F open setup. Opinions on setup please.

[Rob C]

Hi All
I've been shooting F-open just under 12 months now at my local club. Also been checking out a few web sites to get a few ideas. One thing I came across was talk about what your rifle sits on when using a rest. Carpet, sandbags etc. My rifle has a 3" plate(Davies) and sits in a plastic block that is a fraction wider. Is this setup legal?

The other question I have is about clearing my rifle when leaving the mound. It is a MAK tubegun(.260) and to remove the bolt I have to undo two small screws with a allen key and slid the butt stock off to remove the bolt. A slow and painful process on the line. My club is happy for me to use a chamber flag. I get the RO,scorer or checker's attention show them the flag going in and get the thumbs up to leave. Other members are happy with this as well.

What is the go with using a chamber flags if I was to go interstate for a shoot. It lessons the chance of me loosing those smalls screws in the grass or at worst a bolt. In Aust these type of stock setups(MAK,Eliseo) are becoming a bit more popular. I know in the US chamber flags are mandatory on most rangers.

Would like some comments please.
Thanks
Robert
Darwin

[AlanF]

Rob,

With your front rest, rule 20.1.1.14 says

An unattached rest must use either a sandbag or the shooter's forward hand as the only contact with the rifle.

Maybe you could consider getting a sandbag top for your rest? Shadetree Engineeering and Sinclair are two that make them. The hard plastic you're using now could be challenged by another competitor, and I can't see an RO having much choice but to say its against the rules.

Regarding the bolt issue, there is another clear rule 2.1.5, and because its a safety rule, would be followed to the letter by any competition RO.

...Before retiring from the mound each competitor must go through the unloading motions with the muzzle pointing towards the target and then remove the bolt...

.
Your rifle is not illegal in this respect of course - the bolt can be removed. If it only takes a minute or two, I'd just mention that to the scorers and they could make sure the following shooter wasn't left with inadequate preparation time.

So its probably not a lot of help I'm afraid. I guess you wouldn't consider modifying the stock?

Alan

[actionclear]

I know one shooter over here with a Eliseo, it only takes him seconds to remove the butt, bolt, replace butt.

I will ask him what changes he has made to his stock to achieve this.

[actionclear]

Here's the response:

I did not make any modificatios.......simple task of loosening the little knurled retaining screw and pulling off the butt piece.

Once you get used to it, it becomes second nature. In the event of cease fires, I use a breech flag to indicate the chamber is clear. I do believe that Gary has made some modifications to the securing method, and whilst the procedure may be a little more involved as a consequence, once a procedure has been established it is fairly straight forward.

After firing my last shot of the string, I remove the butt piece, remove the bolt and present the chamber for clearing whilst I am still sat on the mound. Hope this all makes sense."

[Gadget]

Hi,
I have one of these stocks, and in local and inter club comps I present the gun to the RO before the shoot, ( Seaking his aproval ) of this clear chamber method.
A long piece of whiper sniper cord 4mm thick bright green that protrudes from the muzel and out of the open chamber.
All RO's so far have been happy with this procedure and have approved it, also doing it as soon as you get to the new range and before he gets to bussy, has served me well.
Graham

It has also been sujested that in the breif period between removing the butstock and bolt ( you have a shortened firearm or a pistol )
Hence the whiper sniper line idea.

[Rob C]

Hi all

Thanks for the reply's.

The front rest is no problem. I have a couple of different bag tops for my rest and one will fit the 3" plate.

The stock removal is a bit of a pain. If I do travel it will be something I have to live with. The Eliseo stock is much better set up for this with a locking screw and push pin the butt comes off.

My wife has just started shooting F0 this year and we share the MAK. I'd love to get a Eliseo setup but the $$$ for one in Aust are a little high.

Thanks
Rob