F-Open: cartridge choice.

[Matt P]

Quick
I'm the process of getting back into open ( if I ever get round to chambering my barrels), I'm going with a 6.5 x 47 and a 284, but I imagine that the 6.5 will see the most work, and the 284 will only be used at the longs on rough days. I haven't shot the 6.5 yet but back when I shot open I won alot with a 6.5 x 57 AI and it had a MV of 2860 which I beleive the 47 case is capable of with 130 Bergers which have a similar BC to the 142 SMK I used. In my opinion it's all about balance, accuracy first, ballistics and ease of shooting and I think the 6.5 X 47 has a better balance than just about every other caliber mentioned.
Just my 2 bobs worth
Good luck.
Matt P

[RAVEN]

I agree Matt
A good all rounder
RB

[ecomeat]

Quick,
I have been shooting F Open in SE Qld for just on a year now, using a 6 x 47 Lapua (6.5 x 47 necked down to 6mm) and have certainly been competitive with it out to 600-700 yds, but here in our conditions it impossible to not notice the consistency of the bigger , better BC 6.5s and 7 mms.
Now that I am totally addicted to F Class, and really enjoy the challenge of long range shooting, I have convinced myself that in shitty windy days, I simply cannot expect to beat a good shooter with a 7mm.

Just to confuse the issue though, I was a late call up for Qld Country V City last weekend at Belmont. 10, 10 and 15 shots all at 900 yds on a pretty switchy, windy day complete with rain. So we were shooting for a max 210 pts.
Our local Beaudesert shooter Meichelle Knudsen (who shot the 4 x possibles at NSW Queens) won with her little 6 BR, scoring 204 pts, with Barry Lewis and a 7mm next on 199 pts, followed by Mark and Vince from Wild Dog Stocks, both also using 7 mm's and both on 198. I was next with my 6mm on 197, in front of another couple of 7mms, a 6.5 x 284 and a .260
Now there is no doubt that this girl can really shoot, and obviously the nut behind the butt has a big influence on the final outcome.........but the little 6mm BR beat home three very capable shooters, on THEIR home range, all using 7mm, and on a day withswitchy winds......with her well tuned 6mmBR.
Ah, the challenges ..................
Ecomeat

[IanP]

I also agree that the 6.5x47L is a great gun and have 3 barrels ranging from 30 to 32" and in normal and 5R grooved. I think its easier to fully understand and shoot one calibre as the ballistics and wind drift are different when mixing calibres. My short range load is 162gr Amax in 7mm and for long range the 180 grainers do the job. I have a 300m F-Open record is SA with a 60.9 and a 60.7 for 120.16 and this was shot using my 284Shehane with the 162gr Amax bullets.

Having said that I will tell you what Bill Shehane (284 Shehane) told me. He said his favourite calibre of all time was the 6mm BR but if the wind started to blow he was always prepared with another large calibre rifle in the back of the car. His solution was a two gun solution if the competition allowed it.

Ian

Note: All wind drift comparisons that I have quoted in my posts are for a 10mph cross wind at 1000 yards for this discussion. Litz in his book in his Ballistic Performance chapter gives an example of approx 2" less wind drift winning a competition for two equal ability elite shooters. Giving away 10-14" wind drift at 1000 yards puts you at a distinct disadvantage.

[DaveMc]

Quick - I will give you some alternative advice. Have a good look at the action and see how much it is worn. I know 2 shooters who have chambered the 284 in an old omark and found extraction issues (not much fun on the line). These were ultimately fixed (just recently and not sure how yet) but may be a pain if it doesn't work well for you at the start. Speaking of Bill Shehane - I read somewhere one of the reasons he designed the 284 Shehane reamer was to help with extraction originally. Running the same 2820-2840 fps load in the 284 shehane has noticably less pressure and particularly (with the straighter case) less case head pressure. That being said I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Shehane as a first open cartridge as it requires making or sourcing special dies and not all gunsmiths will have a reamer.
I love the 284 and 284 Shehane (and have 4 rifles chambered for it) but looking back I would personally start with a 6.5*47 too (it is also my short range calibre now - similar to Matts and Ians and others choice). Dies, gear, shells are all easily available. They are inherently accurate and will give you good barrel life for practice (My first was a 6.5*284 which did not give me enough practice time and wind reading skills before it was burnt out). You will be twice the shooter and wind reader after shooting out a barrel of one of these rather than a bigger, faster, barrel burner. It may not be the ultimate 800-1000 yard world championship calibre but it is a darn good all round choice. BUT If you want to see the Mrs enjoy the sport -hand her an accurate 6mmBR (then try and wipe the grin off her face as she whips your a___e). They are also a great all round choice and immensely enjoyable. You can always keep it as your short range rifle if you take the sport further and get a big 7mm later. There are some new hybrid bullets coming out for both that will add to their appeal as well.

[Quick]

Mmmmm, the 6.5x47 Lapua is certainly looking like the go. What's recoil like compared to 223? I'm going to try and find one to shoot and see how I like it.

Cheers for your help guys. Keep advice coming if you have and different opinions or views.

[DaveMc]

Build it to 9-10kgs and it will be beautiful to shoot.

[IanP]

Build it to 9-10kgs and it will be beautiful to shoot.

I agree Dave as the rifle weight keeps the recoil right down and the comfort level right up!

Ian

[BATattack]

ive had 10yr olds shoot my 6.5x47 and loved it in a 10kg rifle! couldnt wipe the grin off his face

[DaveMc]

I should add you could consider building it to 17 lb weight limit (for 500m fly and 1000yd BR) with some add in weights for F class. It is a good thing to experience all these disciplines!

[Seddo]

Quick,

Recoil will feel less if the stock fits the shooter well. My 284 is a dream to shoot in an XLR stock but i dont run it hot (162's @ 2800) as my home rnage is only 700y.

[Quick]

Gents,

Rather then start a new thread ill ask here.

Do many people run switch barrel rifles in F-Class? I'm considering making my current 308 a switch barrel in 6.5x47 Lapua instead of building a seperate rifle. Any accuracy issues and who should I see here in WA about getting it done. My action had already been trued if that matters.

Cheers guys.

[IanP]

Gents,

Rather then start a new thread ill ask here.

Do many people run switch barrel rifles in F-Class? I'm considering making my current 308 a switch barrel in 6.5x47 Lapua instead of building a seperate rifle. Any accuracy issues and who should I see here in WA about getting it done. My action had already been trued if that matters.

Cheers guys.

Lots of shooters run switch barrels, I do and there is not any downside to it. Accuracy is all about the chamber, barrel and load, if the stock works for one calibre it should work for another. Keep the total weight with a new barrel to as close to the max for class as you can!

Ian

[bruce moulds]

i believe that fclass shooters are only now at the bottom end of the windreading ladder. we have approached the mountain, but have yet to climb it.
up until now we have relied heavily on b.c. to keep us out of trouble.
the recent performance of adam davies with his 308 could well be a barometric indication of the future path of fopen. seriously good wind sense, combined with great accuracy.
should this become a fact, the 6.5x47 will possibly be seen more on the line. it has huge accuracy potential, some say rivalling the 6br,reasonable b.c., and not much recoil.
and if machine gunning becomes a necessity due to electronic targets, it can be shot quite fast.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Quick]

Bruce,

The inherent accuracy of the 6.5x47 Lapua is one of the main reasons I'm gonna go with it. Shooting the 308 is great fun and I think the accuracy and ease off loading from what i can tell of the 6.5x47 Lapua will be another great fun round to shoot both in F-Open and the bush.

Ian,

How long does it usually take to swap barrels? What wats make it easy and repeatable?