Starting a Journey into F class shooting

H

horsemen61

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
Messages
6,755
Hey Everyone!


Well as you might I have seen I mentioned going to my first F Class Match Last weekend and I’ve Got to say I think I’m Hooked 😃! I am slowly gathering supplies to get into it and thanks to a Very Very Generous Gift from @Nature Boy I am That Much closer to getting started So Again Thank You @Nature Boy!!! I’m going to do my best to keep everyone updated as to how it’s going and what I’m using/trying out thank you for reading have a great Day!
 
Ok so I’ve ordered the following items so far

Shooting Mat from MidwayUSA

500 ELD M’s 88 grain

300 pieces of starline brass 223

Edgewood rear bag

1 bag of sand to fill said bag

New Isso Bore Brush

Ammo caddy with timer


So it’s coming together 😃

I am very excited about this
 
Best of luck. I shot my first couple of matches last year. I wish I had more time to dedicate to it. It is a lot of fun and everyone I’ve met has been very friendly any helpful. I can’t offer much advice other than to remember you are competing against yourself. It doesn’t matter if you come in dead last. I did in both f-class matches I shot. Be a sponge. Soak up everything you can and learn something every time you go out. I’m hoping to shoot a few more matches this year so I can learn some more and get better.
 
Frulk said:
What exactly comprises the ‘F’ class?
Click to expand...


Well for me it means shooting on my belly at 600 yards using a 223 for score I’ll be in the F/TR division which is strictly 223 and 308 (I don’t have a suitable 308 to use btw) I’ll have that bipod and rear rest as shown in the photo someone more knowledgeable will have to fill in the rest for me
 
Frulk said:
What exactly comprises the ‘F’ class?
Click to expand...

Here's an article that provides an overview. https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/getting-started-in-f-class-shooting/83645.

It's essentially prone target shooting at 600 yards (mid-range) or 800-1000 (long range). Usually 3 rounds composed of sighters and then 20-shots for record; slow-fire and single feed. There are two classes: F/TR (223 and 308) and F-Open (basically anything goes up to 35 caliber). F/TR is shot with a fancy bipod and rear rest like the one pictured above. F-Open allows you to use an adjustable benchrest-style front rest instead of the bipod. CMP rules are here if you're interested: https://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Highpower-Rifle-Rules.pdf.

It might seem kinda daunting to shoot at first. But my experience with my local club is that folks are happy to have new shooters show up and will help get you shooting. When I shoot F-Class, I shoot in F-Open with a factory rifle, a Caldwell Rock front rest, and a Protektor rear bag. I'm not competitive, but I get to shoot at 600 yards next to some really good shooters who are happy to teach. My first match they paired me up with a high master who was really helpful between relays teaching me the basics of how to read wind flags and mirage to estimate the wind. You also get pretty instant feedback on where you are hitting. The x-ring is small, but the overall target is big. It sure beat just laying down at 600 and flinging bullets at a target by myself and not knowing what was happening down range or why.
 
Last edited:
Okie Poke. Thanks for that detailed response. I have no desire to take part in F class shooting but found the info very interesting. Learned something today about a shooting sport. That’s always a good thing.
 
Update I went to My 2nd F class Match I didn’t have my gear together so I couldn’t shoot but I still had a blast I’ve got everything I think I need to make sure my ammo is as good as I can make it and then it’s on next month is the Goal Wish Me Luck
 
horsemen61 said:
Update I went to My 2nd F class Match I didn’t have my gear together so I couldn’t shoot but I still had a blast I’ve got everything I think I need to make sure my ammo is as good as I can make it and then it’s on next month is the Goal Wish Me Luck
Click to expand...

Go shoot it! Even if you have to use factory match ammo, you'll learn more shooting than just watching. It's kinda like how you observe the outdoors way more when you're hunting than when you're hiking. After you shoot a relay or two, you'll start to pickup more when watching others shoot because you'll have a better point of reference.
 
Okie_Poke said:
Go shoot it! Even if you have to use factory match ammo, you'll learn more shooting than just watching. It's kinda like how you observe the outdoors way more when you're hunting than when you're hiking. After you shoot a relay or two, you'll start to pickup more when watching others shoot because you'll have a better point of reference.
Click to expand...


I plan to believe me it’s in the works
 
Spats McGee said:
Would you please tell me a little more about that bipod/rest/thingamajig?
Click to expand...



Certainly it is an F class Bipod for Use in the F/TR Division you could use it in F Open but it wouldn’t do you any good there well not much based on what I’ve seen it has Wide Feet to make the rifle stable when your shooting off your belly I believe iirc it’s made by
Sinclair international it is designed best I can tell to slide backwards with the rifle and not hop so to speak I’m sure their are Much More
Knowledgeable Folks around here that can answer more than that @Litetrigger @Varminterror @JFrank @Walkalong @Nature Boy @taliv all come to mind here hopefully they see this and chime in
 
IMG_6548.jpeg

Yup - Sinclair Skipod, made to let the rifle track backwards as if it were riding a front rest, but without the front rest. I have the older Gen rocker feet on mine.

My newest belly gun uses an Accutac WB4 converted to skis, since the rule set for these matches sometimes require the bipod to be foldable, which isn’t possible with the Sinclair skipod.

IMG_0178.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
I went to my first 600 yard F class match yesterday
Replies
5
Views
223
horsemen61
H
L
  • Locked
Shot in my first F-Class match
Replies
3
Views
739
lvfd01
L
B
  • Locked
Starting f-Class
Replies
16
Views
1K
Jim Watson
J
Walkalong
  • Locked
300 Yard F-Class Question
Replies
22
Views
2K
maple_leaf_eh
M
L
  • Locked
Any F-Class in NJ or neaby PA
Replies
6
Views
1K
harbinger_j
H
Back
Top