1st F-Class (300 yards)

[Walkalong]

I bought a used FN SPR, put a Viper HS I had bought earlier in the year on it, (On sale) then signed up for an F Class match at the range. I bought 100 Hornady 168 Gr match bullets and some Lapua brass (On sale). I managed to get a load that shot clean and got on paper last weekend, but did not have enough bullets to tweak anything or practice. (Will the people who bought up all the 168s in the world please raise your hand. I have 5 left.)

It was cool and overcast, I had no low stand for my spotting scope, and I could not see my shots on target, only the sighters on the Shoot N C. That makes it impossible to adjust while shooting for record.

My first "grouping" was basically high. I over adjusted on the second target, so I was too low, but I did manage to tighten things up. That was good. The 6? Maybe it was the muzzle break on my right. Nah, just me.

I learned two things right away. My scope is too high for the stock and my bipod is to long. Oh, and I need a stand, and perhaps a better spotting scope. And a bubble level.

Shooting off of a bipod sure is different than shooting off a front rest while seated at a bench. It is going to take some getting used to.

The scorer was pretty generous with my 1X on the second target. It barely touched the X ring.

My poor shooting dang sure wasn't the conditions (They were good), as the fellow on my left shot a 200 10X on his first target, and then a 199 (?X) on his second one. Superb shooting on his part.

My targets.

 

[esheato]

Gotta start somewhere....I've got a feeling you're sandbagging a bit too.

Looks like fun though.

 

[Trent]

Nice shooting walkalong!

 

[Sam1911]

Very cool! This is definitely on my "to do" list!

 

[Walkalong]

.I've got a feeling you're sandbagging

As in inconsistent handling/rolling/angling/whatever the bag?

On a bench all powdered up the dang thing sits still.

What bipods do folks recommend?

 

[BullfrogKen]

Nice shooting.

I'd much rather shoot on a full target at 600 yards than those 300 yard reduced targets any day.


Can you put a shorter set of rings on it, or will the objective lense not permit it?

I've seen some folks in that situation add material to their stock to get the proper cheekweld. Nothing permanent, just something that had some rigidity and won't move around.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I used a Harris mid-sized set when I shot F-class. The BR set is too short when the grass on a range isn't freshly mowed.

 

[dubbleA]

This is a older model Sinclair, it's much more stable than the Harris type. There are a few different makes of F class oriented bipods out there. Sinclair's new generation 3 is equipped with a quick elevation adjustment.

 

[MCMXI]

Good job on your first match. I think the 300 yard stage is the toughest of all, particularly when you consider that the X-ring is only 1.4" in diameter! It makes a difference lying down on the ground and shooting within a time limit, not to mention the mental fatigue of shooting that many rounds and concentrating for each and every shot. What power is your Vortex? Is anyone pulling your targets at each stage?

What bipods do folks recommend?

I think the Sinclair F-Class bipods shown below are an abomination for F-T/R but they don't break the rules and they're common among the top F-T/R shooters. I feel that the rules should be changed to state that bipod legs cannot be directly and rigidly connected to each other. Then again the "T" in F-T/R stands for "target" and not "tactical" so who cares what I think.

Maybe it was the muzzle break on my right

Not allowed in F-Class so kick his butt off the firing line!!

 

[MCMXI]

I don't think you "need" a Sinclair bipod to be competitive but there's no question that it's easier to be competitive with one vs. using a "tactical" style bipod. I used an Accuracy International steel bipod with no anti-cant lock to shoot the F-Class score shown below at 300 yards.

 

[Walkalong]

Can you put a shorter set of rings on it,

Yes, and will in time.

The BR set is too short when the grass on a range isn't freshly mowed.

Good point.

I think the Sinclair F-Class bipods shown below are an abomination for F-T/R

I want something more portable. This isn't an F Class rifle, just a rifle I am shooting F Class with. I wanted a rifle to shoot to around 600 yards or so, portable and versatile. F Class is a great way to learn to shoot it. That "bipod" wouldn't work for that. I agree, might as well use a front rest as that Sinclair "bipod". I don't understand why they are allowed. The fellow next to me had a really nice on he said a fellow in Selma made. I did not fold, you screw the adjustable legs on and off.

What scope stands work well for the price? The low kind I can use while prone. It bites not knowing where the rounds are hitting. I have a midrange spotting scope. A Celestron 80F-ED. I am open to buying a better one this year. Any opinions there would be helpful.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[esheato]

As in inconsistent handling/rolling/angling/whatever the bag?

No, I know you used to shoot BR and I'm fairly confident you're an above average shooter. Give it a few matches to learn the quirks of this game, and you'll be crushing them.

 

[Trent]

What calibers are people using in F-Class?

 

[BullfrogKen]

What esheato said!!!

I shot F-class for the same reason you are - just because its a good way to learn. I didn't bring along anything with me I wouldn't have had with me out in the field hunting groundhogs.


Walk and paste matches like you're shooting at 300 yards are tough, because you can't see your impacts and adjust for them.

 

[Walkalong]

I am tempted to shoot F Class open with my .222 Mag as well. At least I have bullets for it.

My 3 sighters (All I shot) for the first 20 rounds would have all been in the 10 ring, if not X's, but then I shot a terrible grouping on the record target. I was frustrated by not knowing where the bullets were hitting, and that probably hurt me. I had anywhere from about 1/2" to 1" of the stock on the bag to get high enough to get the crosshairs on target. That isn't very stable. I think my first priority is to get a better suited bipod. I'll use my better quality bag next time as well. Or probably buy a new one. My good one is in the Bench Box I made for the line, and I am funny about using it for a different rifle, as in I never have.

 

[BullfrogKen]

For a bag I used something I made by hand. I got some waterproof packcloth, a length of 550 cord, and a big jug of airsoft pellets and made my own. I would hang it around my neck when I would walk the fields shooting groundhogs.


Sure, try your .222. Or try a front rest. They're both legal in Open class.

 

[Walkalong]

I am either going to have to pay too much (GB), or trade for some 168s. I bought 500 M118 pulls, but don't want to shoot them just yet.

 

[Jim Watson]

300 yd F class, whereat? Montgomery?

 

[Walkalong]

Central Alabama Gun Club

http://centralalabamagunclub.com/main/index.php

Leave Montgomery on I 85 North (Running West), get off at the Waugh Cecil exit, continue on 80, then take a right on County Rd 2. Near Shorter Al.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=e....362273,-86.039772&spn=0.183279,0.254402&z=12

 

[Walkalong]

Walk and paste matches

I wish. We shot twenty, then they went to get them to score. 20 blind shots without a spotter.

What is the reasoning behind black targets?

 

[BullfrogKen]

Yeah, that's not a great way to run a match. I never liked trying to compete on a range with no pits.


So I don't.

 

[MCMXI]

Walk and paste matches like you're shooting at 300 yards are tough, because you can't see your impacts and adjust for them.

Not necessarily. If you have good optics on your rifle or a quality spotting scope such that you CAN see your hits, then not having your target pulled each shot can be a HUGE advantage. When someone is pulling your target, they can really affect your rhythm and drastically cut down on your time to shoot. Poor pit service sucks!!

How do people shoot 300 yard benchrest matches? You don't have target pullers for that right? You get to bang away when the conditions are "ideal". You aren't waiting for the target to come up and settle down.

Good optics is the key for these matches. I have a Leupold 40X spotting scope and can see hits at 300 yards.

 

[Walkalong]

I need one of those stands for setting up a spotting scope low for prone use. Then see if my spotting scope is good enough to see .30 cal bullet holes in the black at 300 yards.

 

[MCMXI]

Walkalong, you mentioned that the shooter next to you shot a very good score. What was he/she using to see their hits?

 

[Jim Watson]

I know where CAGC is, in fact I will be there in April for the Alabama State IDPA.

I have not shot in one of those pitless wonders there or in Birmingham. Maybe this season, schedules permitting.