I have spoken personally to a fair number of WA F class shooters (I won't call them FS shooters, as it is not entirely accurate), and found that there is a definite want to get FO going again here.
I know there is now F Class discipline representation on the WARA council, so things should now be able to move in the right direction.
What are the issues?
What are the resolutions?
Keep in mind that having a sponsor on tap is a BIG help to moving people's opinions.
From my point of view, (to begin the discussion) the issues seem to be:
1. Rifles chambered to shoot in FO?? (I know that some people have barrels ready to go)
2. Competitions (clubs, associations etc) willing to support the discipline.
3. The mirror of point 2; competitors willing to support an FO competition.
4. Sponsorship.
5. Acceptance of the discipline within the relative shooting community - in other words, the FO competition supported by (and competitors gained from) FS.
Resolutions (from my own stunted view of the FO world):
1. No reason not to use 223R or 308W with other bullets, powders etc if people don't have something "superior".
2. This is a tough one.... comps will happen, but only if people turn up. I think people not turning up will be more of an issue than comps not being run for FO. Comps are about cashflow - make no mistake about this. If the books don't balance, it won't run again.
For example, (and note that I am not making decisions for our club here), there is no reason not to have a separate FO competition at our Club prize meeting - or any other. We have plenty of gallery width, and would probably be able to get support for the comp within the club (being very forward thinking).
A separate target would need to be provided for the FO people. This is the only thing that would be different from the TR/FS competitors.
3. As per 2, competitors would maybe need to book and pay a spot prior to the event to guarantee the FO event happens. A minimum number would need to attend to make sure the extra marker is payed for (say 5 or 6 shooters probably). There would probably be no "pay on the day" for FO, unless minimum numbers have been met.
4. We have sponsors. Not sure about prize value, depends on what is in it for them (us)
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
5. From our local club point of view, this is a non-issue. From a wider view, it may be a problem....the "us and them" is certainly evident still. Crikey, some people are so out of touch they think the Omark is some new fangled rifle for young folk.
The more the FO thing is talked about, the more it can be brought into the open (excuse the pun).