Getting Started in F-Class by Rod Vigstol
How Easy it is to Have Fun with Rifles and Equipment You Probably Already Have….
Forum member Rod Vigstol (aka Nodak7mm) has written a great Introduction to F-Class for shooters getting started in this rewarding discipline. Rod’s article, which appears in German Salazar’s Rifleman’s Journal website, covers F-Class basics and addresses concerns that “newbies” may have when trying a new shooting sport. Rod stresses that most guys who own a varmint-hunting or tactical rig likely have nearly all the gear they need to give F-Class competition a try.
Rod explains: “If you’re reading this, you have more than just a general interest in the shooting sports and in the awesome rifles that shoot tiny groups at insane distances. You probably even have friends that enjoy shooting as much as you do. The quandary you may find yourself in is your friends haven’t quite jumped into it head-first like you have and they haven’t spent a lot of money and time obtaining the equipment you have to go shoot these matches. But you know what? Your prairie-dog shooting buddy or coyote-hunter friend can attend these matches and shoot alongside with you. He or she more than likely already has the basic equipment needed to shoot a match.” Most varmint shooters already have a suitable, accurate rifle and the following equipment:
• A variable-power scope in the 4.5-14x range or higher.
• A front bipod like the trusty old Harris 9″-13″, or maybe even a basic pedestal front rest.
• A rear sand-bag or similar sand-sock to rest the butt stock.
• A basic shooting mat from Midway or at least a piece of carpet or canvas to lay on.
Rod also provides a handy checklist of items to bring to the range. These include: Canvas or carpet strip (to set under bipod), Notebook, Kitchen Timer, Cleaning Rod, Camp Chair, Elbow Pads, Shooting Hat, and Open Bolt Indicator (OBI). Along with rifle, bipod (or front rest), rear bag, and ammo, that’s pretty much all you need.
Rod encourages all shooters to give F-Class a try — even novices. Rod explains: “We have all been rookies, newbies, new kids on the block or whatever. So we all have a good idea of what may be going on in your mind, the questions and concerns you may have. I’m telling you this sport is full of fantastic people who deep down find it far more fulfilling to help a new shooter get started than running a clean target. You just have to take the first step to get involved.”
CLICK HERE To read the entire article on Rifleman’s Journal.com. We’ve only provided a small sample of Rod’s article; it is definitely worth reading in its entirety.
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- Getting Started in F-Class Competion
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Tags: Bipod, Competition, F-Class, F-TR, German Salazar, Rod Vigstol
What opportunities are there for someone getting into F-class shooting near the Central Virginia area (say withing 2-3 hr drive)?
Jason, check out the Quantico Shooting Club http://www.quanticoshootingclub.com/calendar2.php
I’ve shot there, it’s a first class facility as you might imagine given the ownership. The club should also be able to point out other clubs in the area for you.
What range is pictured here? It looks beautiful.
Roy
Roy,
That is the “Fork’s Rifle” Club in Grand Forks ND. It really is a great range to shoot at, thank you. They have an indoor smallbore range and a centerfire silhoutte too.
Rod V
Forx Rifle Club is a nice range. Nice to see that target garage has been updated. I used to drive 80 miled only to shoot HP league there. Good Folks.
Long Live the Spirit of WG Coulter!
For the fella in Central VA. You have Quantico, as previously mentioned, Camp Butner, NC, Camp Lejune, NC and Oakridge TN all within a few hours.
Nat Lambeth
Great article for beginners/future hopefuls.I’m new to the site/the web and the forums,articles,and ads are intoxicating to a dark ages(PRINT) accuracy buff. Rodz story made me realize how close to home long range/f-class/f/tr actually is to home.I’m only 2-3hours from Lodi and wish I’d had the opportunity to attend even to volunteer just to get my feet wet,so to speak.I traveled to Camp Perry in 2001 to participate in the John C Garand match. The memories are hard to put in words… Anyways back to the point I’m considering trying my hand at long range and Rodz writing has got my gears turning.There’s nothing better than anticipating a new project…..well X’s are nice to.Bottom line thank you.
Stretch,
We gotta get you in touch with the folks at Lodi, great group of folks over there with alot of shooting opportunities to boot.
I would really like to hear from you and help you get hooked up with the Lodi folks. Shoot me an email, its listed in the artcle at the end.
Makes my day to hear that your getting spooled up about giving this great sport a shot..
Rod
. . . and if you really get good at F-Class; you get to go to the World Championships.
The next F-Class World Championships is in Raton, New Mexico, USA, in 2013.
http://usfclass.com/
http://www.usftrclass.com/
Enjoy the pictures from the F-Class World Championship, Bisley, UK, 2009.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/762_photo/sets/72157618285495785/
AK
Many organizations have embraced the concept of a non-sanctioned “factory” class whereby people can compete using completely off-the-shelf equipment. I think this is an excellent idea so that people can have fun, get started and achieve success without having to break the bank getting there.