Looking to build a competition rifle

C

Chago

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
53   0   0
Location
Ontario
Hey all. Reading a lot about competition shooting. Found the f class and tr to be interesting. I did notice that there was some rules for the gun itself.

Any main things to watch for? Like I know weight must be under 22lbs is that across the board in terms of different competition bodies? I was reading muzzle brakes are illegal?
 
22 lbs is for F-open rifles. FTR rifles is 8.25kg or 18.18lbs and caliber restricted to 223rem and 308win cartriges. Muzzle brakes are not allowed in F-class competition. Don't know where you reside but go out to one of your local F-class shoot. Bring a sporter rifle to try it out, give it a chance and it's like crack....;)
 
308BAR said:
22 lbs is for F-open rifles. FTR rifles is 8.25kg or 18.18lbs and caliber restricted to 223rem and 308win cartriges. Muzzle brakes are not allowed in F-class competition. Don't know where you reside but go out to one of your local F-class shoot. Bring a sporter rifle to try it out, give it a chance and it's like crack....;)
Click to expand...

I read a lot of guys using 6.5-284 and 6mmbr in f class. But in FTR you need 223 or 308. I didn't realize 223 could shoot out to 1000 yards accurately. What caliber is suggested??? I thought 308 was the one all and be all. Reading about f class they hate 308 lol
 
The mighty little .223 shooting 80 gr bullets will keep up with a .308 shooting 155 gr bullets (actually the 80 gr bullets are just a little better). If you have a very fast twist .223 say 1:7 twist and can stablize 90 grainers, these will keep up with the 175 gr bullets out of a .308.

Now if you want to get into the F Open class the caliber choices are almost unlimited. However the .338 LM and .50 BMG rounds are too big for most range templates and are not allowed.
Some calibers like the 6.5-.284 are barrel burners. Accurate competition barrel life is about 1200 rounds. The trend in F Class seems to be going towards something in 7mm.

For someone that is new to the sport of long range shooting sticking with a .223 or .308 isn't a bad idea. Barrel life is around 4000-5000 rounds. There is a lot more to shooting well than just building a rifle in the flavour of the month caliber and entering a competition.

edit to add: If you let us know your location, there might be someone in your area willing to help out.
 
Seeing as you want to get a competition rifle, where you live might affect what competition is available for you, and what rifle would be the best fit.
You might also consider Precision (sniper) Rifle competition. The complete rules for this discipline may be found in the Service Conditions subforum at www.dcra.ca. Depending on the rifle, it could also be used for F-O or F-TR.
 
well I live in southern Ontario, about 1.5 hours north west of Toronto. Near Caledon.

I own too many guns to be honest, one in every discipline of this forum at least LOL Although as mentioned the 338 Lapua I have is no good for anything like this. I'm more interested in the competitive aspect. To be honest I really don't enjoy shooting the 338. Its just noise, recoil and machoness I have grown out of. I don't intend to kill any moose at 1000 yards any time soon. Nor do I plan to enlist in the army LOL

So I am really anxious to build my rifle. Thanks jfarrel for the offer. I would rather sell off my 338 and then build myself something I want for the long run. Something that's better than me and I can grow into.

I would immediately say yes to 223 over 308 as I think anyone can shoot the 223 more accurately as there is almost zero recoil whatsoever. Out to 1000 yards is what is foreign to me. I always thought 223 were done at about 600. I'll have to read more on that. Are both of these calibers not competitive at all in the F open? You mentioned now the field has been moving towards 7mm? Like which ones? the basic 7mm Rem mag, 270 win etc? or other wildcat variants like the 6br and 6.5 - 284?

I guess I'm looking to build something I could be competitive all around in many events. I realize if I want to win the world championship I will need separate rifles for each event, although one step at a time. Lets just start with being able to go to events and not be last place in all of them first.

Thanks
 
Competitions where F Class is shot usually offer both F/TR (.223 and .308) and F Open classes.
Borden is where the bulk of the long range competitve shooting takes in Ontario. You are lucky, my drive to Borden is 4 hours:HR:

Look into taking one of the ORA Introductory Days before spending any money on a rifle.
 
nice that's only 60km from my house. I never knew there was a range up there. I imagine they have some long range targets then? or only set up for comps?

Everything else around here is 100 yard some 200. I shoot on private property and get out to about 500 yards.
 
Joining the ORA and shooting at Borden will get your fix for sure lots of practice days from 300-1000 yards. An intro day would be perfect sign up ASAP as they fill up fast! but any practice day you show up for with a open mind it will be filled with info. You will also get to see what people are using and what you may need. Always great people out there willing to help others get involved.
Also Maynard's local range is a great place to meet great people with lots of info, worth the drive to cedar springs. FYI you can also pay the guest fee of 45 at any ORA practice after the 4th time I think you get a membership as well.
 
Would any of you suggest perhaps the Savage 12 F/TR, Savage 10FCP or any other out of the box target rifle? Then as I get comfortable build off of it? I read the Savage 12F/TR is capable of unbelievable things out of the box. But its a single shot, which I really don't like. I would much prefer a magazine to hold multiple shots. Are there any major differences with the two models above?

Or if I bought a cheapo 700 and just kept the action and trigger. Bought a barrel and stock, would probably cost the same as the above rifles. All 700 actions are the same correct? minus the blued or stainless? the more expensive 700 are better barrels etc but the action would be identical correct?

I'm thinking of for sure visiting these meets. But I'm so green at this all I need to start with a BR rifle. I was thinking 308 as it will be my rookie gun. From their I can experiment.
 
Who hates the .308 in F-Class??

If F-Class is truly what you want to do and being competitive out to 1000y in just about any condition is truly important to you I would tend to recommend the .308 with a heavier bullet (185 +) in F-TR or a straight .284 for F-Open.

While the .223 with 80 or 90 grain bullets is a treat to shoot the lighter bullets can get blown around a little more in strong conditions. You don't have to take my word for it though, ask several shooters on here who have nearly driven themselves crazy trying to get those little things to shoot! The heavier bullets in a .308 allow you a greater margin of error on your wind calls and give you a little bit more buffer if something changes quickly on you.

The reason I suggest a .284 for F-Open is that as near as I can tell it is the closest thing to a cartridge optimized for the templates of the military ranges we shoot on in Ontario. I can't speak for Borden but I believe this holds true for Connaught, and it sure would be a shame to have to redo a load because you're over the template. A fully stoked .284 is right at the limit with a 180gr Hybrid and my sense is that a lot of F-Open shooters will be standardizing to that in the lead up to the 2017 World Championships in Ottawa.

There's lots of great folks who shoot out of Borden as part of the ORA (including jfarrel). If I was in your area I would definitely head up there to check things out before spending any money.

*** In response to your post above, The Savage 12 F/TR or Palma would be a great starting point. Both F-Class and TR are shot as single shot, and it is against the rules to load more than a single round at a time. If you intend to use this rifle for Precision as well then the magazine my be advantageous for a couple of the stages. ***

Hope to see you out on the range this year!

Scott
 
I would suggest going to an intro day or practice shoot before spending money.
Decide exactly what you are looking for before laying out the money.
You will enjoy going to Mons or Amiens Ranges at Borden. First shot on them in 1962.
For F and TR single shots are the norm. For Precision, a single shot can be used, but a repeater is preferable. One snap shooting match requires two shots in 8 seconds.
 
Absolutely no reason you cannot come out with a quality Rem700 in .308 and have lots of fun, and compete your first year. Suggest you go with a 26 inch bbl, something like the 700p with a good quality stock, and modestly heavy bbl. Get yourself a harris bipod and a decent rear bag. I would spend my $$ on a quality scope, one that you can keep as you get better, you are probably looking at $800-$1000 for a scope that will keep you competitive at FTR distances. When you are ready for an upgrade then a gunsmith can true your Rem 700 action, blueprint it and you can add a custom bbl and trigger, but honestly that does not need to be for your first year.
 
Chago,
Lots of info and opinions available. You mentioned you had too many guns already.:) so I would suggest before spending $ and building,
get out to the ORA intro and practices..Bring along one of you existing rifles ,scoped with pod and gear etc to have some fun.
Meet some of the recreational shooters and some of the competition shooters .
See what FTR or F Open is about and as well Precision Rifle and what you might like. Check out their equipment,ask lotsa questions,take notes and do research.
When you go to spend your $ on a build/purchase ,it'll be the correct build and choices for you based on some experience.

With Base Borden "just around your corner" and the "cornucopia" (nice word) of shooting styles and experiences to be had there...
It could become your next addiction.
Hope to see you on the range this summer.
Regards
Gord
 
Is Borden a difficult club to get into? I was going to send in for membership. Most clubs around here ie Georgetown, orangeville, Guelph are all 100-200 yards and you need to marry one of their daughters.

I'm going to stick with a 308 build and I absolutely will be coming out this summer. Realistically this sport is expensive and I can afford to spend $1500 on any factory "precision"rifle to begin. After I get warmed up and start seeing what I do and don't like I can either build off that one. Or I can sell it off and start as I please. I'm the type of person who needs to try and figure out for myself what I like. I'm just looking for some guidance. Thanks all. In the next month I'm going to decide what to buy to start.

I want to say a tikka tactical in 308. I love the tikka and sako actions. And their stock heavy barrels are really good too. But can you buy aftermarket match barrels for them?
 
That would be a fine rifle.
You are wondering about availability of a finished, screw-in aftermarket barrel? Don't know that there is anything for the TikTac. Probably a better idea would be to have a first class barrel fitted by an experienced accuracy gunsmith. That way you get the barrel you want with the chamber you want, fitted specifically to your action.
But it takes many thousand rounds of .308 to shoot out a barrel, so don't worry about rebarrelling just yet.
Once again, it would be better to attend an intro or practice day before committing to the purchase of a rifle and scope.
 
As stated by others . Come out to a few different types of shooting to decide which direction you want to go . I tried benchrest, precision and F-class . I settled on F because it fit what I wanted to do .
Being in Caledon you have access to some good ranges and shoots . One poster stated Maynards shoot at Cedar springs . I would highly recommend one of his shoots . You are side by side with a variety of different rifles .
Watch the competition page here for shoot reminders . :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom