Tony Z
I asked the CRO of the NRAA the same question and the answer I got was, if it's a tuner it's legal (which it is) but probably be prepared for some questions. So I say go for it, I may well do the same thing in the very near future.
I'm shooting an old FB barrel on my FO gun and find I'm enjoying more even though the outright accuracy isn't as good. I'm shooting it at the 1000BR on Sunday if it shoots OK I'll leave it if it needs some more FPS, I'll try a stretcher.
Alan, with respect, i did not intend this forum or any other to become a place to air dirty laundry. The incident at Belmont was very unfortunate and from what i have been told, if i can believe it, has more to do with peoples attitude than with rules that you and others worked hard to get into the SSRs. As such i believe that this can and will happen to any shooting fraternity.
The stretcher as i see it is a tuner. It is a different form of tuner and not one readily used although the principle has been around for some years now. In one respect it would make life easy but in another could make life more confrontational. Something i would prefer to avoid. The suggestion to go with something a little more conventional is well grounded but i also see it as conforming to an unwritten rule of those who do not want advancement or natural evolution of innovation and technology. Not that i think that the tube is innovative or brilliant technology, but rather just simple and very cost effective, not to mention time saving. I will have to weigh this up some more.
Maybe I'm reading the situation wrong, and it won't cause another problem. After all it is suitable for a long barrel which is what the TR shooters prefer. Maybe the most peaceful way of introducing it would be with an iron sight target rifle! Presumably you could still put a front sight on?
BTW how much would you expect it to cost fitted, and would you expect several manufacturer/fitters to start doing it? And what sort of velocity are you hoping for from your 34" Krieger?
Alan & Tony
It has been used on & off in TR in years past, like Tony said it's nothing new, just keep the rifle weight below 8KG and no problem. The goings on at the Nationals wasn't as bad as is being made out, there was a protest, it failed move on.
The cost for me would be about zero dollars and just my time on a lathe. Realistically, i think anyone supplying and fitting the tube on a barrel should be able to do it for under a $100. I fitted one recently to an FO rifle for about $70. Not all tubes are equal. It has to be the right type of alloy and not some low tensile crap like 2025T3 that will have a detrimental effect.
As for speed out of the 34" barrel, 3000 fps neat will do just fine if i can get it with little or no stress to components. The stretcher tube is ideal for the 34 inch match barrels as it takes all the whip out of them and tones down the vibrations to act like that of a heavy barrel without the weight problem.
A thing to remember, F Class is a relatively new category. Fullbore has been around forever. BR has also been around for a long time.
A new sport takes time to establish. The fact that F Class is the fastest growing shooting sport in the world surely says something.
My wife and I shoot FO pretty well every weekend and go to as many comps as possible. I have seen some disputes over the years but nothing like is being portrayed. We have a lot of fun when we shoot.
Take a look at the major sports, football, cricket etc. We in shooting don't have the intense scrutiny of the rules, interpretations etc that are generated in these sports.
Tony, you can come to our club anytime and I guarantee you won,t be told to go away because you have a stretcher.
We have enough enemies outside, the last thing we need is fighting amongst ourselves. Having said that, there is nothing wrong with criticism as long as it is constructive and not personal.
Cameron, i will be coming down your way shortly i hope. I hope to see you at the 1K later this year. I think i will sit out of FClass for a while. It has been over 18 months since i shot at an OPM already, another 18 won't worry me.
Tony Z wrote:...I think i will sit out of FClass for a while...
Tony, in your original post you were keen to start shooting F-Std. Now that it seems your stretcher tube won't raise eyebrows, you're not so keen. I think I get the picture...
I disagree Alan, my intentions were to go to next years Mackay Queens and Brisbane Nationals. Afterall, it was you who was suggesting that i go with a more conventional rifle and i would assume that would come from you thinking that there is a strong possibility of such a protest. I would agree.
I have asked our representative up this way of what he thinks and his answer was to put forward a formal letter to the NRAA. I will await that reply and then make my choices from there. I still reckon it will be 18 months by the time that decision comes through, the barrel is ordered and rifle completed. Easy 18 months. Until i see anything in writing, and if things are are approved and that writing can be presented to the RO on the day, it would be silly of me to be a test pilot. Is the picture a little clearer now?
Tony Z wrote:Cameron, i will be coming down your way shortly i hope. I hope to see you at the 1K later this year. I think i will sit out of FClass for a while. It has been over 18 months since i shot at an OPM already, another 18 won't worry me.
Tony Z.
G Day Tony
We intend to go to as many 1K's as possible. Shot 1000yds at our range a couple of weekends ago. Conditions were bad, 5 to 12 minutes of wind with my 300wsm.
A mate used a 30 06 with 180g AccuBonds. His second 10shot group measured 8.5". The verticle in this group was 3.5".....quite remarkable. He was using an ex fullbore rifle based on a mauser 98 action......he's a gunsmith and likes to prove these sort of things can be done.
Have you had anything to do with Nosler AccuBonds. I know they are expensive.
We will be at the Brisbane Queens next week trying to keep up with Marty in F Open. The F Standard seems to be getting a lot more competitive and that can only be a good thing for the sport.
With respect to both Alan and Matt, i think the tubes mentioned as being used for years in TR are not what i am talking about using. I think we are talking about bloop tubes which are a totally different thing even though many have claimed them to be tuners of sorts. They have indeed been around for years. As for strectchers, they have existed since the early nineties and i have not seen nor been told of any in use in TR or FS. But if they do exist, by all means forward me the names of the people who have them so i can ask them of their dramas if any. Until i get something in writing i will not be doing a thing.
Cameron, i have used Nosler in the past but not the AccuBond. I don't know of anyone using them up this way. Marty may be in Brisbane, but his reamer is here in NQ. There are a few that want to hold it to ransom. Trouble is Qantas paid him way too much to fly their planes so he's had two more barrels screwed and chambered in the same 284. It could be a long wait before he would payup .
Jeff and i were just talking yesterday of coming down to your October 1K. I want to get down and take a look at your range for myself. Hope to catch you there then.
My tender years (in this sport that is) are showing.