what guys think of the front plate vs BR style for f-open???
Nobody is really using bipod for open right???

 

[jr600yd]

Well you've got the right stuff. I'd go with the dasher for 600yd matches. Oh yea it'll shoot well at 1K.......until the wind gets crazy. For the 1K matches go with the 6.5 and either the Berger 140 or the 142 SMK.

Bipods are allowed in F Open although you rarely see them. The front rest is much more stable.

Pack up our stuff and go to a match. A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[lawman29]

Hart rest. I'll assume it's that Comp rest. Something to consider: bullets.com has extended legs and large feet for their bald eagle rests. They will fit the Hart.
http://www.bullets.com/products/Set-of-3-Long-Screws-for-F-Class-for-BE1004-and-BE1005/BE1008 & http://www.bullets.com/products/Set-of-3-F-Class-Feet-Steel-for-BE1004-and-BE1005/BE1007

When I first started in F Open last year I had a 6.5 creedmoor & A-3 stock. Added an aluminum plate it helped track in the front bag better. Today I shoot a 6BR in a McMillian Tooley MBR at 600 and a 280AI in a Masterclass at 1K.

Go to the range and shoot the Dasher and 6.5 prone off your front rest & bag (what works off the bench doesn't necessarily translate to the ground- ie LOP, cheek, etc). This will help sort things out as to what will work best of your current configurations. A very few guys shoot off a bi-pod in f open. But, there are some very good scores shot in FTR, but they're not using a Harris, Atlas or the like bi-pod.......

 

[Mudder]

Alright now we're talking! Thanks!

Can I ask what front plate you used? My A5s have a front stud so I guess it's the Sinclair or Hart (don't think the Sinclair fits an A5 @ 2.5")

Hart rest. I'll assume it's that Comp rest. Something to consider: bullets.com has extended legs and large feet for their bald eagle rests. They will fit the Hart.
http://www.bullets.com/products/Set-of-3-Long-Screws-for-F-Class-for-BE1004-and-BE1005/BE1008 & http://www.bullets.com/products/Set-of-3-F-Class-Feet-Steel-for-BE1004-and-BE1005/BE1007

When I first started in F Open last year I had a 6.5 creedmoor & A-3 stock. Added an aluminum plate it helped track in the front bag better. Today I shoot a 6BR in a McMillian Tooley MBR at 600 and a 280AI in a Masterclass at 1K.

Go to the range and shoot the Dasher and 6.5 prone off your front rest & bag (what works off the bench doesn't necessarily translate to the ground- ie LOP, cheek, etc). This will help sort things out as to what will work best of your current configurations. A very few guys shoot off a bi-pod in f open. But, there are some very good scores shot in FTR, but they're not using a Harris, Atlas or the like bi-pod.......

 

[lawman29]

Didn't use a commercial plate, so can't say. My shooting partner and buddy is the head smith at Wyoming Armory. Keith just made me a plate from aluminum - put two holes in it and then screwed in on where the front two sling studs were. It wasn't 3" wide so I used the next size down front bag. He did subsequently make a 3" wide one out of some larger stock - that he used on a Manner T2A and it worked really well.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I know the Sinclair will adjust. Give them a call and ask if it will work for you.

 

[Mudder]

Thanks guys I'll get a couple plates sorted and see where it takes me!