Getting a 1k class gun built

trident512789

Private
Minuteman
Sep 23, 2021
47
16
here
Technically not ELR, but i think its more ELR than the general bolt forum.

I've been shooting F-class (1K) for a couple years. Doing my first build. I need "help" as in when I try and contact a smith for advice, I kinda get blown off. I'm not super into "I have to have action X", for instance Bugholes has a special on Terminus + barrel that seems like a slam dunk. But then there is getting the tuner, the stock (espeically the stock) and I get bogged down in choices. Whats the best way to get one of these guys to walk me through a buld. I know I want a 7PRCW (6.5 PRC necked up for 7mm bergers), but after that is a lot of trouble as I know I like a cheek riser, but apparently that doesn't go with the RAT system on stocks. I have no clue what trigger to hang, its a damn trigger. I'm still struggling with my front rest and rear bags, so stock choices are like "Pick One" (plus trying to make friends at the range: Use Bob he's great--except I can't get Bob to tell me what to build)

I really need advice on how to talk to a gunsmith to get them to help me finalize a build, already spent "months" researching and then when I said "lets get started" they dropped the stock thing on me (I haven't a clue what stock to get) and it derailed everything. I can get a barreled action, but once again, how do I get the tuner. (i got 10 left thumbs so trying to pillar bed an f-class gun as a first attempt seems stupid). I am seriously so frustrated that I might buy an origin+barrel slap it in a chassis and just take the shit that comes with that.
 
Technically not ELR, but i think its more ELR than the general bolt forum.

I've been shooting F-class (1K) for a couple years. Doing my first build. I need "help" as in when I try and contact a smith for advice, I kinda get blown off. I'm not super into "I have to have action X", for instance Bugholes has a special on Terminus + barrel that seems like a slam dunk. But then there is getting the tuner, the stock (espeically the stock) and I get bogged down in choices. Whats the best way to get one of these guys to walk me through a buld. I know I want a 7PRCW (6.5 PRC necked up for 7mm bergers), but after that is a lot of trouble as I know I like a cheek riser, but apparently that doesn't go with the RAT system on stocks. I have no clue what trigger to hang, its a damn trigger. I'm still struggling with my front rest and rear bags, so stock choices are like "Pick One" (plus trying to make friends at the range: Use Bob he's great--except I can't get Bob to tell me what to build)

I really need advice on how to talk to a gunsmith to get them to help me finalize a build, already spent "months" researching and then when I said "lets get started" they dropped the stock thing on me (I haven't a clue what stock to get) and it derailed everything. I can get a barreled action, but once again, how do I get the tuner. (i got 10 left thumbs so trying to pillar bed an f-class gun as a first attempt seems stupid). I am seriously so frustrated that I might buy an origin+barrel slap it in a chassis and just take the shit that comes with that.
There’s lots of F class stocks out there. Depends what you want and how long you can wait. Dima or McMillan probably be the fastest.

Trigger is up to you. Trigger tech, Flavio Fare, Bix n Andy etc.

it’s not hard to do a bit of research. Way more Fclass guys on Accurate shooter, might even find a decent price on a used rifle over there
 
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I've been shooting F-class (1K) for a couple years. Doing my first build. I need "help" as in when I try and contact a smith for advice...
I'm surprised that you are not getting lots of good advice from other F-class shooters in your club.

I "dabble" in F-class LR with our club, mainly I shoot NRA XTC. The guys I occasionally shoot with are really high level competitors, really knowledgeable and helpful. F-class guys are all proud of their whizzbang set-ups and talk about the merits of each stock/bipod/rest/gadget they use. Seems odd that you are not getting more direction from them.

Is there another club that you can hang out with their F-class guys?
 
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I'm surprised that you are not getting lots of good advice from other F-class shooters in your club.

I "dabble" in F-class LR with our club, mainly I shoot NRA XTC. The guys I occasionally shoot with are really high level competitors, really knowledgeable and helpful. F-class guys are all proud of their whizzbang set-ups and talk about the merits of each stock/bipod/rest/gadget they use. Seems odd that you are not getting more direction from them.

Is there another club that you can hang out with their F-class guys?
thanks, I get lots of advice, I just can't get a smith to help me. (As in I really don't care about the stock--tell me what to order!)

I am also trying to branch out to nearby clubs as well.
 
Unless the smith is a total F-class shooter themselves, it's like asking a mechanic that built your engine what tires to get for the track....

I agree. Find a smith who shoots F class or long range bench rest and understands the rules. I’d hate to see you build this and be .5# over weight and have to drill holes in it or be .25” too wide.

What part of the country are you in?
 
Yep, asking your smith to pick a stock is kind of like going on a car forum and saying, “I want a fast car, what should I buy?”. Thats likely wayyy too broad of a question for guys who are very laser focused and detail oriented. As a gun engraver I get this all the time. As in “how much to put some of that swirly stuff on my gun?” The answer to that is between $3000 and $30,000. The ballpark needs a bit of refinement to get started.
 
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When I had my first F Class rifle built I spoke to John Pierce at Pierce Engineering. He spent quite a bit of time on the phone with me going over all the aspects of the rifle and I finally asked him if he was going to build it for himself what would he build. That was exactly what I ordered and has been an excellent rifle and on its 4th barrel. When I need a new barrel chambered, I ship them my reamer and have the new barrel direct shipped to them. Barrel and reamer are usually back in less than two weeks.

I would also recommend calling Kelbly's since they have probably built more F-Class rifles than anyone and Ian is always very helpful.
 
No what I was saying is all my current rifles sport some sort of muzzle device. (Usually for Can attachment) so technically I don't have an F-Class legal rifle. I'm not knocking down any scoring title so mostly no one cares.
 
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I'm not knocking down any scoring title so mostly no one cares.

I had built a really good rifle consisting of a Impact Precision 737R, Bartlein 26" M24 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, Diamond trigger and Foundation Genesis II stock. At the time, I wasnt focused on F-Class, just wanted a good all-around rifle that was very accurate and something that i could have fun with.

Later, I decided to try participating with the local F-Class group. I ended up really liking the group of guys and my rifle shot well. I decided to try and become more competitive and found that by getting the right scope, a good bipod and good rear bag, i was able to be competitive and have lots of fun. For a scope, I use the Vortex Golden Eagle. For a bipod, i use the Joypod-X. For rear bag, i use a Protektor Delux heavy with cary handle.

Because like you, i do not see myself "scoring titles", i didnt chare if i had a rifle designed for F-Class. As a matter of fact, I have used that same rifle to achieve my first one-mile success and my daughter used it for her first ELR event. It is a great all-around rifle. Eventually i will upgrade the barrel to a 28" heavy varmit in an effort to make me a little more competitive.

The key for me was to start with a really good rifle and add things like bipod, scope, and rear rest and you will be surprised at how good you can perform against the F-Class guys and still have a rifle you can use for other fun activities.
 
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Or just start with one someone else already built.
 
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Or just start with one someone else already built.
That is a beautiful setup. However, it beggs the question as to which class the OP is thinking about shooting in.

Do you know if that is more intended for F-Open? If so, the other supporting equipment used in that category is substantial.

The F-T/R would have lower startup costs
 
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That is a beautiful setup. However, it beggs the question as to which class the OP is thinking about shooting in.

Do you know if that is more intended for F-Open? If so, the other supporting equipment used in that category is substantial.

The F-T/R would have lower startup costs
The caliber would put it in f open