F-Class Shooting

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F-Class Shooting

Post by Robin » 02 Aug 2020, 6:31 pm

I'm wanting to do F-Class Shooting and not sure on what rifle or scope I should be getting, what is recommended, is the HOWA
1500 BRAVO LONG RANGE, any good, and what about scope.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by bladeracer » 02 Aug 2020, 6:49 pm

Robin wrote:I'm wanting to do F-Class Shooting and not sure on what rifle or scope I should be getting, what is recommended, is the HOWA
1500 BRAVO LONG RANGE, any good, and what about scope.


I think F-Class is custom-built single-shot rifles, buy an action, throw in a long heavy barrel, drop it in some sort of chassis.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Wm.Traynor » 02 Aug 2020, 7:15 pm

I was going to tell you to look up Standard Shooting Rules but got Page Cannot Be Found. Not a good start. :( How about you contact the QRA qldrifle.com for the name of a club near you Their members will be more up to date than me.
Good Luck Mate :thumbsup:
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Bugman » 02 Aug 2020, 9:09 pm

My mate is well into F Class shooting. Stared with a Howa in 6.5 Creedmore then went a few steps higher for a custom job and added to that a high end March scope.
Results are excellent. My point is this, you start with what you can afford but the need for perfection in this sport appears to push some shooters to higher end equipment.
As mentioned before it would be wise to see what advice comes from the QRA and associated rifle clubs. Whatever you choose, I think you will have fun.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Vicko » 03 Aug 2020, 7:07 am

Sticking to 223 or 308 will allow you to stay in a lower class and avoid competing against ‘open’ class big(ger) dollar custom rifles.

But there is a new target hunter class worth looking at as well that I had been considering too.

Plenty of info including links to class rules over at https://www.ozfclass.com
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by duddley75 » 03 Aug 2020, 7:56 am

I was shooting F class, F-std using the club rifle. (308).

Now with my new Howa it qualifies for SH-Std. Our clubs are also using a SH open category, those that are heavily modifing a standard hunting setup.

Had my first shoot under SH last weekend at 300m
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by SCJ429 » 03 Aug 2020, 8:30 am

If I was starting out in F class standard I would get myself a Tikka Varmint with a 1:8 twist barrel and bolt a Nightforce 8-32x scope onto it.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Strikey » 03 Aug 2020, 9:03 am

SCJ429 wrote:If I was starting out in F class standard I would get myself a Tikka Varmint with a 1:8 twist barrel and bolt a Nightforce 8-32x scope onto it.


Did something similar when I had a dabble in FClass, started with a Savage Mod 12 Palma in 308 topped with a Nightforce BR 8-32, thinking I might get back into it with the Howa 223AI just for a bit of fun :thumbsup:
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Jarhead » 03 Aug 2020, 11:55 am

Hi Robin,

Most of the best shooters in my club shoot Sako actions and custom barrels in GRS stocks.

If I were you and just starting out, I would get a Tikka T3- they are affordable and crazy accurate right out of the box. Or get a Sako if you are happy to sink the $'s. You can learn with the factory barrel and then change it out to a custom later.

One of the long time shooters I respect uses 6.5 x 47 Lapua. He admitted if he was starting over he would go 6.5 Creedmoor instead.

Optics-

I am having success with an Athlon Argos 6-24 x 50mm. It is a good scope available in Australia and affordable too. The higher end scopes ( e.g. Athlon Ares) cost more but have better glass- less chromatic distortion at high magnification and features like mechanical zero stops but you pay more for them.

You need to decide between milliradian or MOA reticles. Both are used in Australia, MOA seems more prevalent-but the US seems to be moving to mil exclusively for Long Range Precision so that may be the future in Australia too....metric distance and mil's also make the math so much easier.....

Let us know what you choose and how you get on!
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Robin » 03 Aug 2020, 12:19 pm

Thanks , lots to think about
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by SCJ429 » 03 Aug 2020, 1:53 pm

Jarhead wrote:Hi Robin,

Most of the best shooters in my club shoot Sako actions and custom barrels in GRS stocks.

Let us know what you choose and how you get on!


Interesting, where I shoot they overwelling use Barnard actions. Not a single Sako action to be found.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by bladeracer » 03 Aug 2020, 3:58 pm

SCJ429 wrote:If I was starting out in F class standard I would get myself a Tikka Varmint with a 1:8 twist barrel and bolt a Nightforce 8-32x scope onto it.


I have only been to one F-Class club, and was told that my membership would not be accepted if I only intended to shoot my hunting rifles, they really do require you to build a custom rifle. Perhaps in the past four years they've lightened up a bit?
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by SCJ429 » 03 Aug 2020, 4:17 pm

Sorry to hear that Blade, that sort of attitude is what turns new shooters off having a go at competition. Hopefully no club would say that to anyone wanting to have a go. For most people using their hunting rifle is their only option when starting out and it is a very good way to learn about the capability of their existing rifle.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by bladeracer » 03 Aug 2020, 4:34 pm

SCJ429 wrote:Sorry to hear that Blade, that sort of attitude is what turns new shooters off having a go at competition. Hopefully no club would say that to anyone wanting to have a go. For most people using their hunting rifle is their only option when starting out and it is a very good way to learn about the capability of their existing rifle.


Which is, to my mind at least, the whole point of competition, to improve your real-world abilities, not to buy trophies.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Robin » 03 Aug 2020, 6:09 pm

I thought I read somewhere about a new competition with hunting rifles, I'm hoping im not mistaken
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by bladeracer » 03 Aug 2020, 6:28 pm

Robin wrote:I thought I read somewhere about a new competition with hunting rifles, I'm hoping im not mistaken


I've heard of individual clubs doing hunting rifle comps, but I don't know if it's evolved to be mainstream yet. Contact your local clubs.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by on_one_wheel » 03 Aug 2020, 7:19 pm

bladeracer wrote:
SCJ429 wrote:If I was starting out in F class standard I would get myself a Tikka Varmint with a 1:8 twist barrel and bolt a Nightforce 8-32x scope onto it.


I have only been to one F-Class club, and was told that my membership would not be accepted if I only intended to shoot my hunting rifles, they really do require you to build a custom rifle. Perhaps in the past four years they've lightened up a bit?


Perhaps the F Class brigade were afraid of being outdone by a bloke with a dirty old hunting rig :unknown:
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by in2anity » 03 Aug 2020, 8:59 pm

bladeracer wrote:Which is, to my mind at least, the whole point of competition, to improve your real-world abilities, not to buy trophies.


Hear yu mate, that’s why I like service and ms. Many moons ago, I saw a master take out an SMLE comp with a $70 clunker :lol:

To each to their own however, I sympathize with the science and preparation and sheer awe factor of F. They sure are precise.

Just curious, weren’t you looking at getting into ms at one point Blade?
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by bladeracer » 03 Aug 2020, 9:19 pm

in2anity wrote:
bladeracer wrote:Which is, to my mind at least, the whole point of competition, to improve your real-world abilities, not to buy trophies.


Hear yu mate, that’s why I like service and ms. Many moons ago, I saw a master take out an SMLE comp with a $70 clunker :lol:

To each to their own however, I sympathize with the science and preparation and sheer awe factor of F. They sure are precise.

Just curious, weren’t you looking at getting into ms at one point Blade?


Yep, I do still shoot a fair bit of silhouette, but here at home, six-hours driving to spend a few hours doing it at a club is not viable.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by duncan61 » 03 Aug 2020, 9:37 pm

I went to do F-class with my brand new Ruger .222 lightweight and learnt that it would not shoot 400 metres I checked all the ballistic charts and decided on 7mm Rem Mag as having the legs to shoot 1000 yards and it does.With 168 gn MK on 2213 sc it will go 1400 metres before going transonic.The recoil is a bit hard to take after a few shots and there are a lot of 6.5 cases that would be more suitable and go the journey.The hunter class is a new thing and you can use your hunting rifle which is a great Idea as it was getting a bit confusing with all the classes and rail guns and stuff.Our club champion developed a 6mm Remington and used a short bipod and bag to great ends
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Vicko » 04 Aug 2020, 8:17 am

For those looking for info on the Sporting/Hunting class checkout chapter 23 in the regs here: https://nraa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ ... .0-a-1.pdf
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by SCJ429 » 04 Aug 2020, 9:30 am

duncan61 wrote:I went to do F-class with my brand new Ruger .222 lightweight and learnt that it would not shoot 400 metres I checked all the ballistic charts and decided on 7mm Rem Mag as having the legs to shoot 1000 yards and it does.With 168 gn MK on 2213 sc it will go 1400 metres before going transonic.The recoil is a bit hard to take after a few shots and there are a lot of 6.5 cases that would be more suitable and go the journey.The hunter class is a new thing and you can use your hunting rifle which is a great Idea as it was getting a bit confusing with all the classes and rail guns and stuff.Our club champion developed a 6mm Remington and used a short bipod and bag to great ends


Just remember that you are entering the Transonic Period when your bullet drops below 1350 fps.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Robin » 04 Aug 2020, 11:00 am

Vicko wrote:For those looking for info on the Sporting/Hunting class checkout chapter 23 in the regs here: https://nraa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ ... .0-a-1.pdf

Im hoping Brisbane will have this, it would be good to have a rifle that i can hunt with and at the same time enjoy target shooting on a competive side.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by ThatNewGuy » 04 Aug 2020, 12:39 pm

Robin wrote: Im hoping Brisbane will have this, it would be good to have a rifle that i can hunt with and at the same time enjoy target shooting on a competive side.


I think SSAA Belmont has F class however I'm not sure.
I just wanted something here...

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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Vicko » 04 Aug 2020, 4:04 pm

Robin wrote:
Vicko wrote:For those looking for info on the Sporting/Hunting class checkout chapter 23 in the regs here: https://nraa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ ... .0-a-1.pdf

Im hoping Brisbane will have this, it would be good to have a rifle that i can hunt with and at the same time enjoy target shooting on a competive side.


Worth considering sticking with either 223 or 308 - That way you'll also be eligible for F class 'Standard' as opposed to 'Open' which is where all the big dollar specialist calibre setups live. Thats what I was going to do. But I think I'll go in a different path now.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by bladeracer » 04 Aug 2020, 4:57 pm

on_one_wheel wrote:
bladeracer wrote:
SCJ429 wrote:If I was starting out in F class standard I would get myself a Tikka Varmint with a 1:8 twist barrel and bolt a Nightforce 8-32x scope onto it.


I have only been to one F-Class club, and was told that my membership would not be accepted if I only intended to shoot my hunting rifles, they really do require you to build a custom rifle. Perhaps in the past four years they've lightened up a bit?


Perhaps the F Class brigade were afraid of being outdone by a bloke with a dirty old hunting rig :unknown:


It came across to me as more of an elitism thing.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by simmo » 04 Aug 2020, 6:53 pm

Robin wrote:I'm wanting to do F-Class Shooting and not sure on what rifle or scope I should be getting, what is recommended, is the HOWA
1500 BRAVO LONG RANGE, any good, and what about scope.


Hey Robin what state are you in?
Doing feel obliged to go for big ticket items. Get what you can afford and have fun with it. As suggested above, Recommend sticking to .223 or .308 and not shooting in F-open. Also hunter class has commenced, not too many people playing in it yet but it’s a great way of getting in target with a more entry level/factory set-up and getting your experience up.

Feel free to me If you have more questions.
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by Robin » 04 Aug 2020, 7:55 pm

simmo wrote:
Robin wrote:I'm wanting to do F-Class Shooting and not sure on what rifle or scope I should be getting, what is recommended, is the HOWA
1500 BRAVO LONG RANGE, any good, and what about scope.


Hey Robin what state are you in?
Doing feel obliged to go for big ticket items. Get what you can afford and have fun with it. As suggested above, Recommend sticking to .223 or .308 and not shooting in F-open. Also hunter class has commenced, not too many people playing in it yet but it’s a great way of getting in target with a more entry level/factory set-up and getting your experience up.

Feel free to me If you have more questions.


Hey Simmo , I'm from QLD
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by simmo » 05 Aug 2020, 4:39 am

Robin wrote:
simmo wrote:
Robin wrote:I'm wanting to do F-Class Shooting and not sure on what rifle or scope I should be getting, what is recommended, is the HOWA
1500 BRAVO LONG RANGE, any good, and what about scope.


Hey Robin what state are you in?
Doing feel obliged to go for big ticket items. Get what you can afford and have fun with it. As suggested above, Recommend sticking to .223 or .308 and not shooting in F-open. Also hunter class has commenced, not too many people playing in it yet but it’s a great way of getting in target with a more entry level/factory set-up and getting your experience up.

Feel free to me If you have more questions.


Hey Simmo , I'm from QLD


I’m involved with an NRAA club but down here in Canberra. Issues shoot target rifle but now I shoot in F-Open but only because I have a .280AI. The rifle is a Tikka T3x with a heavy barrel in 7mm, its in a Bell and Carlson Varmint stock with a Harris bipod. My optics are top notch but the rest looks like a normal hunting rifle.

The hunter class is now officially on the books and you can use things like Muzzle breaks as well. But not everyone at every club is overly forward looking.

The rules are now on the books so you should be okay. The NRAA website has a list of all local clubs around Australia so find your nearest and give them a call.

But in short, by what you want and can afford. Shoot it heaps and enjoy it!
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Re: F-Class Shooting

Post by SCJ429 » 05 Aug 2020, 7:39 am

What do top notch optics look like Simmo?
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