Precision Rifle Series: How to Choose the Best Rifle for PRS

A female shooter in black tactical gear aiming a precision rifle at an indoor shooting range, with a digital target in the background.

Diving into PRS? Stop! The most effective action you can take is to stop examining all the choices and viewpoints and simply attend a match. PRS matches resemble car shows in some aspects. Men ENJOY discussing their firearms with you. They’ll allow you to handle them, rotate the actions, and they might even let you fire a magazine of ammo after the game! That exact thing will help you save countless hours considering choices. Similar to a bow, a precision rifles for competitive shooters emphasizes the feel in your hand and the recoil experience as much as its functionality. Rule Number 1: Selecting the Ideal Rifle for PRS Means Invest Once, Invest in Quality It’s a precision rifles for competitive shooters, not a volume-accuracy rifle. Your rifle must be precise like a benchrest rifle yet dependable like a backcountry hunting rifle. It needs to operate in different environments – dust, rain, snow, and both of you should cherish one another. Purchasing reliable, top-notch equipment is essential. Less expensive options may appear attractive, but they frequently result in greater costs over time. Therefore, attend a game, inquire about details, and for heaven’s sake, purchase reliable quality equipment. Rule Number 2: Many exist, but this one belongs to you. In this game, rifles are deeply personal and nearly intimate tools. Chassis such as the JP APAC provide nearly limitless modularity and adaptability for pull length, comb elevation, grip angle, and even a collapsible stock. This enables the shooter to modify the rifle’s fit to perfectly suit their physique and shooting technique. Stocks provide a more classic appearance and sensation, along with contemporary adjustability for pull length, among other features. The variation in recoil differs significantly between chassis and stocks, as well as across different stock types. The Evolution of Precision Rifles Contemporary precision rifles for competitive shooters resemble Legos for Grown-ups. You will probably recognize the components of a precision rifle: action, chassis (or stock), barrel, muzzle accessory (suppressor if you’re refined), trigger, scope mount, and scope. That’s all. There can be over 2 action screws, which attach the action to the chassis, but these will be meant for accessories or simply assembling the chassis. If you know how to use a torque wrench and which direction to turn a ¼” socket head screw, you can assemble a custom rifle at home. Why is that? Due to the excellent precision of contemporary machining tolerances, quality actions and barrels are “Pre-Fit” or crafted to such exact specifications that they will always fit (headspace) flawlessly. Ultimately, the game revolves around precision. Using Pre-Fits, a barrel simply needs to be torqued onto a receiver (don’t forget that torque wrench) and you have successfully attached a barrel to an action. The action manufacturer Impact has built a reputation for producing actions that are so precisely machined that any barrel maker or gunsmith can pre-fit, or cut to specification, a barrel without having to see your action. Similarly, barrel makers such as Proof have started providing Pre-Fit barrels in all contemporary calibers for various applications, including hunting and PRS. For the time being, we will continue with PRS. Similar to the pairing of barrels with actions, contemporary chassis and stocks are crafted to such a high standard that there is no movement between a fine action and stock. A contemporary chassis and stock do NOT require bedding. If you hear someone mention bedding, they either aim to sell you something unnecessary or the standard design is insufficient. Foundation Stocks are crafted with such precision that, similar to Impact Actions, they invariably fit seamlessly and effortlessly every time. Companies such as Manners have created Mini Chassis that are designed to fit within their stocks, ensuring a consistent fit while providing a more modular solution for various stock alternatives. Understanding PRS Divisions In as few words as possible, the open division reigns supreme. Over 95% of the sport participates in the Open division. Anything is acceptable, but you truly don’t require all the gadgets to begin. You need an accurate, dependable precision rifles for competitive shooters, a correctly mounted scope, a ballistic calculator, a bipod, and a support bag. Tac is essentially Open but utilizes a 308 or 223 with certain velocity limitations. If you possess a 308 or 223, feel free to participate in Tac. It’s Open, but your wind calls will be approximately twice that of the hotrod 6mm calibers. Production is truly fascinating and an affordable method to get into the sport. Firms such as GA Precision produce exceptionally high-quality “Production Legal” rifles, including their Pinnacle Production Rifle (PPR). Some might even contend that they have “exploited” the price point guideline for production rifles by providing an outstanding deal nearly at dealer cost. Why not? Indeed, the owner George has been competing for many years and enjoys succeeding in all endeavors. With a focus that aligns with the pricing regulations of the division, Production is an excellent starting point. Gas Gun – For individuals who enjoy standing out. It resembles Open but features more components in recoil and a shorter selection of cartridges that can operate. Is it enjoyable? Definitely! With a rifle such as a JP LRI-20 in 6mm Creedmoor, you’ll certainly have accuracy and reliability covered. You will, however, be participating in a sport that places great importance on detecting hits with a precision rifles for competitive shooters that shifts more than other rifles while you attempt to observe. When it comes to reliability, just keep in mind that there’s always time for lubrication. Budget Factors The positive aspect is that precision rifles for competitive shooters are less expensive than the big three: women, cars, and boats. The unfortunate reality is that PRS, being a sport, continues to include racing, thus connecting it to that realm regarding expenses. For Open, Tac, or Gas Gun divisions, a rifle that endures 10 seasons will set you back about $8,000 fully equipped. For the Production division, you ought to plan approximately $6,000. In both scenarios, you’ll

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Hunting Rifle

A hunter aiming his rifle at sunset, with a close-up of hunting gear in the background. The text '5 Ways to Upgrade Your Hunting Rifle' is displayed alongside the Goliath Industries logo.

Hunting rifles do not have to maintain the same setup as they have for the past century. The firearms market has exploded with aftermarket modifications, enabling hunters to replace those standard factory stocks, their grandfather’s rifle scopes, and the usual box of ammo bought annually at the local sporting goods shop. Whether you’re a beginner in firearm ownership or a seasoned gun enthusiast, take into account these ways to upgrade your hunting rifle and preparation advice during the off-season to boost your chances of successful hunting. NO. 1: Chassis System Enhancements to Upgrade your Hunting Rifle Swapping out the factory stock for an aftermarket stock or chassis can be one of the most effective enhancements for your hunting rifle for several reasons. For several years, conventional rifle stocks such as McMillan and Manners were the sole acceptable choice for hunting rifles because of certain characteristics that set them apart from chassis and stocks. The primary factors are the weight and dimensions. Numerous chassis were substantial and bulky in various respects, crafted for tactical uses. That is NO LONGER the situation, and contemporary chassis tailored for hunting, such as the Element 4.0 Magnesium chassis, will be our emphasis on why this might be the top enhancement for your hunting rifle. A rifle chassis can provide various elements to upgrade your hunting rifle. Here are only a handful of them. Precision – Enhanced stiffness and refined action alignment, guaranteeing superior engagement for precise shooting. Ergonomics – The alignment between the shooter and the rifle is frequently improper. A chassis offers countless possibilities, enabling the ergonomics to be exactly how you desire and require. Function – chassis provide greater functional features than stocks, such as packability, customization, and accessory compatibility. The ability to fold the buttstock has shown to be revolutionary. Appearance – Appearance is always important! Rifle Chassis Systems represents the peak of modernity, featuring a contemporary design supported by advanced engineering to serve both shooters and hunters effectively NO. 2: Advanced Scopes and Accessories to Upgrade your Hunting Rifle Numerous advancements have occurred over the years in the hunting industry and the equipment we utilize to achieve the ultimate objective of a successful hunt. The optics we employ to spot, establish an accurate sight picture, and target these animals have seen remarkable advancements, with a wide range of choices available to suit every hunter’s tastes. Here are three aspects that have seen considerable advancements to upgrade your hunting rifle with a new scope. Rifle Scope Glass Quality: Like all optics, the quality of glass has greatly enhanced over the years. And not only on the premium optics. Certain optics are priced at a small portion of what a buyer would have paid ten years ago for similar clarity. Still, there is a diminished quality across nearly all the rifle scope brands. Enhancing your rifle scope may rank among the pricier features of the rifle. If you plan to proceed with this, think about investing more if certain models feature significantly superior glass. Dependability of Rifle Scope: This is a challenging aspect to evaluate when assessing scopes at a retail location. How can you determine which rifle scope is more dependable than another? You will not.. However, imagine that you investigate this before looking at scopes in person or buying online. In such a scenario, it may represent a valuable lifelong investment. Numerous online resources exist for gear choices; forums are an excellent starting point! Even more crucial, look for articles written by individuals who dedicate time to test various options and are known for providing thoroughly assessed reviews. Websites like Rokslide, Long Range Only, and Snipershide, for example. Rifle scopes can often be a major factor in accuracy problems for many rifles and shifts in POI after several shots due to internal problems. Avoiding this with a more reliable scope can frequently save you money.  Expanded Possibilities With Distance: This doesn’t imply that each hunter and every rifle requires long-range abilities. However, expanding your comfortable shooting boundaries can open up possibilities that were not thought of before. Precision shooting at distances involves much more than merely the rifle scope, but a solid starting point is owning a scope that can achieve this with accuracy. With choices offered for exposed elevation and windage turrets alongside various reticles to suit your preference, why not take advantage? There might be a minor increase in weight to acquire a scope that meets all the criteria, but if it enables you to execute a precise shot from afar to clinch the moment because it’s the sole chance, or if the landscape restricts you from close interactions, then for many, it’s worth it. NO. 3: Aftermarket Rifle Triggers to Upgrade your Hunting Rifle Changing the trigger on your rifle is a cost-effective enhancement and is frequently neglected as a way to boost the rifle’s precision. Several common aftermarket triggers are provided by Trigger Tech, Timey, Bix’n Andy, and Rifle Basix. Featuring options for numerous well-liked factory rifles from Remington, Savage, Tikka, Howa, Weatherby, Browning, and others, enhancing your factory rifle trigger is an easy DIY project that elevates the shooting experience you love. These triggers can modify the weight of the trigger pull, and several can change overtravel. Some will feature various trigger shoe choices, such as a flat design, and in several models, the option to adjust the trigger shoe’s position both forward and backward, as well as up and down. Achieving a ninety-degree trigger pull is essential for precision shooting fundamentals. This ability is challenging to acquire consistently, and it becomes even harder when the trigger has a greater pull weight, potentially resulting in recoil and target anticipation or panic. Aftermarket triggers can assist in overcoming this with a reduced trigger pull weight. NO. 4: Improved Accuracy with the correct Ammunition You can never be certain if another type of ammunition could perform better in your rifle! During the off-season, dedicating time to experiment with various types of ammunition can significantly improve rifle precision.