NRA Approves E-Class Competition — F-Class on a Budget
First there was F-Class, and now there will be E-Class, the “E” standing for “Economy”. The NRA Competitive Shooting Division has just approved a new form of rifle competition starting in 2020: E-Class. Unlike F-Class, E-Class will have tight rifle and gear cost controls. This is a clear response to rising F-Class costs, which have spiraled out of control. The first major E-Class National event will be a preview match held this summer at Camp Atterbury in Indiana.
READ NRA Proposed NRA E-Class Rules HERE »
The NRA’s sanctioning of E-Class competition makes sense. Let’s face it, top-level F-Class competition, both F-TR and F-Open, has become just too expensive. A modern F-Open rifle capable of winning a championship can now cost $9000.00 or more, including rest, premium trigger, and optics. Under the NRA’s new E-Class Rules, rifles can cost no more than $2000.00 total, including optics and rest (E-Open) or bipod (E-TR). In addition, new E-Class rules will recognize a special division, called E-Factory, that is limited to factory rifles, such as the Savage F-Class rig and Ruger Precision Rifle. Factory Class will be restricted to .223 Remington to keep costs down.
COST COMPARISON — F-Open, E-Open, and E-Factory
|
F-Open (Current High End) |
E-Class Open |
E-Class Factory Division |
Under the new E-Class rules, TOTAL Cost for an E-Open or E-TR Rifle is limited to $2000.00, including optics, front rest or bipod, and rear bag. There are specific gear limits. Scope maximum is $500.00. Front rest or bipod is limited to $200.00. In the chart above you see how an E-Open rifle could be built for under $1800 with a factory action (such as Howa or Savage) and a $400.00 optic. In the third column we’ve priced out an E-Factory rifle, based on a Ruger Precision Rifle, at $1750.00.
A top-of-the-line F-Open set-up like this can cost more than $8000.00 with custom stock, high-end optic, and coax front rest. All new E-Class rifles must cost less than $2000 including rests and scope.
Either way these E-Class rigs cost ONE-FIFTH of the Top-of-the-line $8750.00 F-Open Rig. That’s a huge savings, that will allow more shooters to enjoy competitive shooting. E-Class combines the fun challenge of the F-Class course of fire, with a vastly lower investment. With the rising costs of taxes, food, fuel, and everything else, it’s high time we get serious about the money we throw away on competition rifles. We know the wives will approve!
Keeping on Lid on Expenses
In the Wings — Controls on Ammo Costs as Well
Shooters know that the price of the rifle, optics, and rests is only part of the cost equation. The price of ammunition is also significant. Currently, in F-Open, competitors can easily pay $1.00 per round just for the expendables — bullets, powder, and primer. Add in the cost of premium .284 Win brass and the cost per shot goes up significantly. One competitor lamented “Shooting a match these days really empties your wallet. I cringe every time I pull the trigger, knowing what it costs.”
Therefore, the NRA is considering E-Class ammo restrictions. Starting in 2021, E-Factory class competitors would be required to shoot recycled bulk brass and blem bullets. Bulk Lake City 5.56 brass will be offered by ARMorAlly.com, and blem bullets will be offered by Midsouth Shooters Supply. Purists may complain about using surplus brass, but it only costs $93 for 500 cases! That’s a huge savings.
The Final Step — Claiming Rules for E-Class
As in every competitive endeavor, there may be temptation to bend or even break the rules. Predictably, some E-Class competitors may try to substitute more expensive components, such as high-cost triggers, or modified actions. To prevent this, the NRA plans to impose claiming rules for E-Class matches. This means that any rifle that captures first or second place in a major match can be claimed by another competitor for the fee of $2000.00. This procedure may seem radical but it is used in other sports to ensure parity among the competitors. If a shooter wins with a “cheater” $5000.00 rifle, he can be forced to sell it to a competitor for $2000.00.
Photos courtesy Bankstown-Chatswood Rifle Clug, Australia.
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Tags: .223 Rem, .308 Win, Claiming Rules, Cost Control, E-Class, E-Open, E-TR, Economy Class, F-Economy
I won a State Mid-Range F/TR Championship with a bone stock rifle, NF scope & Chinese bi pod….less than $1,500 total in the rig….but my ammo loading room full of magical gadgets cost me a wife and kids!!
would it be fun to watch the end of the match when claims are made! Too bad this class is not an actuality!
APTIL FOOLS
Man, hate to see the cost they allow on an S-Class!
April Fools…LOL
Yup! This is what I need…
April fools .
Will I be allowed to use my $100 tripod
from F-TRipod class I shoot now?
Interesting competition, though I see the date posted so I’m skeptical… Far lower cost if I punch my targets before the competition.
I was starting to believe this article until I read about must use recycled brass and blemished bullets. I think it would actually be a good idea, a bit like factory class in PRS. We get a lot of wide eyed, keen shooters turn up at my local range to see what we are doing but they get even wider eyed when they hear the costs of our gear.
Funny, but this is actually needed.
Another 1 April story but good one.
Come on down to Sleazy Jim’s receipt store for your customized receipts. You want one that says “Nightforce scope – $99.95″ – Not a problem!
Dang, I could have made so much money if this article were dated April 2.
Great idea but already set up for failure. Any time there is a claim rule it’s not going to work. In order for a class like this to work more strict rules need to be put in place. For example optics, if there is a maximum power of say 14 with no use of a spotting scope it’s going to level the field. A guy could spend a couple hundred bucks on a scope and compete against a guy that spent 10x that. Make it one class- 6.5cm, 14x scope, factory action(no savage ta) $100 bipod. Competitive.
I have to agree with Turbo! And how bout we add 5 extra points for rigs under $750?
Well played Sir, well played.
Until the bit about the ammo, they had me fooled. Too bad. A cost limited class could help bring in more new shooters.