Questions on F-Class competitions

[LGKLAS]

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.

Wow, great info SWRichamond! I know what you mean about going to an event, any event, and not having the stuff along to 'play'. I happen to have all the things you mentioned, though I do have a muzzle brake/flash suppressor on my rifles. Atlas bipod and Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50 on the rifle I am bringing. I've a 'Loopey' Mk4 20-60x80 spotter with TMR reticle. My matt doubles as a soft side rifle case. And I learned the hard way about not bringing water, food, chair, etc to the range. I'll copy this into a text file and put it into my newly created 'competition folder'. Good guidance, thank you.

At Ben Avery this year, my friend and I (both Viet vets) met and befriended a Range Officer there, who was a Helicopter pilot (Chinooks) in VN. Forget his name. Good guy and very helpful and was good to meet him. Thanx again Matt-lg

 

[rardoin]

They may let you shoot with a suppressor if you are ok with them not submitting your score to the NRA and not eligible for awards. Kinda 'auditing' the match.

 

[munsonbw]

This seems like an appropriate place to ask my potentially silly question, and I think it is partially answered by SWRichmond already. I would like to try my hand at a match some time, but until I find a mentor I am here asking questions. I have access to a range that gets me out to 350yds, but how does one get on target at 600+? Ballistics data is mentioned, but at the moment I don't have a chrono. What then? I always am fearful of showing up to a match with people who are serious about competing and being "that guy" that does something stupid due to lack of preparation, information, or equipment. At the same time, I have several irons in the fire and getting to a range with proper distances to make a dope sheet is not easy.

 

[Terry]

This seems like an appropriate place to ask my potentially silly question, and I think it is partially answered by SWRichmond already. I would like to try my hand at a match some time, but until I find a mentor I am here asking questions. I have access to a range that gets me out to 350yds, but how does one get on target at 600+? Ballistics data is mentioned, but at the moment I don't have a chrono. What then? I always am fearful of showing up to a match with people who are serious about competing and being "that guy" that does something stupid due to lack of preparation, information, or equipment. At the same time, I have several irons in the fire and getting to a range with proper distances to make a dope sheet is not easy.

What caliber?

 

[munsonbw]

At the moment I have a TC Compass in 6.5 creedmoor and .223 AR. I have loads for both at ~.7" at 100yds. Not tested further than that yet. I have contemplated building a .223 from a Stiller action I bought, but I wanted to try some sort of competition before deciding the specifics. So the question kind of applies to both, but for now the 6.5CM is probably the better choice?

 

[Mozella]

....... snip..................
Where are you located? I suggest going to observe a match in your area.............. snip...................

Plenty of people where I compete, who are completely new to the sport, shoot on their first visit to a match.

Shooting F Class is a lot like ........... um............. let's say "sex without a partner", which is to say it's a lot more fun doing it than watching it, if you know what I mean.

I would suggest that the OP take his 6.5 Creedmoor to the local 100 yard range and get a real good zero setting on his scope. He should pick his best hand loads, but a good batch of factory ammo would be OK too, especially since there is pretty good commercial ammo available for the 6.5 Creedmoor. Bring at least 70 rounds.

Then grab an old quilt or moving van pad and show up a little bit early at a club level F class match. Consult any ballistics program for how much to adjust your scope to shoot at 600 yards, assuming that's the range used for the match. If that makes no sense, just dial in 12 MOA for big bullets and 14 MOA for small bullets and chances are you'll be on paper at 600. You'll get some sighting rounds to fine tune your aim before you start shooting for score. In some places, a rookie might be offered unlimited (within reason) sighters, so ask about that possibility.

Tell everyone you see that you're a new guy and you need help on EVERYTHING. Somebody will take you under their wing and show you the ropes. Make sure they brief you in detail about how to pull and mark the targets. Pulling targets is not just a way to kill time until it's your turn to shoot again. A bad target puller can negatively effect your shooting partner's score, so give it your best effort. It's not as easy as you might think. It doesn't require a great deal of skill, per se, but it does require concentration.

Then jump right in and when your time comes, start shooting. At my range, they even wave the entry fee for first-timers. Don't be surprised if you have a lot of fun and make some new friends. You'll make friends faster if you carefully obey all the safety regulations, so pay attention to the safety briefing. Don't forget that the vast number of club level matches are organized and run by unpaid volunteers. Shooters are often expected to do a certain amount of setting up and putting away, so arrive a little early and hang around to lend a hand where necessary.

 

[50bmg1979]

This seems like an appropriate place to ask my potentially silly question, and I think it is partially answered by SWRichmond already. I would like to try my hand at a match some time, but until I find a mentor I am here asking questions. I have access to a range that gets me out to 350yds, but how does one get on target at 600+? Ballistics data is mentioned, but at the moment I don't have a chrono. What then? I always am fearful of showing up to a match with people who are serious about competing and being "that guy" that does something stupid due to lack of preparation, information, or equipment. At the same time, I have several irons in the fire and getting to a range with proper distances to make a dope sheet is not easy.

Musonbow, where are you located

 

[MikeMcCasland]

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.

OP, pretty much everything SWRichmond posted is accurate in my experience. I shot my first one in October of this year, and I was hooked from the very first string.

Although you'll be running equipment that probably isn't ideal, I suspect most shooters will be very accepting/welcoming to you.

I was shooting a 260 Rem with a GAP camo stock and a Vortex Razor scope, with a flash hider/suppressor mount, off an atlas bipod; basically the antithesis of a proper F-Open setup. Nobody really said a word about it.

It also just so happened that a 4-5 members from this forum shot there, and I got to meet them in person, and they were very helpful in explaining everything.

I will say the nicest thing about going to this event was actually hanging around good shooters. I shoot a public ranges out of convenience more often than not, and it's full of a lot of lower skill level shooters (not knocking them; just how it is). At the match I attended, there really wasn't a newbie/low-skill shooter out there; everyone was an advanced shooter/handloader etc. I know it's odd to say, but just being in that environment was extremely refreshing, and I learned as much from one day of a match than I would have from 2 months of solid range time.

Some tips I'd give:

• Make damn sure you just go shoot one; don't go watch, just go shoot. As long as you know your drops and are safe, it shouldn't be a problem.
• Get some glasses that won't fog up on you.
• Pay careful attention in the pits; probably take you 4-5 shots to figure out how it works.
• You will likely not come close to being in contention for any prizes; shoot against yourself, not the other shooters.
• Accept that you'll immediately be spending lots of money on(or figuring out how long you have to eat ramen to afford) a new build that's properly configured. F-T/R is probably easier to "break into the game" than jumping into F-Open.

 

[LGKLAS]

Great help you guys and encouraging too. Thank you, lg !!

 

[LGKLAS]

This seems like an appropriate place to ask my potentially silly question, and I think it is partially answered by SWRichmond already. I would like to try my hand at a match some time, but until I find a mentor I am here asking questions. I have access to a range that gets me out to 350yds, but how does one get on target at 600+? Ballistics data is mentioned, but at the moment I don't have a chrono. What then? I always am fearful of showing up to a match with people who are serious about competing and being "that guy" that does something stupid due to lack of preparation, information, or equipment. At the same time, I have several irons in the fire and getting to a range with proper distances to make a dope sheet is not easy.

Munsonbw- 'You don't have a chrono, what now?': if you shoot your 6.5 CM at 350 and can tell me either in MOA or Mils what your come-up is on your scope, your barrel length and what your bullet weight and its BC (on its box) you are loading, or what bullet and weight is, powder used and charge weight; I think I can calculate an approximate muzzle velocity for your load. And then using my ballistics app, get your come-up for 600. My solution won't be exact but it will, well 'should', get you on the paper and you can adjust from there. (you get a couple 'sighters' or so)

There are others here who can do the same thing, and others with QuickLoad, so if I am off , others can correct the solution. I think as a group we can get you on at 600.

 

[okshooter]

As a match director, I have told many new shooters, if you have a good 100 yard zero, dial in 13 MOA and you will be close enough to fine tune with sighters and have never been proven wrong. We do allow unlimited sighters on the first match, and that should be asked about before you arrive. I also assume most ranges are like mine, in that, if you let those around you know you are new and want to learn, you're gonna come away with more guidance then you'll know what to do with. Don't go watch, take a rifle and join in, you will learn a lot more, and have a lot more fun. We were all new once and had to learn the same things, but most are more willing to stop what they are doing to help a fellow shooter then to talk to a spectator that comes up during the middle of a match.

 

[kzin]

This seems like an appropriate place to ask my potentially silly question, and I think it is partially answered by SWRichmond already. I would like to try my hand at a match some time, but until I find a mentor I am here asking questions. I have access to a range that gets me out to 350yds, but how does one get on target at 600+? Ballistics data is mentioned, but at the moment I don't have a chrono. What then? I always am fearful of showing up to a match with people who are serious about competing and being "that guy" that does something stupid due to lack of preparation, information, or equipment. At the same time, I have several irons in the fire and getting to a range with proper distances to make a dope sheet is not easy.

1. any sort of reasonable guess based on factory loads or other peoples loads
2. free calculator http://www.shooterscalculator.com/
3. easily on paper

pro-tip: after you calculate the come up in clicks do not apply to the WINDAGE turret.

 

[munsonbw]

Thanks for all the great advice. I am sure that you guys are representative of the match community and I will get lots of help. I am not too far from the CMP range in Talledega but I have to be honest, looking at pics of that place is pretty intimidating. My first IDPA match was at a small local club with about 20 people and that made the experience less overwhelming.

Yes, I know I need a chrono. Just haven't added it to the equipment list. Thanks for the offer on a firing solution, LGKLAS.

I am in Hartselle, AL, which is roughly halfway between Huntsville and Birmingham.

 

[Mozella]

As a match director, I have told many new shooters, if you have a good 100 yard zero, dial in 13 MOA and you will be close enough to fine tune with sighters and have never been proven wrong. ...... snip............

You're absolutely correct, but it should be mentioned that you're talking about the difference between a correct 100yd zero and a 600 yard target. I go further and recommend 13 as a general rule, but 14 for little slow bullets and 12 for big fast bullets.Don't be surprised if the first shot is in the black.

 

[LGKLAS]

As a match director, I have told many new shooters, if you have a good 100 yard zero, dial in 13 MOA and you will be close enough to fine tune with sighters and have never been proven wrong. We do allow unlimited sighters on the first match, and that should be asked about before you arrive. I also assume most ranges are like mine, in that, if you let those around you know you are new and want to learn, you're gonna come away with more guidance then you'll know what to do with. Don't go watch, take a rifle and join in, you will learn a lot more, and have a lot more fun. We were all new once and had to learn the same things, but most are more willing to stop what they are doing to help a fellow shooter then to talk to a spectator that comes up during the middle of a match.

Okshooter: That's amazing!! 13 MOA. I use Strelok Pro and for the heck of it plugged in 600 yards using my rifle's data and came up with a solution of 12.9 MOA . Munsonbw, you are on your way! Thanks a lot okshooter. lg

 

[ED3]

This seems like an appropriate place to ask my potentially silly question, and I think it is partially answered by SWRichmond already. I would like to try my hand at a match some time, but until I find a mentor I am here asking questions. I have access to a range that gets me out to 350yds, but how does one get on target at 600+? Ballistics data is mentioned, but at the moment I don't have a chrono. What then? I always am fearful of showing up to a match with people who are serious about competing and being "that guy" that does something stupid due to lack of preparation, information, or equipment. At the same time, I have several irons in the fire and getting to a range with proper distances to make a dope sheet is not easy.

You could 'reverse engineer' some data by getting a 100 yd zero, and the shooting at 300. Find ballistic data that matches the drop for your bullet, and make some assumptions about velocity.

At a local club, new shooters are asked to show up with a 100 yd zero, then add 5MOA and shoot at 300. You should on paper. Then the next step is to add 11 MOA (to the 300 td zero), and shoot at 600. Again, you should be on paper.

Having a good spotter watching your impacts at 300, and 600 will speed things up.

If you can do this before match day, or at an informal match, you should be good to go.

If you intend to shoot a specific match, contact the range, or match director well in advance, and ask for advice.

Don't be afraid to ask for help at the range. If they have time(not running a match, etc), most will talk your ear off giving advice to help you get started.

Good Luck

 

[SWRichmond]

jbmballistics.com has trajectory calculators. Pick your bullet, velocity (guess based on published reloading data is close enough), sight height, barrel twist, tell it 100 yard zero and hit "calculate". It will produce elevation adjustments in 100 yard increments. Print it out, have a good 100 yard zero and go shoot.

 

[Damfino]

Thanks for all the great advice. I am sure that you guys are representative of the match community and I will get lots of help. I am not too far from the CMP range in Talledega but I have to be honest, looking at pics of that place is pretty intimidating. My first IDPA match was at a small local club with about 20 people and that made the experience less overwhelming.

Yes, I know I need a chrono. Just haven't added it to the equipment list. Thanks for the offer on a firing solution, LGKLAS.

I am in Hartselle, AL, which is roughly halfway between Huntsville and Birmingham.

You're getting some great advice and time/effort/money saving insights here. I'm in the Huntsville/Scottsboro AL area. A number of F-class shooters are in your area. You have former national champions in Athens and Huntsville. We shoot 300/600 yards at the the CMP facility in Talladega and 600/1000 yards at the AEDC facility in Tullahoma, TN (not that far from you--see midsouthmarksmen.com for more information).

I think the fear of embarrassment is a real impediment to competitive shooting, but effective preparation greatly reduces potentially embarrassing results and taking heed of the information here puts you well on the way to good results. Club matches for Tullahoma should start sometime in January/February so you have plenty of time to get ready and reduce your stress level. I enjoy shooting a variety of disciplines, but nothing beats the challenge (and often frustration) of shooting at 1,000 yards. Please PM me, I'd be glad to help any way I can.

 

[munsonbw]

Thanks to everyone for the advice and encouragement. One obstacle I have is that none of my current rifles are ideal for F-class, but I also recognize in myself that I get over focused on the gear and fail to actually execute. It is good to know there are many willing people to guide me with what I have and I can grow from there.

Damfino, I'll drop you a pm. Thanks!

 

[creedfan]

Thanks for all the great advice. I am sure that you guys are representative of the match community and I will get lots of help. I am not too far from the CMP range in Talledega but I have to be honest, looking at pics of that place is pretty intimidating. My first IDPA match was at a small local club with about 20 people and that made the experience less overwhelming.

Yes, I know I need a chrono. Just haven't added it to the equipment list. Thanks for the offer on a firing solution, LGKLAS.

I am in Hartselle, AL, which is roughly halfway between Huntsville and Birmingham.

They are having a Midrange f class match this Saturday the 17th at the CMP. grab Your gun and ammo and come on down and have fun. PM me I will give you my info so you can look me up and I will help you out all that I can