Can someone answer three questions regarding F-Class please?
1. What does a typical match consist of? (scoped rifle kind of F-Class)
Quick description of what position, yardages, number of shots,
times at the firing line, target types, scoring, target feedback etc.?
This varies somewhat because of distances available, what country you're in, and then the local 'flavor'.
Highpower Rifle (and by extension, F-class) matches can be held at ranges varying from 300 yds on out to 1000yds, in general practice. Technically there are some HP matches at even shorter distances, but F-class switches to rimfire under 300yds, as its too hard to score otherwise.
One range may only have 300yds, and no 'pits', so they might have what we call 'walk-n-paste' matches - they put up two target bulls for the shooter - one for their 'sighter' shots (might be a shoot-n-c or something similar) and then a regular 'official' MR63-FC target. For 'mid' range (600 yds and less) you get basically (up to) one minute per record shot. So if the string of fire is 2 sighters and 20 record shots, then you get 22 minutes to shoot. You can shoot as slow or as fast as you wish inside that 'block' of time. Then they go down and either pull down the targets for scoring, or paste them up (if you didn't do so good) and walk back. Hence 'walk-n-paste'. Everybody shoots usually at least three strings, rotating so that your equipment gets a chance to cool off, and everybody gets their turn in the barrel as far as wind
Another range might only have 500yds, but they have target pits (carrier mechanisms on which the targets can be raised up from behind a protective berm). Here, they'll probably split the shooters into three groups - one to shoot, one in the pits to run the targets, and one on the line behind/beside the shooter to keep score. The shooter gets the same amount of time, but now when they fire the shot, the person in the pits will pull the target down, insert a scoring plug / marker, move a value disc along the perimeter of the target frame, and run it back up. The person scoring will announce the score, and record it on the score card, and then the shooter fires again. The person in the pits pulls the scoring plug, puts a paster over that hole, puts the scoring plug in the new hole, moves the value disc accordingly, and runs the target back up. On average, that little 'cycle' takes about 10-15 seconds, each shot. If you have someone exceptionally fit and motivated, it might be as little as 5 seconds (if you put all your shots in the 'X', they don't have to hunt around for the hole or move the value disc, so...) or if you have a new shooter who hasn't worked out an economical series of motions or you're slinging them all over the place in the wind and they have to go hunting for the hole every shot... it may take 20-30 seconds. Again, similar course of fire - 2 sighters, and 20 shots for record. Each shooter typically fires three strings, so there will be a rotation so everybody shoots, everybody scores, and everybody pulls targets.
At longer distances you get 1.5 minutes per round for your record shots, and possibly multiple distances. One common course of fire is called 'Palma' and involves sighters plus 15 record shots each at 800, 900 and 1000 yards. Others may be a Palma course, followed by another 20 shot string @ 1000. Yet other ranges or matches may be just 2 or 3 strings of 20 @ 1000 yds.
Hopefully you begin to see why there isn't really one comprehensive 'this is it' description - there are just too many variations. Throw in that some matches may not have enough shooters show up one day to have three relays, only two... so they have to score in the pits (you're not allowed to score for your self, obviously), where another might have so many shooters they have to work 4, 5 or 6 relays and *someone* has to herd that batch of cats through out the day...
As far as scoring, the targets are generally decimal targets with a 1/2 moa X-ring that serves primarily as a tie breaker. Then a 1 moa 10-ring, a 2-moa 9 ring, etc. The exact dimensions are listed in the NRA rulebooks. If the shot touches the line, the shooter gets the next higher value. The scoring rings run from 10/X down through 5; anything outside a 5 is considered a 'miss' and is scored as zero points. In reference to the X being for ties, it goes like this: if competitor A shoots a 200-5X, and competitor B fires a 200-9X, they both shot a 'clean' (no points dropped) but the higher X-count wins. If competitor C fires a 199-12X... they still come in third, because they didn't 'clean' the target (i.e. they dropped a point).
2. Where are some ranges where these matches are shot in the MD, PA, DE area?
(Links to range websites that might have match dates?)
I'd start off contacting the state NRA affiliate in those states. They can probably point you towards the person or persons running the state Highpower Rifle match schedule (if they have one) and they *should* be able to get you in touch with local ranges hosting matches.
Next best bet:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...-shoot-spreadsheet-rev-20-12-24-2015.3787129/
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/where-to-shoot-fclass-this-weekend.3948195/
Lots of posts (pages) to wade thru, but it should give you some idea.
Short version... asking about F-class on 'Benchrest Central' isn't really your best source of information. 'Benchrest' and 'NRA' are two entirely different worlds, however much it might *look* like there are similarities.
3. Are any association memberships required to compete in a match, or just entry fees?
Again, it varies. Local club matches that are either NRA 'Approved' or not sanctioned at all, may or may not require NRA membership. It is usually strongly encouraged, as they are the sanctioning body, and $4.50 of your entry fee will be forwarded to them for record keeping, etc.
Larger events that are 'NRA Registered' matches usually require membership in the the state NRA affiliate association (in my case, Washington State Rifle and Pistol Association) and/or that of *your* state association if you are from a nearby state (i.e. Oregon Shooting Sports Association, etc.). NRA membership is again not 100% required.... but the only place you can set national records is in an NRA Registered event... and if you're not an NRA *member*... well, hopefully you can figure that part out
4. Link to a website that has the above information?
(I’ve Googled and not been able to get good info.)
There is no one unifying place that has *all* the match info, *and* a comprehensive description, *and* is willing to answer any and all questions you might have.
The closest you are going to find is going to be the forums @ accurateshooter.com.
