Getting into F-Class FTR and Open Please Check my gear and make suggestions

[jbinpa59]

Now that the Kids are through college and the Cataracts taken care of
I 'd like to participate in the precision rifle games
previously my only long range shooting was NRA Highpower with a Service Rifle AR and a Savage 112BT in 308

I have 2 Sav 12FTR's both bought lightly used not abused
one a box stock 223Rem 1:7 tw throated for 80-90gr pills with a flat 0 moa scope rail <100 round
figured to start in the 600yd FTR game with this one

as of right now i'm way out of practice on wind reads and recoil management plus had recent shoulder surgery
so figure i need to start with a light kicker

other is a 308 that previous owner had kelbly's put a 1:10 rw Kreiger throated for 200/20x's on and bedded it into the factory FTR stock has a 20 moa scope rail
I plan on using this for both 600 FTR and 1000yd FTR once i can take the recoil again

Also have a Sav PTA action with a E R Shaw heavy 260 Rem bedded into a Savage factory sporter stock
iirc has a 20 moa scope rail
self built this 10-12 years ago and used it to dabble in local NRA ANY/ANY at 600yds

I might participate in F-Open with this or run the 308 FTR on the rest instead

for gear I have :
An older Leopold VX3 8.5-25 fine cross hairs in hand

an egw mystic bipod on order

a Shadetree Joystick Top on a Caldwell Rock base with added 2-1/2 " F-Class feet for F-Open
in hand

basic cheap suede bunny ear rear bag that i run soft and treat like a squeeze sock
I need to replace this with better but what?

multiple sets of burris signiture and XTR 30mm insert rings

still have my Highpower Service Rifle gear so I also have:
a basic highpower shooting mat
spotting scope stand
Kowa TSN 801 spotter with 45 deg 27x eyepiece
stool without wheels
stroller type three gun gear cart

Planning on ordering :
A front 3" Bag Rider so I can run one bag size if I get a 3"BR stock later?
Not sure whose ? or mill out one from 3/4" delrin sheet

Front bag for the rest tfor F-Open o replace the caldwell fabric ones ?
Probably a ProtekTor Square Ear 3"
not sure about leather/cordura/3M slick

Rear Bag for F-Open current stocks need a sloped bag to replace current basic suede bags
Probably a ProtekTor Bumble Bee or a DR Sloped Benchrest
not sure about leather/cordura/3M slick

Rear Squeeze Bag for FTR ?
ProtekTor doesn't seem to have anything for this?
with a bipod or front rest i could just left hand the stock instead for now or stitch up a soup can suede bag

Additional upgraded scope, thinking one of the below
been watching the sales forums for a:

used NF BR 12x42-52 <$1000 (I've looked through one at a match)

or if find a really good used deal a 15x55-52 Competition <$1450ish
was just a little late on one at $1400 last week

or used Sightron SIII 10x50-60 <$750 (I've looked through one at a match)

or if find a really good used deal a SVSSED 10-50x60 <$1450ish
if i can make weight with it at close to 3LB scope and rings

Vortex GE (I've looked through one at a match) to me I orefered the NF BR and the Sightron SIII
I looked through all 3 within 10min of each other from same bench at same target

still trying to decide reticles also; leaning towards NF NP-2DD or one of the SIII MOA2 styles
have a slight preference for illuminated reticles
not sure yet if I'm going to be a clicker or holdoff shooter
getting decision paralysis

Any Glaring errors for a beginners lower budget setup?
Sorry for a somewhat long and rambling post
TIA Jim
edited for spelling errors

 

[Bob L.]

You are good to go. Go shoot a few FTR matches with your .223 and see where you might need to upgrade before jumping in with both feet. I don’t see any glaring errors regarding your suggested upgrades either. Edgewood makes a soft “squeezer” rear bag. I like the 3M super slick, but cordura or leather with a dry bag lube work as well. I used a NF BR 12-42 with the NP-2DD reticle for years and never felt handicapped.
Start shooting!

 

[std7mag]

I'd put a 20 MOA base on the 223.

Other than that, more bullets, powder, primers.

 

[jr600yd]

Run what you brung..... like Bob I used a NF 12-42 with the NP2DD reticle for years, still do on one Gun (6BRX). Be aware the NF scopes are heavy compared to the Sightron and Vortex models. Sounds like your ready to jump in the rabbit hole with the rest of us. It’s a lot of fun!

 

[jbinpa59]

I'd put a 20 MOA base on the 223.

Other than that, more bullets, powder, primers.

Think I've got that part covered at least for now for 223

have Burris rings in hand depending on which set i use, i can get up to 40 moa from inserts alone
and no ring marks on the scopes

also have 3500 80gr SMK in hand

and just got 400 new Lapua 223 Brass for the bolt gun

and have 9-10lb@ of Varget and RL15

maybe not the best for a bolt gun but also have 5K+ Win SR from loading for AR Service Rifle

I am a bit of a squirrel when I see a decent sale and have funds available

 

[jbinpa59]

Run what you brung..... like Bob I used a NF 12-42 with the NP2DD reticle for years, still do on one Gun (6BRX). Be aware the NF scopes are heavy compared to the Sightron and Vortex models. Sounds like your ready to jump in the rabbit hole with the rest of us. It’s a lot fun

the weights of the NF's were a concern
guess i need to pile every thing on a shipping scale and see if I can make weight with which models

now if i can just keep from missing a turn on the bunny trail and winding up in the bramble patch
AGAIN

 

[jr600yd]

Be careful with the Winchester primers. I’ve found when approaching or at max loads these primers will puncture. I’ve found this to be true in several different calibers. For my service rifle Remington 7 1/2’s were better. Sounds like your ready to go!

 

[jbinpa59]

Be careful with the Winchester primers. I’ve found when approaching or at max loads these primers will puncture.

Thanks for the heads up

do CCI or S&B Sm Rifle behave better at near max loads?

 

[CharlieNC]

Don't get a squeeze bag for the rear, you cannot hold it as consistently as upon recoil. A proper fitting, hard packed version to assure straight back recoil is more desirable. Call Protector with the dimensions and stock info and they can suggest one for the proper fit, or make it custom for just a little more.

 

[jr600yd]

I use Remington 7 1/2’s in the AR’s and CCI-450’s in everything else

 

[jbinpa59]

Don't get a squeeze bag for the rear, you cannot hold it as consistently as upon recoil. A proper fitting, hard packed version to assure straight back recoil is more desirable. Call Protector with the dimensions and stock info and they can suggest one for the proper fit, or make it custom for just a little more.

More I look at it more i think a DR Sloped bag is the way to go with my current factory stocks
ear height is the next question ?
since i have factory stocks with regular hunting rifle contours
I'm thinking sliick silver and mid or tall ears, narrow enough spaced the stock doesn't tilt over?

edited for spelling again

 

[CharlieNC]

More I look at it more i think a DR Sloped bag is the way to go with my current factory stocks
ear height is the next question ?
since i have factory stocks with regular hunting rifle contours
I'm thinking sliick silver and mid or tall ears, narrow enough spaced the stock doesn't tilt over?

edited for spelling again

The width of the ears should match the stock width, such that all of the weight is on the butt and not on the ears. The rifle should recoil smoothly between the ears. Find the bag height which provides a comfortable natural point of aim, then adjust bipod height; not vice versa. I still stack thin boards for height depending on conditions and how stiff I am at the time. Slick silver is good!

 

[jbinpa59]

The width of the ears should match the stock width, such that all of the weight is on the butt and not on the ears. The rifle should recoil smoothly between the ears. Find the bag height which provides a comfortable natural point of aim, then adjust bipod height; not vice versa. I still stack thin boards for height depending on conditions and how stiff I am at the time. Slick silver is good!

Thank you for helping me on this
Guess its time to call ProtekTor tell them what Model Savage I have and place an order

 

[Dgd6mm]

SEB makes good bags. I'm running a Kevin Rayhill stock and a Savage BVSS in mid and long range f class in FTR. The bags works well on keeping elevation.