New to F-Class - Wanting some advice

BATattack · Post by **BATattack** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:49 pm

have a look at usedguns.com.au there is a savage f class in 6br with a nightforce 12-42x56 BR and a few other goodies for $2999. could be a decent buy if the rail is 20MOA and the scope has a reticle that you like. might be able to a bit of negotiating aswell :lol:

Dave P · Post by **Dave P** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:19 pm

Steve,

Yes easiest way to get a Sinclair is import one you may fluke a 2nd hand one but they dont come up often.
try here for info on the Raptor .. I have seen these and they a far better than a Caldwell and I would say as good as a Sinclair.
http://ozfclass.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1899

If you dont like the Rem700 (although many records are held by sleeved Rems its a personal thing what you like and dont like)
Then get a 2nd hand Bat, Stolle etc all are far better than a Savage.
Yes lots will say the Savages are great but they are NOT a custom action they are a dolled up factory action just like a trued sleeved Rem.
The advantages of actions are that they last a lifetime so buying one good one is worth it.
The 6.5-284 is not the be all either, the 6.5x47 Lapua and 260AI are as good or better. Custom actions come into there own when pressure mounts during firing, go for a good custom the Savage will not be near as good ..
I would steer towards a 6BR, if the distance bothers you go to a 6 Dasher they definately shoot to 1000 yds in Australia in wind.
Most ex BR rifles can be easily switch barreled as well.
Good luck

RDavies · Post by **RDavies** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:09 am

A lot of good advice in this thread from actual top competition shooters, not just keyboard champions like some other forums.
The general concensus among the high scoring shooters to be competitive are.
1. Bigger is not always better (especialy for a newer shooter)
2. In Australia, we dont get bonus points for winning the cronograph race.
3. 6mm,6.5 and 7mm do 95% of the winning.
4. To be competitive, you need a lot of wind reading practice no matter what caliber you shoot, so get a caliber you can practice with.
5. You cant buy scores, but you do need equipment meant for F class.

I would have thought the Savage would be a good, complete uncomplicated start to get you into the game.

Then when you know what barrel weight, length, twist, caliber you prefer, whether you want RBLP, RBRP, Dual port,drop port, whether you want an alloy, laminated, fibreglass, off set, thumb hole, stock, whether you want a 2 stage, single stage, 2 oz, 10 oz trigger then you can take the time to build up your dream gun and use you savage for club shoots.

Post by **AlanF** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:10 am

Good advice Rod. I'm quite impressed with our club 12F in 6BR. I had doubts about the factory barrel, but it ran in well, and shoots well.

RDavies wrote:...build up your dream gun and use you savage for club shoots.

Or sell it. They are getting a good name around the traps, so the value won't drop much.

Alan

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:51 am

AlanF wrote:Or sell it. They are getting a good name around the traps, so the value won't drop much.

good to know

Thanks for the link Dave, look very impressive, but a bit out of my budget at the moment

BATattack, i've been looking at used guns quite regularly, seen several decent looking entry points but all in 6mm BR or PPC... with the general consensus being 6mm BR only up to say 600m or so thats a bit off putting for me then if you add the price of re-barreling it just gets painful to look at the price for an entry point

RDavies wrote:
I would have thought the Savage would be a good, complete uncomplicated start to get you into the game.

Then when you know what barrel weight, length, twist, caliber you prefer, whether you want RBLP, RBRP, Dual port,drop port, whether you want an alloy, laminated, fibreglass, off set, thumb hole, stock, whether you want a 2 stage, single stage, 2 oz, 10 oz trigger then you can take the time to build up your dream gun and use you savage for club shoots.

this is what i was thinking of doing

Thanks so much guys

M12LRPV · Post by **M12LRPV** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:16 pm

Stevo wrote:with the general consensus being 6mm BR only up to say 600m or so thats a bit off putting for me then if you add the price of re-barreling it just gets painful to look at the price for an entry point

It's a fact of life that you will burn out barrels.

Also... do take into consideration that those saying that the 6BR isn't top dog at the longs are operating at the pointy end of the field. In there shoes you will notice it.

It will take you a little while to get to the point where you are shooting better than a 6BR can, even at 700m and beyond. If factory 223's can shoot 58+ at 800m a 6BR will do ok too.

Post by **AlanF** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:35 pm

A 6BR using 107gn SMKs will shoot in the wind well inside a 308 using HBCs. This is assuming a muzzle velocity of 2850fps in the 6BR and 2950fps with the 308. The 308 would need to be doing over 3150fps :shock:

to match the 2850fps 6BR in the wind. This is entirely due to the higher BC of the 6mm projectile.

Alan

ned kelly · Post by **ned kelly** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:41 pm

G'Day Steveo,
you can start with a 6BR, just make sure it IS a 1:8"T barrel & not a 1:9" or 14". It really needs to drive 103-108gn bullets. However, you might get away with a 1:9:T barrel and 90-95gn bullets.

With the 6BR if it is in good nick and built by a proper "accuracy" gunsmith, it is possible to either rechamber to a dasher or 6x47 lapua or even bore the 6BR chamber out to a 6mm dasher or even a 6x47 lapua if you need more horsepower. You should then get at least 2950fps or even up to 3150fps with the 6x47mm Lapua. I run mine at around 3050fps and it is slightly more wind sensitive than a 6.5-284 on paper, but in a comp you wont notice it.

hope this helps

Cheerio Ned

Simon C · Post by **Simon C** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:16 pm

+1 on the 6mm Dasher. It is a super little case that is cheap to run and performs well across the course with either the 107 SMK or the 105 AMAX.

Mine shot very well whilst fireforming so I could get to know it wind wise during the process - Pretty simple process to re-chamber from the 6BR provided the twist suits (ie 1 : 8"). There are quite a few people with them so a reamer shouldnt be a prob. So if there is a 2nd hand 6BR about, that might be your best bet.

bruce moulds · Post by **bruce moulds** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:54 pm

simon,
and the dasher is proving to be superior to the wsm family at 1000br if scores are anythig to go by.
bruce moulds.

RDavies · Post by **RDavies** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:11 am

If you get a 6BR, drop me a line, you can use my Dasher reamer. I used my barrel first as a 6BR, then just got a gunsmith to run a Dasher reamer into the 6BR chamber and got great accuraccy fireforming my used 6BR brass. It is my favourite cartidge now.

bruce moulds · Post by **bruce moulds** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 6:14 am

go to the safclass website.
ian pavey has written a series of thee articles which are excellent reading.
a cost effective way to start is still to buy an omark and use as is or rebarrel. by the time you grow out of it you will know what you really want, and might have won something doing it.
bruce moulds.

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:49 am

Hi guys, sorry for the late reply been a bit busy of late and havent had a chance till now,

Thanks for the suggestion on 6mm BR instead of 6.5x284, might not quite have the reach but it'll get me a lot more practice at shorter ranges before the barrel needs re-done. Correct me if im wrong but a 6mm BR and 284 win are both non-magnum bolt faces? i.e. could then relatively easily change to 284win or 284 shehane when i shoot out the 6mm BR barrel?

Also is anyone here from brisbane by any chance? or able to offer an opinion on the North Arm range? Just its a little bit closer to me than the range at belmont. I would assume it'd be similar since they're both QRA ranges?

Thanks

Cameron Mc · Post by **Cameron Mc** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:16 pm

Stevo wrote:Hi guys, sorry for the late reply been a bit busy of late and havent had a chance till now,

Thanks for the suggestion on 6mm BR instead of 6.5x284, might not quite have the reach but it'll get me a lot more practice at shorter ranges before the barrel needs re-done. Correct me if im wrong but a 6mm BR and 284 win are both non-magnum bolt faces? i.e. could then relatively easily change to 284win or 284 shehane when i shoot out the 6mm BR barrel?

Also is anyone here from brisbane by any chance? or able to offer an opinion on the North Arm range? Just its a little bit closer to me than the range at belmont. I would assume it'd be similar since they're both QRA ranges?

Thanks

Stevo

The North Arm Range is a top place to shoot. Excellent facilities and people willing to help.
The conditions there will certainly test your skill and improve your wind reading.
I will try and get a pm to you tonight for contacts.

One of my open rifles is a switch barrel, 6br and 284win. Same case head sizes.

Cameron

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:37 pm

Hi again,

So i've decided to go with the savage model 12 F-Class in 6mm BR norma for a start, but when looking at reloading dies i am left confused. Redding only list dies for 6mm BR Rem and not 6mm BR Norma, after a bit of reading i've heard that the only difference is throat length, is this true? and if so does it mean i can safely use a redding 6mm BR Rem die for reloading a 6mm BR Norma?

Thought it would be better to ask and be safe than sorry

Cheers