First piece of advice i give to anyone thinking of taking up F-Class shooting is NEVER, EVER, buy or build a custom rifle.

They are a necklace in that once made/bought no dealer wants to take them in and if it's custom, forget about it. You'll pay thousands to get one, and be lucky to get offered a grand if selling/trading.

Start with what you have. If you have a 308 start into FTR, but at shorter ranges. If you have any other caliber, and even a 308, there are things like the sporting league. It's only shot out to 600 yards but will teach you all the requirements fo long range shooting without the massive expense of new barrel, build or full custom rifle.

I started off with a Sauer SSG 205 in 6.5 many moons back, then onto a TRG 22 in 308, and then onto the Savage FTR (factory stock). The Savage was incredible in terms of accuracy, and ability. Even with factory ammo.

I later changed the Savage but only the stock, and getting it glass and pillar bedded. I kept the original barrel (for a while), action, trigger, etc. As was said above the factory stock of the FTR Model 12 is a little too hunting orientated for proper fit, but still works fine. I later started to buy spare barrels of various lengths and profiles.




However for now i'd recommend starting with whatever you have, at the sporting league, and then if you decide it's something you'd like to continue with look into the cost of either a rebarrel or a custom build.

Remember the rifle is a large cost, but there is so much more involved which can add up to the price of another rifle once it's all bought (reloading, bags, bipods, mats, scope, etc, etc.)