F-T/R questions from a newbie

[Roooster_11]

I have a few questions. I've been reloading for all of my hunting caliber and for my handguns and I have ALWAYS been interested in the smallest groups possible. I'm really starting to get interested in shooting competitively and I think (from what I've read so far) that F-T/R is the game that appeals to me the most. It seems that this discipline relies on the shooter's shooting ability the most and not as much on who has the deepest pockets to build a shooting machine. My first question is...is that previous statement wrong?
#2- I don't think I'm interested in 1000 yds, can I shot 600 yds only?
#3- I already have a hunting Rem 700 .308. Could I start out with maybe just a barrel change and better stock & optics?
#4- I live in Louisiana, any close competitions to limit my travel until I see if it's for me or not?
#5- Best websites for information?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

1) You can get into F-TR and become competitive locally without breaking the bank. So, correct.

2) You surely can. In fact there are more 600yrd ranges than 1000 yard ones.

3) Absolutely. My first bolt .308 F-TR rifle was based on a Ruger M77 for which I replaced the factory barrel with a Broughton, the stock with a Boyds, the trigger with a Timney and fitted a Weaver T-36. I used that rifle to good effect up to 1000 yards. Granted, about the only thing left on it from Ruger was the receiver and bolt. But I did that over time. The big change was the barrel.

4) Louisiana, while being a small state is fairly wide. Where are you in LA?

5) This site here.

 

[mao0720]

Just my opinions, FT/R can still be an equipment race (light stock, light action, light bipod, Heavy barrel and optics) but I think less than some other disciplines. You will probably do fine with a change to a heavier/ longer barrel and a new stock, but you may be a ble to get by with some modifications to your current stock if you wanted (karsten adjustable cheek rest and a rear bag rider). I would also invest in an FT/R specific bipod, they make too much of a difference not to use one. Start with a Sinclair FT/R bipod, since it won't break the bank and if you decide to later, sell it and get a different/ better/ lighter bipod. I have a Sinclair gen 2 and love it, solid as a rock. Had to drill some holes in it to make it lighter but, that's what I get for running a 30" LV contour barrel. Hope this helps a bit. By the way, THIS IS the best site for info and advise, but mine is worth exactly what you paid for it ;D

 

[jsthntn247]

Take that Rem 700 to Ritten precision in Louisiana and have him true the action and thread you a heavy palma krieger on it. If you have a hs precision stock on it you are good to go, if not, check stockystocks or the classifieds on here out and get you a stock. A fixed sightron 36x will do but I recommend a 8-32x56 from these folks who are the cheapest anywhere
http://www.bigsupplyshop.com/Sightron-SIII-8-32x56mm-Fine-X-Scope-25137_p_13519.html

 

[Roooster_11]

Thanks for the great information. One more question. I have a Boyd's Laminated aftermarket stock on it now, could I have it sanded to fit the heavier barrel when I change it, or just go with a different stock to start, remember, trying not to spend too much at first to see if it is something that I want to fully commit to.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I would just get the barrel channel opened up when the new barrel is fitted. That's what I did and it worked just fine. I did have to touch up the finish on the stock, but that's easy to do.

Save your pennies for when you decide to get a much more expensive stock. Go out and play and learn what would be best for you to change or adapt. Plenty of time to spend money later on.

 

[XTR]

relies on the shooter's shooting ability the most and not as much on who has the deepest pockets to build a shooting machine

Probably less than most games but spending the $$ to have a good rig and good bullets makes a difference. I think Mao over thinks the barrel weight issue. It's not hard to get a 30" barrel in a Heavy Palma contour with a stock with an adjustable cheek, NF scope and Sinclair bipod to make weight. I'm doing it with a 32" barrel running a standard composit stock.

#2- I don't think I'm interested in 1000 yds, can I shot 600 yds only?

You can, and 600 is somewhat easier to start. Getting bullets that work at 600 is pretty easy, 1000 is harder, but I think you will find that you will end up on the 1000 yard line if the matches are avaialble.

#3- I already have a hunting Rem 700 .308. Could I start out with maybe just a barrel change and better stock & optics?

That's what I started shooting 3 yrs ago. Get a 30" heavy Palma from any of the barrel manufacturers that cut rifle barrels (Krieger, Bartline, Brux, Rock Creek) and a scope. I'd suggest either a NF or a SIghtron in at least 32x (more if you can afford it) with 1/8 MOA clicks on the turrets. Pick a reticle that you like. That's personal.

#4- I live in Louisiana, any close competitions to limit my travel until I see if it's for me or not?

Cant help that one

#5- Best websites for information?

This one and Snipers Hide in the F-TR forum

 

[mao0720]

XTR, I very well may have over thought the barrel weght. I opted for a LV contour 30" barrel, and honestly wish I would have gone heavy or medium palma. This was my first competition rifle so I was a bit unsure of what I should get. In the end it all worked out.
Weight saving seems to be where FT/R shooters spend the big bucks though. That and bullet choice. Bullets will be a bit more forgiving at 600 and you could probably run 155 SMK palmas with good success if you wanted to run budget bullets.

 

[ShootDots]

Golden Triangle Gun Club in Beaumont Texas has F-Open / F- T/R and is VERY close to Louisiana.. They have their "High-Power" (which includes F-whatever) on the 4th Saturday of every month.. I travel from Houston to there almost every month.. It is a 600 yard range..

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

In the Baton Rouge area, there is the Palo Alto rifle club with 600 yard comps.

http://paloaltogunclub.com/

 

[Roooster_11]

In the Baton Rouge area, there is the Palo Alto rifle club with 600 yard comps.

http://paloaltogunclub.com/

I'm about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from Palo Alto. Might join that range since my other range fees are up for renewal in Aug anyway. I was reading the website and am I correct in thinking you have to bring someone with you to man the targets when practicing on the 600 yd range?

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I am not familiar with the range, but after reading their rules, I see what they are saying. For practice at 600 yards, they want you to have someone in the pits so that you will know if you are not hitting the target and may be going over the backstop or something. It does state that competitors are exempt from that rule, if they get qualified by someone at the club.

We have a similar rule at Bayou Rifles where access to the 600-1000 yard range is through a locked gate. When you are qualified to shoot at that range, you are given the combination to the lock. I will also say that practice at 600-1000 yards is difficult to do if you do not have someone in the pits manning your target. I am not aware of any man-portable telescope that will allow you to discern bullet holes on a target at 600 yards or more. Shoot-N-sees might be the way to go, don't know, never tried.

At any rate, I do all my practice at the matches, and since I only shoot about once a month, it's difficult to get better; believe it or not, marksmanship is a perishable skill.

 

[XTR]

XTR, I very well may have over thought the barrel weght. I opted for a LV contour 30" barrel, and honestly wish I would have gone heavy or medium palma. This was my first competition rifle so I was a bit unsure of what I should get. In the end it all worked out.
Weight saving seems to be where FT/R shooters spend the big bucks though. That and bullet choice. Bullets will be a bit more forgiving at 600 and you could probably run 155 SMK palmas with good success if you wanted to run budget bullets.

Weight gets really critical if you try to run a heavy action like a Barnard action or a contour heavier than a Heavy Palma. Some folks may be of the mind that a 34" barrel is the way to go and are looking to shave weight to get one. Granted that powder for experiments is pretty unavailable lately, but with the ones I did use I didn't find a powder bullet combination that justified the extra inches. (40FPS ain't worth 4 inches) If you want both an adjustable cheek and buttplate then that will get you into the over 18.1 category in a hurry depending on who's system you use and you may have to be mindful of weights.

Running a Remington/clone, or a Savage with a fixed butplate and an adjustable cheek and it's pretty easy if you use an aluminum rail and aluminum rings.

 

[jsthntn247]

Palo Alto is a heck of a place to shoot. I'll be there Sat if it doesn't get rained out. You might also consider selling that .308 (or another gun) and getting a Savage F/tr and go shoot. Check the classifieds, they come up all the time and will get you competitive for the least $

 

[mao0720]

XTR, I very well may have over thought the barrel weght. I opted for a LV contour 30" barrel, and honestly wish I would have gone heavy or medium palma. This was my first competition rifle so I was a bit unsure of what I should get. In the end it all worked out.
Weight saving seems to be where FT/R shooters spend the big bucks though. That and bullet choice. Bullets will be a bit more forgiving at 600 and you could probably run 155 SMK palmas with good success if you wanted to run budget bullets.

Weight gets really critical if you try to run a heavy action like a Barnard action or a contour heavier than a Heavy Palma. Some folks may be of the mind that a 34" barrel is the way to go and are looking to shave weight to get one. Granted that powder for experiments is pretty unavailable lately, but with the ones I did use I didn't find a powder bullet combination that justified the extra inches. (40FPS ain't worth 4 inches) If you want both an adjustable cheek and buttplate then that will get you into the over 18.1 category in a hurry depending on who's system you use and you may have to be mindful of weights.

Running a Remington/clone, or a Savage with a fixed butplate and an adjustable cheek and it's pretty easy if you use an aluminum rail and aluminum rings.

My rifle is on a Savage Dual Port PTA, with the aformentioned 30" LV contour Krieger barrel, and a no name laminate stock with adjustable cheekrest (home made from kydex, very light), aluminum rail and rings, sightron 8-32x. I had to drill 38 small holes in the legs of my Sinclair gen 2 bipod to bring the weight down from 8.3 to 8.1kg. Future note for me is to go with a heavy palma or a varmint contour barrel. You are definately right though, 34" is too much barrel. I think 30-32 is perfect.

 

[RStewart]

I am not familiar with the range, but after reading their rules, I see what they are saying. For practice at 600 yards, they want you to have someone in the pits so that you will know if you are not hitting the target and may be going over the backstop or something. It does state that competitors are exempt from that rule, if they get qualified by someone at the club.

We have a similar rule at Bayou Rifles where access to the 600-1000 yard range is through a locked gate. When you are qualified to shoot at that range, you are given the combination to the lock. I will also say that practice at 600-1000 yards is difficult to do if you do not have someone in the pits manning your target. I am not aware of any man-portable telescope that will allow you to discern bullet holes on a target at 600 yards or more. Shoot-N-sees might be the way to go, don't know, never tried.

At any rate, I do all my practice at the matches, and since I only shoot about once a month, it's difficult to get better; believe it or not, marksmanship is a perishable skill.

bayou shooter is correct. You generally can't see bullet holes in a target at 600 yards, so we require a person in the pits to pull and mark the target as you shoot. We qualify to use the 600 yard range in 2 ways. 1) They have shown proficiency by shooting in a couple of our matches or 2) take a 600 yard orientation where they have a chance to shoot at 600 under the tutelage of one of the club officers.
We have Mid-Range/Prone matches (FTR, F-OPEN and Prone) the 1st Saturday of each month and Field Precision Rifle matches the 2nd Saturday of each month. Contact me if you have any questions or come on out and shoot a match with us. What you have will do fine for now.
Rick

 

[Roooster_11]

Ok, so I think I finally decided on trying out 600 yd. Field Precision Rifle and I think I will use my Remington 700 .243. So the question now becomes Bullet. Anyone out there have experience with 6mm bullets at 600 yd, and if so, which one should I start trying to develop loads with?

 

[Josh11]

You need to know what twist your 243 is. If its a 1/8 twist, try sierra 107 or berger 105. A lot of factory rems are 1/9ish. If you can't get the 105 to shoot, try a 90grn bullet.

 

[mao0720]

Rooster- You know you cnat shoot 243win in FT/R, right? Just wondering since your original post was about FT/R and now you are talking about shooting a 243. In FT/R you are limited to 308 win, and 223 rem. If you shoot F-class open then you will be good to go.

 

[Roooster_11]

Rooster- You know you cnat shoot 243win in FT/R, right? Just wondering since your original post was about FT/R and now you are talking about shooting a 243. In FT/R you are limited to 308 win, and 223 rem. If you shoot F-class open then you will be good to go.

Yes sir, you're right about my original post being about FTR, but I have since learned that a range near here has a competition (not sanctioned) that allows any caliber.