F-class Hunter / Sporter category

Kevan

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With respect to the Hunter/ Sporter class would a Savage Mod 12 LV in 6BR fall into this class or would it be a pure F-class rifle?
Reason I'm asking is because of a nagging case of arthritis makes it less painful to play when the course of fire is 10 rounds per relay as opposed to more in the F-class matches.
Bottom line is, I'd really appreciate any suggestions rifle-wise that wouldn't be too rough on my 63 yr. old carcass. With retirement on the horizon I would like to spend more time playin with you fellas....had a ton of fun at Mission last weekend !! :D
 
With respect to the Hunter/ Sporter class would a Savage Mod 12 LV in 6BR fall into this class or would it be a pure F-class rifle?
Reason I'm asking is because of a nagging case of arthritis makes it less painful to play when the course of fire is 10 rounds per relay as opposed to more in the F-class matches.
Bottom line is, I'd really appreciate any suggestions rifle-wise that wouldn't be too rough on my 63 yr. old carcass. With retirement on the horizon I would like to spend more time playin with you fellas....had a ton of fun at Mission last weekend !! :D

Hi Kevan,

The Hunter class is a short range Benchrest type shooting from a bench from 100-300 yds. It requires a rifle with a 2.25" wide forestock, and a cartridge with a volume of at least a 30-30 and at total weight of much less than a Mod 12 LV in 6BR.

The Savage 12LV 6BR does fit into this category without much modification

The Sporter class is another short range benchrest type shooting from a bench at 100 to 300 yds. It requires a rifle of 10.5 lbs total. It is usually shot with light 6mm bullets and the twist of the SAV 12LV 6BR is likely too fast for a short range Sporter class rifle shooting light bullets.

The Savage 12LV 6BR won't fit into this category without much modification either.

It does however fit into the Prone F-class category of shooting about perfectly. For 1 rifle... the SAV 6BR could make the best choice for shooting out to 600yds. I would prefer the 6.5/284 if you shoot to 1000 yds.

NormB
 
Kevan,

BC does not have a "sanctioned" hunter/sporter class in F-Class YET. As Richard alluded, we are opening up this class as part of the Kamloops shoots and I will be working very hard to have it adopted at the BCRA level eventually, but for the time being for the matches at Kamloops and Mission are the only ones to recognize these rifles as a separate class.

These types of rifles create a conundrum. In the case of the LRPV, as it is a varmint rifle, I would have to say that yes, it would qualify, however it is an accurate purpose-built long-distance rifle with a heavy barrel. The hunter/sporter/factory class is meant for light hunting and sporting rifles. So while this rifle would - as it stands now - constitute a factory rifle, it goes somewhat against the spirit and intent of a separate factory class. I would encourage owners of such rifles to participate in the open class, but in the absence of a specific exemption, it is indeed an factory gun.

I'm reluctant to see this sport/class over-regulated, but clearly Savage has changed the rules in being the first company to produce affordable rifles in 6BR and 6.5X284
 
I used my 308 at Mission and because of extensive shoulder surgery in October followed by a warning from the specialist that I wouldn't be back to my normal for at least two years, this has got me looking at options concerning rifles.
I shot the first two relays well but started to come apart in the third round and that has me thinking about something a bit easier on the shoulder.
Looking forward to kicking the topic around at Kamloops this weekend.. :)
 
I har that old Tikka 308 made some of those other fancier guns look pretty bad :D
Nicely done.

Does the rifle have to be factory chambered?
Could a person screw a Kreiger 1:8 6mmBR tube onto a Rem 700 action and compete in the Hunter class?
 
I har that old Tikka 308 made some of those other fancier guns look pretty bad :D
Nicely done.

Does the rifle have to be factory chambered?
Could a person screw a Kreiger 1:8 6mmBR tube onto a Rem 700 action and compete in the Hunter class?

Hi Mike,

Negative. These classes should be considered a "factory" class with unmodified chambers, bolts, and actions.
 
Hey Kevan,

I actually thought you were asking about the F-Class 6BR Savage offering.

On that note though, one of our new shooters who came to Mission last weekend with his Savage 25 Heavy Barrel in .223 was put into the F-TR class and NOT the hunter class.

The final decision will come down to the call of the Match Director.

I would have to classify anything with a heavy barrel as a target rifle as you wouldn't be carrying it around in the woods tracking game which is what the Hunter/Sporter class is supposed to be.

As a side note to that, if there is a weight limit noted and your rifle falls into that weight limit, then it would classify into that category.

It has been discussed locally before that the classes F-TR (or F-R) and F-O may need to have levels within the classes as TR does. Master, Expert, Marksmen etc... so that new/newer shooters are competing against like experienced shooters.

Also, a 6BR will have about half of the kick that a 308 has which may allow you to shoot the 15 shots with the 6BR rather than with 308.
 
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Also, a 6BR will have about half of the kick that a 308 has which may allow you to shoot the 15 shots with the 6BR rather than with 308.[/QUOTE]

Damn....now you had to give me more food for thought, didnt you ??? :D
 
now i wants a sixBr aswell






and I enjoyed F\TR R >223 as opposed to a hunter catagory for the enjoyment of sending more amd more down the range
 
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Hi Kevan,

The Hunter class is a short range Benchrest type shooting from a bench from 100-300 yds. It requires a rifle with a 2.25" wide forestock, and a cartridge with a volume of at least a 30-30 and at total weight of much less than a Mod 12 LV in 6BR.

The Savage 12LV 6BR does fit into this category without much modification

The Sporter class is another short range benchrest type shooting from a bench at 100 to 300 yds. It requires a rifle of 10.5 lbs total. It is usually shot with light 6mm bullets and the twist of the SAV 12LV 6BR is likely too fast for a short range Sporter class rifle shooting light bullets.

The Savage 12LV 6BR won't fit into this category without much modification either.

It does however fit into the Prone F-class category of shooting about perfectly. For 1 rifle... the SAV 6BR could make the best choice for shooting out to 600yds. I would prefer the 6.5/284 if you shoot to 1000 yds.

NormB

Hi Kevan,

The NBRSA and IBS have strict definitions on BR varmint rifles and Hunter class rifles. I thought you were going to compete in sanctioned matches of these types. A Savage 6br would likely not fit into these categories.

I now understand that you are shooting in local matches with locally recognized rifle definitions. Attend matches and talk to shooters, see what they are shooting and winning with. Then make a decision on the best rifle for you to compete with.

NormB
 
Kev why not use the Neiska 338 L.IMP???

Nobody else would be able to shoot when you are blowing thier spotting scopes off the tables with that thing :D
 
FWIW if 300m is the envelope in distance,you may also want to look at a 30BR.(1.5" 308)Little more brass work (necked up and turned 6BR brass) but accuracy is there and match bullet availability as well.
Barrel life is 7000 plus according to the fellows that have crankd out that many.Pushes 118 BIB's and 110 Bergers to 3000 fps and can still be shot free recoil.
Just a thought.
Gord
 
The very light 30 caliber bullets, just like their 22 and 6mm counterparts, can produce very fine accuracy but, at 300 meters, most are more comfortable using bullets with a better BC. My 300M 308 will produce it's best accuracy with 125's if the air is calm but 168's are definitely better if the wind is blowing at all.
I think the 6BR is the BEST choice for "F" class at the short (300-600M) ranges and a good choice at long range. As far as it's inclusion in "hunting rifle" classes, it's hard to say. I suppose, if the rifle is legal for hunting, it could be considered a hunting rifle but I think, if the chambering and configuration make it an unlikely choice as a hunting rifle, it's not in the spirit of the competition. The hunting rifle classes are intended to alow those who don't have a "precision" rifle to get a feel for competition. They are not intended as a venue for people to buy or build their way into the winner's circle. Regards, Bill.
 
What is currently outstanding from a regulatory point of view, is whether this is to be a "Factory" class, or a "sporter" class. From my perspective, I want to see a class that will allow someone with a totally stock Stevens 223 a reasonable chance of winning a match. If that $350 Stevens has to compete with a $1500 LRPV in 6BR, it tends to defeat the purpose and intent of the class.

It raises the point that Savage does produce a hunting rifle in 6BR... the Long Range Precision Varmint Rifle. Shooting varmints is still hunting. You actually need a hunting license to shoot gophers (Columbia ground squirrels) in BC.
 
It raises the point that Savage does produce a hunting rifle in 6BR... the Long Range Precision Varmint Rifle. Shooting varmints is still hunting. You actually need a hunting license to shoot gophers (Columbia ground squirrels) in BC.[/QUOTE]

Savage also offers a choice of barrel twist...1 / 8" or 1/ 12"...which would be the best choice if that rifle were to play in Hunter category ?
I assume bullet weight being used could be the deciding factor ?
 
Savage also offers a choice of barrel twist...1 / 8" or 1/ 12"...which would be the best choice if that rifle were to play in Hunter category ?
I assume bullet weight being used could be the deciding factor ?

Not COULD....it absolutely WOULD determine the twist rate you were to choose.

No reason you can't shoot a light bullet in a fast twist barrel, but you'll never run a heavy bullet in a slow twist barrel. If you spin some of the lighter bullets too fast they may fly apart on you though.

I was loading up some 75grn V-Max .243 bullets to try in my 1:8 twist 6BR this coming weekend. Hopefully they hold together.

It was great to meet you this weekend at the gun show Kevan as we weren't introduced at the Mission range when we came down.
 
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