APRA Informal F Class Range Day

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Good Day All, after communicating with a few interested individuals, we have booked a day at the Homestead Shooting facility, S/W of Calgary, to run an informal introduction to F Class match shooting. From 08:00 hours July 28th, 2007 for as long as it takes, so bring some snacks/non alcoholic beverages etc. If you find an 09:00 hours start more acceptable, let me know.

We'll try to quickly cover the match format, pertinent rules, shooting relay/squading positions, target marking and scoring etc, etc. Following this, we'll get 300m zero's and go from there. Hopefully ending up at 900m. You'll need approximately 50 to 60 rounds. Seasoned F class competitors will be on hand, answering questions and entertaining general disussion along the way. There is a caliber restriction to 8mm (.323") and Bolt Flag requirement by the Range Template Rules, and APRA/DCRA Regulations. No Muzzle Breaks and single fire only, ie; no loaded magazines. Other than that, anything goes. It's all shot in the prone position, so bring what you need or try ours. Shoot, look and see, discuss, enquire, whatever.

I have to be in Calgary the preceding Friday so I won't be able to help get anyone from the northern region down there. I know it's a bit of a drive for 1 day but it's all I can handle at the moment with the hectic Match schedule and the work thing.

We're trying to remove any ambiguity with regard to Match Shooting and give you a hands on experience and will leave you with a clear understanding of how it works. I know you'll learn a bunch, find out where you stand in the scheme of things and have a blast along the way. Best of all, this one's free.

We'll do it for one or a dozen. If you ever wanted to try it, now's your chance.

If you need anything else answered, PM me. I live on this infernal machine as part of my occupation and will answer all communication toot sweet.

Cheers, Glen

PS Just looked at the Dates. Might make the drillers after the US.
 
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I was going to go to wainwright but this seem like a good chance to get started in f-class shooting so im in. and i was wondering is it possible to shoot at the range a day before(fri)so i can figure out how many clicks i need to go from 700 to900m.
thanx MUTT
 
Thanks Keith, we do what we can. Even if we only get one it's worth it. One more than we had. We have to really start promoting this or it'll die. When the DVD is done, maybe for the PPRA, I'll bring you down a slice and you can see if it would work for you guys.

I would have liked to get to the "Drillers". Unfortunately, after your Sask Prov's, I have about 10 days to get ready and be at Chilliwack for the BC International F Class thing on the 2nd, then 2 days to get to Oregon for the Long Range portion. So many Matchs, so little time. Priceless!!!

Cheers, Glen

Keith, just looked at the dates. Might make the drillers after the US.
 
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Sounds like fun. Is a .223 sufficient?

thanks,
Eric


Hell yes, the .223 using 80g VLD bullets shoots right along side of the 308 shooting 155's, drop wise. Just do it man!! Go on out and meet the "boys" and you will learn tons and have some fun doing it, well we still can.

There will be a day in the future were you just can't shoot anything larger than a .22 cal RF, it happened in Europe...
 
If I dont have my LR rifle by then will there be some there to borrow? Sounds like a good oportunity. I could always borrow a rifle from a buddy too I suppose.
 
Gentlemen, since this will be an introductory session, we won't worry about getting come ups or elevations prior to the actual happening. It really doesn't matter. Pre-shooting the range is sometimes provided the day before matches but it's a luxury you can never count on. Also, in the real world elevations change with atmospheric conditions on the day. What's there today may or may not be there tomorrow. In essence we'd like to get everyone to know how to use a ballistics program. There'll be a chronograph there for those who haven't got a known velocity to work with. After that, it's shoot it, and correct, hit and note the elevation. It's only a starting point to get you on the paper. After that your individual scope elevation and windage requirements are up to you. The number of rifle/scope/caliber/bullet combinations makes this impossible to generalize

We're trying to start from square one, as we progress, we would like to have everyone on the same page. This provides a bit of continuity and allows us to monitor the take up rate and then modify our approach as needed. If you want to experiment, use a ballistic program with data input close to what you think you have and use those elevations. It is a good lesson in estimation and when you shoot, and the target goes down, it's an achievment just knowing you hit the darn thing with calculations instead of trial and error, and it save's rounds.

Next, like Keith says 223's are perfectly acceptable provided you have heavy bullets. Having said that, light bullets will do fine for a while too.

Third, no one is going to keep scores. We'll just explain the method and process.

Boy, this is going to be fun. I'll probably see how this one goes and run another one later in the year when I have more time, maybe even a 2 day. Personally, I think we can get you all up to speed in a day..

Note: this one was typed without the benefit of spell check. be kind

Cheers, Glen

Wild 1 I'm sure we can rig something up.
 
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Anyone comtemplating f-class this is a perfect opportunity for you. You should go to this because this is about as relaxed as you can get. There'd be no pressure because it's not a match and you won't feel rushed because they probably won't be on a time schedule to get match relays finished...

also do chrony your rounds when you're there so you've got some solid velocity data to work with and track.

Make notes of your come-ups for the yardages involved. Also this is a perfect chance to get to know the procedural drill for moving gear up to the line and off of it and in what sequence you'll eventually want to end up doing it... you'll get to hear all the proper range commands and when you can shoot and when you can't...

this is a great opportunity and i'm sure Glen will take the time he needs to get it all across to you...
 
For those that haven't been to Homestead, there's a pretty good map on the APRA website. www.albertarifle.com/ranges/homestead/map

Cheers, Glen

You mean this one Glen?

Map.jpg


I drew it years back on a Mac using Freehand software when I was Rosebud Sec /Treas.
 
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Thats the one Keith. Maybe that's what's wrong. Rosebud, did you see the small numbers? I like the big numbers at Homestead. I heard (unofficial rumor) that Rosebud is limiting their Membership. Smart huh.

Seriously, I use your map quite often. It's the best one I've found for the location.

Wild 1, Experience for the map drawing or the shooting? I don't know about the map drawing but as for our F class thing, absolutely none. As a matter of fact, if all that show up have no experience what so ever, it would make easier to run the clinic. I hope everyone has an open mind, no preconceived notions and no expectations other than to have a good time. We'll show you all you need to know to enter any Fullbore/F Class match anywhere.

For all, I believe I can talk Mr. Jay Winfield F Class shooter par excellence to help with the clinic. He's a fountain of knowledge and has a great sense of humor to boot.

Hope this helps.
Cheers, Glen
 
I'll endeavour to attend. Anyone from Ft Mac wanting to carpool can PM me, but I can't help ya with accommodations as I stay with family in Calgary.

I have room for 1 passenger, or 2 if one of you wants to sit next to my Lab.
 
Terrific. This may turn into a viable shindig afterall. Thanks to all for the support. It's getting late. Still have to roll up a hundred or so to go play with Keith and the Nokomis Boys for 3 days.

Silverado, Ft McMoney seems to have a bunch of shooters lurking in the shadows. This is a bit off topic but, does anyone reading this forum in the northern region of the Province know of a shooting sports friendly person or land holding corporation that would be amenable to long leasing sufficient land, at a nominal cost, to develop a target range? Years ago I was given the ignomious title of APRA Northern Region Range Development Coordinator and after tilting at assorted windmills and chasing many geese, all with disappointing results, I had virtually given up trying to get something going north of Calgary. If any of you kind gentlemen has a contact or knows of a club with suitable area, I have been given APRA permission to submit proposals for enabling funds to equipe a facility in the manner similar to Homestead. A real Target Range with Target equipment and firing points. Not the dirt pile ranges we've all gotten used to. The biggest problem with Long Range is you need long range property. I've gone as for as Grande Prairie with no luck so far. Then again, it may just be that within the community of shooter disciplines, Fullbore and F Class Target Shooting isn't that big a draw.

Anyway, I thank you for your time and please excuse the diversion from the original intent of this thread. It can't hurt to ask and I appreciate any and all help and suggestions.

Goodnight.
Cheers, Glen
 
I'm planning on coming out. I just traded in my two month old 700 Police .223 for a replacement due to a poorly fitted firing pin, the new rifle seems a bit better but still not perfect. I was having good luck with the Hornady 75gr A-Max, pretty good groups & consistent velocity, but haven't reworked the load for the new rifle yet.

Personally a 9am start would be more attractive as I'm often up pretty late on Friday night jamming with some pals, but I'll go with the flow.

Eric
 
Eric, sounds good. If I pin a 09:00 start, we'll be pissing around til 10:00. You know how that goes. So if we get off early, it leaves more time for shooting and answering the meriad of questions I know will arise. Depending on the actual attendance, it would be nice to work one on one with people. It's a bit easier to pass on little tid bits of info that way. With a group, you always seem to have a few with that Huh? look after the discertation. One on one, you stay at it til the light bulb comes on.

Cheers, Glen
 
Ok might have a rifle for it. .223 Not sure yet of twist but I am finding out. I dont reload yet. Gotta be factory ammo. What would you guys suggest for ammo? I imagine it is going to be more critical going out that far. 62 gr cut it in a 1-9 twist? Also is a smaller power scope like 10x going to be ok out there? Sorry for all the questions, just if I am going to go I want to be as prepared as I can be. It is a long drive ya know. Thanks guys.
 
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