What do I need for a match?

[Fergus Bailey]

As an experienced BR shooter, but novice f class (open) shooter, I am interested to hear what people consider essential equipment to take to the firing line? And what do people consider nice to have?

I am just trying to work out what I need to take to a match, aside from a rifle and ammo.[/b]

[ecomeat]

Fergus,
As a successful Benchrest shooter you have probably already got a decent joystick rest . Batattack on here (Adam Pohl from SA) makes fabulous f Class feet to suit both Farley and SEB Neo rests. You need that front rest to be absolutely stable. There are certainly plenty of more simple rests used, but those who do use the SEBs, Farleys etc seem to really love them.

You have undoubtedly already got a good stable rear bag that suits your rifle. A number of our top Open shooters have got a spiked plate made up that is a good fit under their rear bag to help keep them super stable. One of those is next on my wish list.

Then you need a decent mat to shoot on. Keeping dry and clean helps to concentrate ! Most State Rifle Association stores seem to sell a similar padded version, although some shooters don't use padding. Many Open shooters who do have a padded mat have also cut an area out so that the rear sandbag is resting firmly on the ground (or on their spiked plate) and not on half inch thick, compressible foam that is typically used in these mats.
Being made originally for Fullbore target rifle shooters wearing a heavily padded jacket, these padded mats often have fairly abrasive "elbow pads" that is very uncomfortable on bare elbows after any length of time, so put that "gripped area" at your feet.

At the top level and in big events like Queens, it seems more and more shooters in F Open are also laying down with a high quality spotting scope to help them watch mirage. After I sold you a LH action a while back, I put that money into a top quality Zeiss spotting scope, but after not using it even once as I shot in the following year I very foolishly sold it again. I set it up to follow shooters on manual targets plenty of times, but never bought a decent stand to allow me to use it during a shooting string, laying prone on the ground. Now that my own shooting and aspirations have progressed a bit, I am kicking myself for letting it go.
Welcome to the F Class world. It is a fabulous sport and you will find that the good shooters all over Australia (and the world for that matter) will happily share their hard earned technical knowledge. You only have to ask them, and World Champions will happily assist any fellow shooters.
Tony

[RDavies]

Basically, a shooting mat and F class feet (for your front rest) are the only needed items which you probably don't already have.
If the range you are shooting on has manual targets, you will need some basic binoculars or spotting scope to score the targets for the shooter following you.
Otherwise, it is belly benchrest.

[bruce moulds]

a can of compressed air can come in handy.
keep safe,
bruce.

[RAVEN]

Welcome to F-Class Fergus
Something that may help you is a scaled plot sheet this will help you asses wind and elevation adjustment required as you progress through you string
Start simple and work your way up as with benchrest good set-up and gun handling is essential.
Best of luck I’m sure you will enjoy the challenge

RB:D

[plumbs7]

Hi mate , also a cleaning rod is handy and goes with the can of compressed air . Incase of stuck projectiles not loaded shells . If u jam ur pills in , sometimes in waiting for a long time for a wind conditions to come back . U can forget whether or not u have a round ready or not ( rookie mistake ) open ur action with no pill and an action full of 2208 in my case and a stuck projectile !

Next a stopwatch . In trying conditions use ur time allocated. U have 15 mins to 18 mins to lay ur string. If u know where u r at with time u can strategise ur shots and not just fire them Wilie nilie .

Ditto to the above with Tony's post too.

U can't use this on the line but a good ballistics app for ur iPhone can come in handy . I have two iPhones incase one fails . I don't leave home without them.
A anometer or wind meter in mph and also learn to wind read in mph . I'll give u hint . There is a correlation between mildot rectiles , 308 win. and mph wind ! ( top secret 😶 if u really nutted it out u would get it ) . Finally never give up !

[Southcape]

I am just trying to work out what I need to take to a match, aside from a rifle and ammo.[/b]

I will answer this because other newbies will be reading.

Standard in my range bag:

Tool kit mine contains allen keys, little screw drivers, files, lens cleaner and spare parts for my action and trigger.
Rain jacket and pants
plastic cover for the scope in case of rain
cloth for drying hands
pen
notebook
spotting scope

Tip: always travel with your reloading dies if you are attending a Queens or other big PM. Especially when out of your state.

[Brad Y]

Most of all

A willingness to participate
A willingness to learn
A sense of humour
The ability to smile at the end of the day

[DenisA]

Oh, and don't forget your "thick skin", not pointing fingers at Tony Berry, but you need it around this bunch. Bahahahaha. Did I mention to watch out for Tony Berry.

[flatlina]

Hi mate , also a cleaning rod is handy and goes with the can of compressed air . Incase of stuck projectiles not loaded shells . If u jam ur pills in , sometimes in waiting for a long time for a wind conditions to come back . U can forget whether or not u have a round ready or not ( rookie mistake ) open ur action with no pill and an action full of 2208 in my case and a stuck projectile !

Next a stopwatch . In trying conditions use ur time allocated. U have 15 mins to 18 mins to lay ur string. If u know where u r at with time u can strategise ur shots and not just fire them Wilie nilie .

Ditto to the above with Tony's post too.

U can't use this on the line but a good ballistics app for ur iPhone can come in handy . I have two iPhones incase one fails . I don't leave home without them.
A anometer or wind meter in mph and also learn to wind read in mph . I'll give u hint . There is a correlation between mildot rectiles , 308 win. and mph wind ! ( top secret 😶 if u really nutted it out u would get it ) . Finally never give up !

Whilst your input is appreciated maybe just give up on the text type talk and use proper English.

Regards
john

[AlanF]

Fergus,

I don't think anyone's mentioned this - at some big shoots, parking is at a premium, and you may have some distance between your vehicle and the mound. A range cart can be useful in that situation.

If it rains, you may be required to keep shooting (depends on the RO). Unlike BR we rarely have roofs, so you need a way of keeping your ammo and breech dry. A towel is handy for this.

And don't forget to take your scorecard. At prize meetings you're issued with a scorecard for each range. You must hand it to the scorer before you start.

I hope you have an enjoyable first shoot.

Alan

[plumbs7]

sorry John , I use an I Phone . So I guess I'm texting . Big thumbs ! ☺️

[Fergus Bailey]

Thanks for the comments guys. It largely confirms what I was thinking.

I have most of the things I need, except a mat. I think I will start off with a pretty basic mat until I have shot a few matches.

I am sure I will refine all my gear once I have shot a few events, but this will get me going.

[flatlina]

sorry John , I use an I Phone . So I guess I'm texting . Big thumbs ! ☺️

No wonder trying to do this on a phone. For us old guys it makes things hard to read. I even get emails with the same type of spelling at work.

Regards
john

[plumbs7]

No wonder trying to do this on a phone. For us old guys it makes things hard to read. I even get emails with the same type of spelling at work.

Regards
john

Yeah if I don't take shortcuts my thumbs start to ache. Also might explain why something's I write don't make sense because of autocorrect . I'll try and keep in mind though just the same ! Regards Graham.