Long range competition shooting - Which format?

[RobB]

Just about to start full bore shooting having come from 2.5 years of smallbore (not giving up smallbore just adding to it).

By long range I mean 600-1200 yards.

I'm aware of F-class and F/TR. F/TR being limited by weight of rifle and scope, calibre and also bipod (not tripod) and also hopefully cheaper

So the question is which is more popular? And are these the only two options?

[Matt]

Rob

Have a quick look at your other post for some info I've just stuck on there.....

I'm sure you'll get a lot of good info from this post

[RobB]

Thanks Matt. May well look into the Feb shoot. Who is organising it?

Have already been offered an F-class rifle although of course it might go before I make my mind up. Has a new Dolphin barrel so may need to make my mind up before Feb.

[Matt]

It's organised by Mik Mak and facilitated by some of the best coaches you could wish for

I wouldn't rush into a purchase too quickly if you're not sure what class you want to shoot in as rifles come up frequently enough that are well suited to the job

If you decide what you want to do (Open or FTR) then by all means hunt around but have a think if you're likely to want to give it a try or throw yourself fully into it as this could affect what you buy....

Warning though..... It's very addictive

Have a read up on the GBFclass website as some of the reviews of the league shoots that Des posts give a really good idea of the fun we have

[ovenpaa]

One consideration is how good are your eyes and how well can you support a rifle prone without external assistance such as a machine rest or bipod. If you can tick the first two boxes TR is a good way forward. If not then time to consider F/TR or F Open with the benefit of good glass and rests. The F class rifles are quite a lump as well.

Weight limits

TR 6.6Kgs (From memory)
F/TR 8.2Kgs
F Open 10Kgs

You are going to struggle to shoot regularly to 1200 as very few ranges support such a distance, Stickledown does however 1200 yard booking opportunities are few and far between and a the distance is a bit of a lottery for the .308 F/TR and TR. We shoot 1200 monthly at Barton Road

[RobB]

overpaa - I currently shoot open sights at 25yrds, 50m and 100yards all using a jacket and sling (about 100 shots a week). Current 25yrd average is about 98. My last 100yrd was 100 but that was not normal (shame). Must have been relaxed though as it was my last 10 shots of a mammoth 120 competitive shot morning season to complete my targets before cut off date. Normally average about 94 at 100yrds.

Just had my first eye test in 35+years and perfectly good for driving. However, having a scope appeals :)

[20series]

overpaa - I currently shoot open sights at 25yrds, 50m and 100yards all using a jacket and sling (about 100 shots a week). Current 25yrd average is about 98. My last 100yrd was 100 but that was not normal (shame). Must have been relaxed though as it was my last 10 shots of a mammoth 120 competitive shot morning season to complete my targets before cut off date. Normally average about 94 at 100yrds.

Just had my first eye test in 35+years and perfectly good for driving. However, having a scope appeals :)

I was a Class A, County level smallbore shooter with a 98 or better average in all three distances and like you fancied doing something bigger.

I found it very difficult to manage to put the best into the two disciplines, ie small bore with iron sights, jackets and slings etc and scoped rifle shooting as they are very different. I no longer shoot small-bore, tbh it was as much to do with the local political nonsense than my shooting but I lost the hunger that had driven me from C Class to A at Bisley etc.

If I was you I would look at trying Full-bore Target Rifle i.e staying with Jackets and slings and shoot the longer distances as the techniques are the basically the same.

Just my two penneth

Alan

[The Gun Pimp]

Just about to start full bore shooting having come from 2.5 years of smallbore (not giving up smallbore just adding to it).

By long range I mean 600-1200 yards.

I'm aware of F-class and F/TR. F/TR being limited by weight of rifle and scope, calibre and also bipod (not tripod) and also hopefully cheaper

So the question is which is more popular? And are these the only two options?

To answer your questions Rob:

I would say the two options (yes there are only two classes) are equally popular. F Open was originally more popular but now FTR has caught up and at most shoots it's about 50-50. FTR is generally regarded as a 'starter' class but, at GBFCA League level, it's anything but!

Hopefully cheaper? The cost of building a competitive FTR rifle is much the same as building an Open gun. Running costs for FTR are a little cheaper as the barrel will generally last longer and you don't need to buy a fancy front 'machine' rest. Of course, there is nothing to stop you shooting Open off a bi-pod - I do 'cause I can't be arsed lugging my Seb NEO around!

As someone mentioned, the GBFCA League F Class Training weekend is made for someone like you - no need to have a rifle and, by the end of the weekend, you'll know what to buy and be rarin' to go - or you'll know it's not for you!

[RobB]

Thanks Gun Pimp and Alan.
I've downloaded the Feb training weekend entry form and will fill it in shortly.

Will look into the Target Rifle side. Didn't know long distance with Slings is still shot :)

At the moment I'm leaning towards F/TR as looks like it relies a little more on shooting technique not just wind reading on the firing line. Only my thoughts at the moment though.

[rox]

Will look into the Target Rifle side. Didn't know long distance with Slings is still shot :)

TR (prone/sling) is certainly is still shot and it is extremely popular, with around 1,000 competitors in the main summer meeting. It's very similar to prone smallbore shooting, so the marksmanship skills are largely transferable, and you already have almost all the kit you need apart from a rifle. I shoot a rifle where I can drop a fullbore or smallbore action into the same stock.

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