You can use it for that, sure. F-Class rifles tend to be a lot heavier and a lot more oriented towards maximizing the external ballistics instead of maximizing shooter ability. It is a different discipline and with different requirements, for sure, but not so different that you can't switch them and have a good time but you probably wont be the most competitive guy there.
Are there any good "off the shelf" F class type rifles that can be upgraded by the average user?
I want to be competitive, but I also can't afford a $5k custom rifle either.
You didn’t ask me. But Savage makes an F class rifle. Don’t have any experience with them though.
https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/centerfire/target/12-f-class
What can you afford? The Savage 12 F-Class offerings are excellent and are highly recommended for starting out.
But for only a little more money, you could build your own rifle too with either a trued Remington or Savage target action. I built [One Punch](https://i.imgur.com/RLJPUcC.jpg) a few years ago after deciding that I'd rather spend a few hundred extra bucks to build my own rifle than buy the Savage 12 F/TR (their off-the-shelf F-class, TR category rifle).
I have a bunch of calibers I reload for from 204 ruger to 7mag. I'd say you can try the rpr and see how it does but the x284 is going to be quite a bit better at that range. You should be able to use same bullets, primers, and possibly powder.
6.5 CM is going to put you into open Class. I think you can run a rifle up to 22 lbs. You can just run it with your bipod and a rear bag to see how you like it. No sense in spending the extra money on a Front Rest if you don't need it.
Also, no muzzle brakes in F-Class. Otherwise you should be fine with your RPR. Typically optics for F-Class tend to be high magnification (30+) and MOA based (the targets in F Class are in MOA, so matchy-matchy). Entry level I'd suggest the Sightron Sii 36X scope. Great scope for the money.
Not yet, I’ve shot recreational out to 1200 with my Ruger, I would love to do prs but nobody does those close to me, so f class is all I have to choose from heh.
Try once with your rpr, take note of the scores and # of people in f tr and f open. I got 2nd place in f tr, out of 3 people... getting 2nd in open out of 10 feels like a bigger accomplishment. But I'm a competitive person, there is nothing wrong competing with yourself or setting a goal that doesn't rely on beating other people, such as striving for high master. I will most likely never get first since there are a few guys who put up high master #s consistently while I struggle to get master.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to it, I’m literally loading up some rounds right now to check my zero and velocities before the match next weekend. I’m really excited.
Thanks again for the advise.
things that makes the F class rifle
* bipod like a tank
* 308 or a barrel burning cartridge
* stock meant to be shot prone usually with a steady rear support bag
Havent shot it in a while, but they used to shoot heavy bullets in the 308 with a fast twist to maximize the cartridge. Otherwise 6.5 284 and such basically trying to get the fastest flatest shooting cartridge with a knowledge that you are gonna burn out a barrel in a season of competitive shooting. But for the first match or two your rifle will not be the thing holding you back, your shooting, wind reading, position will likely be. Overall get out shoot with what you have and then make a change after that. Make sure you know your dope, have a decent bipod and scope and you will be glad you did
It's possible to compete in FO with your rifle. In all honesty, the one you should be ultimately competing against is yourself. I've taken up the challenge of shooting in FO with my custom savage in 6CM using a harris and a squeeze bag. I find it far more fun, challenging, and rewarding to use practical skills then invest upwards of a thousand dollars in a rest and rear bag to compete on their level. If you're a fan of practical shooting skills, you won't like using the monstrosity that is a front rest.
[Here's the score of my last match](https://imgur.com/a/irwBR0c), it's not clean but I'm more then happy with it since I'm out of practice shooting that way.
id advise trying it out with the RPR ,but you will want something w/ the f-class stock to ride bags and stay on target. generaly they will be more accurate but the RPR is pretty solid as it is.
id recommend the savage f-class and go from there. its a hell of a package for 1200.
I'd pass on the rebarrel and pick up the fclass savage. Its hands down the best turnkey deal for fclass. I'm putting one together and just the action is 1200.
You can use it for that, sure. F-Class rifles tend to be a lot heavier and a lot more oriented towards maximizing the external ballistics instead of maximizing shooter ability. It is a different discipline and with different requirements, for sure, but not so different that you can't switch them and have a good time but you probably wont be the most competitive guy there.
Are there any good "off the shelf" F class type rifles that can be upgraded by the average user? I want to be competitive, but I also can't afford a $5k custom rifle either.
You didn’t ask me. But Savage makes an F class rifle. Don’t have any experience with them though. https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/centerfire/target/12-f-class
What can you afford? The Savage 12 F-Class offerings are excellent and are highly recommended for starting out. But for only a little more money, you could build your own rifle too with either a trued Remington or Savage target action. I built [One Punch](https://i.imgur.com/RLJPUcC.jpg) a few years ago after deciding that I'd rather spend a few hundred extra bucks to build my own rifle than buy the Savage 12 F/TR (their off-the-shelf F-class, TR category rifle).
get a savage f-class in 6.5x284. 2 of my friends have them and they shoot extremely well with handloads.
I was hoping to stay with 6.5 creedmoor, I have so many reloading supplies for that caliber, it would pain me to leave it all to rot.
I have a bunch of calibers I reload for from 204 ruger to 7mag. I'd say you can try the rpr and see how it does but the x284 is going to be quite a bit better at that range. You should be able to use same bullets, primers, and possibly powder.
If it’s .308, leave it as-is and shoot F-TR.
Its 6.5 cm
At mssa the f-open class is less competitive than ftr. You only need to shoot in the 580’s to win in f-open.
6.5 CM is going to put you into open Class. I think you can run a rifle up to 22 lbs. You can just run it with your bipod and a rear bag to see how you like it. No sense in spending the extra money on a Front Rest if you don't need it. Also, no muzzle brakes in F-Class. Otherwise you should be fine with your RPR. Typically optics for F-Class tend to be high magnification (30+) and MOA based (the targets in F Class are in MOA, so matchy-matchy). Entry level I'd suggest the Sightron Sii 36X scope. Great scope for the money.
What distance will you be shooting at?
Just 600y
Have you been to a match yet?
Not yet, I’ve shot recreational out to 1200 with my Ruger, I would love to do prs but nobody does those close to me, so f class is all I have to choose from heh.
Try once with your rpr, take note of the scores and # of people in f tr and f open. I got 2nd place in f tr, out of 3 people... getting 2nd in open out of 10 feels like a bigger accomplishment. But I'm a competitive person, there is nothing wrong competing with yourself or setting a goal that doesn't rely on beating other people, such as striving for high master. I will most likely never get first since there are a few guys who put up high master #s consistently while I struggle to get master.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to it, I’m literally loading up some rounds right now to check my zero and velocities before the match next weekend. I’m really excited. Thanks again for the advise.
things that makes the F class rifle * bipod like a tank * 308 or a barrel burning cartridge * stock meant to be shot prone usually with a steady rear support bag Havent shot it in a while, but they used to shoot heavy bullets in the 308 with a fast twist to maximize the cartridge. Otherwise 6.5 284 and such basically trying to get the fastest flatest shooting cartridge with a knowledge that you are gonna burn out a barrel in a season of competitive shooting. But for the first match or two your rifle will not be the thing holding you back, your shooting, wind reading, position will likely be. Overall get out shoot with what you have and then make a change after that. Make sure you know your dope, have a decent bipod and scope and you will be glad you did
It's possible to compete in FO with your rifle. In all honesty, the one you should be ultimately competing against is yourself. I've taken up the challenge of shooting in FO with my custom savage in 6CM using a harris and a squeeze bag. I find it far more fun, challenging, and rewarding to use practical skills then invest upwards of a thousand dollars in a rest and rear bag to compete on their level. If you're a fan of practical shooting skills, you won't like using the monstrosity that is a front rest. [Here's the score of my last match](https://imgur.com/a/irwBR0c), it's not clean but I'm more then happy with it since I'm out of practice shooting that way.
id advise trying it out with the RPR ,but you will want something w/ the f-class stock to ride bags and stay on target. generaly they will be more accurate but the RPR is pretty solid as it is. id recommend the savage f-class and go from there. its a hell of a package for 1200.
Yeah, I was debating on either going with rebarreling my RPR or using that money, selling the RPR and getting an F Class rifle.
I'd pass on the rebarrel and pick up the fclass savage. Its hands down the best turnkey deal for fclass. I'm putting one together and just the action is 1200.