F/TR In Australia

[TOM]

In ICFRA the TR weight is not restricted but is so with an F/TR rifle, so there seems to be no relevance! I can appreciate that in F/TR a weight limit needs to be specified,but, Can anyone in the know explain why and how the 8.25kg was arrived at and if this is likely to be under revision since TR weight is now unrestricted??

[John T]

This post is not about F Standard verses F/TR ICFRA or about the introduction of F/TR as a third sub-discipline of Free Class shooting in Australia.

You recalcitrant jousters of irrelevance may be disappointed. Even you should accept the international rebukes and let these forums rise above distain.

It is my hope that in August 2013, a full strength F Open Team and F/TR Team will be competing at Raton, New Mexcio.

Some may ask why I care about a F/TR Team. Because I do not distinguish. It will be an Australian contingent of two parts. The lack of one will diminish the other.

Adapting Standard kit to F/TR is not difficult. Ask Linda, Rod and John k.

If Raton 2013 is on your bucket list, START NOW.
If it is not, chill out, and leave us alone.
If Australia F/TR wins a medal, don't say "I coudda been a contender!"

If there are too many "ifs", select #1 and the rest vanish!

John T.
11-06-2011

[AlanF]

...It is my hope that in August 2013, a full strength F Open Team and F/TR Team will be competing at Raton, New Mexcio...

Hear hear...

Let's support Linda and F/TR.

This should never have been a F/TR vs F-Std debate. Its about helping a new class to get started.

Alan

[Lynn Otto]

...It is my hope that in August 2013, a full strength F Open Team and F/TR Team will be competing at Raton, New Mexcio...

Hear hear...

Let's support Linda and F/TR.

This should never have been a F/TR vs F-Std debate. Its about helping a new class to get started.

Alan

Agreed

[actionclear]

Our club has their AGM next month, and I have just sent a request for F/TR to be included in our list of recognised disciplines that is able to be shot on the range.

I will also add it to the agenda of our local District Rifle Association. AGM is in August.

I cannot see it being a problem with either, as they are very forward thinking clubs. This will also allow the start an informal data base of F/TR scores.

This is where all those interested in F/TR need to start. Gain the support from your own local clubs first.
Have it put in the minutes that your club will recognise F/TR as a discipline.

One of the jobs of the focus group will be to write a letter to all clubs asking for the inclusion of F/TR into their Prize Meetings, and at club level.
The inclusion will not mean added expense to the hosting club, as those keen on driving F/TR will be more than willing to shoot without receiving badges or medallions, while we gain numbers.

[bruce moulds]

linda,
well done.
as you go along, you will learn, so things will only get better.
it is good to feel yet another positive vibe in fclass shooting in aust.
bruce.

[Darrell Buell]

In ICFRA the TR weight is not restricted but is so with an F/TR rifle, so there seems to be no relevance! I can appreciate that in F/TR a weight limit needs to be specified,but, Can anyone in the know explain why and how the 8.25kg was arrived at and if this is likely to be under revision since TR weight is now unrestricted??

The "TR" in F-TR does stand for "target rifle", but that is where the connection ends. As it is a completely different class, any rule changes made concerning the weight of a TR rifle will have no impact whatsoever on F-T/R.

Likewise with the bullet weight restriction (or lack thereof). There was a fair amount of howling and gnashing of teeth when the unlimited bullet weight rule was implemented. The doomsayers howled that it would destroy the class, as everyone would be forced to run 210 grain bullets (similar to Match Rifle). As it turned out, it ended up being an energizing force for the class. People were free to innovate and experiment... and did; but the instant change to heavy bullets simply never materialized. Only now, 6 years or more later are people starting to get the measure of the heavier bullets. Heavier bullets here, generally refers to the 185 grain group of bullets. A few of my Team guys have switched over to the 185's, but the majority of my Team is very satisfied with the performance of the 155's (and 155.5's).

Hope this helps,

Darrell

[Darrell Buell]

This will also allow the start an informal data base of F/TR scores.

The inclusion will not mean added expense to the hosting club, as those keen on driving F/TR will be more than willing to shoot without receiving badges or medallions, while we gain numbers.

Linda,

You have it exactly correct here. Being able to compare scores between people competing in different regions is important. Having their scores recorded as a separate class makes this MUCH easier. Plus, it is a way to track the growth of F-T/R as a class.

Back when F-T/R was the fledgling class here in the US, I know I personally couldn't give a hoot about medals and badges, etc. Just the satisfaction of being able to go up to a results sheet and easily compare your scores to those of your fellow class shooters was satisfaction enough. It took some years here, but now F-T/R and F-Open are on nearly even footing as regards awards at matches. This is especially true at nationals.

Darrell

[TOM]

Thanks for the info Darrell.Can you give detail about rifle weight and what factors influenced the decision for 8.25 kg and the use of bipod only?

[bruce moulds]

darrel has raised a point which would be well to remember as ftr grows.
this is that tr stands for target rifle.
in these times of anti gun sentiment , the word target is far more important to be attatched to than some others.
we have friends who prefer to wear camo, be in a mission, and deploy, when using firearms, who would prefer the letter t to stand for tactical. darrel might well be aware of such people.
an awareness of the image that goes with tactical is an advantage in preparing the culture of ftr in australia before the horse bolts.
bruce moulds.

[Woody_rod]

an awareness of the image that goes with tactical is an advantage in preparing the culture of ftr in australia before the horse bolts.
bruce moulds.

HUH????

[John T]

WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE GET IT?

It is simple.

Adapt your kit to compete at FCWC F/TR every 4 years, if you wish.

Tweentimes, you are F Standard.

John T.
12-06-11

[AlanF]

John,

The weight limit of 8.25Kg for F/TR includes the bipod. Australian F-Std rifles can weigh up to 10Kg with bipod. Some don't push this limit and could convert readily to F/TR, but the number of heavier setups is increasing all the time.

This is why I suggested that if F-Std raised their allowed rifle (only) weight to 10Kg, they could screw in a barrel chambered in 7mm or whatever and shoot F-Open at the FCWC.

Alan

[Warren Dean]

an awareness of the image that goes with tactical is an advantage in preparing the culture of ftr in australia before the horse bolts.
bruce moulds.

HUH????

Rod,
I'm pretty sure Bruce is referring to the "sniper" image that the non shooting public tends to have toward us and making sure we put forth an image that ISN'T consistent with that stereotype.

We have the same issue here. There are a very small number of "Captain Camo" types that tend to taint the image of shooters in the eyes of the non shooting public.

Some jackass strutting around town in camo carrying an exposed sidearm turns ME off and I'm a shooter. I know the public is far less tolerant and will remember those images when the next anti-gun legislation hits the polls.

"Just because you can doesn't mean you should"

[actionclear]

WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE GET IT?

It is simple.

Adapt your kit to compete at FCWC F/TR every 4 years, if you wish.

Tweentimes, you are F Standard.

John T.
12-06-11

The problem with this is that there are more international shoots than just one every 4 years. Here in AU the invitations get as far as the NRAA, and are not getting passed on.

I know Australia currently has invites to the America Match,(2012) South African Open (2012) and FCWC (2013).

How do we go about selecting a team, when there are no F/TR events in AU that attract national data base of scores. All we will be doing is nominating a team based on performance on the selection day.

This is also about other international F/TR shooters, being able to compete here on our own soil. At the moment, they don't come, because we don't recognise the international discipline of F/TR.