Is free recoil legal in F-Class?

[Erik Cortina]

This topic has came up in different threads, so I figured I would start a thread to discuss it.

 

[canderson]

I think the highpower rules state that the rifle be fired from the shoulder. I feel that trying to "catch" someone free recoiling would be hard to do or prove. In my opinion if the gun makes weight, let them shoot however they want. Some guns that I have shot do better with minimal input and others need a harder hold.

 

[artbosco]

This topic has came up in different threads, so I figured I would start a thread to discuss it.

NO need for a conjectured discussion. Simply read the Rules below:

OFFICIAL F-CLASS RULES

F-Class has two categories: F-T/R & F-Open.
Both are fired from the prone position.
Briefly, the rules are as follows:

F-T/R

Caliber limited to .223 or .308 (unmodified).
Sling and/or bipod allowed.
Rifle weight limit of 8.25 kgs (approx. 18.18 lbs).

For more information on FTR rules and shooting, please visit the U.S. FTR Team's website at http://www.usftrclass.com/home.htm

F-Open

Caliber limit of .35 and under.
Rifle weight of 10 kgs (approx. 22 lbs.).
Adjustable front rest allowed.
Rear bag allowed.
Rail guns not allowed.
3" wide forend.
Rifle must be shouldered when fired.
Tables are prohibited.

For precise F-class rules, please visit the NRA website at http://www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/hpr-index.pdf

Source: http://usfclass.com/rules.aspx

 

[Taildrag15X]

This topic has came up in different threads, so I figured I would start a thread to discuss it.

NO need for a conjectured discussion. Simply read the Rules below:

OFFICIAL F-CLASS RULES

F-Class has two categories: F-T/R & F-Open.
Both are fired from the prone position.
Briefly, the rules are as follows:

F-T/R

Caliber limited to .223 or .308 (unmodified).
Sling and/or bipod allowed.
Rifle weight limit of 8.25 kgs (approx. 18.18 lbs).

For more information on FTR rules and shooting, please visit the U.S. FTR Team's website at http://www.usftrclass.com/home.htm

F-Open

Caliber limit of .35 and under.
Rifle weight of 10 kgs (approx. 22 lbs.).
Adjustable front rest allowed.
Rear bag allowed.
Rail guns not allowed.
3" wide forend.
Rifle must be shouldered when fired.
Tables are prohibited.

For precise F-class rules, please visit the NRA website at http://www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/hpr-index.pdf

Source: http://usfclass.com/rules.aspx

I agree Outdoorsman, I linked the NRA Rule book in the different threads to which he speaks of, as the Rules state...."From the shoulder".

The NRA High Power Rule Book also covers this under Section 5, Positions with the following:

5.3 Position of Rifle Butt - In all positions, except standing (Rule 5.12), the butt of the rifle must be held against the front of the shoulder on the outside of the shooting coat or shirt and must not touch the ground. In the standing position, the butt of the rifle may be held against the upper arm.

And also it's covered here:

[5.6 Prone - Body extended on the ground, head toward the target. The rifle will be supported by both hands and one shoulder only. No portion of the arms below the elbows shall rest upon the ground or any artificial support, nor may any portion of the rifle or body rest against any artificial support. The magazine may not compress the coat to the ground so as to provide artificial support (see Rules 5.2 and 5.4)./b]

This discipline is a modification of high power prone shooting, not a form of bench rest and should not be construed as such.

To me the folks that have jumped on the F-Class band wagon with little or no High Power Competition under thier belts may of never known these Rules, but should of by now.

To me it's as plane and day........From the shoulder!

 

[expiper]

well here is another view on the subject....if/when free-recoiling where do you think the the gun is being fired from ---the hip??--if the shooter is "dumb" enuff to let the gun kik him as in "free" recoil whats the problem....it is a shoulder fired weapon......the rules when written was meaning to shoot in a conventional prone position....as in most things in life and LAW people are confusing the spirit of the law with the letter of the law...Roger

 

[DBailey]

Taildrag15X

You are correct. The rules plainly state that if you are using a coat and sling you must support the rifle with both hands and one shoulder.

But that's not F-Class.

The text below is from the NRA web site.
Rule changes effective Jan 2008
SECTION 22 - F-CLASS
5.6.1 F-Class Prone - F-Class Prone is fired in the prone position from the shoulder.
The rifle may be supported with a rear and/or front rest or with a bipod and/or sling and rear rest
(See Rule 3.4).

The first sentence of F-Class rule 5.6.1 plainly states that you must be behind the rifle in a normal prone position.

The second sentence of F-Class rule 5.6.1 plainly states that you may use a front and rear rest to support the rifle.
That means you do not have to use your shoulder or hands to support the rifle.

 

[Erik Cortina]

5.3 Position of Rifle Butt - In all positions, except standing (Rule 5.12), the butt of the rifle must be held against the front of the shoulder on the outside of the shooting coat or shirt and must not touch the ground. In the standing position, the butt of the rifle may be held against the upper arm.

That's because they don't have front and rear rests like we do in F-Class, therefore if not supported by shoulder it would hit the ground. But in F-Class it is supported by the rests.

And we do shoot it from the shoulder, so what if it's 1/4" away from the rifle butt?

 

[Taildrag15X]

"That's because they don't have front and rear rests like we do in F-Class, therefore if not supported by shoulder it would hit the ground. But in F-Class it is supported by the rests."

And the Rules still say, "Fired from the shoulder" no matter what Rule you read or how you want to read it....it is the same Rule Book, not one for F-Class and one for High Power. The F-Class section is just that, part of High Power, and I don't care if you have a death grip on the Rifle, as long as it's fired from the shoulder.

 

[DBailey]

"That's because they don't have front and rear rests like we do in F-Class, therefore if not supported by shoulder it would hit the ground. But in F-Class it is supported by the rests."

And the Rules still say, "Fired from the shoulder" no matter what Rule you read or how you want to read it....it is the same Rule Book, not one for F-Class and one for High Power. The F-Class section is just that, part of High Power, and I don't care if you have a death grip on the Rifle, as long as it's fired from the shoulder.

I'm very glad that we agree.
You can't shoot F-Class heads up, no supine, no setting beside the rifle while firing, and no standing behind the rifle pulling the trigger with a string.
You must have your shoulder behind the rifle and be in a normal prone position, but how tight or loose you hold the rifle just doesn't matter.

 

[Erik Cortina]

The simple fact that there is such a division of opinions makes it to where the shooter can choose any kind of hold on his rifle he chooses as long as he is laying behind his rifle and shooting prone.

So, even IF free recoil was not allowed, the same division of opinions would make this rule unenforceable! Can you imagine trying to pull a shooter off the line at the F-Class Nationals disputing that he was holding his rifle 1/4" from his shoulder? That would be ludicrous, and therefore an argument of massive proportion would break out possibly bringing the competition to a halt!

 

[brxbrad]

There is a difference between style and technique. Shooting from the hip would be illegal while shooting from the shoulder would not. The f-class rules don't say anything about touching the shoulder. Free recoil is a technique. I think the confusion is the interpretation of the rules as they apply to each discipline. You know what they say about opinions.....everyone has one.

 

[RAGGED]

You know what they say about opinions.....everyone has one.

Truer words have not been spoken in this thread.

 

[1000yardstare]

Looking at it from a Range Official`s point of view, when I am RSO in an F Class practise or competition, my main concern is the safety rules.

Before the shooter has gotten in position, his rig has been cleared for compliance with technical rules. After that I am watching for unsafe acts - muzzle waving around, finger on trigger while adjusting rig components, butts radio subsonic ammo.............

The Canadian DCRA and U.S. NRA F Class rules are similar in spirit. I have never heard the topic of free recoil discussed. To exagerate the point, I suppose if a shooter had the butt 12 inches away from his shoulder, it could be said the rifle is recoiling back out of control and could be an unsafe act. Any ruling by the RSO would be made on this safety basis. If the rifle is 1/4 inch off the shoulder and the shooter is safely handling the rifle upon recoil then no problem. This is a matter of personal style, loose hold vs firm hold.

As an F Class competitor, I have seen any manner of personal holding styles and no one thinks anything of it.

Bill

 

[Erik Cortina]

Looking at it from a Range Official`s point of view, when I am RSO in an F Class practise or competition, my main concern is the safety rules.

Before the shooter has gotten in position, his rig has been cleared for compliance with technical rules. After that I am watching for unsafe acts - muzzle waving around, finger on trigger while adjusting rig components, butts radio subsonic ammo.............

The Canadian DCRA and U.S. NRA F Class rules are similar in spirit. I have never heard the topic of free recoil discussed. To exagerate the point, I suppose if a shooter had the butt 12 inches away from his shoulder, it could be said the rifle is recoiling back out of control and could be an unsafe act. Any ruling by the RSO would be made on this safety basis. If the rifle is 1/4 inch off the shoulder and the shooter is safely handling the rifle upon recoil then no problem. This is a matter of personal style, loose hold vs firm hold.

As an F Class competitor, I have seen any manner of personal holding styles and no one thinks anything of it.

Bill

Thank you for clarifying this issue.