Prefit action for F class opinions/experience

[Karlandco]

I'd like to build a 284 or variant for a few F open matches but I mostly enjoy tuning and shooting 1000 on my own property. I also really enjoy tinkering and learning about rifle accuracy. This has led to the desire to build my own. I don't own a lathe or mill and I know I'll likely never gain the knowledge, experience or means to build something as accurate and repeatable as our friends Alex Wheeler, Speedy Gonzales or many others that frequent this site. I could save the money and buy my way into one of those rifles and wait a year or I could use that time to familiarize myself with the caliber and gain the experience.

So I want to start with the action and go from there. There's a lot of choices today. Tl-3, Zeus, Ruckus, Impact etc It seems these actions have been reserved for the PRS community not benchrest or F class. I realize the level of accuracy from a Bat or Borden leaves less on the table but surely some of you fellas that are in the know have looked into the prefit world. What have you found? How is the timing on "xyz" action. Are the tolerances close enough to cut the mustard? My intent here isn't to debate the offerings of a tried and true gunsmith as I and we know better.

I'm not planning on winning anything or simplifying the complex world we live in. Im only interested putting my own name on something sort of speak and coming out proud of my work. 20 shots in wind at 1000 yards/half moa. Chasing my tail? What say you?

 

[Rat Rifle]

If You think You can sneak up to the edge of the rabbit hole and take a peek without falling in, I sincerely wish You Luck

 

[sandwarrior]

Bat or Kelbly action, others are good too. For F-class I'd say McMillan for a stock. What ever you do, bed it right, or get someone who can. Jewell trigger, or a Bix n Andy (more money). Go to a match and ask if you can pull some triggers and see what people use and how they are set. Remember to emphasize safety when you ask this. Follow range rules so you don't piss off the match officer.

For scopes, the sky is the limit. Sightrons, Marchs, leupolds, Vortex Golden Eagles. Look through a lot of them when you find them for sale. Again, a match is a good place to see a lot of choices.

Rests: Get a good one that is solid, I have a Caldwell Rock, but am looking to upgrade. Protector rear bags. Get the long heavy one if you can. It'll help keep you right on the target better without having to shift between shots.

.284 is a favorite right now. Good choice.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

My experience. A long time pistol (ISSF) shooter, and reasonably good, made A grade in more than one discipline, but gave up competitive shooting due to work commitments. I have always been a bit of a hunter and varminter. Since retirement, I took up F-Class. I started with an older TR rifle, with a Sightron 8-32. It got me into "reasonable" short range scores.

So I peeked into the rabbit hole. Chassis with a Remington action. So so. Scores didn't do much. Changed the barrel. Some improvement. Changed the action to a Barnard. Changed the barrel for a heavier profile. Looking good. Scope broke. Bought another, while the Sightron was being repaired. On it goes. Chasing your tail to improve without spending the money. Now - Upgraded the scope. How much would I have saved by buying the best initially? A pile of ammo for a start. Trips to the range ( OK you don't have that issue) Frustration. Trust me - dive in the rabbit hole. Get a decent action - there's no shortage of them - decent barrel and a really good scope. Get a good smith to put it together, or at least provide advice, and go shooting. All the very best.

 

[Karlandco]

Rabbit hole? Years ago I was told it's an abyss, and they were right. I must say if it was simple and cheap I wouldn't enjoy it quite as much.


McMillan, BnA, Sightron, SEB all taken into advisement, and I agree starting at the top would definitely save money.

Kelbly is certainly on my radar but I haven't read anything on their Atlas or Prometheus that really separates them from others except that they also manufacture actions specifically for F class, and that fact gives a buyer more confidence. Tolerances in raceway, EDM, bolt stops and trigger hangers help keep em smooth but how's the timing, firing pin channel and lug abutment? Same as a Defiance/Impact or a few steps ahead. I just don't know if there's an advantage over others...kinda what I wanted to know. Would a good smith look at some of these actions and say "Yep, another mass produced chunk of metal". or "Well darn this is close to what I might do on bad day".

 

[Fullbore308]

"Experience"
A couple years back my wife asked to get her an FTR setup. Being that this was in October and she wanted to start spring of the following year. I knew I didn't have much time to wait. So, I bought MPA chassis, Zermat action, couple prefit barrels, Golden Eagle plus all the other items needed to put this together and for her to be ready. Fast forward to now, I'm in the market to replace just about everything minus the optic. Hindsight, should have purchased a proven used setup either from a member on this forum or someone i knew had something ready to go. I was able to meet the spring target however, it wasn't the best decision for the long haul.
Look on this forum for some turn key set ups hat are proven. Paint it if you want to put your personal touch on one, When it comes to anything that affects the point of impact, I take it to the experts. Good luck, Jeremy Spencer

 

[Liven The Dream]

I get talked about at most Matches in a Fun way. I shoot F/Open 600 and 1000 Matches.
I have 4 Rifles .284 and Dasher's all on dare I say Remington Actions Blue Printed with Extreme two stage Triggers. I have my Barrels installed by a VG Gunsmith, I use BR Stocks from the Urban-rifleman ( on the Site ).
I do all Finishing Bedding Etc.
On my good days ( 76 years young). I can Win. I have made HM at Mid and Long Range .
Have shoot cleans at 1000 more 199 &198 ?
My Rifles are VG and low cost . IF is spent more $$$ on Actions and Stocks, would I see the difference on Paper ?? I would be in the inner circle .

It's not the Arrow, It's the Indian
Good Luck Buy Smart have Fun

 

[Rope2horns]

I say do whatever makes you happy and gets you in the game. I used a Bighorn TL2 for my first action and purchased a stock from Ryan Pierce when he was still in the stock business. Simply because I wasn't 100% willing to commit to Fclass. That was eleventy billions dollars later, I'm kinda hooked.

20 shots in wind at 1000 yards/half moa. Chasing my tail? What say you?

We all have that same goal friend. Good luck and I hope you get there.

 

[Karlandco]

"Experience"
A couple years back my wife asked to get her an FTR setup. Being that this was in October and she wanted to start spring of the following year. I knew I didn't have much time to wait. So, I bought MPA chassis, Zermat action, couple prefit barrels, Golden Eagle plus all the other items needed to put this together and for her to be ready. Fast forward to now, I'm in the market to replace just about everything minus the optic. Hindsight, should have purchased a proven used setup either from a member on this forum or someone i knew had something ready to go. I was able to meet the spring target however, it wasn't the best decision for the long haul.
Look on this forum for some turn key set ups hat are proven. Paint it if you want to put your personal touch on one, When it comes to anything that affects the point of impact, I take it to the experts. Good luck, Jeremy Spencer

I've got an Origin/Hawk Hill in 6 x 47Lapua bedded in Manners. It'll shoot .375 for 10-15 shots then open a bit but it's med contour. I didn't build it but I'd be pretty proud if I did. Swappable bolt head has to give up something with just a pin holding her together but idk. I scored a 195 12x with it at 600 in 12-15mph wind. I held a better score not holding outside the x-ring with pointed Berger 105 hybrids---amazing bullets.

Very cool your wife shoots FTR, it seems like a sport unto it's own. Pretty specialized. What action are you leaning to and why?

 

[Karlandco]

I say do whatever makes you happy and gets you in the game. I used a Bighorn TL2 for my first action and purchased a stock from Ryan Pierce when he was still in the stock business. Simply because I wasn't 100% willing to commit to Fclass. That was eleventy billions dollars later, I'm kinda hooked.




We all have that same goal friend. Good luck and I hope you get there.

Eleventy billions...Trump invented that number I'm sure of it haha. Im nearing that number and I get what your putting down

 

[Karlandco]

I get talked about at most Matches in a Fun way. I shoot F/Open 600 and 1000 Matches.
I have 4 Rifles .284 and Dasher's all on dare I say Remington Actions Blue Printed with Extreme two stage Triggers. I have my Barrels installed by a VG Gunsmith, I use BR Stocks from the Urban-rifleman ( on the Site ).
I do all Finishing Bedding Etc.
On my good days ( 76 years young). I can Win. I have made HM at Mid and Long Range .
Have shoot cleans at 1000 more 199 &198 ?
My Rifles are VG and low cost . IF is spent more $$$ on Actions and Stocks, would I see the difference on Paper ?? I would be in the inner circle .

It's not the Arrow, It's the Indian
Good Luck Buy Smart have Fun

That's a great quote that I'm sure will stick with me for a long time sir. Do you prefer Marine Tex, Devcon or something else?

 

[Liven The Dream]

That's a great quote that I'm sure will stick with me for a long time sir. Do you prefer Marine Tex, Devcon or something else

Using Pro Bed 2000 these days. have used Devon and Steel bed in the Past .
I see nothing wrong with any of them.
Pro Bed 2000 is easy to work with.

 

[Bill Clifton]

All I can say is I don't have much experience with all of the actions available but I really LOVE my Borden and will be doing my next build using one.

 

[tvaught]

A winning rifle at 1k is a fairly sophisticated system, you really need every component on the gun to work well and be sorted out.

Here's an equipment list of this year's Texas LR Championship

2022 TSRA LR registration is waitlisted - Updates on the event

The waiting list is getting short and we may allow a few more registrations for the event. If you are interested, send an email to highpower@bayourifles.org with name, contact info, rifle type and NRA classification, if any. We will get back to you if an opening occurs within the next two weeks.

forum.accurateshooter.com

My 2 pennies .. befriend a LR High Master mentor ASAP, and start shooting with what you have, while get your full up build up to steam.

 

[Karlandco]

I get talked about at most Matches in a Fun way. I shoot F/Open 600 and 1000 Matches.
I have 4 Rifles .284 and Dasher's all on dare I say Remington Actions Blue Printed with Extreme two stage Triggers. I have my Barrels installed by a VG Gunsmith, I use BR Stocks from the Urban-rifleman ( on the Site ).
I do all Finishing Bedding Etc.
On my good days ( 76 years young). I can Win. I have made HM at Mid and Long Range .
Have shoot cleans at 1000 more 199 &198 ?
My Rifles are VG and low cost . IF is spent more $$$ on Actions and Stocks, would I see the difference on Paper ?? I would be in the inner circle .

It's not the Arrow, It's the Indian
Good Luck Buy Smart h

Using Pro Bed 2000 these days. have used Devon and Steel bed in the Past .
I see nothing wrong with any of them.
Pro Bed 2000 is easy to work with.

How long has it been bedded, any shrinkage?

 

[Karlandco]

A winning rifle at 1k is a fairly sophisticated system, you really need every component on the gun to work well and be sorted out.

Here's an equipment list of this year's Texas LR Championship

2022 TSRA LR registration is waitlisted - Updates on the event

The waiting list is getting short and we may allow a few more registrations for the event. If you are interested, send an email to highpower@bayourifles.org with name, contact info, rifle type and NRA classification, if any. We will get back to you if an opening occurs within the next two weeks.

forum.accurateshooter.com

My 2 pennies .. befriend a LR High Master mentor ASAP, and start shooting with what you have, while get your full up build up to steam.

This is very interesting indeed. I am well aware of Borden's BRMXD and they're only a few hours from me. Hopefully I can stop in and run the action and perhaps that'll convince me to wait but I know the sear changes things. Very surprised at the powder selection, I thought 4831 or rl17 was the go to. Triple 5 is gonna be a little harder to secure. Cerus...no return call per my smiths efforts and I've never been behind one. The actions are what I'd expect. I created a similar list last year and wanted to have one of those gentlemen build it, but to be truthful, maybe I'm too impatient for the game. Over a year or more to collect the materials and have nothing in hand in the meantime is a big pill for me. I surely don't mind waiting but a lot can change in 12-15months, both with the industry and me personally.
...Befriend a HM and shoot what I got..sounds like a good start. Thanks

 

[Dave M.]

If You think You can sneak up to the edge of the rabbit hole and take a peek without falling in, I sincerely wish You Luck

I agree. Once you get a rifle that can shoot small groups, that’s where the fun begins. From there, the quest for even smaller groups begins…and never ends.
Dave

 

[Fullbore308]

I've got an Origin/Hawk Hill in 6 x 47Lapua bedded in Manners. It'll shoot .375 for 10-15 shots then open a bit but it's med contour. I didn't build it but I'd be pretty proud if I did. Swappable bolt head has to give up something with just a pin holding her together but idk. I scored a 195 12x with it at 600 in 12-15mph wind. I held a better score not holding outside the x-ring with pointed Berger 105 hybrids---amazing bullets.

Very cool your wife shoots FTR, it seems like a sport unto it's own. Pretty specialized. What action are you leaning to and why?

thanks, Borden BRMXD

 

[Sandstorm]

Befriend a HM and shoot what I got..sounds like a good start.

This..Its how I got started..and man will it save you a lot of greif and $$$ in the long run

 

[Liven The Dream]

How long has it been bedded, any shrinkage?

One Rifle over 2 years still a Bear to get out of stock .
If you shoot a lot ? A .284 Barrel is short life ?
A skim Bedding will most likely be Done .