ICFRA F/TR or F std, what are your preferences?

RDavies · Post by **RDavies** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:49 pm

There has been a lot of debate lately about whether we should switch over to F/TR rifle specs to match the rest of the world, or stick with our own local (but successfull) rifle specs.
Basicaly, the difference is
1. Bipods only, no front rests. (no problem for most)
2. Any bullet weight (better scores, but more expensive bullets) I wont count the cost of a new fast twist barrel into the equation as they are a consumable anyway
3. No trigger weight limit. (most triggers can be lightened if wanted)
4. 8.25 kg all up rifle/bipod weight. (no problem for some, but some Nightorce scopes might go, some bipods/stocks will go on a diet, new fast twist barrels will be speced lighter). Might be harder to shoot a lighter rifle with heavy bullets.

Some say our F std specs are very successfull, so they should stay. Others say that since our F std shooters are some of the best in the world, we need to build F TR rifles to compete or compare internationaly.

What are you thoughts on each? Is there room for the two?
Would you build an F TR rifle for select events and use it in F Open otherwise?

Matt P · Post by **Matt P** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:50 pm

Rod
I would leave it as it is, it works and continues to grow, heavy bullets fast twist barrels etc, go and play match rifle. Australia hasn't fielded an Australian F Class team since 2002 so international competion or comparisons don't mean much to us.
If people think the playing field is a little uneven with what we have add unlimited bullet weight to mix and see what happens :twisted:

As I have said in a previous post we have the biggest number of FS shooters in the world maybe they should be following us !!!!!!
Matt P

CodeBasher · Post by **CodeBasher** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:18 pm

"As I have said in a previous post we have the biggest number of FS shooters in the world maybe they should be following us"

I Agree. One very important factor is that Australian F Class allows one to be supremely competitive on a budget.

Post by **AlanF** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:33 pm

There was an opportunity to change to ICFRA FT/R rules a few years ago, but its too late to change now. The only way I can see to have international FT/R is to create another class. If there's enough numbers for grading F-Std now there may soon be enough for the addition of a new class.

Alan

actionclear · Post by **actionclear** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:43 pm

I have just heard that next year F Standard will be shot at the Nationals as
F T/R rules.

Looks like I'm going to have to go Bipod for this year to get in some practice.

Woody_rod · Post by **Woody_rod** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:43 pm

AlanF wrote:There was an opportunity to change to ICFRA FT/R rules a few years ago, but its too late to change now. The only way I can see to have international FT/R is to create another class. If there's enough numbers for grading F-Std now there may soon be enough for the addition of a new class.

Alan

I think the game has changed a fair bit in the past couple of years.

It is a good thought to have F/TR as a separate class to what we have.

Woody_rod · Post by **Woody_rod** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:44 pm

LOL,

My wife (actionclear) is posting in the same thread, while I am away.

actionclear · Post by **actionclear** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:46 pm

LOL Posted the same time. I thought I must have signed in as you.

Woody_rod · Post by **Woody_rod** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:02 pm

Ok, I will simplify my response:

If I go to the Nationals next year to shoot F Class, it will be FO anyway, but I have no problem with F/TR otherwise. My wife will be shooting F/TR if that is what they have decided. No point in saying we don't like it and staying away, can't win it if you are not in it.

If the competition was rimfire only at 300 yards, then that is what I would use. Just hope the paper is really thin if so!!!

Of course, none of this stops people from here competing in other countries in F/TR.

RDavies · Post by **RDavies** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:23 pm

I agree the formula we have at the moment best serves the budget of most shooters.
How about an extra F/TR class at Major Queens shoots as the numbers in F std are constantly growing anyway. It would give those shooters who intend to compete overseas an opportunity to shoot their rifles in a major shoot. Maybe they can bring something like this in for 2-3 years as a trial until the world championships.

Matt P · Post by **Matt P** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:40 pm

Woody
Your wife competes with a 223, under the ICFRA rules projectiles are unlimited weight so the best bullet a 223 shooter can use is a 90gr VLD now the 308 shooter has endless selection of bullets up to 240gr, not really a level playing field is it ????
The big question is do we make a major change for possibly 8-10 shooters (those that would like to compete at the FCWC) or upset hundreds possibly thousands ???
I would think you would loose more Aussie shooters than gain international shooters for next years National Queens if that's what the NRAA are proposing.

Matt P

Post by **AlanF** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:46 pm

RDavies wrote:I agree the formula we have at the moment best serves the budget of most shooters.
How about an extra F/TR class at Major Queens shoots as the numbers in F std are constantly growing anyway. It would give those shooters who intend to compete overseas an opportunity to shoot their rifles in a major shoot. Maybe they can bring something like this in for 2-3 years as a trial until the world championships.

I'll second that. And I think some might be surprised how many of the current bipod shooters in F-Std would like a bipod only class.

Alan

Matt P · Post by **Matt P** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:20 pm

Alan
They may want bi-pod only BUT do they want 2oz triggers and 210grn VLD's ???? I doubt it !!!

Matt P

Razer · Post by **Razer** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:53 pm

As has been said, FS is real success, it is competitive[highly!], economical,[compared to F/TR with its higher cost of "optimum" projectiles] and components are easily sourced.There are also plenty of entry level rifles out there at reasonable prices.
If it isn't broke, leave it alone. If we keep dividing what we have, we will end up with a number of weak FC disciplines instead of two [1 and a bit?

] FS as configured in OZ is a purer form of F/TR than what is shot else where. I would support bipod only,purely for the sake of uniformity.
Ray

RDavies · Post by **RDavies** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:56 pm

Looking at what is used overseas for F TR, in conditions similar to ours, eg, not bad winds all the time, the 155s and 175 grain bullets seem to be most popular. The front runners in F TR in Bisley World Championships used 155gn bullets, with the same twist rates as we currently use. The World Champion using a very cheap rifle.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek096.html

I would think the 200gn+ VLDs are more popular with 1000-1200yd Match rifle shooters, not 800-1000yd F TR shooters