Anyone shoot F-Class

[asu-g23]

I looking at starting shooting F-class this fall. I was wondering if an AR in .308 is acceptable? ( I'm not looking to win yet just honing my long distance skills)

[Mark L Miller]

What type of competition is "F-Class"?

[9x45]

Never heard of F class in any shooting venue. Besides you don't normally start anywhere, except 'unclassified' until you get thru enough classifiers to be statused. What kind of shooting sport are you talking about?

[Jim Watson]

Well, I DO shoot F-Class.
(For those unfamiliar with the event, like Mark and 9x45, it is NRA Mid- or Long Range target shooting with scope sights and artificial support allowed, unlike Conventional target shooting which allows nothing more than a sling and requires (mostly) iron sights.)

I think a GOOD AR-10 will get you by; I have seen a couple in use. I have an AR 15 that has been much modified to compete with the bolt actions and it will get pretty close. But if you don't already have one and mean to buy a rifle for the purpose, I recommend the Savage 12 F T/R .308 which is one of the only two factory rifle on the market made for the job. (The other is the Savage 12 F-Class 6.5x284.)

Either way, a .308 will enter in F T/R for which you are allowed a front bipod, a rear sandbag, and any scope sight that suits you.

If you will be shooting to 1000 yards, you will have to have a scope with a LOT of adjustment or use a tapered base or the Burris Signature rings with eccentric inserts oriented to give more elevation. If you shoot mid-range, usually 600 yards, many scopes will handle the elevation for that.

The first choice for .308 F T/R ammo is the 175 gr Sierra, either handloaded or from Black Hills. If you handload you can work with JLK or Berger VLDs or Lapua Scenars. I have some 155 gr Scenars for use when my Sierras are shot up. (My AR 15 gets VLDs.)
Do NOT buy 168 gr Sierras for ranges greater than 600 or maybe 800 yards. Some ranges do not even allow them for 1000 because they get wild when they go subsonic and a .308 cannot keep them supersonic at that range.

The real experts hang out at
http://www.long-range.com/forums/

[9x45]

Jim,
So this is a sniper match? How does it run, par time, or stright time plus points down? 200 to 1000 yards? Prone, sitting, standing? Target size?

[Jim Watson]

No, it is NOT a "sniper match." It is a division of NRA Mid- or Long Range bullseye target shooting. With traditional black and white 10 point bullseye targets. Time is fixed, the trend is toward "block time" with 22 minutes for unlimited sighters and 20 shots for record at 600 yards; 33 minutes for sighters and 20 shots for record at 1000. Each individual shot is marked for you to spot and correct from.

Target size is range specific, with a 1 MOA ten ring and a 1/2 MOA X ring. This is half the size of a standard target as shot with sling and iron sights. They were worried about "possible" ties with scope and rest. I don't think it has happened yet, but there are some 200s with ties broken by X count.

Range depends on what the facility has available. 600 and 1000 the most common and popular, though there are 200 and 300 yard events at places that have no greater range available.

There are two divisions.
F-T/R is shot with a .223 or .308; prone with a bipod attached to the gun and a rear sandbag. Weight limit, including bipod 8.25 kg (18 lb).
F-Open is shot with any caliber under .35*; prone with a bench type tripod rest on the ground and a rear sandbag. Weight limit NOT including rest (unless it is attached to the gun) 10 kg (22 lb).
*The hot caliber is 6.5x284 with some other 6.5s, 7 and even 6mms, folks have learned they do not have to get kicked by a .300 magnum to shoot accurately at 1000 yards. .338 Lapua? Forget it, no muzzle brakes allowed.

What with setup, takedown, pit changes, etc., you can usually get in three 20 shot individual matches in a day's shooting. A two day match may only have two matches on Sunday, but may have three or a team match. 100 - 120 scored shots.

[Hozer]

I shot F-Class until they banned the use of suppressors.

Its tough shooting and you will learn a ton about reading the wind.

[asu-g23]

Well, I DO shoot F-Class.
(For those unfamiliar with the event, like Mark and 9x45, it is NRA Mid- or Long Range target shooting with scope sights and artificial support allowed, unlike Conventional target shooting which allows nothing more than a sling and requires (mostly) iron sights.)

I think a GOOD AR-10 will get you by; I have seen a couple in use. I have an AR 15 that has been much modified to compete with the bolt actions and it will get pretty close. But if you don't already have one and mean to buy a rifle for the purpose, I recommend the Savage 12 F T/R .308 which is one of the only two factory rifle on the market made for the job. (The other is the Savage 12 F-Class 6.5x284.)

Either way, a .308 will enter in F T/R for which you are allowed a front bipod, a rear sandbag, and any scope sight that suits you.

If you will be shooting to 1000 yards, you will have to have a scope with a LOT of adjustment or use a tapered base or the Burris Signature rings with eccentric inserts oriented to give more elevation. If you shoot mid-range, usually 600 yards, many scopes will handle the elevation for that.

The first choice for .308 F T/R ammo is the 175 gr Sierra, either handloaded or from Black Hills. If you handload you can work with JLK or Berger VLDs or Lapua Scenars. I have some 155 gr Scenars for use when my Sierras are shot up. (My AR 15 gets VLDs.)
Do NOT buy 168 gr Sierras for ranges greater than 600 or maybe 800 yards. Some ranges do not even allow them for 1000 because they get wild when they go subsonic and a .308 cannot keep them supersonic at that range.

The real experts hang out at
http://www.long-range.com/forums/

thanks Jim I was looking at getting a RRA LAR-8 in varmint config
http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=257

[Jim Watson]

thanks Jim I was looking at getting a RRA LAR-8 in varmint config

I am sure you can shoot it in F-T/R although even a good auto has some limitations.

All NRA mid- and Long Range is shot slowfire; you will never even load the magazine... or be allowed to. I have one of the short 9-round magazines with a single shot adapter instead of a follower.

Even a "match" trigger on an auto is pretty tough. I have a JARD on my AR and it is not comparable to what you can get for a bolt action.
It throws prepped match brass on the ground. I haven't lost much but it is something else to worry about.
The pistol grip guns do not ride the bipod and bag as steady as a bolt action with traditional stock.
The one MOA spec of the RRA is marginal. The ten ring on the F target is one MOA which means you would have to be perfectly zeroed for all center hits. My AR is actually more accurate than my Savage .308 when everything is going right, but the bolt action is easier to manage.

Do you have some other main use for the RRA and F-class just a sideline? If so, great, but if not, it is not the best specifically for this job.

[asu-g23]

It will be my deer hunting rifle when i move back to MN. I'd really like an AR and can't afford two rifles for a while.