F Class Target Shooting

F-Class is the fastest-growing full-bore shooting discipline in the world.

Originally invented by the late George Farquharson of Kamloops in British Columbia to enable safe competition between ageing shooters with failing strength and eyesight, it has become popular with shooters of all abilities because of the greater accuracy achievable.

The rifles and ammunition are with some exceptions the same as TR Class shooting, as are the courses of fire. TR and F-Class shooters can share targets without inconvemiencing each other.

The differences are in the scoring (6, not 5 is the maximum shot score), the size of the "Centre"or "V-Bull" (smaller) and you are allowed to suport the rifle on a bipod with a rear sandbag if wished, and to use telescopic sights.

This does not make it easy! Achieving accuracy and consistency is as difficult as any other kind of advanced target shooting, but, once achieved, F-Class is more accurate than TR Class, and the keen F-Class shooter may spend far more time on improving the ballistic qualities of equipment and ammunition than the TR shooter needs to.

Mosman Neutral Bay has an active F-Class section and enters F-Class teams in all team competitions.

 

F-Class – the orginal derivation from Target Rifle used the same calibres with a telescopic sight. Shooting is carried out off a front rest such as a bipod and a rear support bag to steady the rifle butt. There are three F-Class categories recognised in Australia.

F-Class Standard. Only NATO 7.62mm and 5.56mm ammunition can be used. The rifle, typically a standard target rifle with a scope attached, may be shot off a rest or a bipod.

F-Class Open – allows more variation in ammunition components and rifle weight, and is usually shot off a rest.

FTR , Probably the most popular of the F Class disiplines, FTR may use only 7.62mm or 5.56mm ammunition and must be shot off a bipod and can use a rear bag. This classification like F Open allows more variation in ammunition components.