New F1 F-Open Stock from Competition Machine
Here are exclusive “Spy Shots” of a soon-to-be released project, the all-new F-Open chassis system from Competition Machine (Gary Eliseo). Dubbed the “F1″ stock by Gary, this radical new chassis system is designed expressly for F-Open competition. With a super-low Center of Gravity (COG), the F1 boasts many innovative features including an epoxy-lined barrel block that allows the action to float. The F1’s length-of-pull is adjustable for length while the buttpad holder adjusts for height.
The stock, which will work with any type of action, should sell for about the same price as a fully-adjustable fiberglass stock. Competition Machine hopes to start shipping F1 stocks in summer 2015.
The F1 stock will accept any action, long or short, right-hand or left-hand. The F1 is shown below with a Pierce magnum long action.
Gary Eliseo, designer of this new F-Open Chassis system explains:
“Our new F1 project is a complete departure from the tube-style chassis that we’re known for. I wanted to design a system specifically for the F-Open game that would incorporate state-of-the-art technologies. Free recoil has long been the preferred method in the benchrest world and many F-Class shooters have adopted it as well. The challenge has been taming the recoil and torque generated by the larger cartridges used by the F-Class shooter (such as .284 Win and 300 WSM). We have made the rifle’s center of gravity as low as possible and offset the fore-end so the rifle recoils straight back with minimal torque effects.”
Close-up frontal view shows off-set and ultra-low barrel position.
The F1 chassis has the lowest possible Center of Gravity — the barrel rides just .300″ over the front bag. This minimizes “hop” on firing and keeps the rearward force of recoil running in a straight line. Gary designed the gun with a very long “wheelbase”. He says “the distance between the fore-end and toe is greater that any other stock available”. This long wheelbase should help the rig resist torque. Gary explains: “Think of the fore-end to toe relationship as a torque arm; the greater the distance, the more torque resistance.” Even with its ultra-long wheelbase, the F1 sits no higher off the ground than any other rifle. This should be a comfortable stock to shoot, and an optional cheek-pad will be offered.
Barrel Is Secured by Epoxy inside Box-Style Aluminum Barrel Block.
Epoxy Barrel Block Mounting System
Gary decided to use a barrel block system for many important reasons. (Editor: Barrel blocks are used on Benchrest Rail Guns, the most accurate rifles ever made). Gary told us: “Stress in a rifle is the enemy of accuracy, that’s why I decided to use a barrel block mounting system. This allows the action to float with no weight on the barrel tenon. One potential problem of a barrel block is stress on the bore induced by conventional clamping caps. We’ve avoided that problem by using epoxy inside the block to secure the barrel. You’ll see there are no conventional clamping bolts. This also helps keep the weight down. The barrel block is an aluminum box that mounts in a V-channel machined into the chassis. The barrel is secured by a layer of epoxy between the steel barrel and the aluminum box. This makes it light and strong with no clamping stresses. Replacement barrel blocks will be available at a modest cost if the customer doesn’t want to remove the old one when it’s time for a new barrel.”
So, you may be asking, “when will this engineering marvel be available and how much will it cost”? Gary says: “Cost of the F1 stock/chassis, in any color finish the customer wants, will be about the same as any other high-end F-Class stock. We hope to have F1 stocks available this summer”.
F1 Chassis System Easily ‘Makes Weight’ Even with a Long Barrel
Gary notes: “Combining all these features into a package that meets the weight limit for an F-Open rig was a challenge, but the scale doesn’t lie. The F-Open max weight is 22 pounds. That means there’s over four (4) pounds left over on this rifle for scope and rings.”
Similar Posts:
- Eliseo F1 F-Class Chassis System Enters Production
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- Transform Your TubeGun with PickleFork Front Rails
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- Two Guns in One — TubeGun Transformed for F-Open Competition
Tags: Chassis System, F-Class, F-Open, F1, Gary Eliseo, Stock, Tubegun
very cool. I want one!!!!
not 100% sure if I like the look. no pistol grip?
I think I prefer the look of the XLR chassis.
not sure that forearm is legal…..looks like it can easily be trapped by the rest.
Free recoil means you touch the stock in as few places as possible. You don’t need or use a pistol grip. If you use a one piece front bag instead of the three piece shown, trapping the stock should not occur.
I do like the look of the stock and the barrel block concept for a new build. I would still like to have the option of choosing a pistol grip however. Shooting 300WSM feels better when you are holding a pistol grip. I think the free recoil can be had for light 6mm calibers but with the heavy bullets it feels you’re missing something
I bet it tracks beautifully. I bet it looks great in one of his finishes. I want one in blue.
the trigger guard can easily be made to accept an AR grip for those who want one.
If you study up on positive compensation this is exactly the opposite of what you want in a long range stock. Would be great for short range though.
“Positive compensation” for me is 200-14x at 1k yards. I guess we’ll see on the range. Gary’s previous stocks have been proven to be positive compensation hammers in the past, I see no reason why this one won’t be the same.
Hmmm… “Free recoil has long been the preferred method in the benchrest world and many F-Class shooters have adopted it as well.”
It sure seems like the shooting sports are heading toward being a $$$ race to build small caliber artillery pieces.
Too many Indians that can’t admit the issue isn’t the arrow I guess. I can understand shooting off a rest if you are physically unable to use a sling, but until that time comes…
Oh, Brad, come over to the Dark Side already – it’s a lot of fun. Much more than complaining about money.
As to this stock, if Gary really wanted to eliminate twisting he could mount a “keel” plate to the forearm bottom and sell a rest-top that matches it. Would still lift straight up and out but eliminates the need for bags on the sides of the fore-end.
Gary Childs uses one on his Open Tubegun stock.
In the end cosmetics really mean little, our desire is an accurate and shoot-able rifle. This article includes no accuracy testing with multiple HP cartridges. Gary may have something here but I wouldn’t volunteer to be the ginni pig.
Dunbar and Wazniak from WI built a similar stock 4 years ago, Dunbar tested it extensively and still uses the proto type today. What he learned was it worked well on smaller f-class cartridges and sucked on WSM and RSAUM sized loading. I think the issue revolved around some induced vibration but Jon would be better at relaying his results. May-be Gary has a winner may-be not, testing will tell.
This is a similar concept to my F-Open stock, although mine is mostly hollow section steel, and the clamp is a pair of opposing 90 degree V blocks bolted together. Mine rides even lower, with the barrel only 0.12″ above the bag. Originally the fore-end was offset, but the uneven weight on the front bag was problematic so it is now centrally aligned. I share the concerns expressed above about the way barrel clamps effectively shorten the barrel, and reduce the likelihood of getting positive compensation. In an attempt to improve it, my newest barrel is 34″ and 1″ diameter for most of its length. Will be testing it shortly. The stock works well – it was good enough for 7th place at the FCWC in Raton, using a 32″ 1.25″ parallel barrel chambered in 7mm Shehane. The Eliseo F1 looks will not appeal to some, but its a beauty queen beside mine! A good looking score is better than a good looking rifle.
Brad, get what you are saying, but at the very least you have to appreciate the engineering. I shoot sling and enjoy the sport of it. F-Class is just a different game. Way I see it anyway.