AusVarmint

Shoots F-Class with a factory rifle?

After heading to the range with Mick762 last weekend and shooting full bore target rifle, I have the bug for F-Class open. I cant wait to get into it, looked like a great challenge.

I'm looking at getting a factory rifle to have a go at f-class and see if I like it before getting a custom rifle purpose built.

any info appreciated as im a complete noob when it comes to shooting paper of any form.

Cheers

BB

Buffy, from memory Savage do a line of purpose built long range rifles, they have some very interesting calibres as well. check em out, I think it would be an easy way into long range stuff.

Hi mate,
I am not currently shooting F Class, but I am practicing at the moment at 800m with Both my 50 Cal and 308 Colt.

I am going well with both, but the trouble is finding close by area's to shoot the 50...... and at the same time getting out to 800m.......its a lot further than you think lol and finding a good spot that doesn't involve a drive to the farm is like finding hens teeth.
The up side is when I go out there, I am usually left totally alone, so I can really concentrate on what I am doing.
I usually take my Laptop with a ballistic program, so I can dial the 50 in without taking to many sight in shots.....they are to bloody expensive !
The 308 is another story......much easier to dial in, and it is a real pleasure to shoot, and a tac driver once you get it sighted.
I did get caught out at Yass the other day though......after a night of rain, there was no dust, and it took me a while to realise I was hitting the ground just under the field of view !!! once I did though and some good spotting from the Ol55 camp next door, she was soon hitting the 500m gong easy time after time.......I even attempted shooting down the wooden stake holding one side of the gong up, and gave up only to be told by the lads that went down there that I was drilling it time after time.
Now I am telling you this, because my 308, a Colt M2012 is stock standard, and I can reliably shoot a golf ball shot after shot (until it disappears lol) at 300m with Federal Tactical Factory ammo.......its a great out of the box F Class rifle in my opinion.
It is basically a Colt Receiver with a Cooper Barrel.

I hope to soon become a Predictable shooter at 800m, and once I do that, its out to 1000m and beyond...........
I am currently playing with various loads on the 50, which has really benefited from hand loads with my new precision Dies.
The 308 I am still shooting the factory loads .

Here is the 308.....Has a NF on it here, but has been replaced with a S&B since the pic was taken.

Savage make a f class rig mate.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12FCLASS

Edit to add.

I shoot fly with a tikka varmint. It doesn't have to be big bucks to have a go (and fun)

Thanks for the info guys!

Harb, The colt is a real nice rifle but its too dear for me as a starter. If I was going to spend that money for an F-Class rig it would be a custom action, barrel, trigger and stock.... and it would be single shot.

The savage line looks like a good, budget place to start.

The search continues......

If you guys have any more F-Class hints or tips for a noob, feel free to share!

cheers

BB

I was shooting 500 fly next to a top bloke who was using that very savage. He was quite competitive and well and truly kicked my arse.

Hey Buff,
Omark 308, buy one for less than $500, maybe less put a rail on it and scope
of your choice.
Use good brass and what ever 155gn is about, you will learn the basics about
mirage and wind and when you loose your fat over it you haven't lost a million
bucks I used mine at Yass and got sick of ringing the 600 yard gong.
If you buy one try to get one with a good barrel and a neilson adaptor,
you will be able to screw different calibre barrels on if you feel the need.
All the best
Ol 55

Buff Buster wrote:Thanks for the info guys!

Harb, The colt is a real nice rifle but its too dear for me as a starter. If I was going to spend that money for an F-Class rig it would be a custom action, barrel, trigger and stock.... and it would be single shot.

The savage line looks like a good, budget place to start.

The search continues......

If you guys have any more F-Class hints or tips for a noob, feel free to share!

cheers

BB

Are you going to try F-Std, F-Open or F-T/R? You can even sling it and add a scope and shoot Match Rifle in 308W.

Here is a link to the SSR's http://www.nraa.com.au/wp-content/uploa ... ers-2b.pdf

• F-Std is 308W or 223R with a projectiles limited to those approved by the NRAA.

• F-Open is anything up to 8mm and total rifle including attachments of 10kg or less

• F-T/R is 308W or 223R without any projectile limit by weight is less than F-Std. F-T/R is recognised internationally where as F-Std is only shot in a few countries.

• Match Rifle is 308W without and projectile limits but using a sling similar to TR (target rifle/fullbore).

There are a few second hand F-Class rifles around now. Mostly converted Omarks, but just make sure the barrel twist suits the correct projectiles for the particular F-Class event you decide to start with.

F-Open seems to be dominated by 284W, 7WSM, 7RUSM and 300WSM etc.

You can start with a fixed x20, x24 or x30. Variables are more popular starting with $800 6-24x50mm's and all the way up to the 8-80x56mm March scopes. The Vortex PST 6-24x50mm with first focal plane or second plane Sightron III in eqivalent is a good place to start. A 10-20MOA rail helps scopes get out to 1000m in most calibres without pushing the reticle to the point of limiting your windage travel.

You will also be looking for either a bags with either a front rest or a bi-pod.

There is a heap of information on ozfclass.com and other international forums (accurateshooter.com etc).

Good luck the F-Class bug can bite quite hard.

Ol 55 wrote:Hey Buff,
Omark 308, buy one for less than $500, maybe less put a rail on it and scope
of your choice.
Use good brass and what ever 155gn is about, you will learn the basics about
mirage and wind and when you loose your fat over it you haven't lost a million
bucks I used mine at Yass and got sick of ringing the 600 yard gong.
If you buy one try to get one with a good barrel and a neilson adaptor,
you will be able to screw different calibre barrels on if you feel the need.
All the best
Ol 55

+1. My old Omark can shoot better than I can. I'm loving it.

The only drawback is that the options for using an Omark for anything else is a little less limited than say a Remington, Tikka or Savage action - if you decided that F-class was not for you, you could utilise these for something else. An Omark is quite a cheap way to get into it though.

Marcus

Here are a few:

http://www.owenguns.com/used-guns/ads/o ... e-308-win/

http://thegunsmiths.com.au/guns-shop/sp ... -2498.html

http://thegunsmiths.com.au/guns-shop/sp ... p-697.html

http://thegunsmiths.com.au/guns-shop/sp ... -p-41.html

And here are a few real cheapies for you...... $175 - 250!

http://www.austguns.com.au/Omark-Model-44-adid1547.aspx

http://www.riflesa.asn.au/price_lists/guns_used.htm


Marcus

Ol 55 wrote:Hey Buff,
Omark 308, buy one for less than $500, maybe less put a rail on it and scope
of your choice.
Use good brass and what ever 155gn is about, you will learn the basics about
mirage and wind and when you loose your fat over it you haven't lost a million
bucks I used mine at Yass and got sick of ringing the 600 yard gong.
If you buy one try to get one with a good barrel and a neilson adaptor,
you will be able to screw different calibre barrels on if you feel the need.
All the best
Ol 55

My brother paid $250 bucks for an omark, he has won top shooter for the monthly club competition shoots in Sydney with it. Reguarly spanks the customs. He put a rail/scope and bag rider on it and uses really a budget rest setup so you don't have to spend heaps.

I did the same to begin with but time has been hard to find. I sold mine and have built a F-open 6.5x55AI based on a savage LRPV/target action, heavy palma shilen barrel and custom stock etc With scope and other gear as I have been on a budget I bought and sold some stuff but was out of pocket less than 2K, that was a custom chambered barrel too not pre-fit.

The Savage USA f class team win a lot of matches too.

Don't have to spend a lot to enjoy the sport as most have said so enjoy.

Ryan

gday buff.. food for thought..if you want to run 223.use a barrel with a 1 in 7 or 1in 8 twist and you can run 80 and 90 grainers. but to get out to 1000 yards youll need a 30 inch barrel with a 1 in 7 twist and youll be able to run 90s grainers

Thanks for all the info guys, still chewing over an F-class rifle at the moment. Will most likely be a 308, but I'm not discounting other cals yet.

Cheers

BB

One of the best things is just take something or use the club rifle if they have one...if your loving then invest in something for your self.