I see that the op has been a member for 16 years already, so most likely loads his own ammo. However, when I’ve been asked by people about trying F class. I immediately ask them if they load their own? If not, then I recommend starting with a 223 and factory match ammo. Try it and have fun at mid range matches, to see if it’s really something they want to pursue. Then they can learn to load for that as they progress.
New to F-Class
- Thread starter IanD
- Start date
I appreciate the kind words Andy! But I needed a break from the heat!
Yes, been reloading for almost 40yrs but never competitively. And I have never done any long range shooting. So this is all new territory for me.
As I mentioned earlier I shot a LOT of 223 in XC, probably more than 40K rounds made and sent downrange over 10-yrs. So I thought I understood rifle reloading. While those early F-Class guys were shooting the old full size targets (the same one we were shooting from a sling) I thought the so called "race for the most Xs" was kind of silly. But hey, they were shooting against each other, not me and other sling shooters. When they shrank the F-Class target to 1/2 MOA for an X it really changed the game, especially at 1K. That's when it became interesting and I moved over to F-Class. After 30+ years of reloading and 10-15 years of rifle matches I though I had reloading whipped. Not so, I was kinda humbled.... If sling shooting primarily relies on shooter mechanics and wind calls, F-Class primarily relies on your rifle system (barrel, ammo, etc) and of course wind calls. There are certainly some rifle handling skills that an F-Class shooter must learn but not as much of a factor as it is in sling shooting (IMO). Point being check here and other sources for solid F-Class reloading info and make sure your process is sound.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
^^ I agree. While you may not win in F/Class at the loading bench, you certainly can loose from there! Bit of a dark art in tuning a good shooting system, too.
Fwiw, something like a 700, Revolution stock, good barrel, scope and trigger will be competitive at most club level matches. Can be built or had for under $2500usd
Fwiw, something like a 700, Revolution stock, good barrel, scope and trigger will be competitive at most club level matches. Can be built or had for under $2500usd
@IanD I’ve been shooting midrange F Class for about a 1 1/2 years mainly because I watched F Class John on YouTube. I agree with what everyone is saying about used rifles or a new rifle. But when I started I didn’t have the funds to buy a new rifle or even a used rifle; I still don’t, (although I did purchase everything individually to build a rifle completely from the accurate shooter classifieds). I basically used what I had and did the best I could with it. I’m glad I did. I started with a cheap rest, a cheap rifle and a cheap scope. It worked to show me I loved it and actually made me a better shooter in the long run. It might not be the most economical but I’ve upgraded a piece at a time and with every upgrade come new knowledge and improvement. With that being said I have been saving for a while for a custom. One day I’m gonna get to call @GT Accuracy and order what I want. Until then I am extremely happy winning matches with Remington actions in home made stocks sitting on a shade tree rest.
johnnyi
Gold $$ Contributor
You need to come back to Houston! It’s much warmer here and the humidity is awesome! Mosquitos are still nice and tame as you left them. We miss you more in Houston! Burger Barn says they also miss you!
You are absolutely right when it come down to "the entire system". For F-Open, to be competitive, you need a rig that has a really good action. In addition, it will need a properly well prepared stock and a great barrel. When I was in both the Houston area and Phoenix area I did my load development primarily at 300 yards and "tested" them at either 600 or 1000 yards. At 300, I did not consider my rifles "completely load developed" unless and until they shot somewhere in the 3/4" to 1 1/8" most of the time. That does NOT mean the load did not "from time to time, drift down to 1/2" or up to 1 3/8". But "generally" they were in that 3/4 to 1 1/8" range. That would guarantee me that if I did MY part I could "clean" the target with a good sum of "X"s. The loads were also accurate enough to set a National Record >>>> if there was somebody behind the gun as capable as the gun was. However, down here in Tennessee at Oak Ridge, my load development is at 200 yards. My "standard" is BELOW 1/2" as small as possible. Generally now, I "test" at a match. That is fine with me. But to reiterate your point that there is "loading" and then there is loading that is capable of wringing out the best your rig can offer! Good point my friend!
Rank Amateur
Gold $$ Contributor
Good for you!! You’re the kind of shooter that makes shooting sports fun. Good luck for your continuing success!
Well my good bud>>>> I LOVE 4 seasons where NONE of them are "radical". But I do miss all of you guys! I have said this to more people than I can count>>>> Houston has the finest shooters all in one club than any other place in the country! And you can count yourself amongst the TOP in the club!
Rank Amateur
Gold $$ Contributor
This thread was started by a guy who is wanting to get started in F-Class. Although about everything posted here has value, the message i’m always careful about is “you can’t win without the best gear”. I’ll bet we ALL know dozens of shooters running $10k rigs who NEVER win, and many who really aren’t competitive. At the same time, I’ll also bet that most of us know a couple of shooters who can kick our butts with a factory rifle. The reality of F-Class is that you can’t win with a 2-minute rifle/ammo, and a 1/4-minute rifle/ammo won’t MAKE you win. The best shooters will always rise to the top (I’m lookin’ at you Johnny 
), but that’s due to talent, gear, dedication, and lots of practice. Start someone off with gear that let’s them shoot in the low 500s, add a couple of years of practice and friendly coaching, add an upgraded rifle/ammo combination, and you’re likely to get someone vying for the podium in club matches.
OP, get started any way you can, and find out if you want this. Practice/compete with what you’ve got, and have fun. Don’t be discouraged that you’re not winning against people who’ve been training for this for years, and running the best equipment (you’re not expected to win right off the bat). Stick with it, and you WILL improve - perhaps that podium IS in your future!
), but that’s due to talent, gear, dedication, and lots of practice. Start someone off with gear that let’s them shoot in the low 500s, add a couple of years of practice and friendly coaching, add an upgraded rifle/ammo combination, and you’re likely to get someone vying for the podium in club matches.OP, get started any way you can, and find out if you want this. Practice/compete with what you’ve got, and have fun. Don’t be discouraged that you’re not winning against people who’ve been training for this for years, and running the best equipment (you’re not expected to win right off the bat). Stick with it, and you WILL improve - perhaps that podium IS in your future!
OP, if you’ve been reloading for 40 years, then you’re at least 47 
.
I’m going to suggest against the factory rifle approach for three reasons.
First, as much as we all admired our single shot Savages, they have gone up in price, nearly doubled, but they haven’t improved much if at all since the 2000’s. As an example, the 6.5-.284 was on the way out in open when they offered only it and the 6 BR, and I don’t think Savage ever made the 7mm transition on their F-Open gun. I credit them for persisting from a time when their peer set could still place in a club match, - the Winchester Coyote, the Kimber Rangemaster, the Browning A-bolt Target and even a Sendero, I used them all. Only the Ruger target remains, maybe, which was always stretching it, anyway, in this game. In other words, the only guns left to compare them to are full customs, and that’s not as favorable a comparison as romping the other factory guns was, in value, almost 20 years ago.
Secondly, I believe the performance gap has actually opened up. Instead of being the best shooting, heaviest factory rifle on the line, now they are assured of being about the only one, and there is a good chance that without a barrel upgrade, your factory choice will be shooting the largest group. The best scores have gotten ridiculous since these guns came out; whereas before they may have been hard pressed to win, they were at least closer and/or could threaten. They had a TR team I no longer hear about. Presently, they may not even chamber or stabilize your first several choices of bullets and cartridges, or your future ones.
Third, they are just good enough, especially modified to significantly drag out the road to your best performance, time-wise. Fclass is a mature endeavor now, make the curve as steep as possible to level out soon. Only juniors really have the luxury of time to meander. If you have been reloading for 40 years non-competitively, and watched F-Class for the 20 or so it’s been getting big, then you are a deliberate guy, - but I respectfully say it’s time to stand on the gas pedal because in addition to the gun, the ammo needs to be exceptional, shooting skills refined, and wind reading embraced, all of which are worthy of their own written volumes, and compete for your attention. The rabbit hole beckons. It’s worth it.
.I’m going to suggest against the factory rifle approach for three reasons.
First, as much as we all admired our single shot Savages, they have gone up in price, nearly doubled, but they haven’t improved much if at all since the 2000’s. As an example, the 6.5-.284 was on the way out in open when they offered only it and the 6 BR, and I don’t think Savage ever made the 7mm transition on their F-Open gun. I credit them for persisting from a time when their peer set could still place in a club match, - the Winchester Coyote, the Kimber Rangemaster, the Browning A-bolt Target and even a Sendero, I used them all. Only the Ruger target remains, maybe, which was always stretching it, anyway, in this game. In other words, the only guns left to compare them to are full customs, and that’s not as favorable a comparison as romping the other factory guns was, in value, almost 20 years ago.
Secondly, I believe the performance gap has actually opened up. Instead of being the best shooting, heaviest factory rifle on the line, now they are assured of being about the only one, and there is a good chance that without a barrel upgrade, your factory choice will be shooting the largest group. The best scores have gotten ridiculous since these guns came out; whereas before they may have been hard pressed to win, they were at least closer and/or could threaten. They had a TR team I no longer hear about. Presently, they may not even chamber or stabilize your first several choices of bullets and cartridges, or your future ones.
Third, they are just good enough, especially modified to significantly drag out the road to your best performance, time-wise. Fclass is a mature endeavor now, make the curve as steep as possible to level out soon. Only juniors really have the luxury of time to meander. If you have been reloading for 40 years non-competitively, and watched F-Class for the 20 or so it’s been getting big, then you are a deliberate guy, - but I respectfully say it’s time to stand on the gas pedal because in addition to the gun, the ammo needs to be exceptional, shooting skills refined, and wind reading embraced, all of which are worthy of their own written volumes, and compete for your attention. The rabbit hole beckons. It’s worth it.
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Airborne-350G
Gold $$ Contributor
Take a look at this used rifle that can get you started. This is for F Open class. Al’s seller is a good guy.
Airborne-350G
Gold $$ Contributor
What is this Burger Barn you speak of? You haven’t mentioned this before….
B Nettesheim
Gold $$ Contributor
If the savage gets you in the game go get it, they can be competitive. I have two out there that have been great one set a national record this year
johnnyi
Gold $$ Contributor
That’s the OG post match lunch spot. It’s on Hwy6 heading south on the left side a mile or 3 down the road. Lupe’s, then the pizza place took over the pick from Burger barn. Now the Dilly’s seafood and burgers is a semi regular choice. Shooting is just to kill time until lunch…. Heehee
1. Don’t buy a factory rifle. Save yourself dissapointment.
2. What you need is a trued action and a quality barrel installed by a competent gunsmith. F-class stock and competition trigger. Of course quality optics.
3. For f-open I would go with .284 win or 7prcw not with a creedmoor or dasher, unless you are a great wind reader.
2. What you need is a trued action and a quality barrel installed by a competent gunsmith. F-class stock and competition trigger. Of course quality optics.
3. For f-open I would go with .284 win or 7prcw not with a creedmoor or dasher, unless you are a great wind reader.
Airborne-350G
Gold $$ Contributor
Ginny and I can always go for some Lupe’s.
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