First F-Class match questions

[kzin]

We're in our second year of 'f-class' shooting at our club and RPRs and other precision rifles with folding bipods are still MOST of the rifles.

 

[dthomas]

Be prepared to get hooked and then you will start to spend a lot of money. Just go and have fun as others have said.

 

[Ned Ludd]

It’s a regular bipod

Then I would suggest using a bean bag type rear bag. This is what I use:

https://triadtactical.com/red-tac-gear-tactical-pillow/

It's larger than most bean bags and allows you to adjust elevation on the target quite easily. The whole reason for my previous statement regarding matching the type of rear bag with the type of bipod has to do with how the two main types of bipods work. The ski-/sled-type bipods are designed to track straight forward and back. The basic idea is to make an F-TR rifle track more like an F-Open rifle fired off of a front rest. For those, you want a heavy (sand-filled) leather bag with ears, which helps the rifle track straight. Although with setups of this type there is usually some elevation adjustment possible at the bag in the rear, to a large extent the total amount depends on the angle of the toe of the stock, so elevation adjustments are often done in front on the bipod itself via a wheel or lever.

A traditional bipod is a whole different animal. You are generally pre-loading the bipod feet to prevent rifle hop and/or keep the bipod feet from moving. This is 100% opposite from a ski-/sled-type bipod where the whole point is for the feet to move (track) as freely as possible during the recoil impulse. In further contrast to a ski-/sled-type bipod setup, traditional bipods do not typically have any mechanism for fine elevation adjustment on the bipod itself, other than the very coarse changes you can get on some traditional bipods by moving the legs in or out a notch or two. For that reason, you need a squeezable rear bag so you can make fine elevation adjustments at the rear of the rifle while shooting. The bottom line is that the two styles of shooting used with ski-type bipods versus traditional bipods are quite different, and it's helpful to use a rear bag that reflects those differences.

If you enjoy the F-Class match and decide to stick with it, you will ultimately want to use a front rest since you'll already be classified in F-Open by virtue of the caliber, anyhow. Nonetheless, there is nothing at all wrong with running a traditional bipod underneath an Open rifle just to get started. Making the first decision to participate is very important, and running the equipment you already have simplifies the process. If you enjoy it and wish to continue, there will plenty of opportunities to spend money later.

 

[Rocketvapor]

GO FOR IT !!!
I'm shooting F-Open, 600yds with a 22 Nosler and it's really cool to get an "X", or shoot a string with NO 8's.
There are a few really knowledgeable and friendly shooters at the range I go to.
I'll NEVER win F-Open with my rig, but I'm shooting to beat ME.
(I do beat a few F-T/R shooters, sometimes, by a little)

Going again Saturday and waiting it the biggest stress factor for me.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Well, didn't beat ME. Have shot better.
Maybe it was the wind
Got a 569-17X, but didn't come in last.
I guess I'll see the stats in an e-mail next week.
Range went to electronic targets over my absence and that took a little getting used to watching my phone for impacts. A lot better than pulling targets though. Had three 8's, a 7 and a 6 that surprised me. A 6? I'm so ashamed.
Hopefully I'll get some practice time before the next match.