Shooters Poll -- Sling and F-Class

[brshtr]

I've shot with a sling for some years but recently started shooting F-Class as well, so I'm curious about the journey others have had. If you shoot or have shot both with sling and F-Class, please tell me:

1. Did you start with one of them and then move permanently to the other?

2. Did you start with one and now shoot both?

3. Have you gone back and forth?

Thank you.

Dave Rabin

 

[Lbart]

Dave,
I shot sling of various disciplines (SB, NMC, Palma) from '66 to '99 before switching to FC in '99. I haven't looked back. I have not gone back and forth and have shot FO only since '99.

 

[usftr]

Started with FClass in 2005 with the help of a sling shooter, Reid Perry. I've stayed with FClass.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

I shot sling from 1983 to 2007, initially HP (service rifle and later bolt gun), then HP/LR, then Palma/LR. Starting in 2008, I shot F-TR (got bored), and went to F-Open continuously after 2009.

Danny Biggs
Team Berger/Bartlein,SEB

 

[FatBoy]

I started ground floor (before there was a US F Class) shooting what is now F TR in 2001. Progressed to F Open in 2002 and picked up sling shooting in 2003. Since moving to prone, I have stuck with it.

 

[Damfino]

Languished for years in in service rifle, then to F-TR.

 

[swd]

I've only shot F for 2 years. Never shot sling and don't have any desire to at this moment. But you never know. Seeing guys wearing a jacket on a 100 degree day makes me feel ill. Sounds like a winter sport to me.

 

[Medic505]

I shot some sling in the early 70's with a model 70 Winchester and an FN-FAL that Doc had brought back from the World Palma Championships in South Africa.
Julius "Doc" Meaker was my mentor. I wish I had listened a little closer and absorbed more of his wisdom. He was a phenomenal shooter with anything he picked up.

In 2010 I attended Larry Bartholome's school of F-Class in Trinidad Co. Best thing shooting wise I ever did. F-TR junkie ever since.

 

[coford]

I shot sling in the mid 80's but it died off at our club. I started up the F-Class thing at our club around 2008 and got serious about F-Class in 2012. Never want to go back to a jacket in 100 degree temperatures!

 

[jr600yd]

I shot sling for years XTC, Palma, any/any, service rifle, match rifle. paticipation in these disciplines declined greatly as F class took off. Now I only shoot F class. No more leather jacket in 90+ temps. Shooting is fun again.

 

[dcali]

I started with service rifle. Now i shoot whatever i can. Sling, xc, f class. Whatever. Turns out thats mostly f class these days, but not for any particular reason.

 

[gme]

sling shooting is my first love but I enjoy shooting both (along with some tactical/field matches)

 

[watercam]

+1 with GME. I like the challenge and frankly part of that is dealing with conditions regardless of the comfort level. Makes me feel like I did something at the end of the day. And I have no problem being told how crazy I am for it!

 

[Kings X]

Started with NMC (XTC) in the late 70s.
Have shot a lot of different stuff since then. Picked up F Class a few years back. Bounce between Open and F/TR.
Made a mistake and sold my M1A. Now trying to master the AR with a scope. Having a great life.

 

[gibrass]

Started shooting "sling" with small bore in high school beginning in 1964, continued thru college and even a few years after graduation. Took up XTC High Power in 1982, all the while shooting occasional LR. Finally had to give up XTC due to knee problems, but continued LR. Shot Camp Perry continuously from 1983 to about 2009. Did try F Class off and on starting about 2006, but found in much more challenging than LR sling. Became so frustrated, that I don't even try F Class anymore. Granted, on hot days, that coat is miserable, but sling shooting is not nearly the mental challenge as F Class. I will probably transition to F Class when the eyes can no longer shoot irons, but will hold out as long as possible. Sadly, I see more sling shooters dropping out due to age and eyesight issues, but later on they are back, shooting F Class. F Class does give many shooters a "new lease on life". Yet it seems to me, is much more a challenge than sling.

Jeff Bartlett

 

[Down South]

Started shooting F class (FTR) in August 2012......Got hooked and never looked back, I would like to try my hand at sling shooting one day though.

 

[Mozella]

I shot sling for one day as a 19 year old Seaman Recruit in the U.S. Navy using an old clapped-out M-1. Then, 51 years later at age 70 I took up F-Class.

 

[SDDasher]

Began competitive Highpower shooting NMC (XTC) in 1993 @ 43 yoa. During these funfilled weekend trips to ranges around the Southeast; sling & Coat shooters ruled. Then gradually one lone shooter (Mr. Walter Strohman a colleague Mr Bartholome) was shooting way down on the end with a rest from the prone position during the 600yd relay. Gradually at mid range & long range more (usually older) shooters joined Walter. Now-Days the reverse is what I usually find at most matches.
I believe in past experience pays rewards so am thankful for all I learned from mentors, fellow shooters and friends during my C&S days. Wind reading then and now was king; so in a way some things never change.
Would only wish I had started younger in life, but no regrets.

 

[Cody Richardson]

I started shooting sling as a junior in 2005, shot service rifle for 4 years. Took a brief hilarious until 2013 due to a collegiate baseball career. Came back shot xtc/mr/LR with a tube gun in 6br, then ended up just converting to f-open and haven't looked back since. I do miss shooting sling but not sweating my tail of on hot summer days!

 

[338 Mollett]

I shoot sling in the spring and fall,and F open in the heat. It's fun to fight the wobble.Now for a clarification on my friend Jeff Bartlett,He will not let me or Jim Murphy build him a true F open rifle.Instead a Daisy with a bipod remains the weapon of choice!