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F T/R Competition Which factory rifle for FTR?

R

rookie7

Outdoorsman
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 26, 2009
971
243
Georgia
Good morning,

Did a search for factory rifles, and didn't come up with anything. Wanted to ask this question to a group of experienced shooters.

I'd like to give f-class a try, and it seems that F/TR is the area that I can afford to enter.

I am guessing 99% of the rifles are custom, but I don't have the money for that.

Selling my remington 700 sps varmint in .243 in the classifieds to fund this purchase.

Options I have found: remington 700 sps tac in .223 with 1/9 twist (not sure what weight bullet this will stabilize - guessing anything under 70 grains).

Remington 700 sps tactical in .308 - 1/12" twist
Remington 700 sps varmint in .308 - 1/12" twist
Remington 700 sps tac aac-sd .308 - 1/10" twist

I reload so no problem there. Also have funds to buy a good scope (read under $1000).

I know more than likely I won't win, but that's not my goal. I just want to compete, learn, and have fun.

Thanks in advance.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

I've shot F Open at most all the distances out to 1Kyd. My rifle is a Savage with a custom .260 barrel, and my optics are Tasco. This ensemble was plenty good enough to compete, learn, and have fun. Better'n that sometimes, even...

I was not winning but I was doing OK, usually in the top 20, sometimes in the top 5 or 10. Now I shoot a variation of F class at 200 and 250yd, with the same Savage and a salvaged rough bore Navy M-14 contact overrun .30 cal barrel rechambered for 30BR. I don't have much to report, but the season starts very soon. I heven't even mounted a scope, or started load development, and that will have to wait a few weeks while my Family and I get some O/O state travelling out of the way.

Based on my own experience and reports from folks whom I totally trust, I doubt you could start out better than with a Savage factory F T/R. Beyond that, you could still well end up with it being among the top competitors.

At distance, better optics have their best justification. I would buy as good as I could afford, but I would not allow price to keep me off the range.

Once you're shooting something like the Savage F T/R, ammo is going to make a really big difference at the longer distances. That's when handloading becomes a must.

Greg
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Savage - and don't look back!

I've been messing around in F Class for about 4-5 years, but just couldn't find the right fit. I was floored by the amount of money being spent on a rifle by some folks. I then discovered Mid Range F T/R class and enjoy it.

I've built both of my T/R guns (.223 1-7 Twist, 90g Bergers and .308 1-10 Twist, 155 Bergers - All Shilen barrels). A good platform is what's needed..... not an expensive one..... Money buys you expensive stuff, but that's about it.....

Just my views.... I know, I don't have 5 trillion posts listed on forums so my view my differ with others and folks may think I'm really a newbie... But yeah, I like to shoot not sit on a forum all day.

Do you want something that you can work on yourself? - Savage.
Do you want to be dependant upon a Gun Smith to work on it? - Anything else.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

I've seen a few folks do pretty darned well in F-T/R with factory rifles. Trust me on this one, you will more likely be the limiting factor than the rifle, at least to start. Whatever setup you are leaning toward, my suggestion would be to get at least 22" of barrel length; 24" would be even better. A 20" barrel will work well at 600 yd (midrange) and even further with the right load, but you'll be giving up a lot to those with longer barrels (hence higher MVs) if you ever decide to stretch it out.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Savage F-T/R. look up Team Savage & see what they have done with stock Savage rifles.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Thanks for the responses. I've got to move my other rifle first, so it may be awhile before I get anything.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Savage 308...did well for me at a 1,000 shoot the other day.
photobucket-9359-1333246920322.jpg

2nd time ever shooting 1,000 and it was the first time I ever shot the rifle (was a buddy of mine) and with a 15 mph wind (wind sock was fully extened out left to right).
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: calling4life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Savage f/tr with a Sightron SIII 8-32X56 sitting on top. </div></div>

+1 That is my setup
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That may be one of the few unanimous consent threads in the history of the internet. </div></div>
Does anyone else build a factory f class rifle?
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

If you limit yourself to mid-range (600 yards and under), you can do well with any number of good quality .308 or .223 rifles.

However, when it comes to LR, you really need that long barrel to extract every FPS you can get and it needs to be a quality barrel. And you have to make weight, and so on.

Savage also makes a very nice F-Open class rifle in 6.5-284.

I am not aware of any other mainstream manufacturer that lists a rifle suitable for the F-class long range.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Again, Savage. Using my Savage 12 Palma next weekend in my first 600 f/tr shoot... so far I'm getting 1.5" at 250yds
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Punisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That may be one of the few unanimous consent threads in the history of the internet. </div></div>
Does anyone else build a factory f class rifle? </div></div>

Just for the sake of being argumentative (who, me?) I will say that there is a Canadian fellow (Mark Anderson) that comes down to some matches in our area that has had pretty good results with a bone stock Browning A-Bolt Target rifle i.e. can hold his own with the Team Savage shooters.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog...id=189&bg=x

28" barrel, .308 Winchester, adjustable cheekpiece, single set trigger...

He was doing very well with B185LRBT bullets last year.

Generally speaking though, I'd still say the 12 F/TR would be the safest bet for starting out.

1117112220.jpg


Load testing @ the range last year...
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Another vote for the Savage 12 F/TR in 308 Winchester. I also am sporting a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 LRTD/TDT

My newbie thread when I was choosing my rifle: - Thread Link -

savage12ftr.jpg


b4target.jpg


Here is a view through the Sightron at a 500 yd target, I took it with my Cell phone so there is a little glare off of the back glass as a result of the picture technique. However, you can see the clarity.

siii832x56lrtdtdt.jpg


Good luck and enjoy the journey!
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

If you're not set on using long heavy bullets (208 Amax recoil was not for me) I'd also consider the Palma version... You get a very adjustable stock that if you bought elsewhere would be much more than the $350 price increase, and if the throat wears you'll have more room to use longer pills. I just got back from the range and found my best load so far using Berger 168 Hybrids, Lapua Brass, 2000MR 15 tho off the lands, coming out at 3050fps! (no pressure signs) Grouping was under 1" at 250yds with a 10-15mph crosswind. In Litz's book, as long as you're not shooting in freezing weather at sea level, the 13" twist is just enough to keep the stability factor at 1.3 in nominal conditions. Either way, you cant go wrong with the Savage Target rifles
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

another vote for savage 12 f/tr in 308 or 223. For mid range my 223 sav f/tr is alot better then my f/tr 308. The 223 has no recoil. I shoot the 223 out to 1k and it holds it own
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

url]


Hi rookie7

I have been shooting a '308" 1 in 12 twist Savage 12/FTR in UK F-Class competitions for the last five years and the attached photo should speak for its self.

Good luck.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

I've seen the Savage 6brs do some amazing shooting at 600yds while shooting in IBS. If you had to be cheap you could get a weaver set 36 power scope to get you going. But mainly 90% of the people on the line shoot NF 12-42 Bench rest scopes which you can find used in the 900-1100 range. 6mmbr.com has a ton of info on shooting F class IBS and all other classes. If you watch there forms there's always bench rest gear for sale.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Looks like Savage is the common denominator here.

Right now I can't afford the Savage ftr rifle. Looks like it will be close to $1K or over for just the rifle.

Right now I am looking at spending a total of $1K. If I move the remington .243 I am trying to sell, I can that amount to it.

My budget is for rifle, scope, and rings. I wanted to stick to Remington since I already have a Bell & Carlson A-4 medalist stock to fit a Remington short action.

What about an AR with a 1/8" twist? I know they are expensive too, but I read all the time how folks are getting .5 MOA groups and even less out of them at 100.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Let me offer the following as an alternative.

Keep the Remington you currently have. All you need to do is change the barrel. You can get an excellent 30 to 32 inch barrel with 1:11 or 1:12 twist and get it installed by a competent gunsmith. Then mount a $400 Weaver T-36 scope on the rifle, learn how to reload for competition and have at it.

A barrel from Broughton or Krieger or Brux, etc. will set you back under $400. The Weaver is about $400. Get Burris Signature rings with the plastic inserts or get a canted rail and regular rings. A gunsmith should be able to chamber and fit the barrel for about $200 or less.

Wait, that sounds similar to something I did and it worked out quite well for 3 years. To me, the most critical parts are the barrel, great ammo and a repeatable scope.

I reached Expert in Long Range F-class with a rifle almost exactly as I described.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Or do that, but shoot f-open, just have a fast twist 243 barrel thrown on and shoot the 115dtacs.
May be an easier route for you all around.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

You can get a good prefit barrel from numerous companies out there such as Shilen, and Criterion for around 350 that are chambered already. So that frees up the gunsmith fees. All you have to do is get go/no go gauges and a barrel vice or send it off the gunsmith. Most gunsmith will do it for around 50 bucks or so. Heck of a deal. Savages are great guns and so are remingtons. I personal have had both. I think the Rem 700 has the advantages over the Savage for one reason, everyone has one and there are parts everywhere.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

The Rem-age barrel option is a good one that is often overlooked. Getting the original factory barrel off initially can be a bear sometimes, but after that fitting the new one is a piece of cake.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

+1 for the savage. very competitive weapon. i am fairly new at this long shooting and doing pretty well with mine.good luck on finding one.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

I,m a FTR shooter in NZ ,seen several Savages used very effectively ,also Tikka have a new T3 model aimed @ FTR / UIT looks well designed.Over here we mostly use sierra/Palma 155 gr,Lapua 155,& dyer 155 BTHP p[rojectiles, 300-1000 yrd 28-30" 1/11 -1/13 twist barrels this is needed to keep projectile supersonic out to 1000yrd mark (approx 2930 fps at muzzle ).Those rifles above are about all thats on offer over here unless you want to commit some serious dough and go buy RPA ,Barnard ,Millenium, CG inch or many of the custom builds.I compete myself with RPA CG200 HPS stock.
Also Sightron scopes perform very well and are competitively priced.
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

Well, I got my a$$ handed to me by guys shooting the purpose built Savage F/TR...

Regards
 
Re: Which factory rifle for FTR?

+1 on all the Savage recomendations. Savage rifles are accurate and affordable. Great place to start and finish
 
This is an old thread, 12 years now. Does the consensus remain now in 2024? Is the Savage F/TR still the best option?

I ask because the Remington 700 Heavy varmint .308 has been given a new life. Any chance the Remington 700 has possibilities? Particularly? if I were to add a gunsmith task of seating the barrel (blueprinting?)
 
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