Factory ammo for F-Class?

JimV

JimV

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Thanks to this forum I'm getting interested in F-Class. My rifle would probably do (Savage VLP .223, 1/9 twist.) The scope is a low ball 10x-40x varmint model, but it might be OK for starts. Thing is, I'm unlikely to ever get into reloading. So my question is - is it at all feasible to think about shooting this game with factory ammo? If so, what would you recommend?

Would appreciate any advice from you knowledgeable guys out there. Thanks.
 
I would recommend reloading unless someone else is paying for the ammo
If they are consider the Federal Gold match 77 gr ammo.
Worked fantastic in a 1-8"tw AR -15

Figure on 60 rd matches plus sighters ,,,, say 70 rounds for the day at $_.__/ box.
You do the math, then ask people what press they like the best.

M
 
You limit yourself to not being able to try diff. things until you find the magic load, I don't believe many people shoot precision rifle events without reloading.
 
no harm in buying a box of match ammo and trying it. you might be surprised how well it performs. plus ask yourself how many rounds a year you'll be shooting and then do the math.
 
I'm in a similar situation of being interested in F-Class. Not counting the brass, bullets, primers or powders, what does a decent single-caliber (.308) reloading setup cost approximately?
 
It is absolutely possible to do well with factory ammo, however to take your game to the next level requires careful attention to load development.

I am pushing for a factory class at the Provincial level in BC but for the time being, Kamloops and Mission either currently have a factory class or are in the process of adopting one. This will afford you the opportunity of competing and actually contending in F-Class.

Ian Hames

F-Class Director
BC Rifle Association
 
"...feasible to think about shooting this game with factory ammo?..." Yep, but you'll have to try a box of as many brands of match grade ammo as you can to find the brand/brands that your rifle shoots best. As mentioned, it won't be cheap.
Neither will shooting factory regularly. For example, Remington .223 match ammo runs $38.95 per 20.
 
In addition, if you find a batch that works good for you, you'll either have to stockpile at those prices or be subject to the whims of suppliers and shortages.

Lastly, those round counts are just for the matches. Ideally, you'll want to practice as well inbetween which gets costly at $2 a shot for match ammo.
 
ron hilchey said:
RCBS has a starter kit for $370.
+ dies +- $50.
+ caliper +- $30
Basically $500. to start.
Click to expand...

This is a good kit, but I started with a Lee set up for half that and I was able to compete and have fun. I kept this for 2 years until my shooting improved to the point that a better press actually made a difference

The Lee press and dies were much cheaper than any factory match ammo I could have laid my hands on. As for room, my reloading room is only 5x8 feet, as long as you are want to, you can make anything work.
 
When match grade ammo was more "reasonably" priced I compared and found I could reload my ammo more accurately than the loaded factory stuff. Once factory went over $1.00 a round for match grade I stopped because of the price. Problem today with trying to use strictly match factory ammo is good luck finding what you want. Most stores I go to now have the regular ammo at expensive prices, and the odd specialty gunstore may have some match grade ammo. If you are serious about F class shooting I would consider reloading.
 
When I started reloading my total investment was less than $150. I started with a Lee Classic reloader kit a soft face hammer, a set of $15 calipers, a pound of H414 and 100 63 grain Sierra Varminters,acard of primers, and a used beam scale I bought for $20. I used brass that I had saved from factory ammo and I built many 100's of rounds with this setup.
The ammo I built was many times more accurate than factory and I had a lot of enjoyment for very few dollars. For me even if there was no cost saving I would still reload.
 
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