chipperej, if you read this, you are welcome to bring your kestrel to the class as well as your rifle and equipment and we can go over your particular setup.
I've used both a stock Remington 700 and a Bergara HMR in F class competitions. Both guns were bone stock, wearing vortex glass. They both performed pretty well for being factory rifles. I'd pick the bergara if I had to choose one.
Top Guns in Terre Haute will be hosting a two part intro to long range shooting class. Part 1 is December 8th and part 2 on December 15th. The class is intended for those with zero to little experience with long range shooting. It is all classroom instruction covering things from equipment...