Getting started in rimfire PRS

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Fyn

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Hey guys, I've been wanting to attend some matches for a while now. With dad duties and trying to balance what little free time I have between hobbies it just sort of got put on the back burner. But my daughter is getting a bit older now and I really want to attend atleast one match this year.

I'm in SW Ontario, so there's a few options I should be able to attend. There's a few local-ish Northern Rimfire Series matches that I'm hoping to make. I see Guelph does some ORPS as well.

I went to a CRPS rimfire academy day a few years ago, really enjoyed it, other than my Tikka T1X bolt release literally fell at the beginning of the day and I had to run the day without one.

Anyways, just looking for advice, I still have the Tikka.

Just curious on what are some reasonable bench marks to be able to compete in a match, hit some steel and have a good time without wondering if it's me or my equipment. Reading online it seems to range from "you need a rifle/ammo that can consecutively shoot 10 round sub-MOA groups at 50" to "1 inch or so groups are totally fine"

I've been playing around with my Tikka this winter, shooting various ammo, it is currently shooting what I'd consider decent. My last range day Eley Sport it averaged 0.55" over 6 groups of 5 rounds at 50 yards on a windy day. 5 shot groups at 100 yards that day ranged from 0.79"-1.7"

I've got some Tenex to try still and SK long range shot a bit better, I still need to test that over more groups.

Is it worth trying to stick in Base class for a beginner? I've been tempted by a chassis lately. I've also seen a lot of people say it doesn't matter what class you run in vs where you are experience wise.
 
Your accuracy is fine right now. You’ll lose more points not being used to shooting off props.

A chassis will help you balance the rifle better, meaning more hits, but again, don’t worry about it.

Shoot with what you have. Everything you’ll learn this year will be transferable to better gear down the road.

Have fun!
 
Hey, welcome to the hobby!
1moa rifle is sufficient to come and try, and see if this is something you may be interested in.
Don't overthink it. I saw people come with their savages and still shoot well and enjoy the shoot. Don't worry if you don't have bags, kestrel, binos and/or any other additional toys.. All that can be borrowed from your squad folks. People will be more than happy to let you use their toys!

All you need is a rifle, ammo, scope with 8+ magnification and ideally a christmas tree reticle that helps you with holdovers, and maybe a bipod. Everything else you'll get over time... and I totally recommend try a few matches before you buy any additional equipment. First, borrow stuff from others, see what you need and what works well...

And most importantly, have fun!
 
If you’re coming to shoot nrs, before you think of buying anything new, ask anyone on the line to try their rifle or different gear. Let people know you’re new, there will be a ton of people willing to help you and steer you in the right direction.

I wouldn’t get to hung up on which class to enter. A chassis will make shooting off barricades easier as you have options to balance the rifle out more.

Balance is probably the most overlooked thing when people think of rifle performance.

Starting out, don’t get too hung up on finding the optimal ammo for your rifle. Also don’t get too hung up on what people say their rifles can shoot on the internet, or even when they’re on the firing line. I’ve seen over a hundred zero boards in the morning that proves 99% of people’s claimed groups are full of ####.

Until you start shooting in the top 10% focus your energy on learning solid fundamentals, because that is where you will lose more points per match over any sort of minimal performance gain from higher quality match ammo.
 
Hey guys thanks for the responses. Glad to know I'm overthinking it (equipment wise) for the time being.

I think the rifle is setup pretty well to get started, had a 30MOA rail with an Arken SH4 4-16x, mounted an arca section upfront with a bipod, added a cheek rest and rubber buttpad to make it more comfortable to get behind.

I do have a bag, a basic Kestrel and basic binos
 
Shoot what you have. Doing is more important than excessive planning/research. As you participate and learn what you're good/bad at, that's when you start to realize what kid of gear (rifles, bags, optics, ammo, etc) and training (cardio, preparing DOPE, studying the course of fire, etc) you need.

The group I shoot with in Edmonton is a fountain of knowledge and super friendly. They let me try out their bags/gear, and all the veterans have so much wisdom to share (and funny stories). It's a joy just participating and seeing your own learning progress evolve.
 
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Shoot a few matches before investing a lot into your rifle and gear.

Some basics that would help you a lot would be a shooting bag and a pair of binoculars.

An Armageddon gear schmedium or similar will get you 99% of the way. Majority of your stages are shot off uneven obstacles; barrels, gates, bales, etc.

A pair of binoculars, a pair of 12x and a tripod to mount them. (A cheap tripod and a ammo can to sit on is good enough, most cheap tripods tip over with wind when extended at eye level.) You can learn a lot just by watching impacts and misses.

Extra magazines, occasionally there is a stage with a spinner that has to be flipped over to advance.

Everything else you can get later on. Most people are friendly and will help you out, and lend you gear for a stage.
 
With your rifle/ammo and stated groupings, you have the potential to get a very high hit % if you do your part. In this game, results depend more on you than your gear, within reason. Research will only take you so far, the best learning is done through direct experience. Like I just learned at a match yesterday the new flat bag I bought isn't very good off the pyramid prop, so I will have to stick to using the first bag I bought on that prop. Just get out to matches, see what the experienced people are using/doing, chat with people, ask to try bags, get experience and most importantly, have a ton of fun!
 
Ammo is the most important "gear" you can find. Test SK LRM, and RM at 100yds. If you can, a few lots of each. Whichever shoots consistently the smallest groups (5X5rds), buy as much of that lot as the budget allows. Ammo changes from lot to lot which is why we stock up when possible.

If the family allows and there is room in the home, do as much dry firing and positional practise as you can. These are odd positions and you have to learn how to get into a stable position fast and consistently. This will also highlight physical training you might need to do to get flexy and strong for the 'gymnastics'. A standard size gamechanger bag is what I suggest you start and get comfy to use.

Chairs, tables, ladders are all good props to practise from. You need to find the heights and lengths of the support gear you need to get into the most stable and comfy position.

At the range, repeat both dry and with ammo in all the positions you see listed on courses of fire. Focus on proper point of aim and then ensure that the point of impact has min change from the tallest to lowest position... train at 50yds on paper is ideal.

Rinse and repeat as much as possible... Good luck.

Jerry
 
Thanks for the responses guys. It's nice knowing my current bench accuracy is a good starting point. It's easy to get disheartened reading various forums of people getting 0.xx" sized groups easily. Knowing my rifle is sufficiently accurate makes it easier to focus on my shooting vs questioning gear.

I've actually had a ladder setup in my basement/gun room for the last week, I've been trying to sneak some dry fire practice in when I can.
 
Rule #1 with the internet: ignore all the claims of how amazing people’s groups are. lol!

Focus on safety, and in PRS, listen to the RO. Don’t load until instructed.

When you are practicing, focus on the bolt being back (open) before you move. Get into the new position, get down behind the gun, when your eye is on target, THEN, bolt forward.

We had a new guy in my squad on the weekend, and he was being mentored by a local instructor. We all offered gear for him to try out, (he was even using a loaner gun!) and we gave him distances to the targets.

He got to see how much more stable the rifle was when sitting on a bag with heavy fill, vs light fill. He also learned why you want a rear bag with light fill for prone stages. Having the ability to try things and compare was perfect for him.

He had a great time!
 
All of the above posts are 100% Accurate. Less "gear* research and more time on the shooting line.

Whatever you don't have can be borrowed from pretty much anyone on the line. This is the most supportive and friendly sport in the shooting world imho. Your rifle and accuracy is fine. It will outshoot you for awhile ;-)

Get to whatever matches you can - one match = 100 hours of Youtube videos. You will learn tons from fellow shooters.

Listen to your RO. Spend 60% of your non shooting match time on glass spotting (once your stage prep for the next stage is done) - watch the flow, watch other shooters methods and take what works for you. With a little dry fire setup at home you're already 50% ahead of most shooters.
 
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I shoot ORPS monthly at Amherstburg Target Sports. Might be a bit of a drive for you though. I know Lambton Sportsman Club just south of Sarnia has monthly matches - never been to one there though.

Come out, have fun, swap stories, and listen to my lies about why I can't hit anything! Always my ammo or gun's fault - never my own!
 
Ammo and scope is really the only things that make a big different, Most rifle shoot great in stock form. Find a scope with good eye box and parallax that is forgiving and Reticle that you can understand on the clock, Rifle setup and fitment is key (some foam and tape)
Get good dope Make a note of cold bore,
Could always play action torque. if you looking to fiddle with something
 
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Thanks guys, this thread has been super helpful.

Good to know about Amherstburg and Lambton, wasn't aware of those of those clubs. Sarnia isn't much of a drive for me, so that's great to know. I've got some family down in the Amherstburg area as well so I could always make a trip of it.
 
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