How much brass to Nationals ?

[Hammer]

Have a 284 Win rifle suitable to start shooting F-class.

BAT action
Krieger barrel
McMillan stock
Nightforce scope

Need to buy one batch of Lapua brass to shoot for a season and go to some major matches like the Nationals.

How much brass should I buy ?

400 cases ?
500 cases ?

??

Note that I have been reloading and shooting for 50 years, but not F-class.

 

[Cochran]

For the midrange and long range F-class nationals including the team matches takes very close to 500 rounds

 

[Bc'z]

For the midrange and long range F-class nationals including the team matches takes very close to 500 rounds

WOW!!!
That's like $350-$400 in ammo, then you add in travel, lodging and food on top of match fees.
A fella could easily spend $1500-$2000 for a match.

 

[Immike]

WOW!!!
That's like $350-$400 in ammo, then you add in travel, lodging and food on top of match fees.
A fella could easily spend $1500-$2000 for a match.

You don’t want to factor in everything, it’s a money pit... But so is a boat or anything else, it’s a matter of priority that you have to decide.

 

[rardoin]

WOW!!!
That's like $350-$400 in ammo, then you add in travel, lodging and food on top of match fees.
A fella could easily spend $1500-$2000 for a match.

Beats auto racing.... My current wife thinks I spend a lot on competition shooting. I told her my entire budget for a year including building a complete rifle with all associated gear and a few barrels added up to less than a weekend of formula car racing. And...hit a wall or another car....there goes a decade of F-open shooting

 

[XTR]

WOW!!!
That's like $350-$400 in ammo, then you add in travel, lodging and food on top of match fees.
A fella could easily spend $1500-$2000 for a match.

I think PHX cost me closer to $3k last time with entry fees, flight, rental car, shipping ammo, lodging for 10 days and food.

Back in 2017 I posted a picture of all of my loaded ammo for the FCWC before I left and there were some similar reactions. Wonder what the poors do for fun?

 

[Bc'z]

Wonder what the poors do for fun?

We spectate. Lol
Flights to Phoenix are fairly cheap for us out here on the left coast. I've got family in Scottsdale, maybe I'll come watch n see how the big boys get down. Could be very educational.

Seeing pictures of @Dave Way empty ammo boxes then reading 500 rounds for a national just kind of hit me and puts things in perspective.

I've seen pictures of some competitors component stashes and thought WOW that ought to last awhile, when in reality it's just enough for a couple years.

 

[XTR]

If you shoot a lot of comps you really need to plan at least 18 months out for components.

In the last qtr of 2018 I got 2000ea berger 200-20x's in and thought that with what I had already it would set me for a while. Then about 12 months later, in late 2019 I was getting ready for the Feb '20 SWN (don't shoot much north of 43* north in the winter) and realized that when I finished reloading I would have less than 100 bullets left... better get that order in! The next order was for 4000, and as of now I'll need another order the end of this yr, and that is with reduced shooting in '20 from the WuFlu. There are a lot of folks who live local to long range venues who shoot a lot more than I.

(that doesn't even begin to address the timing tango of getting new barrels in, chambered and loads proven before major events)

 

[Steve Blair]

If you shoot a lot of comps you really need to plan at least 18 months out for components.

Fixed it for you.

 

[D-4297]

If you think shooting is costly , try Skydiving , upper level ( not PRO ) Drag Racing , or being a top-level , low-handicap Golfer . Anybody looked at greens fees at better courses lately ? Been to all those places , and over-all , shooting is still cheaper .

 

[Sandstorm]

Its all relative. You do what drives you.
Thats always been my motto.
I dont really do much other than shoot, and
Some Haagen Dazs now and then.. lol
I spend what i need to do what i need.. can’t live forever.

 

[JFrank]

If you think shooting is costly , try Skydiving , upper level ( not PRO ) Drag Racing , or being a top-level , low-handicap Golfer . Anybody looked at greens fees at better courses lately ? Been to all those places , and over-all , shooting is still cheaper .

Horses ain't cheap neither....

 

[F Class John]

Here's a quick video showing how I got about 600rds ready and packed for the F-Class Nationals last year. It's a process for sure....

 

[Immike]

Here's a quick video showing how I got about 600rds ready and packed for the F-Class Nationals last year. It's a process for sure....

Excellent example of how determined you must be to compete. Good luck to you John

 

[F Class John]

Excellent example of how determined you must be to compete. Good luck to you John

Thank you. That was last year, but my wife is having surgery that interferes with this year...it turns out she does draw a line to how much I shoot

 

[Sandstorm]

You keep your priorities in order John...I too have people I care for that dictate how much I shoot.
and thats just fine here. Shoot when you can.

 

[PRR1957]

Beats auto racing.... My current wife thinks I spend a lot on competition shooting. I told her my entire budget for a year including building a complete rifle with all associated gear and a few barrels added up to less than a weekend of formula car racing. And...hit a wall or another car....there goes a decade of F-open shooting

The current top F1 teams spend a minimum of ten million dollars per race weekend. $1,500-$2,000 would pay for a couple of minutes of their weekend.

 

[rardoin]

The current top F1 teams spend a minimum of ten million dollars per race weekend. $1,500-$2,000 would pay for a couple of minutes of their weekend.

Yep, and costs are more contained than 15-20 years back.

 

[Bc'z]

The current top F1 teams spend a minimum of ten million dollars per race weekend. $1,500-$2,000 would pay for a couple of minutes of their weekend.

F1 teams have a lot of thier expense cover by sponsors and advertising.
Whereas you guys are paying out of pocket.

 

[tsyarnall]

Same with showing dogs. I showed regionally (Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, some in Texas and Arkansas) and spent over $30,000 from May thru October in one year, for just one dog. I suspect pretty much all hobbies are very expensive now days.

Scott Y