Starting F-Class rig

[DLrocket89]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning on getting into F-class next year (probably have said that 3 times now, but I think the financial winds are aligning to make it a reality).

What I'd be looking at for a rig is the following:

Savage long action (trigger modified to be about 1.5 pounds) (already own)
30" PacNor barrel in 6.5x284 (1" straight bull barrel) (already own)
XLR Evolution Chassis (would need to buy)
Athlon Argos 8-34x56 scope (already own)

In particular I'm worried about the scope - the best it's really good for is 26-30x, it really gets out of contrast above that...and where I am (east/central Wisconsin), from what I can tell the only match I can really make it to is in Lodi Wi (at Winnequah), which is 1000+ yards. The furthest I've shot so far is 450 yards, the longest practice I could get first is 600 yards...so, I'd likely be going into a 1000 yard match having never shot 1000 yards before with a scope that is marginal. I'm not sure if that's enough scope? From what I've read elsewhere it should be OK.

I'm not expecting to win obviously, just want to give it a shot and see how it goes.

Thoughts?

Also - how many rounds of ammo do people bring typically?

Thanks everyone!

Dustin
Port Washington, WI

 

[troy fairweather]

10 power is all u need for 1000 yards

 

[cadet3]

10 power is all u need for 1000 yards

It will work, but a 10x scope will hold him back shooting F-open at 1k, when his competition is shooting 50-60x scopes. His current scope is a better option right now.

At this point in the game I wouldn't focus on your equipment so much. That will start to change as you attend matches and see what other people are shooting on the line. First few matches learn the rules and the sequence of the match. Learn how to provide quick and accurate pit service, unless they're using electronic targets.

As a new long range shooter the wind wont be your friend. Your equipment probably wont be what will hold you back your first year of shooting F-open. Its simply going to be wind reading ability and the accuracy of the rounds you load.

Typically you'll shoot a 60 round match. I would bring at least 100 rounds, if not more because it will be your first time shooting at 1k. You'll likely burn a lot of ammo on your sighters.

 

[Soupy44]

My advice is to go, shoot, have fun! I shoot 1000 rarely, but it's a lot of fun. Hopefully your first day is relatively calm.

Get a zero for 600 and your muzzle velocity and you'll easily be on paper at 1000. You usually get sighters shots in 1000y matches. Talk to the folks around you when you get there. If you have your 600 zero and muzzle velocity along with the bullet you're shooting, they can tell you how much to come up if you're not sure.

After that, shoot! You'll learn your lessons as you go.

 

[DLrocket89]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

The only "issue" I've found is that there aren't as many places to shoot F-class...I guess I've gotten spoiled shooting USPSA where every weekend I have a match (or two) that I can shoot within 2 hours of me. Should be able to make a few matches next year though.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think your scope is fine. I started at 10 because that was the most I had.
I ended up with an 8-24X and was shooting at 18-24 depending on conditions.
My friend who stayed with it is up into the 36X if not more.

Given bullet BC and velocity, you can work your way out getting sight dope at 450 and 600 with computed come-up for 1000. You will get plenty of help on the range.
When you have an accurate load - there are some well known velocity "nodes" - stop tinkering for that last tenth of a minute. Barrel life is short and you will likely want to save it for matches.

 

[Soupy44]

Get to your first match and you'll be able to talk to folks who know where to go for more matches. The first step is always the toughest. You'll find your momentum in the sport quickly after your first match.

 

[DLrocket89]

Soupy - I asked my mother"s friends (he shoots high power) and he said that frequently at his matches, off at the end of the firing line, there will be a few F-class guys that the match organizers let shoot too. I'm hoping to get to a match and then find out some more things like that.

Jim - one of the reasons I went with 6.5x284 is it's a pretty well known quantity, so I have lots of info to start with there. When I ordered the barrel, I got a 1:7 twist though, so it'll stabilize the new Sierra 150 grain (it was new when I ordered the barrel at least) high BC thing. I'll have to look around and see if anyone has posted any info on that. Otherwise I'll just shoot 142 grain ELD-Xs and be happy with the results.

 

[Jim Watson]

Mixed matches are fairly common, I shot some F class with Palma and high power. Just have to be careful to put up the right targets. F targets are half the size of sling shooter targets, commonly called the "half minute target" from the diameter of the X ring. Ten ring is one MOA, changed to avoid clean ties off bipod.

 

[Nature Boy]

@DLrocket89

I shot my first F Class match exactly one year ago and I'm hooked. Took my kids over the summer and they love it.

I think what you have in equipment is a good foundation, including the choice of rifle, cartridge and scope. You really won't know what you need until you get a few matches under your belt, talk to fellow shoots and see what they're doing first hand. Most club matches allow seasoned shooters to help new shooters during the matches so there will be plenty of folks to walk you through it. Honesty, it's pretty simple and you'll realize that after you get one under your belt.

You'll need a few things that you didn't have on your list.

Given your cartridge, you'll be shooting in F Open class. You're allowed to use a front rest. You can spend a lot or a little but you'll need one. F/TR is for .223 and .308 only, and restricted to bipods. You can use a bipod in F Open too, and to start out that would be OK, but it won't be for the long run.

You'll need a good rear bag. Something with ears for the butt to slide in.

Get a shooting mat. Find one on sale. No need for fancy here

You'll need a chair to sit in when scoring for your fellow shooter along with either a spotting scope or pair of binos

Re: your question on how many rounds. Generally there are 3 matches. Each one consisting of sighting rounds and 20 shots for record. Usually the first match will allow unlimited sighters but the subsequent matches are limited to 2 per. You have 22 min per match to shoot your sighters and rounds for record.

So,
20 shots for record x 3 = 60 rounds + 10 sighters for first match + 2 for second match + 2 for third match = ~74 rounds

I'll add more as I think about it.

 

[DLrocket89]

Nature Boy - thanks for taking the time to type that all out, good info all around.

As far as the rest goes, I was thinking this: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Triangle-Windage-Rest-Cast-Iron/BE1153 I'm sure there are some out there that are fancier and whatnot, but I think that that'll work.

Yeah, need to get a mat. I can borrow a good spotting scope to at least get started.

Regarding rounds, I was planning on buying 200 pieces of brass, load up at least 150 for a match. Better to have and not need than to need and not have...

 

[Nature Boy]

As far as the rest goes, I was thinking this: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Triangle-Windage-Rest-Cast-Iron/BE1153

That is a good one and often recommended for new shooters.

was planning on buying 200 pieces of brass, load up at least 150 for a match. Better to have and not need than to need and not have...

I have 200 pieces of brass for each of the 3 calibers I'm shooting in F Class (.308/.223/6BRA). That's a good number to start with. Buy more when you see it on sale and stash it away.

Do your load development at 100 yards and when you get a load that's consistently better than 5 shot - 1/2 MOA, go to your 600 yard lane and practice 20 shot strings and work on your consistency and recoil management. You'll see a lot of improvement when you get your body alignment and interface with the rifle to the point where it's tracking straight back under recoil, and doing it the same every time.