F-PR - New Zealand (F- Precision Rifle)

[6brbb]

Here in New Zealand we proposed and had approved by the National Rifle Association of New Zealand Inc. a new F-Class to enable Precision (“PRS”/”NRL) style rifles to shoot in a class of their own. It has proven VERY popular at least at club level. The following is what we have in place for the 2020/21 season. It is possible we will make some tweaks for next season.

F-PR Rules
1. Rifles shall not exceed a calibre of .308 inch
2. Barrel length shall not exceed 715 mm (28.15 inches) measured from the bolt-face to the muzzle. Barrel length excludes the length of a suppressor if used.
3. The rifle and ammunition combination used must be capable of maintaining projectiles velocities above the speed of sound from the firing point to the target. Ammunition muzzle energy level shall conform with range limits.
4. Rifle weight with bolt, bipod, suppressor, scope and magazine* (*if detachable) shall not exceed 9.6kgs.
5. Any rifle scope may be employed
6. The action and the stock shall possess a magazine cut-out
7. Rifle can be fired from either a bipod or from a bag placed under the forestock.
8. The width of the forestock shall not exceed 66mm (2.6 inches).
9. Bipods must be of a commercial folding leg design (e.g. Harris, Atlas, Accu-Tac, Ckye-Pod or other similar commercial design). Bipod spikes are permitted. Other forms of front rests, joy-stick style bipods (ie SEB joypod), and mechanical front rests are not permitted.
10. A rear bag or rear mono pod may be used.
11. Suppressors are allowed. Muzzle brakes are not permitted.
12. Ammunition must be manually loaded. Magazines may only be used as a manual loading platform. Ammunition is not to be fitted into the magazine for multiple round firing capabilities.

 

[Erud]

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[rardoin]

We have a similar class at my ‘home’ range. We also call it FPR. It requires use of a magazine/all rounds are to be mag fed. No single shot followers allowed. We also require folding production bipod. Suppression/brakes allowed. Optics limited to 25X; higher mag scopes can be used but dialed back. The class is very popular. F-class rules. Sighters are limited but convertible.

 

[Ned Ludd]

What course(s) of fire for this class? In other words, is the intent to use a typical F-Class prone course of fire where the rules have been modified to permit most PRS-style rifles to participate, or is it more like setting the rifle standards to allow something like an F-TR/F-Open/PRS hybrid sort of setup, then using a PRS-style course of fire? Just trying to understand how it works. Thanks!

 

[johara1]

My question why the fore end with limited to 2.6 when you are using a bipod? a person can have a chance to use an old stock and save a few bucks on the build....... jim

 

[6brbb]

My question why the fore end with limited to 2.6 when you are using a bipod? a person can have a chance to use an old stock and save a few bucks on the build....... jim

Hi, it was simply to prohibit some one using an F-Open rifle in this class. This is our first year running this nationwide as an official class. It it likely we will make some changes in June (or winter) based on how it went.

 

[johara1]

The barrel length has to be 28 and an Open is single shot.... But the Fore end width is what gets me as odd used with a bipod it never contacts anything but the bipod.... just a chance to use something setting around. A wood f open stock can be used by just narrowing it up but fiberglass you are dead in the water .... I would think this may become very popular..... jim

 

[sdean]

What course(s) of fire for this class? In other words, is the intent to use a typical F-Class prone course of fire where the rules have been modified to permit most PRS-style rifles to participate, or is it more like setting the rifle standards to allow something like an F-TR/F-Open/PRS hybrid sort of setup, then using a PRS-style course of fire? Just trying to understand how it works. Thanks!

Several clubs down south shoot similar class. Well attended. Harris type bipod only and mag fed. Keeps cost down a little bit. They shoot same relays as Fclass so same course of fire.

 

[Warren Dean]

I thought all F-Class rifles were precision rifles...

 

[DE-F-Open]

Here in New Zealand we proposed and had approved by the National Rifle Association of New Zealand Inc. a new F-Class to enable Precision (“PRS”/”NRL) style rifles to shoot in a class of their own. It has proven VERY popular at least at club level. The following is what we have in place for the 2020/21 season. It is possible we will make some tweaks for next season.

F-PR Rules
1. Rifles shall not exceed a calibre of .308 inch
2. Barrel length shall not exceed 715 mm (28.15 inches) measured from the bolt-face to the muzzle. Barrel length excludes the length of a suppressor if used.
3. The rifle and ammunition combination used must be capable of maintaining projectiles velocities above the speed of sound from the firing point to the target. Ammunition muzzle energy level shall conform with range limits.
4. Rifle weight with bolt, bipod, suppressor, scope and magazine* (*if detachable) shall not exceed 9.6kgs.
5. Any rifle scope may be employed
6. The action and the stock shall possess a magazine cut-out
7. Rifle can be fired from either a bipod or from a bag placed under the forestock.
8. The width of the forestock shall not exceed 66mm (2.6 inches).
9. Bipods must be of a commercial folding leg design (e.g. Harris, Atlas, Accu-Tac, Ckye-Pod or other similar commercial design). Bipod spikes are permitted. Other forms of front rests, joy-stick style bipods (ie SEB joypod), and mechanical front rests are not permitted.
10. A rear bag or rear mono pod may be used.
11. Suppressors are allowed. Muzzle brakes are not permitted.
12. Ammunition must be manually loaded. Magazines may only be used as a manual loading platform. Ammunition is not to be fitted into the magazine for multiple round firing capabilities.

Sounds somewhat like our NRA's "Tactical AR", with differences, of course.

Good luck with it, hope it is successful

John

 

[kzin]

21 pounds????
Heavier than ftr, do PRS rifles weigh that much?

Can still use a 'benchrest' rear stock and bag?

Seems to me this creates a new f-class rifle f-open/f-tr mix more than making PRS rifles competitive.

I'm building a rear monopod with a skate blade that tracks in shag carpet!

 

[Dgd6mm]

Well I've never seen a PRS 21 pound rifle on a scale, I've been told by owners that their rifle weighs that much. Mine run in the neighborhood of 15.5- 17.5lbs.

 

[jrh84]

CIHPRS at Atterbury ran "F-Practical" this year. Basically F-Open (no caliber restrictions), but it has to be shot from a folding "tactical" bipod and a rear squeeze (not bunny ear) bag. We typically have 3-4 shooters try it out per match.

We had some high scores, especially later in the season. Pretty common to see someone in the 190's at 600 yards. Later in the season, we had a guy shoot a 447-29x with a Desert Tech 7 SAUM in a Palma. Great way to get people to come out and shoot against "regular" rifles and not feel like a high dollar setup is required to even have fun.

 

[6brbb]

What course(s) of fire for this class? In other words, is the intent to use a typical F-Class prone course of fire where the rules have been modified to permit most PRS-style rifles to participate, or is it more like setting the rifle standards to allow something like an F-TR/F-Open/PRS hybrid sort of setup, then using a PRS-style course of fire? Just trying to understand how it works. Thanks!

Hi Ned, F-PR is shot along side F-TR and F-Open, in the same course of fire, and to the same general rules. On our own club range this is at 900 and 1000 yards. 'PRS-style' rifle ownership increased greatly in NZ following our 2019 AR15 confiscation. Given these rifles do not fit particularly well into the existing F classes we created F-PR. F-Class participation and club membership has increased as a result (nation-wide)