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For some time I have had doubts about continuing to shoot an F Class rifle, such a rifle is hideously expensive to run and both F Open and F/TR classes are arms races, as much as I appreciate the need to be competitive I am struggling with the costs and equally the whole ethos behind the class so for me it is time to move on.

To that end I shot the 4/5/600 F Open with a lightweight rifle at the start of June (I have not seen nay results yet) The rifle weighed in at 5Kg's with a bipod and 12x 'scope and I used a small squeeze bag at the back end. For me it is the start of an ethically more pure approach to this type of competitive shooting, I want to shoot half MOA targets, I want to do it competitively and I want to do it with a carry rifle, something that is easily walked with, a Hunting/Sporting rifle in other words.

I have been exchanging PM's on this and it looks like there are a few that agree with this idea as well so time to get a discussion going.

So some basic proposals:

S Class - 'Sporting Class' with two sub classes, Predator which is any CF cartridge up to and including .223 and Hunter which is any CF Cartridge up to 8,0mm. Wildcats can be used in both classes initially.

Maximum MV of 1000msec/3280fps to remain MoD range legal.
Distances to be shot 3/4/5/600metres or yards
Maximum 'scope magnification of 12x
Maximum weight of 6,8Kg's/15Lbs including 'scope, attached bipod and rear bag.
Harris 'type' bipods only - these can be modified to include different feet and etc.
Maximum barrel length 26"/610,00mm

The Hunter class rifles must be Deer legal in England and/or Scotland, can someone expand on this part please.

I would suggest a 'league' and get some competitions going over the remainder of this year to see how it goes, these can be in the form of meetings and postal, they would need to be based on honour so if you have a 16x 'scope drop it down to 12x or less and only you will know if you do this or not.

Anyone up for this?

I forgot to add, cast boolits would be acceptable however the modification of factory bullets would not so no trimming or pointing.

ovenpaa wrote:
Anyone up for this?

Um, let me think about this, mmmm - YES!

Scotland - all three parameters must be met, to shoot deer, these are minimums.
Roe - 50gn bullet, 1000 ftlb ME and 2450 fps
All other deer - 100gn bullet, 1750 ftlb ME and 2450fps

No calibre requirement, so in theory, you could use a 22CF for Red deer, if you had a 100gn bullet and could meet the ME and MV requirements.

Regarding the sub classes are min/max bullet weights and ME still going to be considered? Just wondering, as the Predator class is more akin to LR pest control with .17, .20 and .22 CF. I'd like that class to be more indicative of pest control with bullets less than 62 gn - just to keep the playing field fairly level.

Also, a special dispensation for Sim with his heavier 7mm RPA for 2013, so he doesn't have to ask Mrs Sim for a new rifle!

ovenpaa wrote:...

An intersting idea, but with one flaw....



It should be named in honour of the inventor.

'O' (Ovenpaa) class would conflict with TR 'O' class, so how about 'D' class? :cheers:

..

Sandgroper wrote:Also, a special dispensation for Sim with his heavier 7mm RPA for 2013, so he doesn't have to ask Mrs Sim for a new rifle!

I would suggest the first year is open so if someone has a heavier rifle they need to get as close as possible to the weight but not be excluded based on that, so SimG can shoot his heavier rifle with a Harris type bipod but would have to give up the rear bag. Equally if someone is shooting with a 24x 'scope they would need to wind the magnification down to the 12x.

Also I would suggest a minimum trigger pull as these classes are designed primarily for Hunting rifles. Please do not ask me about set triggers a I have no idea what to do about them long term...

Leave the triggers for now as it's an unnecessary complication.

BTW,
Deer legal requirements in England and Wales

For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.

For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement.

I think in my PM I put the min ME for the Hunter class as 1600 ftlbs!

im thinking of changing my 233 slot for a .260 or 6.5x47 tongueout

one thing I would suggest is no rear bags at all

Alan

ovenpaa wrote:SimG can shoot his heavier rifle with a Harris type bipod but would have to give up the rear bag.

That's more than fair!

I think I may have hit on the perfect "S (shed) Class" rifle as well, for 2014! But I'm going to keep it a secret......!! :shakeshout:

I'd be comfortable with that. F Class seems to require chasing round the country shooting at a 1,000 yards and burning out a barrel a year. This doesn't fit my lifestyle or wallet so something I could do at my local range would be preferred.

ovenpaa wrote:Wildcats can be used in both classes initially.

I don't think there needs to be a restriction on wildcats as the limits already imposed will limit any real advantage they have over factory rounds. I think in the long run, things will even out and only a minority (like myself) will be running wildcats due to personal preference and not because of any perceived advantage.