F-Class News: NRA Introduces New F-TRipod Classification
F-Class shooting is the fastest-growing form of NRA rifle competition. While sling-shooting is in decline, the number of F-Class shooters grows every year. Recognizing this, the NRA Competitive Shooting Division has decided to expand the sport of F-Class with a new, third classification: F-TRipod. Like the current F-TR class, F-TRipod will be limited to .223 Remington or .308 Winchester chamberings. However, the rifle support can have three legs, and the weight of the tripod will NOT count in the rifle’s overall weight limit, which will be the same as F-TR, (8.25kg or 18.18 pounds). That way all current F-TR shooters will automatically “make weight” in the new F-TRipod class.
Three-legged shooting platforms can be adapted from photo tripods using a variety of mounts.
Why did the NRA create a new division for F-Class? According to Ryan Tromper of the NRA’s High Power Committee, “It’s all about improving the competitor’s experience. This new class should make the sport more popular among shooters of all ages and all levels of physical ability.” Ryan noted that many current F-Class shooters are not happy shooting on the ground: “At the 2014 F-Class Nationals in Phoenix, we polled F-Class shooters. The number one complaint was the shooting position. We heard many comments such as ‘I’m getting too old for this, I just can’t stay comfortable for a whole match anymore'”. After hearing many complaints about “eating dust all day on the ground”, the NRA realized there was a problem. F-TRipod is the solution.
The addition of the F-TRipod division should make F-Class competition more accessible for older competitors and for the many “weight-challenged” Americans who have difficulty getting down into the prone position. “We want F-Class to be inclusive. No matter what your age, your size, your shape, or your weight, we want you to be able to shoot F-Class and enjoy the experience”, said Tromper. This should make a big difference to shooters who have limited mobility.
With the advent of F-TRipod competition, shooters will no longer have to spend all day long on their belly in the dirt. Instead they can shoot from a comfortable seated position. F-TRipod competitors will be allowed to sit on the ground or in a portable chair.
F-TRipod Competition Should Be More Affordable
Affordability was another key factor in the NRA’s decision to create a new F-TRipod classification. As Derek Rodgers, the only man to win both F-TR and F-Open national titles, explains: “Let’s face it, F-Open has evolved into a hardware race. A complete F-Open rest set-up, with coaxial front rest, pad, and a couple custom rear bags, can run close to $1500.00. That’s not affordable for a lot of guys.” With the new F-TRipod division, all you need is a photo tripod and some kind of support head. With a used eBay tripod, and the $135.00 Pig Saddle, the whole system can be assembled for under $200.00. That’s half the cost of today’s most exotic F-TR bipods. Other than the tripod (with cradle) the only other accessory an F-TRipod competitor needs is a cushion for his or her posterior. (NRA rules will allow competitors to use cushions or camp chairs).
Favored by PRS competitors (and military snipers), tripods will soon be seen at F-Class matches as well. In the video below, the 6.5 Guys review various F-TRipod options.
Both current F-Class disciplines, F-Open and F-TR, are shot from the ground. Though rifle supports are permitted, this is essentially prone shooting (on your belly), and for many shooters, this is uncomfortable. Below, AccurateShooter’s Jason Baney demonstrates a modern rifle tripod system with a double cradle upper.
NRA F-Class Rifle Rules
3. EQUIPMENT AND AMMUNITION
3.4 F-Class Rifle
(c) F-Class Tripod Rifle (F-TRipod) – A rifle restricted to the chambers of unmodified .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO or unmodified .223 Remington/5.56mm x 45 NATO cartridge cases. The rifle must be fired off a tripod, on which the rifle rests, or to which the rifle is attached. Any three-legged support, meeting the definition of a tripod, may be used but the tripod may not weigh more than 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds) and it may not contain any powered adjustment mechanisms or leveling systems. The tripod support may employ rigid or sliding mounts or cradles and manually-adjustable tilting heads are allowed. Any safe, manually-operated trigger is permitted. Any sighting system is permitted, but it must be included in the rifle’s overall weight.
(1) The rifle’s overall weight, including all attachments such as sights, sling, and rail(s), must not exceed 8.25 kilograms (approximately 18 pounds). The tripod and any mount or cradle permanently affixed to the tripod are not considered “attachments” if they can be separated from the rifle after the shooting sequence.
(2) The rifle must be fired in the seated or kneeling position from the shoulder of the competitor using rifle as defined in 3.4.1(b).
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Tags: Ben Avery, F-Class, F-TR, Fat, high power, Hog Saddle, NRA, Pig Saddle, Tripod
I’m sure it’s April fools day today.
Good one guys – nearly got me this year!
Laurie
lol, let’s see how this goes
look at the date.
I wonder if I can get a ski type tripod. Gotta keep my rifle tracking properly.
I certainly hope this is an April Fool’s joke.
This just sounds silly. Not comfortable enough prone.. ? No comment. I guess companies wont adapt higher legs for there 1000.00$ + rests essentially raising the cost.
This is long overdue for this old geasser.
I’m 71 and prone shooting kills my neck so I just started shooting tactical hunterclass at the Potomac ranch matches. there, I shoot siting only.
I cant believe they didn’t mention Caldwell’s Dead Shot Field Pod line. I have the Dead Shot Magnum, and it would be a lot more stable than any of the tripods shown in this article.
http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-488111-Magnum-DeadShot-FieldPod/dp/B00AVUIZ4W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427907259&sr=8-1&keywords=Magnum+Deadshot+Fieldpod
Looks like an April fool’s joke to me.
heard next year the NRA’s going to approve F-STR classs (F-Class Stratolounger)
I’m not an F-class shooter (I shoot PRS), but I can tell you that prone is shaping up to be your grandfather’s shooting position. Spending all day on the ground also exposes you to heavy metals and a host of yucky things – no thanks. It wouldn’t surprise me if liability concerns eliminate the prone position all together. While the tripod does get you off the ground, it will introduce new challenges as it is not as steady as prone. F-TR shooters will want to spend more time working on their trigger technique given the increased wobble.
Can anyone say, April Fool’s?
This will be the perfect venue to test out my Sonic Ripple bullets.
I love the new products that come out this time of the year!
“F-class stratolounger” thats awesome.
And its April 1st…
April fools day??
Maybe this is another April fools joke. Like the TAC talk pay line surely is. Even the barrel demagnetizing article strikes me as a tad bemusing.
Hmmmm, wonder if the Rule change and the date are a coincidence.
I agree with Richard. The new products are short lived though.
Anthony Netto from the Stand Up and Play Foundation (Standupandplayfoundation.org) came out to my club’s XTC match last Sunday and shot with us during the offhand string. He used a tripod and a MSR. He shot from his Paramobile.
It was very humbling to meet someone who had overcome that challenge and is so involved in helping others.
F-Tripod is perfect to involve a friend who has a disabilty too.
Personally I’ll stick to my sling as long as I physically can.
Jeez, some of you guys can’t recognize a joke when you see one.
I also understand that the NRA is considering a standing F-TRipod rule – same as the sitting/kneeling rule, but for off-hand. Will aid those that struggle with unstable off hand.
Then of course, there’s always been the discussion of having a supported XC CoF, requiring more transportable support structures. Very progressive.
Every year we get this. This us one of the better ones. I am calling April Fools on this one.
Excellent April fools.
Amazes me how they do this every year and people fall for it every year.
I will have Seb Lambang make me a tri-pod for a Seb Max.
I love it. F-TRIpod avaliable for match shooting 1 day a year. Go out and enjoy F-TRIpod 1 April of each year. I’ll sign up and shoot!
Can I bring my Seattle Seahawks stadium chair and wear face paint? Ohhhh, I better wait a few years for that!
Sign me up!
I used one of these when I was the door gunner on the Hindenburg. Oh the stories I could tell if they weren’t still classified.