first f class comp.

[rware91]

Today i shot in my first f class comp.... I shot a rem700 .308 with a nightforce one piece baSE and a countersniper scope. i know the scope it isnt the greatest but it was FREE so it can work till i have the cash to buy a NF. Today was very frustrating for me but i also learned alot. i got a DNF becuase my scope base somehow came loose during the 1 heat. i look at today as a great learning experience and cant wait to get back out there with my new knowledge. i have a few Q's
1. If i have a sps that i am looking at upgrading should i do new barrel+action blueprinting first then new stock or the other way around?
also what is the best bag for the rear?
and when i am at the range what should i be doing to practice for f class? i cant shoot prone at my range but maybe i can find one in the area that i can.
thanks for all the help.

 

[memilanuk]

Dang man. Thats a bummer, but those things happen to everyone sooner or later.

FWIW, I keep a zip-loc baggie of small tools in my range bag - set of allen wrenches, a torx wrench for scope rings and bases, multi-bit screwdriver, etc. for just such purposes. Even if it never happens to you again, it's always nice to be able to help out someone else when they have a bad day.

If the barrel you have is shooting good, I'd work on other stuff first. The stock is a fairly individual thing, and one of the first things I wind up tweaking a bit to suit my needs. In fact, unless you get to the point where you *honestly* think that the barreled action is holding you back, I'd say wait until it's got some serious mileage on it (3k+) and then get everything done up right.

Good short range practice may include shooting 'dots'. There are some targets available here on this site that have 15-20 1/2" dots on them... work on hitting each one first, then if you're up for a challenge either go to 'worst edge' scoring (bullet hole can't be *outside* the black dot) or find a Hunter Benchrest target and shoot at that thing. You'll get some practice setting up and being conscious of your NPoA for every shot, and also holding off to put the bullet where you want it. But if you can at all swing it, find some place to shoot from prone. Most likely your position, zero, and everything will be a little 'off' going from the bench to prone, and it's better to find that at home than in a match.

Good luck,

Monte

 

[rware91]

thanks for the help. the problem was that in the one piece base i would of had to remove the scope then tighten the screws then put the scope back in the base/ring combo and tighten them the sight it in all in the time my match had left cuz i had to go pull targets so it wasnt practical. thanks again

 

[1000yardstare]

Not unusual to have problems in your first shoot. It has happened to me in .22 smallbore, TR fullbore, F Class, ISU pistol, trap, skeet. Seems to be part of the human condition.

I was in a shoot-off for the 1000 yard F Class title at the 2009 Ontario Fullbore Champs last August. Was using a 6AI. It started to rain harder as we went to the line. I had a spotter but neither of us could make out the shot marker for the 2 sighters on the target. But the target was going down and back up and I was confident in my elevation. No wind so wasn`t concerned about my zero. Started going on score and my bolt wouldn`t close on a round. Flicked that one out and proceeded. Happened two more times, bolt wouldn`t close. Fighting off frustration while trying to keep my ammo and paperwork dry. Just got the last shot off before the cease fire command. Placed second. Later that night looked over the problem cases and the primers were sticking way up. After 50 years of reloading I had screwed up some important ammo. Point being it can happen to anyone no matter how much experience so don`t let it bother you.

You can do very important work for F Class off a bench. Chronographing, checking load accuracy, coordinating trigger control and sight picture, verifying 300 yard zero, fixing equipment problems. I do a lot of 300 yd group shooting off a bench. Makes you familiar with your gear. Gives you practise in mirage reading. So when I go to an Army range for practise at the longs, a lot of the drill is second nature.

As long as I remember to seat my primers..............

 

[BoydAllen]

Since you are focused on your scope mount, now would be a good time to bed the base to the action, and lap your rings.

 

[juniorARshooter]

Sir for what it is worth, you are on the right track – shoot your equipment until you can out shoot it.

I started out with an untrued Remington action, a super sniper 20X scope (not free but cheap – sort of), a take off varmint barrel bought off gunbroker, a stock remington trigger and a Richards micro fit stock. When I felt I was shooting as good as the gear then I changed my trigger so my pull was better (went to a Jewel), when I felt that was working I changed my barrel and went to a Hart (Krieger is also excellent), when I shot as well as that equipment I changed my scope went to a Sightron (while they are good – you do not NEED a Night Force for F-Class, at least starting out – Sightron is $1000 cheaper), once I got pretty good with that gear the I changed my stock – this was really a personal preference I think my original stock shot fine but wanted a little different hand position. I am still shooting the untrued action and doing pretty well.

Also need to think about your ammunition – as you and your equipment improve you need your ammunition to improve along with you. If you can shoot well under an MOA with your hold and then you need you ammo to shoo that way – I reloaded from the beginning because my dad likes doing that stuff and it is cheaper per round …..do not think you will save money …that is wrong …you will just shoot more rounds for the same amount….but you could shoot really good factory ammo and then move on.

Also worth getting a good smallbore (.22) trainer – I have an H&R model 12 with a Viani scope base and a low power scope with same reticle as my high power scope that I shoot every chance I get – all trigger time is good trigger time. Shooting .22 at 100 yd. or even 200 yds and reading wind is great practice.

Finally- find some mentors at the range – EVERYONE I ever met at a range was willing got help if you are polite, ask questions and really listen. IF you ever want really great training try Vern Harrison at Central Virginia Tactical

Hope this helps

 

[juniorARshooter]

BTW - New stock I went to was a McMillan A4 - killer quality!!!