Will Sporter HUnter become a competitive class?

[Matt_hau]

Hi all, I am interested to know if sporter hunter will or has become a competitive class? I like shooting SH but I am also competitive by nature so will have to assess based on that

[Wingnut]

Hunter class is designed to allow people to get into shooting. It was never intended to be a competitive class like F-class or TR. you will find people will kill the spirit of the hunter class competition once it becomes competitive as there are those who will want to win at any cost. They will look for loop holes in rules to exploit and will basically build a custom rifle to ensure they win. If you’re competitive, head into either F-TR or F-Open, both are shot internationally and are super competitive.

[Matt_hau]

Thanks for the response. My next question would be, is a 6.5 creedmor a suitable calibre for f open? From my little knowledge, I'd be better suited to a 308 for ftr or something bigger like 7mm for f open?

[majaci@bigpond.com]

The reality is somewhat different, at least in the west. SH may have started with an intention to attract membership but though its practicality and affordability, it is quickly taking over. Many clubs in the West already have more SH shooters than F class and target shooters combined and every competition offers SH as a standalone class.
It will happen, its just a matter of time

[AlanF]

If SH Discipline is to grow into a highly competitive class, it'll need rules that reflect that. The current rules are adequate for what S/H was intended to be, but will be found wanting particularly on allowed equipment specs when people start increasing their budgets to win. It'll make for very interesting times for Range Officers having to adjudicate on equipment specs.

[AlanF]

Thanks for the response. My next question would be, is a 6.5 creedmor a suitable calibre for f open? From my little knowledge, I'd be better suited to a 308 for ftr or something bigger like 7mm for f open?

Matt,

For most F-Open shooters, 7mm is the way to go. You get sufficient accuracy at the shorts plus very good performance in the wind at the longs. However if you seldom shoot beyond say 600yds, then 6mms such as the Dasher are very accurate and easy to shoot. The 6.5mms such as Creedmore are more of a compromise between the respective advantages of the 6mm and 7mm.

[Weairy]

I'd like to reignite this discussion a bit; why can't it be a competitive class? Aside from the rules needing refining a bit along the way.

The SSRs offer ample opportunity for an RO/event organiser to stamp out those that are trying to lay down with an F-Class rifle in disguise. Clause 23.3; Any rifle bought as a standard factory-made practical walk around sporting/hunting/varmint rifle and without the features or attachments that would place it in the style of a target, match or service rifle.
This means, for example, if someone were to lay down with a Barnard in a target stock with a March scope on top of it, with a 26" barrel and a Harris bipod bolted on, you're within reason to refuse them entry as a S/H shooter (You don't buy a Barnard and a March to go shoot roos in the paddock).

Already we've had two new members join for S/H class, with only a little promotion (big for us, being a club of about 6 active shooters). These two (husband and wife admittedly) are loving the competition between themselves. I think it's got huge potential to be a both a great dollar-friendly entry level and a real competitive class.

Don't want to start arguments, would just like to hash this one out in the community and see some feedback on what people are seeing/hearing out there.

[AlanF]

I think the key to fixing the problem is to have two classes. At Rosedale we now have 10 members who shoot predominently in SH Discipline. All of them are using off-the-shelf sporting rifles or very close to it. When several of them turn up there can be a meaningful competition between them. We try to run a 300, 400 or 500yd every week (usually Saturday morning) to cater for them because some of them have scope setups and barrel twists that don't work at the longs. I don't want to see that sort of rifle discouraged by expecting them to compete with $10,000 tactical outfits that can get TR level accuracy at 1000yds. The inexpensive off-the-shelf idea has made our membership grow, and we see it as a great success and will continue to support it. What is needed another class, possibly based on PRS specs or similar, to attract higher performance rifles. And at the same time, some changes to SH such as a price limit, and reducing to 5 shot shoots (to keep barrels cool). The high performance class would be able to compete at any distance alongside TR and the F-Classes at OPMs and Queens level shoots. And short range OPMs could offer
SH Discipline as well, why not?

[Weairy]

What is needed another class, possibly based on PRS specs or similar, to attract higher performance rifles.

I think this is key, once the numbers are there to support it, and PRS classing is a good structure in my opinion. Factory class as an open calibre, rock stock standard rifles with standard hunting pods, dollar limit to rifle and scope (maybe magnification limit), factory barrels. A true Hunter's class. Then Open class as a rebarreled, tac chassis, better scope etc. class, that would fit the PRS style rifles. This class could be shot on F-Class scoring too (6/X).

The only issue I foresee is drawing that line between FT-R/F Open rifles and SH-Open. But maybe we should be treating a SH-Open class as an equivalent to FS/FO/FTR? I'd love to see the PRS style rifles shot on our VRA ranges and the numbers they bring to the table.

[JB]

New Zealand has already gone down this path.
This is a far better set of rules to accommodate shooters over all our distances.
It would be interesting to know if it has been successful for them, I think it would
be very popular in Australia.

F-PR
https://www.nranz.com/assets/Rules/2020 ... s-F-PR.pdf

F-PR Rules

A. Rifles shall not exceed a calibre of .308 inch
B. Barrel length shall not exceed 715 mm (28.15 inches) measured from the bolt-face
to the muzzle. Barrel length excludes the length of a suppressor if used.
C. The rifle and ammunition combination used must be capable of maintaining
projectiles velocities above the speed of sound from the firing point to the target.
[D. Rifle weight with bolt, bipod, suppressor, scope and magazine* (*if detachable) shall
not exceed 9.6kgs.
E. Any rifle scope may be employed
F. The action and the stock shall possess a magazine cut-out
G. Rifle can be fired from either a bipod or from a bag placed under the forestock.
H. The width of the forestock shall not exceed 66mm (2.6 inches).
I. Bipods must be of a commercial folding leg design (e.g. Harris, Atlas, Accu-Tac or
other similar commercial design). Bipod spikes are permitted. Other forms of front
rests, joy-stick style bipods (ie SEB joypod), and mechanical front rests are not
permitted.
J. A rear bag or rear mono pod may be used.
K. Suppressors are allowed. Muzzle brakes are not permitted.
L. Triggers are to comply with ICFRA rules F2.11, F2.12 & F2.13
1. F2.11. Triggers will be manually operated: electronic, set or “release”
triggers are not permitted.
2. F2.12. The weight of the trigger pull is unregulated but must be safe and
conform to the requirements of rule F2.13.
3. F2.13. A trigger will be deemed “safe” if the sear engages on each occasion
when the bolt is slowly and gently closed three times in succession with the
barrel pointing upwards. Any failure will lead to the trigger being deemed
“unsafe” and the rifle may not be used pending rectification.
M. Ammo muzzle energy level shall conform with NRANZ range limits
N. Use of Magazines. Some rifles may require the use of a magazine. Magazines may
only be used as a loading platform. Ammunition is not to be fitted into the magazine
for multiple round firing capabilities.
O. Rifle: May be built around any manually loaded action designed to safely fire
permitted cartridges.

John Branton

[macguru]

Yep those rules seem pretty good to me. I started SH to save my open rifles a bit on club days, at first i was shooting as FS and obviously getting thrashed, as i had a plastic stocked savage with a harris bipod and a short factory barrel. ... then i added a varmint barrel, a better stock, a 26in custom barrel , an mdt metal stock , a sturdier harris. And now it shoots like a b grade ftr. ... i find the mechanics of shooting more challenging than FO and enjoy that although its nowhere near as hard as what the target guys can do, i can get similar scores to them 49s,50s, 50/7 etc.

One thing that confuses me is under hexta there is SH/std and open ? I am shooting a 308 and so std but I think we may all get lumped together on a comp day because i cannot see organisers accomodating sh std and open seperately. So if you want to be competetive with a 308 you have to manage the recoil pretty well but thats part of the challenge. I dont use a muzzle break and think they are not compatible with shooting alongside the other disciplines.

[Barossa_222]

(You don't buy a Barnard and a March to go shoot roos in the paddock).

You don't? My friend, you haven't lived.

[UL1700]

(You don't buy a Barnard and a March to go shoot roos in the paddock).

You don't? My friend, you haven't lived.

Hell, no better way to cut a fox in half

[Blindbat]

(You don't buy a Barnard and a March to go shoot roos in the paddock).

You don't? My friend, you haven't lived.

Hell, no better way to cut a fox in half

There's nothing like head shooting mice at 400m.

[Weairy]

(You don't buy a Barnard and a March to go shoot roos in the paddock).

You don't? My friend, you haven't lived.

It’s a bastard to single feed when you’re chasing a mob of Roos, lever action or at least something with a magazine is much more effective