Questions on F-Class competitions

[LGKLAS]

I have read a bit about F-class and F-TR class shooting, but, never been to one nor do I know anyone personally who shoots in these. Based upon the rules, if I did, I would be in F-Class and lighter weight. OK questions-

At what ranges, are typical F-class competitions fired at? 600, 1000, both? Other?
How many rounds are typically fired by the shooter at these comps?
Does the shooter shoot from prone? From Bench? or both?
Are there different stations, like in PRS comps?
What size and types of targets are shot at?

I'll admit to the dumb questions, so it is okay if you laugh, but am curious and there are no such comps near where I live. 100s of miles from here. TIA, lg

 

[kzin]

300 and/or 500 and/or 600 yards for midrange
800 and/or 900 and/or 1000 yards for long range

most typical is 60 in 3 20 round 'strings'

no, almost always fire all your rounds from the same place. At a busy shoot you may have to rotate out to let another 'relay' use it. Oh, if the shoot is different yardages generally the targets stay in the same place and the shooters move back.

prone only for real, sanctioned f-class. Local shoots might allow bench or allowance may be made for disabled shooters.

concentric circle 'bullseye' type target with the ten(maximum score) ring being about 1 MOA(minute of angle being about 1 inch per 100 yards of distance

F-Class is the discipline with f-open and f-tr being the two divisions.
It's clear which is correct but for some reason the terms 'f-class' and 'f-open' get mixed a lot.

f-open - any caliber below something big enough that I never remember exactly
- mechanical rest is ok
- about 22 pounds not including rest
f -tr only 223 or 308
- only attached bipod
- about 18 pounds including bipod

I always think of weight as a technicality which follows the other two criteria. Others may disagree.

 

[rardoin]

F-class is composed of F-open and F-TR; both are shot prone. Mid range (300, 500, 600yds) may be shot all at the same distance or shot at all three distances. Long range F-class is hot at 1000yds (unless a Palma course of fire is used...then 800,900,1000)

Each match is typically 15-20 shots for record and usually 2-4 matches are totaled in a given day for an aggregate score that determines winners. F-open and TR shoot at the same time...but scored for their respective classes. Targets are NRA certified and essentially have scoring rings per MOA eg-. at 600 and 1000yds the 10 rings are 6" and 10" respectively, or approx. 1MOA. The 9,8,7 are one MOA larger with each progression. The X-ring is about .5 MOA.

See page 67 for the start of F-class specific rules:

http://rulebooks.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/2018-hpr-book.pdf

 

[LGKLAS]

Awesome answers Kzin. Prone or Bench? Or does that depend , vary, from comp to comp?

 

[LGKLAS]

F-class is composed of F-open and F-TR; both are shot prone. Mid range (300, 500, 600yds) may be shot all at the same distance or shot at all three distances. Long range F-class is hot at 1000yds (unless a Palma course of fire is used...then 800,900,1000)

Each match is typically 15-20 shots for record and usually 2-4 matches are totaled in a given day for an aggregate score that determines winners. F-open and TR shoot at the same time...but scored for their respective classes. Targets are NRA certified and essentially have scoring rings per MOA eg-. at 600 and 1000yds the 10 rings are 6" and 10" respectively, or approx. 1MOA. The 9,8,7 are one MOA larger with each progression. The X-ring is about .5 MOA.

See page 67 for the start of F-class specific rules:

http://rulebooks.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/2018-hpr-book.pdf

Thanks Rardoin, you answered the 'position' questiion, I just asked. I would be in the F-open, because I think the TR class is caliber specific and 223 / 308 are those. I shoot 6.5CM. Just quick scanned the rules. Look pretty straight forward to me.

 

[rardoin]

Thanks Rardoin, you answered the 'position' questiion, I just asked. I would be in the F-open, because I think the TR class is caliber specific and 224 / 308 are those. I shoot 6.5CM.

Correct, you could only shoot F-open.

Where are you located? I suggest going to observe a match in your area...unless you don't think you are serious because once you watch a match your goose is cooked...so long to spare time and money...it is over.


Edit- Depending on where you are located there are ranges that have a class for rifles that are shot off of bipods/rear bag designed for new shooters that have more limited equipment. It is an easy way to start in F-class 'type' matches and easy on the budget. Some shooters will shoot factory match ammo when they first get started.

 

[kzin]

Awesome answers Kzin. Prone or Bench? Or does that depend , vary, from comp to comp?

Edited my longer post. Prone but I have a local shoot I go to that was f-class inspired years ago where now basically everybody shoots off a bench. Definitely NOT sanctioned f-class, though. Our other local small-bore f-class shoot allows bench for those who CAN'T shoot prone.

 

[LGKLAS]

Rardoin, I live in NE South Dakota. I do most my longer range shooting during the month of July in the Black Hills of SD. They have a nice facility there with steel out to 800 and I joined their club to help support those guys. They are holding some form of comps and are putting steel in this year at 400, 600 and 700, to go with what they have at 3 and 8. I have a life long friend who lives ten minutes from that range and we shoot together.

I am closing on a condo in the Phoenix area the end of this month. I have spent most of the last three winters there. I have an army buddy who lives in Phoenix and we shoot together. Mostly at Ben Avery Range. I am not all that interested in adding competition to my hobby. But, the guys in the Black Hills are good shooters and a small group of great guys. And my friend in Phoenix is interested in competing. So, am getting more curious about it all myself.

I am 68 disabled (vet) enough where I can't shoot the stages in PRS, so F-class in prone position works fine for me physically. A few years ago I was only interested in shooting my pistols. My army buddy got me back into long guns. Last year, he took up reloading, which I had absolutely no interest in, but, found it very interesting so started down that rabbit hole. Now , I was never interested in competing, but my friend....... and so it goes.

 

[skibar_tx]

Ben Avery has some of the best F-Class matches and some of the best F-Class shooters in the country. Those guys shoot nearly every weekend somewhere in the Phoenix area. There are quite a few F-Class shooters from Phoenix on this forum, who will eventually pipe in and offer advice on where and when matches are occurring.

 

[LGKLAS]

Edited my longer post. Prone but I have a local shoot I go to that was f-class inspired years ago where now basically everybody shoots off a bench. Definitely NOT sanctioned f-class, though. Our other local small-bore f-class shoot allows bench for those who CAN'T shoot prone.

I like that your local group has a bench for the shooters that can't shoot prone. To me at this point it really does not matter whether the comp is sanctioned. I am thinking the Black Hills club (mentiioned above ) don't shoot sanctioned. Because they have a bench and next to it an area for prone shooting. I'm pretty sure the ranges (Ben Avery) in the Phoenix area are (at least mostly) sanctioned.

 

[LGKLAS]

Ben Avery has some of the best F-Class matches and some of the best F-Class shooters in the country. Those guys shoot nearly every weekend somewhere in the Phoenix area. There are quite a few F-Class shooters from Phoenix on this forum, who will eventually pipe in and offer advice on where and when matches are occurring.

Skibar, we (my friend and I) saw some of that the past couple years which is , I think, how he came to be interested in it. Phoenix, in fact I think all of AZ, is 'gun country'. I saw some wonderful rifles on the 100 and 200 yard benches at BA every time we went there and definitely looked to me like the owners knew how to shoot them. We shop at Brunos (for reloading) and understand the 'dad' there builds rifles. South Dakota is gun country too, but, the vast majority hunt up this way. I quit hunting in the early 90s. Took up shooting again in 2013 (pistols) and long guns two years ago. Enjoying the heck out of it, but, happily shooting dead things, like paper and steel.

Oh. A member here posted a link to a comp at Ben Avery later this month, 2 days, and early in Dec. I emailed my Phoenix buddy that link, and thinking he might want to go check these out (observe).

 

[Ned Ludd]

If you're interested for next season, Eastern Nebraska Gun Club hosts F-Class matches from April through Oct, and is located a little southwest of Omaha. I also believe there are other F-Class matches in North Dakota and Minnesota that might be within easy driving distance for you.

ENGC website:
https://engc.us/

The following link in the forum also has locations and contact info for ranges that host F-Class matches throughout the US. It may be a little outdated, but may still be of interest.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...-shoot-spreadsheet-rev-20-12-24-2015.3787129/

 

[LGKLAS]

Thank you Ned. I bookmarked both the links you posted. Along with the rules Rardoin posted earlier. Stashed the links in a new folder- 'F-Class Competitions'. Figured before this was over I'd need a folder.

 

[skibar_tx]

Skibar, we (my friend and I) saw some of that the past couple years which is , I think, how he came to be interested in it. Phoenix, in fact I think all of AZ, is 'gun country'. I saw some wonderful rifles on the 100 and 200 yard benches at BA every time we went there and definitely looked to me like the owners knew how to shoot them. We shop at Brunos (for reloading) and understand the 'dad' there builds rifles. South Dakota is gun country too, but, the vast majority hunt up this way. I quit hunting in the early 90s. Took up shooting again in 2013 (pistols) and long guns two years ago. Enjoying the heck out of it, but, happily shooting dead things, like paper and steel.

Oh. A member here posted a link to a comp at Ben Avery later this month, 2 days, and early in Dec. I emailed my Phoenix buddy that link, and thinking he might want to go check these out (observe).

One of the biggest matches of the year will be in early February, the Berger Southwest Nationals at Ben Avery. You should show up for that match, every question you have or will ever have about F-Class can be answered there. One heck of a match. Go to bergerbullets.com and under competitions, you can find a link to the match with pictures.

 

[LGKLAS]

One of the biggest matches of the year will be in early February, the Berger Southwest Nationals at Ben Avery. You should show up for that match, every question you have or will ever have about F-Class can be answered there. One heck of a match. Go to bergerbullets.com and under competitions, you can find a link to the match with pictures.

I will definitely check that out Skibar. BA range is about 20 minutes from where I am moving (for the winters) to. Thanx!! lg

 

[Matthew Schwartzkopf]

I will definitely check that out Skibar. BA range is about 20 minutes from where I am moving (for the winters) to. Thanx!! lg

If you have any questions about Ben Avery feel free to ask me. I know a thing or two about the range.

If you can come out this weekend as we will be shooting 1000 yards on Saturday and a Palma(800, 900, & 1000 yards) on sunday at Ben Avery. Shooting starts at 9 AM and set up at 8 in the pits

 

[Matthew Schwartzkopf]

We shop at Brunos (for reloading) and understand the 'dad' there builds rifles.

The "dad" would be Lester Bruno who holds the 600 yard F-Open National Record and a Benchrest Hall of Fame Shooter. He does great work.

 

[SWRichmond]

If you go watch a match you will wish you had brought a rifle and ammo.

You can shoot your 6.5 off a Harris bipod and a squeezy bag as long as it doesn't have a muzzle brake or a can. You'll be shooting in F open against people who have much fancier equipment but who cares? It's fun as hell, and with real targets you get to see exactly where your shots are going so you can learn more about the wind, the consistency of your ammo and so on.

Pick a match day, find out what the course of fire is, how many rounds per match. take enough ammo for 5 sighters each match plus the number of rounds in each match. Typical day of long-range for example is three matches of unlimited sighters and 20 rounds for record each match. Time limit 30 minutes per match. You wont shoot back to back matches.

Show up with 80 rounds, a good 100 yard zero, good ballistic data for the cartridge and a scope that will go high enough to get you from there to 1000. Water, food, chair, spotting scope very advisable, shooting mat very advisable, hat, empty chamber indicator (can often be had at the match), etc. Just go shoot the match.

You'll leave with your brain running about all the things you can do better next time.

 

[rardoin]

^^^^^Yup!^^^^^^

 

[LGKLAS]

The "dad" would be Lester Bruno who holds the 600 yard F-Open National Record and a Benchrest Hall of Fame Shooter. He does great work.

Matthew I won't be able to make that match this weekend because I am still up North in SD. Will be leaving SD for AZ on the 25th. I did not know the 'dad's name, only buy stuff from his son, who works the counter when I am in there. I did hear he, Lester, was top of the line and my friend is looking to have Lester rebarrel his rifle when the time comes. All the people I have met in the gun world in AZ have been good to meet.