F-Class is shot from the prone position from distances ranging from 300yds to 1000yds or 300m to 1000m depending on the limitations of the rifle range (i.e. some ranges only go to 600m so clubs using those ranges will shoot from 300m out to 600m). Where disabilities or health considerations prevent a shooter from shooting prone they may use a portable bench or table.

Anzac Range goes out to 800m so we shoot from 300m to 800m.

F-Standard

F-Standard is the discipline that we typically shoot because we share targets with the T/R shooters. Some of our members shoot converted T/R rifles and some shoot factory .308 and .223 rifles. Some use Bipod’s and some use Pedestal rests.

F-Standard is Australian only and is closer to true F-Class than the overseas discipline of F-TR. e.g. It allows the use of a pedestal rest instead of just a bipod.

Bullet selection is controlled by the F-Standard rules. For the .308 you are typically restricted to the 155gr bullets by Sierra, Dyer and Nosler but 144gr bullets can be used. For the .223 you’re typically limited to 80gr bullets by Hornady (Amax), Sierra and Nosler and 69gr/68gr bullets by Sierra/Hornady.

F-Open

With the introduction of the Super-V target (see below) F-Open has recently changed targets from the champ target to the IFCRA target used by F-Standard. This is a fantastic development because we now have T/R, F-Standard and F-Open all shooting on the one target.

At Bankstown-Chatswood rifle club this has led to a number of our shooters switching to or experimenting with F-Open.

If you previously thought that you couldn’t come out and shoot because you didn’t have a .223 or a .308 you can forget about that and bring out whatever you have as long as it’s less than a .308 in energy

Course of Fire

The standard course of fire for our club is 2 details each consisting of 2 sighters and 10 scoring shots. Good sighters can be kept as scoring shots. The absolute centre of the target is scored as a super V or more specifically an X with 6, 5, 4 and 3 and 2 rings present on the target. Typically the remainder of the target area is considered to be worth 1 point (a hit) but this does vary from target to target. The maximum total of 60.10 points per detail with a total of 120.20 points being the highest possible total for both details. Scoring for F-Standard and F-Open is identical.

On paper targets for each shot fired, the target is pulled down and the shot marked then raised so the shooter can observe where the last shot landed and the scorer can record the score. With the switch to electronic targets for club shooting there is no delay in marking the targets. The shots appear on the shooters screen just a few seconds after the bullet hits the target.

As a club we take turns to shoot on one or more targets (depending on numbers) and we share the range with many other clubs who will have their own target(s).

Because our club has both F-Class and T/R shooters and the targets are the same for both disciplines the F-Class and T/R shooters all shoot together.

The actual dimensions are listed in the following table (dimensions in mm)

Equipment

Basic Equipment for F-Class Standard (F-Standard):

• Rifle chambered in .308 or .223
• A reasonably good scope with a power level greater than 18x power and graduated windage and elevation turrets with a fine reticle and adjustments of 1/4 MOA
• Tapered scope rail or other scope mounting system capable of providing additional elevation adjustment
• Bipod or Pedestal style front rest (Benchrest)
• Rear sandbag
• Shooting mat
• Gun Case or Bag
• Ammunition
• A range box or some other way of carrying your gear.
• Ear muffs (plugs might seem ok if you’re planning to shoot a .223 but the guy right beside you might be shooting a .308)
• Ammunition case. (e.g. MTM cases. For non reloaders it saves messing around with boxes of ammunition on the line).
• Cleaning accessories