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F-Class (F-Open & F-T/R)

Discipline Definition & Philosophy

F-Class is the precision-focused evolution of traditional Fullbore shooting. Founded by George Farquharson (the "F" in F-Class), it allows shooters to engage targets from 300 to 1,000 yards using high-powered optics and specialized rests. The philosophy is mechanical and ballistic perfection. Unlike PRS, where you move, in F-Class you stay prone and attempt to put every single bullet through a "V-Bull" (X-ring) that is only 5 inches wide at 1,000 yards—the size of a grapefruit.

The Origin Story (History)
 

  • The Fullbore Split: F-Class began in Canada as a way for shooters to stay in the game without the physical strain of the leather sling and iron sights. Because it shares the same ranges, targets, and "Fullbore" heritage, the terms are often used interchangeably in international circles.

     

  • The "Grandfather" of F-Class: J.J. Conroy formally introduced the sport to the U.S. in the late 90s, leading to the first World Championships in 2002.
     

  • Modern Maturity: It has since surpassed traditional sling shooting in popularity, leading to specialized US National Teams and "pro-league" formats that have modernized the sport’s image.

The Major Leagues & Sanctioning Bodies
 

The US National F-Class Teams (US Rifle Team) : There are separate, dedicated teams for F-T/R and F-Open that represent the USA in World Championships (held every 4 years).
The F-Class Point Series ( V2): The first "Professional" F-Class series.  Individuals compete in sanctioned V2 matches through the year to qualify for the series finale. The finale features a head-to-head bracket , where the top 32 ranked shooters in the country compete for major cash prizes and national glory.
​National Rifle Association - NRA (USA): Hosts the National Championships, including the recently separated NRA F-Class Fullbore Nationals which utilize the pair-firing format.

International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (​ICFRA): The world governing body that manages the World Long Range Championships.

The Rulebook & Scoring

For the latest technical rules on equipment weight and target dimensions, refer to the official bodies:

  • International Rules: ICFRA F-Class Rules

  • Domestic US Rules: NRA F-Class Rulebook (Section 22)

  • Scoring: Points range from 5 to 10. The "V" (or X) is the tie-breaker. At elite levels, shooters rarely leave the 10-ring; the winner is almost always determined by who has the highest "V-count."

The Standard Loadout (Equipment)
F-Class is strictly divided into two categories:
 

  • F-T/R (Target Rifle):

    • Caliber: Limited to .308 Win or .223 Rem only.

       

    • Support: Must be fired from a bipod attached to the rifle and a rear bag.

    • Weight: Total rifle weight (including bipod/scope) cannot exceed 8.25 kg (18.18 lbs).

       

  • F-Open:

    • Caliber: Any caliber up to .35. (Popular: 7mm-300 WSM, .284 Win, 6.5x284).

       

    • Support: Allows a front rest (often a joystick/pedestal style) and a heavy rear bag.

       

    • Weight: Total rifle weight cannot exceed 10 kg (22 lbs).

       

  • Optics: Extremely high-magnification scopes are the standard to see the 1/2 MOA X-ring clearly.

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