Today we’re learning all about F-Class from Erik Cortina of Cortina Precision. We’ve also got a special surprise — punking him with an appearance from F-Class John!
Disclaimer
Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.
About Erik Cortina
Erik Cortina recently claimed the Southwest Nationals F-Open Grand Aggregate title, something he’s been pursuing for 12 years. He’s also soon heading to the 2023 F-Class Worlds in South Africa to represent the United States.
I started shooting at a young age and hunting became my passion. Everything was great until I was invited to go Elk hunting in Colorado. Once I was there, I realized that shots would be long and I was not ready. When I came back home from the hunt empty handed, I decided to learn long range shooting. I looked around and decided that F-Class shooting was a good fit for me.
I started shooting F-Class in 2008 and ended up giving up hunting to compete in F-Class matches. I would spend my entire days thinking about making my rifles more accurate, so I would read everything I could find on the subject. There was not much info back then, so I started testing on my own to figure out what gave me the best results. I used to do everything “the internet” told me to do to my cases, but I found that I did not have the time to do it all, so I started eliminating the things that did not matter to accuracy and started focusing on the things that did. And so began my precision journey.
After many years of frustrating results, I finally figured out what worked and what didn’t and decided to share my knowledge with you all on my YouTube channel. YouTube however has made it hard for people like us to share our knowledge, so I started a Patreon account. Unfortunately, even this has become problematic, hence I decided to create my own website to share what I know with my supporters. cover my PRS reloading process, wind reading, troubleshooting, etc.
I have also developed some products over the years to help me keep my rifles in tune, the first one was my EC Tuner barrel tuner. Since then, I have introduced a tapered variation of it for PRS and F-T/R competitors and lately I introduced my EC Tuner Brake. If you made is this far, I want to say I’m very grateful for your support, so thank you and I hope you find my website informative and helpful.
We’ve previously done an in-depth interview with Erik. Watch it here!
About F-Class
While ICFRA sets the International F-Class rules, the U.S. Rifle Team provides a great description of the sport.
Beginning in the mid to late 1990’s, George Farquharson, a Canadian Target Rifle competitor, lobbied the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association to allow competitors to use a bipod and a scope in addition to slings and iron sights to compete. The inclusion of a bipod and scope in competition became the F-Class target rifle category. Within a few years, F-Class was officially adopted in the U.S. and worldwide as an internationally recognized shooting sport.
Punking Erik
Approximately 35 minutes into our discussion, Erik began telling a story he said he was almost certain his friend John Masek, “F-Class John”, would be upset with him for sharing. Erik also pointed out that since F-Class John lives in Oregon, he and I really should meet, which I heartily agreed with.
Here’s how the story went (told by Erik while F-Class John was waiting off-set to surprise him): Some time ago, Erik was shooting next to John at a match. While John still hadn’t started shooting, Erik was bouncing between the 9 and 10 ring. (It’s common for shooters to use other shooters’ targets as input.) The wind died down, and Erik stopped shooting to wait for his condition, watching John shoot 10 after 10. As the wind picked up, John continued shooting 10 after 10, though further away from center, finally shooting a 9.
If you can’t watch the whole video, at least check out the 39 minute mark to see what happens next!
Who is F-Class John?
F-Class John is a competitive F-Class shooter, content creator, and good friend of Erik Cortina.
We wanted to take advantage of our time with John while we had him out to UR, so we interviewed him as well!
Look for our upcoming story interviewing F-Class John.
Check out his YouTube channel!
Also, he recently shared a “Reloading Confessions” video featuring Gavin’s reloading room.
Become a Cortina Precision Member and Subscribe!
Do you want to shoot smaller groups? Do you want to learn precision reloading, wind reading, gunsmithing and more? Erik Cortina has made this all available via his website membership.
Also subscribe on YouTube to @ErikCortina and @FClassJohn!
Want to Shoot F-Class?
Reach out to local highpower clubs and ranges.
Don’t miss out on Ultimate Reloader updates, make sure you’re subscribed!
Thanks,
Gavin Gear
