Want to buy / build F Class gun......lots of questions

[DarryH]

I want to shoot F Class at 600 yards, from the bench,

I need help.....starting at the beginning.

I am left handed !!!

I am considering the 284 Winchester caliber.

I am planning on a Savage action.....not sure what.

For the 284 Winchester......do I need a long or short action???????
Is the bolt face the same for 308, 30-06, 243, 7mm/08, 284 ???????

I need suggestions on everything related to the gun and caliber.
I am good on the scope, rest, etc.

I need to do this affordably.

Is there a ready to go gun that will be reasonably competitive????
Is there an action and stock you suggest??????

All help will be appreciated.

Thank you.
Good Shootin!!
DarryH
Nebraska

[KRP]

If you're shooting from a bench it isn't F-class. That's help you need from the beginning.

[DarryH]

At our club.....they call it F Class Open.
Some of us have bad backs and can no longer shoot prone.

Like I said, I am not looking to win matches.
I want to test my skills, as well as the gun and ammo.

Thanks
Good Shootin!!
DarryH

[vmcdonald79]

I too am left handed and shoot a right handed Model 10 for f class. All of my target rifles from here on out will also be right handed. With a right bolt right port rifle you will not have to get out of the shooting position to work the bolt and load another round. Your right hand isn't doing anything anyway so you as well put it to work.

[LoneWolf]

6BR or versions of the 6BR seem to be the bees knees for 600yds F-Class at this point in time. If I was building a dedicated 600yds F-Class rifle that is where I would start. I don't think you could go wrong with 260rem or even 243Win for 600yds matches.

I would pick up a 12LRP in either 243Win or 260REM as it would be competitive enough for F-Class work and still be a good all around rifle as well.

[KRP]

Putting a 6BR barrel on a pawn shop action would be the affordable way to go.

[lal357]

pawnshop action is the cheapest way to go sell off what you dont need and recoup some cash back another i have been looking at wal-mart here has a model 10 in 308 for 474.00 i'm thinking of buying it and parting it out like this
stock 60
barrel 100
scope 40-50
now that rifle is down to 274 for the action

[DarryH]

I have o problem picking up a used gun for its action.

I need to know about bolt faces.
For 6BR or 284 Winchester.....what calibers share the same bolt face??????
Replacing one can be tricky for a non-mechanical guy like me,
and I don't have a gunsmith in the area I would trust.

Thanks
good Shootin!!
DarryH

[barrel-nut]

Get an action with a "standard" bolt head, which is .473". This will include calibers such as .308 and all it's variants, such as .243, 7-08, .260, etc. are all common standard short action calibers. In long action, common calibers are the .30-06 and it's offspring such as the .270, .280 Rem, and .25-06. The .284 Win you are interested in also uses a .473 bolt head. There are many more, but these are some of the most common.
If your shooting will be limited to 600yds, I'd definitely consider the 6BR or one of its variations as one of the above posters suggested, especially if you are a handloader. Even if you aren't, very accurate factory loads are available, albeit not as easy to find as many other loads. 6BR is a very accurate, easy shooting round that is already a major player in 600 yd competitions. If you were to be shooting at 1000 yards, the .284 or the 6.5-284 would arguably be better choices. But you can't go wrong with the 6BR at 600. Less recoil, longer barrel life, and great accuracy. If you are seeking a factory rifle, I believe Savage offers a few models in this chambering.
If you just cannot accept the idea of shooting a 6mm for whatever reason, I'd suggest the 6.5 Creedmoor as another alternative that has good factory rifles and ammo easily available. It also uses a .473 bolt face if you want to build your own rifle.

Edit: 6BR also uses a .473 bolt face.