F/tr start

[iukamedic]

Is a tikka varmint 223 in a bravo chassis enough gun for f/tr midrange prone? Is that a viable starting place?

 

[D-4297]

Not being a big .223 fan ; I would say any quality rifle that meets TR requirements is a "good" starting point . Being on the line is always better than being a spectator . As long as you are aware that there is much to learn , and you will be giving up a bit when the wind starts blowing .

 

[iukamedic]

I should have said this in my first post. I’ve shot some service rifle. I
like the service rifle shooting but there is more available mid range. I have shot slung midrange but get fairly fatigued by the end of a string. I just enjoy shooting. 223 is what I have shot the most of. I’m starting all of this sort of late in life I suppose.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Compared to "dedicated" or "purpose-built" .223 Rem F-TR rifles, the honest answer is that you may be at some disadvantage. Unless you have had it re-barreled, the original Tikka setup will have a shorter barrel, a slower twist rate, and potentially less freebore for loading the 88-90+ gr bullets than rifles generally favored by F-TR shooters when using a .223 Rem. A typical dedicated F-TR setup might have a 30" barrel, throated long specifically for 88/90/95 gr .224 bullets. You might be able to load the Tikka with something like a Berger 80 gr offering, or perhaps even the 75 or 80 gr ELDM, but even the 85.5 gr Berger Hybrids would probably not work too well. The challenge with using lighter bullets would simply be more wind deflection under any given set of conditions.

That's the bad news. Here's the good news...who cares? Take what you have, particpate in a match, and have some fun. Tikka rifles can shoot very, very well. Sure, you'd probably be giving up a fair bit of windage to those using much heavier .224" or .308" cal bullets, but it might not be as bad as it sounds from 300 to 600 yd. With your background in service rifle, you might fare pretty well as the only difference/disadvantage would be one of wind deflection, and having the better wind reading skills can largely overcome that deficit. Plus, I would never advise anyone to expect to win their first few times out anyhow, even with the best possible equipment money can buy. There is usually a learning curve associated with any new endeavor. But making the decision to participate with whatever setup you have is the first step. After that, it is meeting new like-minded folks and having fun that keeps you coming back. Equipment can always be upgraded down the road if you enjoy yourself and want to keep coming back. My suggestion would be to run whatever you have to the best of your ability, learn a little bit, and take the rest as it comes. IMO - you're never too old to start something new and have fun with it.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Tikkas are usually an 8 twist, but are available with 12. It's written on the barrel. They have good adjustable triggers and a competent action. I can't comment on whether the varmint action has a decent freebore, as mine has a Tru-Flite barrel and longer freebore - but my sporter version, also an 8tw will happily shoot 75g Hornady ELDM without taking up too much powder space, loaded longer than the magazine. The 24in version of the varmint rifle would make a reasonable "starter" gun in a Bravo stock. I suggest that you purchase a single shot sled.

 

[Sandstorm]

Go do it Sir. By all means and then you will have the answer...I have done the same in F-open with a
Tikka A1 X in 6.5 ...Its a learning experience and the fellows will help you with questions. You need to get started in any case so go for it.

 

[1911mag]

Go for it, I used a Remington and first thing was swap out barrel and had throated for 90’s. Upgraded things as time went on. So go out and have fun

 

[Blackthorn]

Go for it! Start with what you have and see if you get hooked. If you do get hooked the entrance to the rabbit hole will be just ahead.

 

[Walt Krafft]

All the Berger and Sierra 80 gr bullets will be fine if your rifle has an 8 twist barrel. You have lots to learn as far as shooting and loading compared to sling shooting. Get started!!!

 

[Liven The Dream]

Go for it.
I got a start with a parts Rifle .
Had a Ton of Fun.

 

[LVLAaron]

If that's what you already have, absolutely.

 

[CharlieNC]

It's a good starter from which you can decide to move on or not. Get Berger 80.5, very accurate and is fully competitive at 300yd but sacrifices performance further out.

 

[6fatrat]

Shoot what you have, i shoot 223 at mid range.
Steve Bair

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I also came from a Service Rifle background to F-Class. I put together an AR-15 with a Krieger barrel in 1:7.7 twist and went shooting. I was shooting 80gr JLK. When then NRA sanctioned F-CLass and issued the targets and kept score, I eventually reached High Master at mid-range with my setup. By that time, I was using the Sinclair F-TR bipod, a Weaver T-36 scope, the aforementioned 80JLK, Winchester brass and Varget.
I had a fingertip bolt release and with the semi, I could shoot an entire string without even breaking my cheekweld. I was a joy to shoot, even with the lousy optics.

The best I could do at 1000yard was Sharpshooter. Around 2010, I switched to .308 and kept on going.

Take your knowledge of Service Rifle along with you, as it will serve you well, but with one caveat; do not fiddle with the scope adjustments shot to shot. Use the scope to hold off on the target.

Have fun and come back here with questions; lots of good people ready to help or laugh at you.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Jeff - get started with it and see where you want to go from there.

When are you going to shoot at Memphis again? I'll bring down a 26" AR match rifle you can try for fun too. I have shot 88ELD's to 1000 with that gas gun.

 

[dcali]

If the twist is fast enough to shoot a minimum of 77 grain bullets, then yes. You will be at a disadvantage to full blown f class guns in the wind, and some higher end accuracy won't hurt, but it's plenty good to start with. Good enough to get to high master. (High master is MUCH easier to attain in F class than service rife, especially at mid range).

A .223 is fine at 600. I've seen plenty of matches won with them, even at the state level. That's getting harder every year as shooters get better, but it has been done. At the national level, you really need a .308.

 

[urbanrifleman]

You would have to shoot a pretty big 308 bullet to beat a 90 SMK or 88 ELDM at 2750 out of a 223.

I suggest you buy a SOLUS, Origin, Mack Bros or Kauger action and give me a call and we will put you a 7 twist 223 together.

 

[dcali]

You would have to shoot a pretty big 308 bullet to beat a 90 SMK or 88 ELDM at 2750 out of a 223.

I suggest you buy a SOLUS, Origin, Mack Bros or Kauger action and give me a call and we will put you a 7 twist 223 together.

I don't think most f class shooters would agree with this. Those are not the actions you will see on an F Class line. The vast majority of serious purpose built guns are Bordens, Bats, Kelblys and a few Barnards. All single shots. The most common .308 bullet is the 200.20X and will outshoot a 90 VLD or SMK by a small but significant amount at 600.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I don't think most f class shooters would agree with this. Those are not the actions you will see on an F Class line. The vast majority of serious purpose built guns are Bordens, Bats, Kelblys and a few Barnards. All single shots. The most common .308 bullet is the 200.20X and will outshoot a 90 VLD or SMK by a small but significant amount at 600.

FTR is not F class open.

I have tested a few actions. There are LOTS of new alternatives on the market now. And I really doubt that going from a Zermatt to a Borden or Bat would be a make or break proposition shooting from a bipod.

It's no wonder that these kids struggle getting into the game. With people constantly telling them if they don't go spend six or $7,000 on a build they might as well go home. Oh, and you'll need bullets that are a 65 cents a shot to "compete".

Well, that's not what I do. You do you, and I'll do me.

And a 200 grain 308 bullet is what I would call "big". Btw. A Hornady 88 ELDM in a 223 you can almost watch the bullet go into the target. I would say that a 200 grain 308 bullet would have a significant amount of recoil by comparison.

 

[sfinn1]

You have gotten very good advise from fellow shooters. Think of your rifle as a starter rifle. After the F Class bug bites, and it will, you will start thinking of up grades. My advise is try your service rifle 600yd. load, or what ever matches up with the rifle's twist and throat.
You're gonna have a ball and be exposed to tons of advise.

Steve