Need F-Class build input

[strat81]

I'm in the early stages of planning an F-class build. I've never done anything like this before - I've screwed together a few AR-15s, but that's it.

I'll be shooting at the club level in my state, mostly at 600 yards.

Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor. I plan on sticking with 6.5CM for the near future since I'm already invested in bullets, brass, and dies. I know a 6mm is the more traditional approach.

Action: Bighorn TL3 Right Bolt, Left Port, Single Shot, Long Action. I know 6.5CM is a SA cartridge. Both the manufacturer and my gunsmith said it'd work fine and having the long action will allow me to re-barrel for .284 if/when the time comes. TL3 would allow me to change the bolt head if I wanted to re-barrel to a magnum. Bighorn is local to me, so I'd like to support a local company.

Barrel: Brux, Bartlein, Krieger, Criterion, Shilen... I'm undecided. My gunsmith said any of the top names will work. He just wants a contoured blank and will chamber and thread it. I'm anticipating width at muzzle will be around 1.250" +/- 0.150". 28"-30" in total length.

Trigger: Bix'n Andy, Jewell... open to suggestions here.

Stock: Stocky's IBS w/ aluminum AccuBlock, McMillan F-Class or Kestros, GRS X-Eater... open to suggestions here

Scope: Vortex Golden Eagle

Regarding stocks, that's my biggest source of uncertainty. The IBS has a slightly angle to the toe (i.e., it's not parallel). The AccuBlock looks interesting, not sure if it's a gimmick. The McMillan stocks are well known and are a safe choice. I'll probably check the boxes for adjustable comb and LOP. The GRS looks sexy and has a great bunch of features but I'm not sure if it comes inletted for my action (R700 LA single shot).

What do you think? Am I in the ballpark for something that'll work or am I playing ice hockey on a soccer pitch?

 

[Bc'z]

Not a competitor, but I've seen and worked on a lot of stocks in the last 8 months.
Nothing wrong with a McMillan, but I'd also look at Cerus, Masterclass, Xring.
Order it inlet for your action

 

[MikeMcCasland]

A 6.5CM will do just fine in open, especially if you're mostly going to be shooting MR matches; you'd be at a disadvantage at LR against the 284s and WSMs in the wind though. I shot one for a while (albeit off a TR bipod) while waiting for my TR guns to complete. That said, they can be competitive, and they're easy to tune. If you're just getting into F-Class, shooting at MR distances, a 6.5 CM isn't going to be the limiting factor.

Spin up a 30"-32" straight contour Bart/Brux/Krieger, put it into a Kestros ZR, get NEO, a good rear bag, and I bet you're hammering targets pretty quick.

So long as you're planning to shoot F-Open long term, I suppose that build would be viable. It's an unorthodox F-Class action for sure, and you'd probably have a hard time selling a stock you had inletted for it, but otherwise the gun would be competitive.

I'd also run the 140 Hybrids and pretty much nothing else.

Edit: Once you shoot out the 6.5CM, switch over to 300 WSM and never look back.

 

[strat81]

get NEO

I hate expensive advice, even if it's good advice.

As for bullets, I've been shooting 139gr Scenars but have a box of 140gr hybrids to try.

And why 300WSM and not 284Win or 7SAUM?

 

[Bc'z]

I hate expensive advice, even if it's good advice.

As for bullets, I've been shooting 139gr Scenars but have a box of 140gr hybrids to try.

And why 300WSM and not 284Win or 7SAUM?

It's a consumable sport!!!
Try some 136 scenar L
There's a good thread going in big stuff thread by @ShootDots that should explain it, a very good read.

 

[strat81]

Not a competitor, but I've seen and worked on a lot of stocks in the last 8 months.
Nothing wrong with a McMillan, but I'd also look at Cerus, Masterclass, Xring.
Order it inlet for your action

Those Xring stocks look really nice. Thanks for those suggestions!

 

[Bc'z]

Those Xring stocks look really nice. Thanks for those suggestions!

@Boatschool02 has 1 listed in classifieds for a reasonable sum, but won't fit a Remington
Edit...
It'll fit whatever you want it's a flat top and needs inlet

 

[Falfan2017]

Masterclass f class stock is top notch. The one from Alex Sitman

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Please go to a match and see whats winning or even being used period before you buy anything. Your action will be fine since theyre local to you and you can sell it as a remington stock

 

[Sniper338]

Your better off doing a 284 win or 300 wsm and skipping the bs of a creedmoore. You wont be competative. Just friendly advice before hand, but its your money not mine.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Please go to a match and see whats winning or even being used period before you buy anything. Your action will be fine since theyre local to you and you can sell it as a remington stock

I mean, this is kind of a known formula at this point isn't it?

Action: Borden/Bat/Kelbly etc.
Stock: Cerus, Master Class, McMillan etc.
Barrel: Bartlein, Krieger, Brux
Trigger: Bix, Flavio, Jewell
Rest: Seb NEO, Mini, or Farley
Chamber it in 284 and run the 184s, or 300 WSM and run 215s or 230s.

Any combo above is capable of winning big matches, and that's exactly what you'll see on the line.

The only thing you don't see is BigHorns and 6.5 Creedmoors. That's not to say you can't win club matches doing that, because I've seen it done. I also understand his reasoning as to not jump into another caliber right now, when he can swap bolt heads once he's got his feet wet.

He'll get blown around more, but it'll work at MR IMO.

 

[Scott Harris]

I'm in the early stages of planning an F-class build. I've never done anything like this before - I've screwed together a few AR-15s, but that's it.

I'll be shooting at the club level in my state, mostly at 600 yards.

Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor.

Hi Strat, do you plan to shoot 1,000 Yards? Do you already own the long action? If you plan to shoot at 1,000 yards, I'd bite the bullet and chamber for a 284 WIN. This way, you start with the right cartridge for BOTH mid-range and long-range. Everyone is using a short action. So, if you have not yet purchased the action, get a short action. Nothing wrong with a Bighorn, but I'd suggest looking at a Defiance or Borden instead. Can't go wrong with a McMillan Kestros stock: you pick the flavor.

Regards,
Scott

 

[ShootDots]

I am going to say something that might be a bit "controversial", however, it is borne out of 10 years of shooting F-Open. I spent a fair amount of $$$s "chasing" what I thought was the next "WOO-HOO" chambering. I had many, many excellent rifles in very accurate cartridges. I won my fair share of Mid-Range matches and some Long-Range matches. During that time I learned a few things.
1.) A very accurate 6mm or 6.5mm can and does win matches.
2.) A very accurate 30 Cal. can be just as accurate and will win MORE matches.
3.) The .300WSMs I have shot are just as easy to tune as a Dasher or .260Ackley..
4.) Since I started shooting the .300WSMs in F-Open for BOTH Mid-Range as well as Long-Range, I have won or certainly came out in the top tier on almost all matches!
MY suggestion: in the long run, even though you are set up for the 6.5Creed, look D-O-W-N the road and save yourself some REAL money! Build a .300WSM and be done with it. T-rust me, you will not look back!
Here is your build:
1.) Defiance Deviant action with a .532 bolt-face.
2.) McMillan "Kestros" stock. Make sure you clear coat it>>>it helps in "slicking up" the stock.
3.) If you plan on shooting the 215 Hybrids, get a 32" 1-9.5 barrel.
4.) Bix & Andy or Jewel trigger.
5.) I prefer turning necks>>>>if you plan on that, get a .337 neck with a .240 freebore.
6.) Get some good dies and load up and start WINNING matches!

 

[dskogman]

If you already have 6.5 CM brass/bullets/dies it is not really going to cost you anything extra to switch to a 284 or bigger later.
IMHO it is better to start with something your comfortable shooting while learning. Starting with a magnum is jumping in the deep end.

 

[swd]

@Boatschool02 has 1 listed in classifieds for a reasonable sum, but won't fit a Remington
Edit...
It'll fit whatever you want it's a flat top and needs inlet

Flat top/non inletted isn't the only criteria. The stock depends on if your using a Remington type or heavy target tang action. Stocks meant for a heavy target tang are taller at the top of the wrist area where the back of the tang is.

 

[Bc'z]

Flat top/non inletted isn't the only criteria. The stock depends on if your using a Remington type or heavy target tang action. Stocks meant for a heavy target tang are taller at the top of the wrist area where the back of the tang is.

I see what your saying.
But can't it be shaped and sanded?

 

[swd]

I see what your saying.
But can't it be shaped and sanded?

You can work down a heavy target tang stock to fit Rem style, but if it's fiberglass you need to glass the area back in and if the finish was molded in it's a lot of work. Like wise you can build up the tang area on a Rem type stock but again you run can run into finish issues and if it's wood you have some decisions to make. I've done both but it's a lot easier to just start off with the correct stock.

 

[Bc'z]

You can work down a heavy target tang stock to fit Rem style, but if it's fiberglass you need to glass the area back in and if the finish was molded in it's a lot of work. Like wise you can build up the tang area on a Rem type stock but again you run can run into finish issues and if it's wood you have some decisions to make. I've done both but it's a lot easier to just start off with the correct stock.

Great info for the OP right there.
As for me I'll probably keep cobbling them together, but I've got 30 years in body& paint. I've been working on this for a good friend of mine.View attachment 1137729 View attachment 1137729

 

[Bc'z]

@swd your absolutely right about fit and Finnish issues.
Now I'm gonna take that beautiful stock up to Skaggs and mill a notch in the stock for the cocking piece.
I said "self your a dumb ass!"

 

[swd]

Here’s a Bat w a heavy target and a Borden 700 drop in. There’s a lot more material on the heavy target.