F-class questions

[taliv]

Q1: is 338 LM legal according to NRA rules for F-class? the way i read the rule (<=.35) seems to indicate it is legal, but i have never seen anyone shooting larger than 300 win mag, and 6/6.5mm are pretty popular

for those of you who shoot f-class @1000 yrds, do you see many 338 caliber guns (LM, RUM, etc) on the line? why/why not?


what are avg/high scores at 1000 yrd matches in your area? are 190s common? what kind of x count do you see in 20-shot matches?


partially, I'm asking because I'm planning to shoot 1000yrd matches this year and can't decide if I'm going to shoot slung in or f-class.

and partially I'm asking because a local "gunsmith" rolled his own stiller action in an AI stock, in 338LM and claimed to have shot a 199-13x shooting f-class from 1000 yrd line at my club. he further claimed that he doesn't even bother to read the wind; he just shoots.

now, my local club posts all match results online, and I went back and looked at all '07 matches and no f-class shooter got anywhere close to that score, although several palma guys were close (or better). in fact, that's 10 points higher than the actual high score i found going back all the way to september.

 

[skinewmexico]

I doubt if anyone shoots them due to the cost, and the recoil. I don't know if there is a rule against it.

 

[Zak Smith]

It's legal unless the local range has some caliber restrictions due to the "danger range" of the different calibers. Some ranges have MV/BC tables that indicate which calibers/loads are allowed. Most don't. Virtually nobody shoots 338LM because NRA HP rules prohibit muzzle brakes. F-Class also has a weight limit. The NRA has seen fit to ban sound suppressors from F-Class also. Put together, 338LM is too punishing within those restrictions to shoot.

With regard to F-class scores, be aware that the F-class target changed from the regular HP 1000-yard target, to a target with 1/2-sized scoring rings, sometime last year. For a 338LM to literally need "no" wind corrections to stay within a 10-inch ring at 1000 yards (at 6000' DA), the wind needs to change less than 2.5 mph total (ie, approx 4 - 4.2" per 1mph cross), while 6.5-284 is only 4.4".

My first, and only F-class, match, shot with my tactical rig last summer on the old targets, was a 191-5x, 191-5x, and 196-3x.

 

[taliv]

thanks Zak, and i was not aware of the suppressor ban although I was aware of the change in targets, which is why i'm strongly considering shooting slung in, instead of F-class.

 

[Jim Watson]

Zak is, as usual, right.
The .338 Lap (and other monster magnums) just kicks too much in a maximum 10 kg/22 lb F-Open rifle to endure.

The NRA got concerned that with scope and rest, F-class scores would get up to 200-20X cleans with no tie breakers. I saw a number of 200s and the X count was creeping up. So they put in the "half minute" (X ring, the 10 is one moa) target. A lot of people got bent out of shape when their scores took an immediate 10 point drop due to the smaller target, they just could not mentally accept that a 190 on the new target was equivalent to a 199 or 200 on the old.

At the Tennessee State Championship last Fall, the winning score was 959-23X, the best individual match was 194-7X.

 

[USSR]

Virtually nobody shoots 338LM because NRA HP rules prohibit muzzle brakes.

Correct. The 6.5mm and 6mm cartridges rule this game, with an occasional 7mm or .30 cal showing up. Thank God we don't have to shoot next to someone with a rifle wearing a muzzle break.

Zak,

The new 5" X-rings are a bitch. Subtract about 10 points from your scores with the old targets.

Don

 

[taliv]

i'll be shooting a 6xc. really looking forward to it.

i'm leaning toward shooting f-class to start. i enjoy shooting from a sling, but since i'm left-handed, i have to come out of position to work the bolt with my left hand (easier than coming out of the sling and glove to work it with my right)

if i shoot f-class, i can work the bolt right-handed

 

[esromvre]

yes the 338 LM is legal for OPEN F-CLASS I shoot one. However if you are looking to you will have some interesting things to look at. one the price for a normal match using approx 60 rounds of factory ammo like BLACK HILLS you are looking at around $300.00 and loading ammo at around $1.93 PER SHOT if you have the brass. if not you jump to $3.88 pr/shot you can do the math on the match.
Than the fun part... The shooter has to be behind the rifle for all the recoil for me I am Lucky I have shot large magnums ALL of my life. and this is large.
the recoil is quite substantial.. and if you don't know the rifle than its more of a down fall to shoot in a match where the X -RING is only 5 inch at 1K. and you are shooting agenst the lighter recoil guns. with shooters that are quite capable as you already know.
I shoot of a bi-pod not a rest because i am more of a F/TR shooter and wont leave that Harris alone.
As for the clubs and matches that I have been at I am the only one that is or has used a BIG .338 LAPUA MAGNUM for a match and most of the people that come and watch all have the same way of thinking after watching this recoil. "Better you behind that than me for that many rounds."
although You would be amazed at how many people are willing to squeeze off one round with it and not wanting to do a second. remember in F-CLASS there is NO MUZZLE BREAKS...

 

[Zak Smith]

loading ammo at around $1.93 PER SHOT if you have the brass.

Reloading 338LM costs about $0.90/shot provided the brass lasts 10 firings, using the 250gr Scenar.