Things you wish you knew F-TR and F-class
- Thread starter scissorhands
- Start date
dcali
Bullet Maker
Read the rule book.
Don't blame yourself when the rifle is the problem. If you're not shooting master scores within a few matches, it's probably the rifle. Often, it's not the indian, it's the arrow.
Don't skimp on the rifle. Do skimp on every other piece of gear until you know why you want it. "Because it's cool" is a valid reason, just know that's what you're doing. You don't need 90% of the stuff discussed online to be hyper-competitive. The difference between budget gear and stupid expensive gear is usually convenience or just general quality, not function.
Aside from the rifle, one piece of gear you do want to splurge on is a shotmarker e target. They're a bit spendy, but the utility/dollar is high. They're great for practice, and if you have a good chronograph (a labradar, for example), it can help a lot with things like ladder tests. Autotricklers are also really convenient, but not strictly necessary.
Learn to do load development PROPERLY. This is a big topic, but it's one that holds shooters back. There is a lot of bad advice online, this forum included. It is what it is. Take the time to figure it out and understand the whys.
When setting up your rifle, just copy what other serious shooters are using. Don't reinvent the wheel. For .308 that means a 185 to 200 grain bullet, a freebore of about .170, 10-11" twist, small primer brass (this is important !!!!), 30" barrel, a 40ish power scope, and a stock that looks somewhat like a McMillan XIT. Ski type bipods are the most common. This is not to say you can't shoot well with some off the wall stuff, but there's a reason most good TR rifles look pretty much the same.
A caveat on bullets. It's not bad to start with those 175s and then work your way up to 185, then 200. The lighter recoil is nice, but more importantly, your wind misses will be more obvious and that helps with learning.
And finally, be wary of sponsored shooters. If someone is constantly promoting a certain brand out of the blue, chances are they're getting some sort of compensation. There's a lot of good gear out there. Don't fall for the marketing traps.
Don't blame yourself when the rifle is the problem. If you're not shooting master scores within a few matches, it's probably the rifle. Often, it's not the indian, it's the arrow.
Don't skimp on the rifle. Do skimp on every other piece of gear until you know why you want it. "Because it's cool" is a valid reason, just know that's what you're doing. You don't need 90% of the stuff discussed online to be hyper-competitive. The difference between budget gear and stupid expensive gear is usually convenience or just general quality, not function.
Aside from the rifle, one piece of gear you do want to splurge on is a shotmarker e target. They're a bit spendy, but the utility/dollar is high. They're great for practice, and if you have a good chronograph (a labradar, for example), it can help a lot with things like ladder tests. Autotricklers are also really convenient, but not strictly necessary.
Learn to do load development PROPERLY. This is a big topic, but it's one that holds shooters back. There is a lot of bad advice online, this forum included. It is what it is. Take the time to figure it out and understand the whys.
When setting up your rifle, just copy what other serious shooters are using. Don't reinvent the wheel. For .308 that means a 185 to 200 grain bullet, a freebore of about .170, 10-11" twist, small primer brass (this is important !!!!), 30" barrel, a 40ish power scope, and a stock that looks somewhat like a McMillan XIT. Ski type bipods are the most common. This is not to say you can't shoot well with some off the wall stuff, but there's a reason most good TR rifles look pretty much the same.
A caveat on bullets. It's not bad to start with those 175s and then work your way up to 185, then 200. The lighter recoil is nice, but more importantly, your wind misses will be more obvious and that helps with learning.
And finally, be wary of sponsored shooters. If someone is constantly promoting a certain brand out of the blue, chances are they're getting some sort of compensation. There's a lot of good gear out there. Don't fall for the marketing traps.
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I didn't realize how fortunateI am to have such a great range so close. I will be shooting mainly at Bayou, seems like a great bunch of guys and gals. I will shoot the 185's at 1000.I see you're down in Houston. If you're shooting at Bayou, they'll set you on the right path very quickly.
My suggestion is the same as others. You'll be shooting 185s soon enough, and I'm guessing a 10 twist barrel and some 20Xs will come shortly thereafter.
Gun handling matters more than you think; you'll figure that out in good time though.
Get a 22 rimfire that shoots!
Find a 100 yd range that is open to the wind, learn how to read the wind.
If you do then start shooting centerfire f class.
I have watched new f class shooters come and go , the ave. life expantcy is about 6 years here in Michigan.
You can't buy your way to the top, you must be able to read conditions.
Steve Bair
Find a 100 yd range that is open to the wind, learn how to read the wind.
If you do then start shooting centerfire f class.
I have watched new f class shooters come and go , the ave. life expantcy is about 6 years here in Michigan.
You can't buy your way to the top, you must be able to read conditions.
Steve Bair
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Bayou Rifles holds a competition training class every 4 years or so, it seems. The last one was in 2022. We do produce a handbook for the class that gets updated with every class. I had it posted at the website but since the new website is live, I have not had a chance to post it there. If you send DM your email, I will be happy to send you the PDF; it's 5MB in size.
wkdickinson
Gold $$ Contributor
IMO unless you have a "rifle system" (rifle, scope & ammo) consistently capable of shooting all 10's in your chosen discipline, you are "chasing your tail". Without that level of precision, you won't learn very much - was that 8 caused by the wind, the rifle, the ammo or did I just screw up the shot? I often hear advise given to new shooter "start with what you have, you'll learn a lot". Yes, they'll learn a lot, but not much about shooing well. The other thing that happens, is if they are at all competitive, they get terribly frustrated quickly.
That said, it doesn't mean that you have to have a $5K custom rifle built before you can compete. But there is a minimum level of precision required. I was totally amazed by how much flatter the learning curve became, once I had a rifle system that was truly up to the task. Then when I shot a 9 o'clock 8, I knew it was me that caused it.
That said, it doesn't mean that you have to have a $5K custom rifle built before you can compete. But there is a minimum level of precision required. I was totally amazed by how much flatter the learning curve became, once I had a rifle system that was truly up to the task. Then when I shot a 9 o'clock 8, I knew it was me that caused it.
It’s like skiing would be to having a home in the Rockies. The Bayou Juliff range is the country’s only 12 month a year, 1,000 yard, member-accessed-privately-owned, covered, etargt and pulled target range. Texas embraces shooting sports and Bayou is Range Zero.
Most of Bayou’s top shooters are members and live close to the range; joining it is often not possible, but presently, may be. Even if one can’t join, or lives several hours away like me, it holds mid and long range monthly matches.
My thought would be to work out accurate shooting at 300 and 600 in Bayou matches, before using 1,000 yard results as any type of development indicator, as the effects of wind could be misconstrued as weakness in equipment. Those Savage single shots can be extremely accurate, but I don’t know if they changed the twist since I used them to handle 200 grain class bullets.
drop_point
Silver $$ Contributor
Question for the F-T/R guys and F guys in general I suppose, is there a reason why the BigHorn TL3 isn’t often used? I have a couple of repeater actions and they are great for PRS and for hunting. They do make a single shot action. I really like the ability to swap bolt heads (say I want shoot a .308 now and the ability to switch to a 7-6.5PRC down the road and shoot open). Plus, I already have an action wrench.
Would I be doing myself a disservice using a Big Horn (Zermatt) action?
Would I be doing myself a disservice using a Big Horn (Zermatt) action?
It is crazy, that in this day, it is so hard to find matches and the places they are shot.
Imagine if it were stupid easy. Type in where to shoot (whatever discipline) and find a map referenced by zip code or city with links to schedules and sign ups.
wkdickinson
Gold $$ Contributor
LOL - there is no limit!
Warren Dean
Team Savage F-TR
Have you tried this?
Where to shoot Fclass this weekend!
There's a. 600 yard match in Laurel Mississippi at bar 3 Saturday Memphis Tn, MSSA 600y Saturday Camp Atteberry Indiana 1000y Saturday AEDC Sunday 1000y
forum.accurateshooter.com
Lots of matches are advertised here. Keep an eye out for information.
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Warren Dean
Team Savage F-TR
Sounds like you need to ask around more and develop a network of shooters/friends that can keep you abreast of what matches are coming up.
I was more nervous about scoring and working the pits than anything else in my first match. Sebastian and I thought the "practice shoot" was a come and go as you like to just send a few down range to confirm drops...
Boy were we ever wrong.It was my first time to compete with a rifle as well at any distance (It happened to be at 1000 yards). I was blessed to have some experienced shooters who helped me-It was a great week!
You have been given a lot of good advice. If you don't know, humble yourself and ask.
Remember to be patient with yourself, relax, have fun, and if you can get a mentor/mentors it would be invaluable.
Don't be in a hurry to shoot, but be aware of your time.
If the conditions hold, by all means shoot steady, but don't try to shoot through a major wind change, unless you have no choice.
There are a lot of good people where you will be shooting-Cherish that.
E
MikeMcCasland
Team Texas F-T/R
I suspect you don't see them in F-T/R because a lot of folks are running lightweight actions so they can dump all their weight into the barrel. You probably don't see them in F-Open very often because there are purpose built actions that are better suited for the purpose. They are around though.
That said, assuming the timing/pin-fall/fire-control etc. is all good, I doubt you would see a difference in score between a TL3 and a Borden/Bat/Kelbly.
Generally speaking, repeater actions are just fine for F-Class. If you have serious aspirations of medaling at Nationals, maybe then it'd be something you would want to avoid.
@tylerw02 I know a guy that shoots a TL3 single shot that does good. The floating bolt head worries me.
@anon https://www.fclass.info/
@anon https://www.fclass.info/
Remember to have fun. It is a shooting competition. Focus on the shooting and not chasing the latest and greatest. Hard work wins.
When you get bored.... Try a jacket and some of the 155s.
When you get bored.... Try a jacket and some of the 155s.
drop_point
Silver $$ Contributor
What about the floating head is worrisome, forgive me this is not my area of expertise.
Sandstorm
Gold $$ Contributor
I started out with what I had available to me, back in 2017 with a Tikka A1 X-Tac in 6.5 Creedmoor
and it was semi competitive with 140gr Bergers LRBT.s and Hybrids. Even shot a few cleans at 600.
It was a struggle at times to not drop more than 10 points but man did I have fun the first season.
It taught me the importance of good equipment from bags to barrels and everything in between.
I was fortunate to shoot with some really great shooters who helped me along immensely ( Ben Avery range ) They helped me in deciding what I needed to do since I was'nt about to quit. After that fun struggle of a season I had Lester Bruno build my first real F-open rifle in 284 Shehane and sold the Tikka....lol
It was amazing to actually win a few for a change...Good equipment is a blessing but im real glad
I used what i had and got started when I did.....so my message is go shoot some matches with whatever you have available to you, within reason of course...and by all means have fun.
( P.s Everything else I was lacking I found on this forum. )
and it was semi competitive with 140gr Bergers LRBT.s and Hybrids. Even shot a few cleans at 600.
It was a struggle at times to not drop more than 10 points but man did I have fun the first season.
It taught me the importance of good equipment from bags to barrels and everything in between.
I was fortunate to shoot with some really great shooters who helped me along immensely ( Ben Avery range ) They helped me in deciding what I needed to do since I was'nt about to quit. After that fun struggle of a season I had Lester Bruno build my first real F-open rifle in 284 Shehane and sold the Tikka....lol
It was amazing to actually win a few for a change...Good equipment is a blessing but im real glad
I used what i had and got started when I did.....so my message is go shoot some matches with whatever you have available to you, within reason of course...and by all means have fun.
( P.s Everything else I was lacking I found on this forum. )
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