I'm interested in F T/R and am wondering what .308 shooters are typically using for mag range. Seems all I can find is references to regular F-Class shooting and the mag ranges are way higher than my preference (around 3-15X50).
F T/R Competition F T/R mag ranges
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Re: F T/R mag ranges
In FT/R you can run whatever magnification you want, I have run a 8-32 Nightforce and currently run a 5-25 Schmidt. I like a little extra mag at 1k...
If you look at some of the F-open guys, you'll see them running some of the hi-mag March scopes..
In FT/R you can run whatever magnification you want, I have run a 8-32 Nightforce and currently run a 5-25 Schmidt. I like a little extra mag at 1k...
If you look at some of the F-open guys, you'll see them running some of the hi-mag March scopes..
Re: F T/R mag ranges
For F T/R, I've run NF 5.5-22x50 MLR, 8-32x56 NP-R1, and most recently a 12-42x56 NP-2DD. Absolutely loved the 12-42x56 and had it at 42x the whole match (mirage was negligible). It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'll take as much mag as I can possibly get away with under the specific conditions at the time.
I do a lot of practice rounds at 600 using Shoot-N-C splatter targets and I personally find 15x a little on the short side, although a lot will depend on <span style="font-style: italic">your</span> eyes and preferences. If you can see what you need to see at 15x and you're comfortable with that mag level, try a practice round at 600 and see how it works out for you. If you want to go with 15x in an SFP scope, you'll probably want to pay close attention to your reticle choice as you don't want too much line thickness cluttering up the 10/X rings in the center of your sight picture.
For F T/R, I've run NF 5.5-22x50 MLR, 8-32x56 NP-R1, and most recently a 12-42x56 NP-2DD. Absolutely loved the 12-42x56 and had it at 42x the whole match (mirage was negligible). It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'll take as much mag as I can possibly get away with under the specific conditions at the time.
I do a lot of practice rounds at 600 using Shoot-N-C splatter targets and I personally find 15x a little on the short side, although a lot will depend on <span style="font-style: italic">your</span> eyes and preferences. If you can see what you need to see at 15x and you're comfortable with that mag level, try a practice round at 600 and see how it works out for you. If you want to go with 15x in an SFP scope, you'll probably want to pay close attention to your reticle choice as you don't want too much line thickness cluttering up the 10/X rings in the center of your sight picture.
Re: F T/R mag ranges
You can come out and shoot with whatever you have mounted and have fun shooting in F class.
That said, in F you can participate, and some days you can even be competitive with a barrel that is less than 30" and a more "practical" scope, and in any case you will learn a ton about reading wind and how your rifle shoots, but against guys of equal skill who are using rifles that are set up for the game you will be at a disadvantage.
Come out and shoot, you'll learn a lot.
Shooting F-class is asking for precision beyond just hitting a man sized target at a given range, it is trying to hit a 1/2 MOA X-ring, or at least the 1MOA 10-ring and someone is keeping score so you don't get to forget about the "flyers" that the wind sends over to the 8-ring.
Come out and try, see what you think.
You can come out and shoot with whatever you have mounted and have fun shooting in F class.
That said, in F you can participate, and some days you can even be competitive with a barrel that is less than 30" and a more "practical" scope, and in any case you will learn a ton about reading wind and how your rifle shoots, but against guys of equal skill who are using rifles that are set up for the game you will be at a disadvantage.
Come out and shoot, you'll learn a lot.
Shooting F-class is asking for precision beyond just hitting a man sized target at a given range, it is trying to hit a 1/2 MOA X-ring, or at least the 1MOA 10-ring and someone is keeping score so you don't get to forget about the "flyers" that the wind sends over to the 8-ring.
Come out and try, see what you think.
Re: F T/R mag ranges
I use a Nightforce 12-42 in FTR and for the most part, keep it on 42x unless I'm at 300 yards and can't see the number board or if the mirage is too much on a hot day. In the case of the mirage, I just turn it down to 35 and it is usually good enough.
I use a Nightforce 12-42 in FTR and for the most part, keep it on 42x unless I'm at 300 yards and can't see the number board or if the mirage is too much on a hot day. In the case of the mirage, I just turn it down to 35 and it is usually good enough.
Re: F T/R mag ranges
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can come out and shoot with whatever you have mounted and have fun shooting in F class. </div></div>
I couldn't agree more!
While many of the US Team are running the Nightforce 12-42 NSX, others prefer both higher and lower magnification, from 22x all the way up to 60x. It just depends on your preferences.
Personally, I am running the NF 12-42 NSX, with the "Team USA" mods; ie. 1/4 MOA windage adjustments, and 1/8 MOA elevation knobs... It's a good combo. In the mornings, before the mirage comes up, I run at 42x, as the mirage builds, I slowly dial the magnification down. I can end up as low as 25x if the mirage is exceptionally severe.
Hope this helps,
Darrell
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can come out and shoot with whatever you have mounted and have fun shooting in F class. </div></div>
I couldn't agree more!
While many of the US Team are running the Nightforce 12-42 NSX, others prefer both higher and lower magnification, from 22x all the way up to 60x. It just depends on your preferences.
Personally, I am running the NF 12-42 NSX, with the "Team USA" mods; ie. 1/4 MOA windage adjustments, and 1/8 MOA elevation knobs... It's a good combo. In the mornings, before the mirage comes up, I run at 42x, as the mirage builds, I slowly dial the magnification down. I can end up as low as 25x if the mirage is exceptionally severe.
Hope this helps,
Darrell
Re: F T/R mag ranges
I just shot an F/TR match with a Savage model 10 and a NF F1 scope. I could see and hit just fine, now if someday I can learn to judge the wind I might do much better.
I just shot an F/TR match with a Savage model 10 and a NF F1 scope. I could see and hit just fine, now if someday I can learn to judge the wind I might do much better.
Re: F T/R mag ranges
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That said, in F you can participate, and some days you can even be competitive with a barrel that is less than 30" and a more "practical" scope, and in any case you will learn a ton about reading wind and how your rifle shoots, but against guys of equal skill who are using rifles that are set up for the game you will be at a disadvantage.</div></div>
Very true. I've been using my hunting rig, 26" barrel & NXS 3.5-15 MLR, in local comps for years and had a lot of fun and some good wins. However, to be competitive in national comps I'll probably need a 30" barrel, a more powerful scope, and lots more skill.
In the NXS 12-42, which reticule is the most popular in Team USA?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That said, in F you can participate, and some days you can even be competitive with a barrel that is less than 30" and a more "practical" scope, and in any case you will learn a ton about reading wind and how your rifle shoots, but against guys of equal skill who are using rifles that are set up for the game you will be at a disadvantage.</div></div>
Very true. I've been using my hunting rig, 26" barrel & NXS 3.5-15 MLR, in local comps for years and had a lot of fun and some good wins. However, to be competitive in national comps I'll probably need a 30" barrel, a more powerful scope, and lots more skill.
In the NXS 12-42, which reticule is the most popular in Team USA?
Re: F T/R mag ranges
I don't buy that a 30" barrel is needed to win. The right 25-27" barrel can obtain the velocities that most achieve with the 30" tubes, sometimes more.
As for mag range, I also like the 12-42x, but my "go to" F-TR scope is a fixed 32x Mark 4. I have shot several matches with variables that top out at 25x and never felt underglassed. In fact, the best relay I ever shot in a match was with a 8.5-25x Mark 4.
I have a 12-42x NXS coming with the 1/8 moa adjustments. I hope that the NF glass has improved like some say it has. I will soon find out.
I don't buy that a 30" barrel is needed to win. The right 25-27" barrel can obtain the velocities that most achieve with the 30" tubes, sometimes more.
As for mag range, I also like the 12-42x, but my "go to" F-TR scope is a fixed 32x Mark 4. I have shot several matches with variables that top out at 25x and never felt underglassed. In fact, the best relay I ever shot in a match was with a 8.5-25x Mark 4.
I have a 12-42x NXS coming with the 1/8 moa adjustments. I hope that the NF glass has improved like some say it has. I will soon find out.
Re: F T/R mag ranges
"In the NXS 12-42, which reticule is the most popular in Team USA?"
I'm using a 12-42 NSX with NP-R1 reticle with a custom windage knob from John Knight (of Bisley England) and the 1/8 elevation (1/4 windage).
"In the NXS 12-42, which reticule is the most popular in Team USA?"
I'm using a 12-42 NSX with NP-R1 reticle with a custom windage knob from John Knight (of Bisley England) and the 1/8 elevation (1/4 windage).
Re: F T/R mag ranges
While a 30" barrel may not be "needed" to win, I sure like my 32.25" barrels. I can get accuracy and velocity. In the shorter barrels, I'm sure you will need higher energy powder to compensate for the shorter barrel if you want the same velocity. I'm seeing those using higher energy powder not run as consistent. Here I'm talking about N550 or RL 17. Both will give more velocity over Varget but at the expense of inconsistency as you travel from range to range or experience large temp changes.
Funny you mention a fixed 32x Mk4 as I still really like my fixed 24x Mk4. Those scopes have a ton of elevation in them!
While a 30" barrel may not be "needed" to win, I sure like my 32.25" barrels. I can get accuracy and velocity. In the shorter barrels, I'm sure you will need higher energy powder to compensate for the shorter barrel if you want the same velocity. I'm seeing those using higher energy powder not run as consistent. Here I'm talking about N550 or RL 17. Both will give more velocity over Varget but at the expense of inconsistency as you travel from range to range or experience large temp changes.
Funny you mention a fixed 32x Mk4 as I still really like my fixed 24x Mk4. Those scopes have a ton of elevation in them!
Re: F T/R mag ranges
I run a 308 with a sightron SIII 8-32x56.
My buddy ran a 308 with the 5.5-22 nxs and he won our f/tr division, though said he'd like more power.
If it is a dedicated paper punching/target/fclass gun, I would go with as much mag as I could afford, for me, that would mean the 12-42 NF Benchrest.
I run a 308 with a sightron SIII 8-32x56.
My buddy ran a 308 with the 5.5-22 nxs and he won our f/tr division, though said he'd like more power.
If it is a dedicated paper punching/target/fclass gun, I would go with as much mag as I could afford, for me, that would mean the 12-42 NF Benchrest.
Re: F T/R mag ranges
calling,
How do you like the Sightron? I'm thinking about getting that one.
If yo don't mind my asking, how critical is eye placement? How big is the eye box?
calling,
How do you like the Sightron? I'm thinking about getting that one.
If yo don't mind my asking, how critical is eye placement? How big is the eye box?
Re: F T/R mag ranges
I had one of the Sightron SIII 8-32x and it was a very good scope. Excellent value for money
I had one of the Sightron SIII 8-32x and it was a very good scope. Excellent value for money
Re: F T/R mag ranges
Years ago I started FTR with a 3.5-10 M3 and did OK with the old FTR 1moa targets. A couple years and a little more available money later I moved up to Premier 8.5-25. I like the higher power with the new 1/2moa targets and rarely dial down from 25.
I also have a 6.5-20 on my SASS and it does just fine.
Years ago I started FTR with a 3.5-10 M3 and did OK with the old FTR 1moa targets. A couple years and a little more available money later I moved up to Premier 8.5-25. I like the higher power with the new 1/2moa targets and rarely dial down from 25.
I also have a 6.5-20 on my SASS and it does just fine.
Re: F T/R mag ranges
Thanks for all the info. I may give it a try, but have to say I feel like I should look around for events that cater more to the type of rifle I have...if there are any. I guess I expected F T/R would be somewhat more like the service rifle shooting, but with a scoped rifle similar to those used by military or LEO snipers. I'm neither but have found that the equipment lends itself well to the kind of shooting I'm interested in. I shoot a lot at 300 and as much as I can at 600-1000 so that shots on game @ 400 or less are much easier to make.
Thanks for all the info. I may give it a try, but have to say I feel like I should look around for events that cater more to the type of rifle I have...if there are any. I guess I expected F T/R would be somewhat more like the service rifle shooting, but with a scoped rifle similar to those used by military or LEO snipers. I'm neither but have found that the equipment lends itself well to the kind of shooting I'm interested in. I shoot a lot at 300 and as much as I can at 600-1000 so that shots on game @ 400 or less are much easier to make.
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