How would you like to represent the United States in top-level International Shooting competitions? Well, if F-Class is your game, here is your opportunity. F-Class Team USA will be conducting try-outs for the United States squads who will represent our country in F-TR and F-Open divisions (plus Under-25) at the 2021 World Championships. The try-outs are open to any competitive shooter with a class-compliant rifle and the will to win. Team leadership expressly welcomes newcomers.
Initial and primary tryouts are planned during the 2018 U.S. National Championships in Raton, NM, and the 2019 SW Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. There may also be an early 2019 tryout date at Butner, NC.
Dan Bramley Invites Shooters to Team USA F-Class Try-Outs
Official Invitation to Team USA F-Class Try-Outs To the F-Class Community–
On behalf of Team USA 2021, we are pleased to invite the best of USA F-class to consider joining our effort for the 2021 World Championships in Bloemfontein, South Africa. We are reaching out with this invitation to provide some general information on our plans for 2021 and for upcoming try-out dates for the unified Team USA: F-TR, F-Open, and Under 25.
We are moving forward with F-Open, F-TR, and Under 25 unified as one USA F-class 2021 Team. This will allow us to take advantage of each team’s strengths and provide needed purchasing power and coordination for event and logistic costs. We also believe this will help encourage and grow our sport. We will share ideas, event/facility dates and best practices within this unified team, however, individual team segments will make their own decisions. Therefore, please direct your responses and inquiries to the appropriate team leadership.
Being part of Team USA is a major commitment of time and resources. We do have wonderful and sizable sponsorship partners who we thank and rely on for moderating individual team member costs. However, due to the location of this World Championship effort, one can expect to help cover a commensurate level of the costs.
We are now moving into the USA “development team” stage of the process. This team is open to newcomers… there are many newer names showing up on the top of leader-boards and many new teams that are making positive impacts. If you are interested in being part of Team USA, please consider making that commitment. We would like to hear from you by March 23, 2018.
Team Time Expectations
Attendance at SWN and US Nationals will be expected for 2019 and 2020. We will also likely expect the final team to attend the Berger SWN in 2021 or have an alternative site for a final practice prior to our trip. We will try to have afternoon or evening team sessions during these events however we may have team days just prior or after these events to maximize the use of individual travel dollars and time. We will also likely have additional team training dates in 2019 and 2020, likely on east coast ranges to facilitate best availability for all.
Shooting/Coaching Position Opportunities
We are equally passionate about developing coaching/shooting teams for winning gold medal efforts in both the Richardson Cup (8-man) and Rutland Cup (4-man) World Championship Events. Obtaining a shooting or coaching spot on one of these teams is an absolute gauntlet of a commitment and consistent strong results will be required as the USA is blessed with wonderful depth. We encourage all, with proven success in our sport, to test themselves at this highest of levels.
Team Try-Out Dates and Locations
Initial and primary tryouts are planned during the 2018 US National Championships in Raton, NM and the 2019 SW Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. There may also be an early 2019 tryout date at Butner, NC.
If you are interested in further information, please contact our Team USA leadership:
Dan Bramley, Captain USA F-Open
usrifleteam2021fopen [at] gmail.com
Phil Kelley, Jr., Captain USA F-TR
usarifle2021 [at] gmail.com
Rick Jensen, Captain USA U25
U25USAFclass [at] gmail.com
There were some interesting new Euro-Rimfires on display at SHOT Show 2018. We were impressed with the new Tikka T1x along with the handsome Steyr Zephyr II. Both these rifles are offered in .22 LR and .17 HMR rimfire chamberings, and the Zephyr comes in .22 WMR as well. Our friends at Varminter.com have created preview videos showcasing the notable features of these new rifles. We hope to test one of these Tikkas this spring — one great feature is the action has the same footprint as the Tikka T3/T3X centerfire rifles. That means you can drop the rimfire barreled action into any stock that fits a T3 or T3X.
Tikka T1x MTR Rimfire Rifle (.17 HMR, .22 LR)
Varminter.com Reports:
Tikka has built a reputation for offering quality firearms, for an affordable price. Up until now, they have focused on the centerfire platform. However, they are now entering the rimfire market with the new Tikka T1x MTR rimfire rifle. This rifle is loaded with everything we love about Tikka’s T3 centerfire rifles, in a rimfire. Unique to the T1x is the ability to place the barreled action into one of their T3, or new T3x, rifles. This truly gives this rimfire a centerfire feel, in the calibers we love (.22 Long Rifle and .17HMR).
Linked above is Varminter.com’s video with Miikka Tammlnen from SAKO in Finland from the floor of the 2018 SHOT Show, where he discusses this new rifle in length. READ Varminter.com Review.
Steyr Arms showed off a handsome rimfire rig at SHOT Show. The Zephyr II sports a handsome walnut stock with good ergonomics and nice checkering on grip and fore-end. This is not an inexpensive rifle — MSRP is $995. The .22 LR version is shipping now, and other the .22 WMR and .17 HMR versions should be available before summer. The rifle is trim and easy to carry — overall length is 39.2″ (with 19.7″ barrel) and the rifle weighs just 5.8 pounds without scope. You’ll find more product photos on Guns.com.
Varminter.com has prepared a preview video highlighting features of this attractgive rimfire varmint rig. View the video below. For more details read the FULL Varminter.com Review.
Product description from Steyr Arms
The Steyr Mannlicher Zephyr II is the rebirth of the original Zephyr rifle, which was produced from 1955 through 1971. This new rifle features a classic European walnut stock with a Bavarian cheek piece and fish-scale checkering. The Zephyr II has a tang safety, detachable 5-round box magazine, and comes with a threaded barrel option for all calibers. The cold hammer forged barrel with Mannox finish make for tough, reliable design that will withstand the elements while out in the field. This lightweight bolt-action, is available in .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR.
Chamberings: 17 HMR , 22 Long Rifle, 22 WMR
Magazine: 5 Round, Detachable
Stock: European walnut with fish scale pattern
We know many of you guys have a Forster case trimmer (hand lathe) sitting on your reloading bench. This tool does a good job of trimming cases to length. But did you know that an inexpensive accessory will allow your Forster case trimmer to chamfer while it cuts? Here’s the skinny on the 3-way head for the Forster case trimmer.
Tool Cuts Brass to Length, and Chamfers Inside and Outside
Forster’s 3-in-1 Carbide Case Mouth Cutter works with all existing Forster case trimmers. This unit does three jobs at the same time. It trims the case to length, it puts a 14-degree chamfer on the INSIDE of the neck, AND (last but not least), it cuts a 30-degree chamfer on the OUTSIDE of the neck. It does this all quickly and efficiently — in a matter of a few seconds. We tested the new tool ourselves on a few cases. The tool is solid and well made. The carbide cutting tips do perform a very clean cut. Be aware, however, if you have turned your necks already, you may have to reset the blade positions before you start trimming your brass.
Forster’s CFO, Robert Ruch, demonstrates the 3-in-1 case trimming/chamfering tool in the video above. As you can see, the tool turns very smoothly (no chatter). The actual cutting time, per case, is just a few seconds. The tool has an MSRP of $88.00, but it sells for around $65.00 to $70.00 at major vendors. Forster’s 3-in-1 Carbide cutting tool works with all existing Forster case trimmers and other hand lathes with a .490″ shaft diameter. The unit fits over the cutter shaft and secures with one set screw. The 3-in-1 cutter is available for five (5) calibers: .224, .243 (6mm), .264 (6.5mm), .284 (7mm), and .308.
Wouldn’t it be cool if you could record what you see through your riflescope, without interfering with the normal view through the eyepiece (ocular)? That is now possible with a new, scope-mounted accessory from Phone Skope. The new Skoped Vision Adapter ($149.95 MSRP) holds your smart-phone on the right side of the riflescope. The “shooter’s eye view” through the scope ocular is NOT obstructed. This way you can video a hunt, or a target shooting session. Watch this video to see how it works.
Ed Mobley of 65Guys.com checked out the new Skoped Vision riflescope adapter at SHOT Show. In this 6.5 Guys video, the Skoped Vision product feature starts at the 1:50 time-mark:
Ed asked the Phone Skope Sales Rep about recoil and G-forces. No one wants to harm an expensive smart-phone. The Sale Rep said that today’s smart-phones are pretty tough, so no problems have been encountered: “We have tested on 7mm, .300 Win Mag. We haven’t had any issues with recoil or damage to the phone. So it looks very promising.”
The Skoped Vision riflescope adapter should be available by early summer 2018. Phone Skope says the adapter will sell for $149.95. The Skoped Vision adapter mates with a regular Phone Skope smart-phone holder which costs about $50.00. So your total price will be roughly $200.00.
This safe has a simple, combination dial lock. While slower to open, mechanical dial locks are more trouble-free than battery-powered keypad locking systems.
This is the best deal we’ve seen in a long time on a medium-sized, fire-resistant gun safe. If you don’t have a decent safe yet, this is a very good value. You get a 24-gun, fire-rated safe delivered to your doorstep for $459.00. No extra shipping charge. Hard to beat that. This safe usually costs over $675.00. It measures 55″ tall x 29.25″ wide x 20.25″ deep. Weight is 418 pounds. While that’s heavy enough to deter a “smash and grab”, we strongly recommend you bolt the safe in place.
Word to Wise about Rated Capacity
While this safe is rated for 24 long guns up to 54″ tall, realistically you can store 10-12 scoped rifles comfortably. You can also split the interior, using the provided shelves. Put rifles on one side and other valuables (cameras, jewelry, electronics, photo albums) on the other side.
Stack-On 24 Gun Fire Resistant Safe — Product Description
With a combination lock that is reinforced with a steel plate, this hunter green gun security safe ensures that your guns will stay securely locked up. The gun safe with combination lock has been tested and is verified to be fire-resistant for 30 minutes up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. The door stripping on the safe expands when exposed to high temperatures, sealing the contents inside from harm during a fire. The Stack-On 24 Gun Fire Resistant Safe has reinforced steel doors that are filled with fire retardant material, creating a protective firewall. This gun security safe has 2-way locking 1″ steel live action locking bolts and up to 5 locking points. Inside, the gun security safe is fully carpeted with 4 adjustable shelves to give you ample storage space. This durable Stack-On Gun Fire Resistant Safe is especially designed to resist deterioration and compression over time.
Delivery Information
This item is shipped via a freight trucking service. The company will call you to schedule a delivery appointment, so ensure someone is home at the scheduled delivery time. Please note that this item is available for curbside delivery only, and will not be moved into your home or garage. We recommend you have help available to move the item to its final location. Safe Weight is 418 pounds. That requires a pretty sturdy dolly.
Being part of Team USA is a major commitment of time and resources. We do have wonderful and sizable sponsorship partners who we thank and rely on for moderating individual team member costs. However, due to the location of this World Championship effort, one can expect to help cover a commensurate level of the costs.
