F-Class is the fastest growing long-range shooting sport in the world, and it is sure to continue growing as more and more people become familiar with its unique advantages and challenges.
F-Class was started in Canada. It was started as a fun class. In the beginning, it was mostly old time shooters, who put a scope and bipod on their rifle and shot along with the rest of the TR shooters. Mr. Farquharson came up with the idea of F-Class to enable he and other older long-range shooters to continue shooting along side of the people they had been competing with for most of their lives. Farquharson was a Canadian who shot what in most of the world is known as Fullbore Rifle. Fullbore (known as long-range or Palma shooting here in the States) is shot prone with a sling and iron sights, using a .308 Winchester and a bullet weight of no more than 156 grains.
Farquharson figured, that older shooters would be able to continue long-range shooting longer if their eyesight and bodies could be augmented by allowing them to use a scope and a rest to shoot. He convinced the Canadian NRA (the DCRA) to approve his idea and F-Class was named after him. F-Class migrated to the rest of the British Commonwealth and also to Germany, France, the Netherlands and the USA.
Note: The latest provisional rules from the NRA are included in this site.
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.
Tactical competitors can tune up by shooting F-Class, in fact law enforcement or other "designated marksman" are encouraged to participate.Benchrest wind flags are not allowed so reading mirage, hold off and other real world tactical considerations come into play. Each individual shot is scored so you cannot just machine gun off your rounds when a favorable condition presents itself. Those with physical limitations often find that shooting prone from a bi-pod or rest extends their ability to shoot and compete.
At our club, Benchrest Club of St. Louis, matches are designed to avoid gear drags. We shoot at a fixed distance of 600 yds. At other ranges that offer 1000 yards, stages at both 600 and a 1000 yards are utilized. Many times you will shoot along side High Power shooters when they fire, but you will compete only against other F-Class shooters. If your range only has shorter distances such as 300 yards, F-Class can still be shot but with reduced size targets.
Have fun and pay attention to that wind!