I know a few F-TR shooters that recently tried their hand at F-Open. Although they did not specifically state this, my impression was that at least a couple of them may have done it, in part, for the perceived "instant" gratification in terms of lesser wind deflection and improved scores. Unfortunately, the other F-Open shooters against whom they were competing also enjoyed the gratification of larger cartridges, higher BC bullets, and lesser wind deflection. On top of that, the F-Open shooters against whom they were competing were simply put, extremely good. Thus, the perceived "instant" gratification for those that crossed over to the dark side never actually materialized.
I have noticed the ratio of F-Open to F-TR shooters at the matches I participate in seems to have been increasing over the last few years from being relatively equal, to somewhere in the range of maybe 60/40 to 70/30 in favor of F-Open. As an F-TR shooter, I suspect this trend indicates a possible increasing level of masochism among the F-Class crowd, having no other explanation that better fits what I have observed. My masochistic tendencies are already at peak levels solely due to the fact that I reload ammunition for precision rifles. Reloading provides more than sufficient emotional trauma and mental anguish for me, personally. Thus, I do not need to increase my masochistic level any further and will quite happily continue to shoot only .223 Rem and .308 Win cartridges.
