scythefwd said:
but I think the F class shoots do not use a rest and rely just as much on the shooters skill as it does the hardware
You can look up the F-Class records
HERE but there's no mention as to the caliber, rifle, scope etc.
Here are some F-Class rules that you might find interesting. Both Open Rifle and Target Rifle allow the use of front AND rear rests.
3.4 F-Class Rifle -
(a)
F-Class Open Rifle (F-O) - A rifle restricted to a bore diameter no larger than .35 caliber. (Attention is
directed to safety fan limitations of various ranges. Individual ranges may further restrict ammunition). “Rail
guns” and positive mechanical methods of returning to the precise point of aim for the prior shot are not
permitted. Any safe, manually operated trigger is permitted. Any sighting system is permitted, but it must be
including in the rifle’s overall weight.
The provisions of Rules 3.16 and 3.16.1 apply to this definition.
(1) The rifle’s overall weight, including all attachments such as sights and bipod, must not exceed 10
kilograms (approximately 22 pounds). An “attachment” also includes any external object, other that the
competitor and apparel, which recoils or partially recoils with the rifle, or which is clamped, held, or
joined in any way to the rifle for each shot, or which even slightly raises with the lifting of the rifle from its
rest(s).
(2) The width of the rifle’s forend shall not exceed 76mm (approximately 3 inches).
(3) The rifle must be fired in the prone position from the shoulder of the competitor using rifle rests as
defined in Rule 3.4.1(a).
(b)
F-Class Target (F-T/R) - A rifle restricted to the chambers of unmodified .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO or
unmodified .223 Remington/5/56mm x 45 NATO cartridge cases. The rifle must be fired off a bipod, rigidly
attached to the rifle’s forend, and/or a sling. Any bipod, meeting the definition of a bipod, may be used but its
weight must be included in the rifle’s overall weight. Any safe, manually operated trigger is permitted. Any
sighting system is permitted , but it must be included in the rifle’s overall weight.
The provisions of Rules 3.16 and 3.16.1 apply to the definition.
(1) The rifle’s overall weight, including all attachments such as sights, sling and bipod, must not exceed 8.25
kilograms (approximately 18.15 pounds). An “attachment” also includes any external object, other than
the competitor and apparel, which recoils or partially recoils with the rifle, or which is clamped, held, or
joined in any way to the rifle for each shot, or which even slightly raises with the lifting of the rifle from its
rest/firing point.
(2) The rifle must be fired in the prone position from the shoulder of the competitor using rifle rests as
defined 3.4.1(b).
3.4.1 Rifle Rests -
(a)
F-Class Open Rifle (F-O) - The rifle may be supported by any means which provide no positive mechanical
method for returning it to its precise point of aim for the prior shot. Subject to:
(1) No more than two rests may be used. If two rests are employed, they may not be attached to each other.
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(2) The use of any form of a table is prohibited. Separate flat boards or plates not exceeding the dimensions
of the individual rests by two inches are allowed to be placed under the front and/or rear rests. See Rule
3.4.1(a)(1).
No leveling screws or protrusions are allowed on these boards or plates. They must be flat on the top
and bottom.
This discipline is a modification of high power prone shooting, not a form of bench rest and should not be
construed as such
Disabled competitors may apply to the NRA Protest Committee for appropriate dispensation.
The intent of this rule is to prevent the use of a table type device.
(3) A front rest may be employed for either the rifle’s fore-end of for the forward hand. If attached, clamped,
or held to the rifle, the front rest must be included in the rifle’s overall weight (Rule 3.4(a)).
(4) No portion of the rifle’s butt or pistol grip shall rest directly on the ground or on any hard surface.
Furthermore, any rear rest employed shall not be attached, clamped, or held onto the rifle in any
manner. Mechanically adjustable rear rests are not allowed.
(5) As an alternative to (3) or (4), the rifle may be rested on a simple central support such as a rolled jacket,
towel, blanket, or groundsheet, or upon a sandbag or beanbag.
(6) Any number and type of objects may be placed beneath each rest to compensate for variations in the
height of slope of the firing point or to reduce its rolling.
(7) The front rest or base may have up to three spiked feet which may be pressed into the ground by no
more than 50mm (approximately 2 inches) provided this causes no significant harm to the firing point.
(8) Rests may be adjusted after any shot to compensate for rest movement or settling. A sling may be used
in conjunction with the rest(s), but its weight will be included in the rifle’s overall weight (Rule 3.4(a)).
(b)
F-Class Target Rifle (F-T/R) Rests - A bipod and/or sling are the only allowed front supports for the F-T/R
rifle. The rifle may be supported by a bipod and/or sling and a rear support which provide no positive
mechanical method for returning it to its precise point of aim for the prior shot. Subject to:
(1) The bipod and/or sling and rear support may not be attached to each other.
(2) The use of any form of a table is prohibited. Separate flat boards or plates not exceeding the dimensions
of the individual rests by two inches are allowed to be placed under the front and/or rear rests. In the
case of a bipod, the board or plate may not exceed the width of the bipod by 2", nor be more than 12"
front to rear. See Rule 3.4.1(a)(1).
No leveling screws or protrusions are allowed on these boards or plates. They must be flat on the top
and bottom.
This discipline is a modification of high power prone shooting, not a form of bench rest and should not be
construed as such
Disabled competitors may apply to the NRA Protest Committee for appropriate dispensation.
The intent of this rule is to prevent the use of a table type device.
(3) A bipod is a device with no more than two legs that touch the firing point. It must be rigidly attached to
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the forend of the rifle. The bipod may have rigid or folding legs, and may be adjustable to compensate
for the uneven surface of the firing point.
(4) No portion of the rifle’s butt or forend shall rest directly on the ground or any hard surface. A rear rabbit
eared bag, small sandbag or a gloved hand may be used to support the rifle’s butt. Any rear support
employed shall not be attached, clamped or held to the rifle in any manner. The rear support may not be
fixed to or protrude into the firing point. Mechanically adjustable rear support is not allowed.
(5) Any number or type of objects may be placed beneath the bipod or rear support, to compensate for
variations in height or slope of the firing point.
(6) The bipod and rear rest may be adjusted after any shot to compensate for rest movement or settling. A
sling may be used in conjunction with the rest(s), but its weight will be included in the rifle’s overall
weight (Rule 3.4.(b)).