F-Class

F-Class is a Full-Bore target discipline using modern bolt action rifles where the shooter adopts the prone position and shoots out to a maximum of 1000 yards.

F-Class was started in Canada by George Farquharson as a way to keep Target Shooting as he got older. This is evident by the fact that Bipods and Rear Rests are permitted in F-Class as well as the use of Optics.

So what should you look for in an optic for F-Class?

Magnification

High magnifications are desirable in F-Class as they allow the shooter to see further away more easily. A typical magnification for an F-Class scope would be something like 5-50x as found on the Delta STRYKER.

Objective

Because of the high magnifications used in F-Class, larger objective lenses are preferred as they allow the image to stay as bright as possible at those higher magnifications (most Scopes used for F-Class have objective lenses no smaller than 56mm). This being said a Scope that has high-quality glass with high light transmission may be able to get away with having a smaller objective lens.

Reticle

In short, the reticle you use for F-Class is entirely down to personal preference. You might want a busy “Christmas Tree” reticle with lots of markings showing exactly how much MOA you are holding over, or you might want a simple Mil-Dot that provides you with an uncluttered view of the target.

FFP or SFP?

Again this is a personal choice. FFP (First Focal Plane) reticles have the advantage that the reticle scales with the image meaning that its markings stay true throughout the magnification range. SFP (Second Focal Plane) reticles have the advantage that they stay the same size regardless of magnification meaning that the reticle won't block your field of view.

Adjustment/Turrets

You will want a Scope with a considerable amount of adjustment as this will give you plenty of room to dial in for your desired point of impact. If your Scope does not have enough adjustment built-in you can make up for this by mounting your Scope with an MOA rail or Mounts.

Most shooters in F-Class go for Scopes with exposed target-style turrets as this makes it easy for making quick adjustments. Another thing to consider is that makings on the turrets are clear and precise so that you know exactly how much adjustment you are making.

MOA/MIL/MRAD

Mostly the choice between MOA and Mils/MRAD is down to personal preference. The most important thing to consider is the amount of adjustment per ‘click’. Common choices are ⅛ MOA or 0.5 MRAD as these allow for very fine adjustments to be made.

Weight

F-Class has weight restrictions on the Rifle you use and includes all attachments such as Scopes. For this reason, it is important to get a Scope that balances all of the above. Most manufacturers do try to make Scopes as light as possible but in reality, they can still be fairly heavy. It is important to make sure the Scope and Rifle combination you pick does not put you over the weight restriction of your particular event.