Rimfire PRS rifle recommendations

Gordon957

Gordon957

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Hey everyone,

Im hoping to get some feedback from people who have experience in .22lr PRS rifles. If you we're to recommend a few rifles to buy once cry once what would they be? As well as any must have accessories. This is something I'd like to get into and want to start off with something quality. Budget under $3000 for a rifle if possible but not a hard rule.
 
Have you shot any matches yet? If the answer is no, try it first, make sure you like it before you dump money into it.

If you do shoot matches, check out what everyone else is using, most folks will let you try there setup.

Got a scope for it? I would cheap out on the gun and spend your money on the scope.

Adamg’s suggestion is a good one, also look into tikka T1x, used voodoos, RimX, ultimatum deuce 2.0, lots of good choices.
 
I’d say tikka T1x or cz 457 topped with a Arken sh4 or something of that nature. At least until you find out if you like PRS shooting.
Then if ya do either of the two rifles they have crazy amounts of aftermarket support
But the next guy will probably tell you completely different from me so be sure to take everything you hear with a grain of salt and figure out what works best for you and the budget
 
If I can offer any guidance as someone who has been involved in rimfire PRS in varying capacities over the years.

If you currently have a mag fed .22 with a target style turret scope, run it as is. Try a local ORPS event. It is a great way to test your current setup. Based off of your experience in the match, it will help guide you into what you need.

Don't get too caught up in the gear. When the first "dry run" CRPS event was run in Ontario, the guy who won it was running a base model savage rifle while shooting Remington Golden bullets.

The guy just knew his gear extremely well. I will say however, gear has progressed at an incredible rate since then and the shooters have really gotten serious about being the best they can be.

Depending on the series you want to compete, there are various classes based on the type of gear you choose. In CRPS there is production and open on class.

If you have questions, don't be shy to send me a PM, I'll do my best to help answer questions you may have
 
A stock CZ Varmint with an EP5 is all you need to compete and get 'er done.

That being said, the ability to easily add weight to balance your rifle 2"-4" in front of the magwell is what sets a PRS rifle apart from what would otherwise be a bench/prone/varmint rifle. The ACC Premier, XRS, KRG Bravo are all great choices for getting a balanced rifle. Also nice to have a chassis so you can run an ARCA bipod on a full lemgth rail and mount it in many configurations to work with the props.

Apart from the chassis, you want to get a good shooting bag like the Armegedon Schmedium. I use the MDT peanut and like that as well.

I really don't think you need fancy levels, timers, plates and other dodads... but I really like the Gong Joe "Chicken Wing" that gives you a solid and consistant place to hold your forend with your left hand.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice so far. I have not shot a match yet, hoping to find something close by in the near future. My thoughts are ill buy/build a rifle and if I don't like PRS matches, well I have a damn nice rifle to shoot gophers with!
 
nbmonte said:
Have you shot any matches yet? If the answer is no, try it first, make sure you like it before you dump money into it.

If you do shoot matches, check out what everyone else is using, most folks will let you try there setup.

Got a scope for it? I would cheap out on the gun and spend your money on the scope.

Adamg’s suggestion is a good one, also look into tikka T1x, used voodoos, RimX, ultimatum deuce 2.0, lots of good choices.
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Best advice on the page
you can see and try different setups, plus get advice from ppl who have already dumped lots of cash
Most shooters if they spent a ton on a setup will give you an honest opinion about what to buy or what is kinda waste of money
 
There is a two-day rimfire PRS match in Medicine Hat this weekend. It would be a good match to spectate and check out the gear.

I'll have some items available for sale there.
 
adamg said:
There is a two-day rimfire PRS match in Medicine Hat this weekend. It would be a good match to spectate and check out the gear.

I'll have some items available for sale there.
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Would love to but unfortunately I'm up by Edmonton and won't be able to make that trip.
 
What do you shoot for a CF rifle? Personally, I shoot R700 base CF's, so I went with an R700 base rimfire, specifically a Bergara B14R. The aftermarket is fantastic, feels comfortable and familiar, can be set up within your budget, and they shoot great.

If you do like it, upgrading parts such as triggers and chassis/stock is easy, and arguably has the most aftermarket support should you want it.

If the R700 base doesn't appeal to you, Tikka almost at that same level. CZ has a good number of options as well.
 
ScottMisfits said:
What do you shoot for a CF rifle? Personally, I shoot R700 base CF's, so I went with an R700 base rimfire, specifically a Bergara B14R. The aftermarket is fantastic, feels comfortable and familiar, can be set up within your budget, and they shoot great.

If you do like it, upgrading parts such as triggers and chassis/stock is easy, and arguably has the most aftermarket support should you want it.

If the R700 base doesn't appeal to you, Tikka almost at that same level. CZ has a good number of options as well.
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Currently shooting a Antler Arms Rocky Mountain which is based off a Sako action and I definitely really like it.
 
In rimfire anything, the most important part of the equation is the ammo. Get the best stuff that you have lot tested (will not be cheap)... a super duper wonder rifle that isn't compatible with the ammo will shoot like crap. Here, price is a strong determinant of outcome. You will quickly see the same types over and over because shooters have proven them as good options.

2nd is talk to competitors about reliability and function of the rifles. Price is not a guarantor of this and without this, you are going to have a crappy time.

For optics, never a better time in the FFP world to have the right type of features but prices can range 5X. Decide how far you are going to compete. out to 100yds, most everything works... out to 400yds, you will need to be more specific in the feature set you want. Get behind as many scopes as you can... don't worry about the brand nor price. You need to find what works for your eyes and price will not always determine that. There is a rapid point of diminishing returns.

Same with ergonomics... if it don't fit, you will struggle no matter how gucci the kit.

Bags matter and again, there are plenty of options. Weight and balance matters so try various setups to learn what is good for you. Todays game is heavy on movement so being able to handle and get set quickly and smoothly matters more then trying to shave 1/4MOA of mechanical accuracy.

If you are serious about competing, practising with good ammo is critical. Better to have a $500 rifle and $2500 of ammo then a $2500 rifle and 500 of ammo... assuming the rifle in either case will shoot accurately enough.

For reference, consistent 1.5" at 100yds is plenty good to start... and a lot of kit will do this... but alot of ammo will not.

Good luck

Jerry
 
Mysticprecision said:
In rimfire anything, the most important part of the equation is the ammo. Get the best stuff that you have lot tested (will not be cheap)... a super duper wonder rifle that isn't compatible with the ammo will shoot like crap. Here, price is a strong determinant of outcome. You will quickly see the same types over and over because shooters have proven them as good options.

2nd is talk to competitors about reliability and function of the rifles. Price is not a guarantor of this and without this, you are going to have a crappy time.

For optics, never a better time in the FFP world to have the right type of features but prices can range 5X. Decide how far you are going to compete. out to 100yds, most everything works... out to 400yds, you will need to be more specific in the feature set you want. Get behind as many scopes as you can... don't worry about the brand nor price. You need to find what works for your eyes and price will not always determine that. There is a rapid point of diminishing returns.

Same with ergonomics... if it don't fit, you will struggle no matter how gucci the kit.

Bags matter and again, there are plenty of options. Weight and balance matters so try various setups to learn what is good for you. Todays game is heavy on movement so being able to handle and get set quickly and smoothly matters more then trying to shave 1/4MOA of mechanical accuracy.

If you are serious about competing, practising with good ammo is critical. Better to have a $500 rifle and $2500 of ammo then a $2500 rifle and 500 of ammo... assuming the rifle in either case will shoot accurately enough.

For reference, consistent 1.5" at 100yds is plenty good to start... and a lot of kit will do this... but alot of ammo will not.

Good luck

Jerry
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Thank you! Definitely some good info.
 
Buy as good of glass as your budget allows. Go to a match and look thru as many different brands and models as you can. Recently purchased a Zeiss LRP on sale from site sponsor Precision Optics and extremely impressed so far. I have had great luck with Kahles and Vortex Razors. There are many newer companies out there producing glass with lots of desired features at budget friendly prices. Bushnell match pro seems to be popular as well as models from Arken and Athlon. Best of luck and don’t forget the EE
 
Gordon957 said:
Can anyone make some recommendations what your using for optics on your rimfire for PRS Or NRL matches ?
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Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 6-24X56 has served me well and the 34mm has tons of travel which is needed if going out to 400. Make sure the zero stop doesn't hurt your available travel. Make sure the zero stop can be set so you can go UNDER that value by a few mils to account for super short distances or wonky positions.

0.1mil clicks with 10 mils per revolution. A turret that has some other value (6, 12 or whatever) will make things complicated when shooting far.... just look how much travel you need when you go past 250m. Big and easy to read numbering

Xmas tree reticle that has mils numbered every 2 mils. smaller windage hash marks at 0.2mils is also handy. 0.5 mil spacings on the windage can work and I have used it to bracket targets... prs doesn't require you to be super precise in wind hold so look through both styles are see what you prefer.

However, 0.2mils on the elevation is really important as you have to be precise and consistent in the elevation holds... most will learn to use the reticle for hold offs during a stage when dealing with multiple distances. In the Athlon, I can use 18mils of elevation just in the reticle alone... helped me clear a stage when most barely got through 5 shots due to the massive and constant elevation adjustments to cover all the distances while moving every shot.

An easy to look through eye box will be very obvious in use... something you can see through even when not perfectly behind the rifle.

A less fussy parallax... again, you will know what works as you scan targets at 50yds then out further. High mag is not used often... 14 to 16X is where I shot even out to 400+

Being able to see mirage and sometimes, bullet trace. There is no way to explain this except get behind as many scopes as you can

Reliable tracking and return to zero... look at the popular scopes used by successful shooters. Scopes that don't have good mechanicals dont survive long in this game. This is the most brutal demand on optics in a shooting Game. There are plenty of options at all price points that will mechanically work... don't just go by brand or price, go by what has been proven in competition. Easy to use warranty... optics will get dropped in this game sooner or later, things will break or wear. Good support is important.

Enjoy the journey

Jerry
 
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