Re: SHWW Group
Hmmm... not sure if there is a 'F-Class for Dummies' thread anywhere
but there are a few spots that cover the basic concepts. One is over at the U.S. F-Class team site in the
FAQ section, and another is on the WSRPA site in the
F-Class Discipline section. Yes, the pics and match reports need some updating... when someone gets around to sending me updated info I'll post it
Anywho, the FAQ section @ the WSRPA F-Class site should cover the very basics.
A number of forums have sections that cater to F-Class - ranging from the Competitions forum here on SH, to the Palma/HP/F-Class section @ WCT, to the F-Class sections @ Benchrest.com, etc. but long-range.com is the de-facto 'center' for F-Class. You have to sign-up to read the posts there, but its free and dang near anything you can think of has been hashed over and debated there
Over on your side of the mountains, there are a couple ranges that have fairly active (for Washington) F-Class components in their matches. Cascade Rifle & Pistol Club shoots a number of 600yd Prone (and F-Class) matches throughout the year - including the state championship in September. The Seattle Rifle & Pistol Association range @ Machias (south of Lake Stevens a bit) has 500yd Prone/F-Class matches the second weekend of every month except I think September and October (to make room for hunter sight-in). Very nice range, covered firing line, wood stoves, the works. On this side of the mountains, we host several 600yd Prone/F-Class matches in East Wenatchee each year, and then there is the big dog - Rattlesnake Mountain about 10 miles north of Richland near the junction of 225 & 240. 1000yds takes on a whole new meaning when shooting in that nice brisk desert wind
The two biggest 'unpleasant surprises' for tactical shooters or long range hunters when coming to F-Class are these: no brakes, and you have to single-load every round, even if you have a DBM on your gun. If you can unscrew your brake and screw on a thread protector and still be able to shoot your favorite round for about 25 shots at a whack, you should be able to shoot F-class. For some folks - especially those w/ the thunderloudenboomensticks (.338LM, etc.) that may not work so well. For people with something like a .300WSM or below, it should work okay.
I don't know what kind of distances you guys shoot over there in your off-the-road adventures... but if you can find a spot to stick a roughly 2'x2' target backer at known distances like 300, 500, 600, 800, 900, or 1000yds you can order fairly small quantities of target centers from
www.pistoleer.com. I have a small reverse image (white with black rings) of the 300yd center that fits on a regular sheet of printer paper for practice as well.
Take a look at the WSRPA site, find the schedule
on this page and look for the 'Prone' matches. I'm going to be a little busy this summer (going to Bisley for Worlds) but I'll be at the Machias matches in June and August, the 600yd championships @ Cascade in September, hopefully the Northwest International @ Paul Bunyan over Labor Day, etc. If you want to link up I can make sure to come a little early and help get you pointed in the right direction.
Take care,
Monte
