F-Open weight

[Cody Richardson]

Just curious if you think I will make weight with the current build I have in the works:
Remington 700 s/a
CG trigger
30' Bartelin straight taper in 6BR
Masterclass fclass stock with thumbwheell cheek piece and 3 way butt plate
Sightron 10-50 or Nightforce BR 12-42

 

[nosualc]

Yes.

You have to work pretty hard to exceed 22lbs, and I don't think you're working hard enough

-nosualc

 

[JBO]

Yes.

You have to work pretty hard to exceed 22lbs, and I don't think you're working hard enough

-nosualc

+1

 

[lawrence97]

My guesstimate is that you are far from 22lbs with items you described.

 

[Cody Richardson]

Well then, this is my first true purpose fclass build. Im a former palma shooter so I'm used to 13-15lb rifles. Is there any reason/benefit to attempt to max out weight? If so, how can I add some more weight without just adding led to the butt of the gun

 

[lawrence97]

Without adding weight to the butt, your only options are a longer barrel, heavy rings or a different/heavier action.
I would wait until everything is put together before thinking about adding any weight. You may be close.

No need to max out weight but it does make the platform more stable and aid in recoil management/tracking if you ever want to run a magnum or any other heavy recoiling cartridge...

As a 6BR I would use it as is because recoil will be non-existent.

 

[nosualc]

Generally adding mass to the rifle is a good idea to lessen recoil. Generally the answer would be a longer barrel, and maybe adding a little weight in the butt to help it balance.

However, for a 6BR, recoil isn't really a problem, and 30 inches is already more than long enough. I would concern yourself more with balance than overall weight. With a 30 inch barrel, you may be a little too muzzle heavy.

My 6BRX F-Open rifle weighs in at a little over 18lbs with a 28" slightly tapered barrel. I doubt very much that it would shoot better at 22lbs. It shoots exceptionally well, well enough that I wouldn't consider messing with it.

-nosualc

 

[coford]

Cody,

My first real F-Class rifle is almost exactly what you describe. It has a Masterclass F-Class stock (with metal rod in the wrist) with the same hardware, a 30 inch straight barrel, a 12 X 42 Nightforce scope, and a steel 20 moa base. It weighed 19 pounds. I added 1.5 pounds of lead to the stock to get it up to 20.5 lbs. I added all the lead I could without ruining the stock and don't know how to get it heavier unless I inletted an area under the barrel to hold more lead.

So to answer your question - you will be under maximum weight. Even though you are shooting a 6BR weight is still your friend. I would add all the weight you can - up to the limit. Besides who knows when you might want to make it a .284?

 

[Cody Richardson]

Gonzos,

How do you like the masterclass stock? Alex built the stock on my previous Palma rifle and it was great but I have not shot behind his fclass pattern stock yet.

 

[coford]

I liked the first on enough that I bought a second! The only change I made was I had Alex cut rails into the forend so that the bag rides on two thin rails instead of the whole 3" forend. It makes the gun track better and seems to not torque as bad in the bags. By the way. The second one uses a Panda F-Class action, Nightforce Competition scope, and a 32" barrel. I still had to add a pound and a half of weight to get to 21.5 Lbs.

 

[Cody Richardson]

I may have him cut the rail slot for mine as well. A few guys here have that done on the lowboy stock and they say they can tell a difference

 

[nhm16]

I may have him cut the rail slot for mine as well. A few guys here have that done on the lowboy stock and they say they can tell a difference

I have/had a total of 3 Low Boys. My current two have the rail, my first one didn't. I could tell the difference in tracking and torquing, and to me it's worth the small cost to have it done.

 

[BT1]

I have 3 bench guns and 2 f-class rigs. They all have the fore-ends cut with rails. Greatly improves the tracking and not as fussy about making sure the front bag is perfectly conditioned.

Steve