There are a number of really great gunsmiths out there.
I enjoy my chats with Speedy-He has a great personality, and the knowledge just oozes out. Seb and I first met Speedy years ago when the US hosted the F-Class Worlds at the NRA Whittington Center, outside of Raton. Speedy's first love is still all about 100/200 yards benchrest. He is not worried about having the smallest group of the match, but rather the best Agg.
If we lived closer together and weekends was not challenge for me, I am pretty much sure I would be dipping my toe into 100/200 BR matches.
The majority of his work is for F-Class shooters, and he shoots F-Open locally still some, and he will typically be at the F-Class Nationals and the SWN's.
Use what you have for F-Open and learn and have fun, and at the same time be saving your pennies for a true F-Open rig, if that becomes your passion.My F-Open rig is a straight 284 Winchester.
I will never compete enough in F-Open to be able to take advantage of what the Shehane or 7mm PRC-W can provide over a 284 Winchester.If I was starting now, and went full out, I would go with the PRC-W (7mmx6.5 PRC). I would run a laminated stock (Not sure which one I would go with) with the internal stock buffer system (RAD), Borden action, Brux or Bartlein or Krieger barrel, Flavio trigger or a Bix N Andy, March optic....
NEO-X front rest and a Bigfoot rear bag....that's the easy part for me.
If I was shooting Light Gun 600/100 Benchrest, I would go with a 6mm BRA and possibly a 300 WSM for Heavy Gun with 215 Berger's.