Getting started in F Class

[OIF/OEF]

Not new to the site but my first post.

I have an ok rifle to start, good optics and it shoots well. I've never shot at a "formal" match other that shooting in the Marine Corps for 20+ years. I live about 100 miles from the Oklahoma City shooting club that hosts long range matches at least twice a month. I know I don't have the gear to be competitive but I'm sure everyone started from scratch at some point. I was going to call the range and request permission to attend a match and help pull targets if need be to watch and learn and ask a few questions. I do not own a front rest other that sand bags or a standard bipod. I have a 300 yard range I can shoot at any time to tune loads. Do I need a spotting scope and stand? If so what is a good starting point and where to buy from. Mainly looking for tips to get started. Thank you in advance for any help or advise.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Welcome to the best informative shooting forum on the net. First, Thank you for your 20+ years of service to Our Country. If it was me I would do as you said and contact the shooting club and ask the same questions to them that you posted here. I know most shooters like myself would be happy to give you a hand getting you started. Your standard bipod will do to start. You can get along without a spotting scope to start. I'm sure you will get plenty of info from your first post here. Hopefully someone will post that shoots where you intend to shoot. Hold on and have fun.

Don Dunlap

 

[OIF/OEF]

Mr Dunlap,

Thank you very much Sir for the reply. The thing that stumps me is how much stock design plays into what discipline of shooting your in. I have a nice setup for High Power Prone from Master Class but I bought it used and am only regurgitating what I was told about it. It has the adjustable cheek piece and 3 way butt plate and I used it for Deer Hunting lol. It has an anshutz style rail on the bottom that I've never use. This is what Ill be attempting to use for my first shoot chambered in 300 WSM. Im really looking forward to the replies. Thank you again Sir and have a blessed day.

 

[mysticplayer]

Consider:

Will your rifle hold 1/2 min over 22 rds fired in 15mins or less?
Will your shoulder?

Scopes: Sightron SIII is the best value. NF competition has its following. March if $$ is not a concern. All do the job and work well.

Bullets: Berger, Sierra, Lapua - 185 to 215 are the most popular. Brave souls will task the 230

Good recoil pad.

If you are comfy with your bipod, fly at it. If not, lots of options

Shooting mat, good rear bag (protector or edgewood), ammo, water, sunscreen/bug spray, rain gear as needed. Have at it.

A spotting scope is a great aid but I shot for several years without one due to finances. If you can afford it, by all means.. it helps.

If you are going to stay in Open with the WSM, consider cost of barrels and consumables. Start early and book ahead as supply is not as good as we would like.

Go shoot a few matches, have fun and not worry about good or bad. There is so much to learn but that comes from doing.

All the best...

Jerry

 

[MNFinn]

The Masterclass stock you have is one that I considered. Alex makes good stocks. Just a question, what is the weight of your set up? shooting a 300wsm for 20 shots for score could be brutal if you have a lighter gun.

I have been using my hunting rifle for competition, so using what you have is a good place to start. You'll be Shooting F-Open with the WSM, but you can use your bi-pod for that

Like has been said, go to a match, observe, and ask questions. I'm new to the sport, having just shot 3 matches over 3 years, and I've found that people in F-class are some of the nicest and most willing to share folks you'll ever meet.

you don't need a spotting scope, actually, I didn't have one for the first year I shot, and only bought one, so I could learn to read the mirage. I have a Konus 15-45x65, and for under $200, it is a great little spotter.

If you want to find shooters near you who are willing to help a new guy, get ahold of Rod Vigstol (nodak7mm on here), he has a thread on places to shoot, and has been keeping track of people who are willing to show newbies the ropes.

Other than that, just keep checking out this site, I've found it to be a great source of information, and full of folks who are more than willing to help out a new shooter.

sorry about the rambling post.

Erik Dinsmore

 

[OIF/OEF]

I have no idea how much the stock or entire rifle weighs but ill find out. The people at Master class bedded the stock for my action I have to use a rubber mallet to get it out. I am recently retired still trying to feel my way through civilian life so money isn't very abundant. I usually buy a pound of powder when I see it to stay stocked up I found 9 Lbs of Varget the other day all same lot....Super Lucky.....I gotta say Im excited as heck to get into it. I have enough 185 VLD Bergers to get started on tuning a load and some 210's but they hammer on me. The next match is 19 July. Thanks you guys for all the replies. I need to start looking at some quality dies I guess. I started gathering prices for some stuff it adds up very quickly.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Look for a fellow member on here, his name is Steve Blair. He has shot the .300WSM in F/Class alot and done well. The information that he has posted on this forum is some of the most valuable that you will find. Search the archives, his older post screen name is Sleepygator. He now uses his name for his screen name. I do not know if this will make a difference during a search. If you decide to get a mechanical front rest there are nice ones on sale at bullets.com.

Don Dunlap

 

[boltman223]

Well OIF/OEF I started from scratch too and I didn't have the best equipment either. Over the last two summer's I have been learning what works (for me and still learning). In my case I think starting from "scratch" has been a good thing, I think I have learned a lot more that way.

There is a lot if good info here but, I wanted to tell you the advise I would give myself now. Grab your rifle, rear bag, bipod, shooting mat, and ammo oh yeah and hearing protection and go to the match. I wish I would have done that five Years sooner instead of worrying about having the best stuff and thinking I need to practice. And if I would have went and watched my first match and not brought a rifle I would have kicked myself all the way home.

Go to the match, shoot and you will come back with a better insight and questions that well help you on your way. Jump in feet first and give'r hell.

 

[Dos XX]

I shoot OKC almost every month. Show up. We will get you started. If you don't have a spotting scope it is not a big deal. You will shoot F Open with the 300wsm. You can shoot off your bipod. Do you have a rear bag?

We had a number of new shooters at the last match. We had a little target pulling orientation and away they went. Several of them shot very well. It is a very laid back group of shooters. You will enjoy it.

Good question about the weight of your rifle. A light hunting 300wsm will be brutal for 60 shots for record. I saw a guy try it at the last match. If yours is in a Masterclass prone stock, it is probably heavier.

 

[fayettefatts]

Sure is nice to have a spotting scope for scoring.

 

[okshooter]

A spotting scope is nice, but not required. I typically use a good pair of binoculars for scoring at both 600 and 1,000 yards. I have also seen many beginners just lay next to the shooter and use their scope. This is what myself and all my scorers did at the Worlds in Raton last year. Also, what we do a lot is the first scorer sets up a scope and stool and everyone on the target uses it for the day. Don't let not having a non essential piece of equipment keep you from coming out and trying it. I have never been to a match where there weren't several of anything to borrow or try. I have even loaned an entire rig including ammo to a youth shooter so he could try it out for a whole match. I don't think his mom likes me much as now he and dad are shopping of a rig for him. I have not made it down to OKC yet, but have been shooting in Tulsa for several years and know several that also shoot down there. DOS XX is right about them being good guys. He is even a good guy unless you are a new match director, then he likes to give you crap

 

[280man]

We will start our matches back up on September 13th at Tulsa Red Castle. OKC is a great gun club but I think ours is closer to Hominy. http://www.tulsaredcastlegunclub.com/ that is a link to the website. Feel free to call or email me with any questions.

 

[okshooter]

Ours is definitely closer to Hominy. I didn't realize where you were from. I live near Mannford. You would have to pass my house to go to OKC and I'm closer to Red Castle. We have a couple shooters from the Pawhuska area that usually make the matches. They could probably help with the best way to the club from your area. Hope you come give it a try.

 

[OIF/OEF]

Dos XX my rifle is pretty heavy id say at least 17 lbs. Ill contact some of yall through PM. I currently just have the walmart sand bags as a rear rest but works ok. My 300 wsm currently has a SIII 10/50/60.....ill bring my gear to the match and shoot. I have an app on my phone im guessing i can use to get me on paper at whatever range ill be shootin. On the spotting scope are the Celestrons any good for a starter scope

 

[Dos XX]

I also shoot Tulsa every month and am a member of Red Castle. Sounds like you are striking distance to both ranges. We would love to have you at Tulsa as well. The matches aren't on the same weekend which allows one to shoot both of them which I enjoy.

Use that phone app. Someone will spot you and get you on paper if it doesn't land where expected.

I have a spare rear bag, but it is a flat top bag. I think your stock is slanted. I'll bring it anyway. I usually set my spotting scope up and all three shooters on that squad use it just like okshooter mentioned. Don't let not having a spotting scope deter you. We will get you in the game.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I also shoot Tulsa every month and am a member of Red Castle. Sounds like you are striking distance to both ranges. We would love to have you at Tulsa as well. The matches aren't on the same weekend which allows one to shoot both of them which I enjoy.

Use that phone app. Someone will spot you and get you on paper if it doesn't land where expected.

I have a spare rear bag, but it is a flat top bag. I think your stock is slanted. I'll bring it anyway. I usually set my spotting scope up and all three shooters on that squad use it just like okshooter mentioned. Don't let not having a spotting scope deter you. We will get you in the game.

Well OIF, glad to see you are getting hooked up with other shooters from your surrounding areas. If it comes down to you needing a new rear bag - look at a SEB bag. Ernie Bishop is the go to guy here in the U.S.A. He is out of Gillette, Wy. and is a member here. I've had other good bags but like my SEB best. I bought it for my BR rifle that has a flat bottom on it, I also use it on my F/TR rifle and it does verywell in it. Have fun, these guys will have you banging that x-ring in no time.


Don Dunlap