My off the cuff response it it would take a miracle. But that's too quick. I doubt anyone knows. Certainly I don't, because I've never seen a Weatherby Mark 5 used in 13 years of shooting 1,000 yard benchrest. That's over 100 regular matches and 8 (IBS) National Championships. Maybe we've all missed something.ok new idea. since i wont ever get rid of my weatherby what would it take to make it competive?
My off the cuff response it it would take a miracle. But that's too quick. I doubt anyone knows. Certainly I don't, because I've never seen a Weatherby Mark 5 used in 13 years of shooting 1,000 yard benchrest. That's over 100 regular matches and 8 (IBS) National Championships. Maybe we've all missed something.
A new suggestion. Go to a few matches. Talk. Look. You'll probably be offered a chance to shoot. Then decide what you want to do.
I don't think you can build a truly competative F-Class rifle for $1000 and probably not a BR rifle for twice that.
Nat,
I respect your experience based on what I have read of yours on this site, but I have to disagree with you here. 1000 yd BR rifle for $1000? No! F-Class rifle for $1000? Yes! Want the proof, check out the Aug 22, issue of the AccurateShooter Daily Bulletin. http://accurateshooter.com/bulletin.html
I will quote a portion of this article:
Savage F-TR Team — World-Beaters on a Budget. It seems hard to believe you can compete and win at the highest levels of long-range shooting competition with a stock factory rifle, but that’s exactly what Team USA did at the recent F-Class World Championships in Bisley, England. The U.S. F-TR team, which included Team Savage shooters, dominated the F-T/R division, winning a total of 14 medals at the World Championships (and various side matches associated with the event).
NOTE: In addition to the four Team Savage Members, the full F-TR Team USA included a number of other shooters, using other rigs. The USA F/TR team that traveled to Bisley consisted of 11 shooters: Darrell Buell (Captain), Gary Rasmussen (Wind Coach), Brad Sauve, Dale Carpenter, John Weil, Jeff Rorer, Stan Pate, Mike Miller, Paul Phillips, Warren Dean, and Monte Milanuk. Gary Rasmussen coached F-TR Team USA and Kathy Buell was official record-keeper. Monte Milanuk explained: “While almost half the team was using a Savage-actioned rifle of some sort (Warren, Darrell, John, Stan & Monte), the rest were using four Barnards (Brad, Paul, Dale, and Mike), one Stolle Panda (Jeff), and a Wichita (Gary).”
End quote.
These guys had a choice of what guns to take to the F-Class World Championship. Half choose a Savage. I think that is a powerful statement of what the Savage F-Class rifle is capable of doing in the proper hands.
With that said, I have been trying to shot my Savages in local BR competition for over a year. I am dying to upgrade to a true custom action.
Luck, Tim
I'll second this choice.
You'll get through your reloading learning curve using a factory barrel and lose nothing.
Wise use of funds IMO.
al
Go to a local match, there are often deals there that can be had at a reasonable price. Network extensively and you'll get there. And don't be in a hurry.
In F-Class there are two shooting categories, Open and F/TR. in Open class, in addition to a scope and rest you are also allowed to shoot most any caliber you want. In open class shooting with a tripod front rest and a rear bag is allowed as well. The other category in F-class is for F/TR. F/TR rules at this years national championship, are: 308/223 only, weight limit of 18.15 lbs. (includes anything attached to the rifle), shot off a bi-pod (no rail gun or return to battery set up). Of course this is relatively new and some changes and or additions are likely when the new rules come out.
IMO there is nothing wrong with starting out with either a complete Savage rifle or using an inexpensive Savage action as the starting point for an inexpensive budget constrained build. It is better to shoot in a match and have fun rather than sit at home because someone might look down there noses at your equipment.
As a long time 6.5 X 284 shooter I can state that the main problem is that it is extremely hard on barrels, especially with 20 round strings. A more viable solution, if the work or rifle was inexpensively available would be the 6mm BR or one of its variants (Dasher or BRX). Maybe the 6 X 47 (based on the 6.5 X 47 Lapua). All of them have the advantage of Lapua brass with small primer pockets, and light recoil in a lighter rifle. They are extremely accurate also.
And there would be nothing wrong with the off the shelf Savage F class rifles either. A few have been showing up at local club matches and as they have worked on developement and skills their scores have improved. And kudos to Savage for offering something inexpensive to the starting shooter.
If you decide to roll your own, just keep in mind a quality chambering job, regardless of what chambering you settle on, will make or break your accuracy. You could always get an F Savage and rebarrel later on with a match chamber of your choice.
Probably the best glass on a budget is one of the Sightrons, the glass given the price is excellent, and the erector assembly seems to hold zero well. As with most scopes a 20 degree rail is a must.
There was the salient point that a budget rifle will not necessarily win the nationals. That point is, IMO, irrevalent to a starting shooter on a budget. The point is to have fun and gain experience. There are plenty of folks out there more than willing to offer encouragement and technical expertise.
Will such a rig win a major match, probably not. But it will get you started which is the most important part. If you like the competition later on with a bigger budget you can go for a full on rig.
If I had listened to nay sayers I'd never have started shooting long range, would never have met a bunch of really good folks, and certainly never had as enjoyable a time. Sitting around and shooting the breeze (along with some good eats) is half the fun of a good match.
I would remind some that a few years back, a factory Remington Sendero SF in 300 WM with the addition of a Vais brake came in 3rd at the nationals in Iowa.
