Viable set up for PRS

JDForBrkFst

JDForBrkFst

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I'm really interested in trying PRS. I have an employment background in long range shooting, and have taken game out to 500, but have never competed. My rig is a Tikka Lite 300wsm with a NF SHV, I'm runnings 175gr VLD handloads. I have dope to 700m. I've been worried about trying as my group size starts opening up after a few rounds with the light barrel profile. Is a PRS match viable with this set up? Someday I plan on getting a Sako S20 in 6.5 CM, but this is all I can run for now.
 
JDForBrkFst said:
I'm really interested in trying PRS. I have an employment background in long range shooting, and have taken game out to 500, but have never competed. My rig is a Tikka Lite 300wsm with a NF SHV, I'm runnings 175gr VLD handloads. I have dope to 700m. I've been worried about trying as my group size starts opening up after a few rounds with the light barrel profile. Is a PRS match viable with this set up? Someday I plan on getting a Sako S20 in 6.5 CM, but this is all I can run for now.
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As a new to PRS shooter as well all I can say is try it. Most stages are 10ish rounds with fairly long breaks between stages so the barrel may cool down enough? The competitors are super friendly and helpful.
 
How fast are the 175s tho? Some matches won't want their steel beat up. Other than that run what ya brung and try it.
 
Another draw-back would be magazine capacity. 8-12 rounds is the standard number of rounds per stage. If you only have 7 in a magazine, your mandatory mag change will eat up your time and disrupt your rhythm.
Not to mention 12 rounds in 105 seconds is very hard on a light weight barrel..... And you are burning 15gr more powder then a 308 with the same bullet for 100fps more. It will work, just very inefficient.

Personally, I wouldn't use it. Is it your hunting rig? Starting off with an ill-suited rifle won't be fun, you'll be distracted enough for your first match as it is. Save the components and barrel life, got any buddies with a 6.5 Creedmoor or 308 you could borrow? Something more suitable will make your experience easier and more enjoyable.
 
Thanks Alpheus, those are exactly the issues I suspected would be a problem. I'll probably wait until I get a rifle set up for it. I know I love long range already, so it won't be money gambled in any case.
 
Insite Arms have some stick rifles they have put together that are ideal for your needs. One stop shopping for a very competitive product. I went another direction, but for straight PRS stuff I don’t think their starter rifles can be beat.
 
Emerson, thanks for the advice. I remember looking at their stuff years ago, a very impressive company. There stuff is a bit out of my price range and I don't like Rem 700 actions much, most custom stuff is based on that design. The rifle I'm looking at eventually getting is the Sako S20 in the precision configuration. I'll just swap my NF SHV between my hunting rifle at that and be set.
 
JDForBrkFst said:
Maybe a 26" barreled 308.
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Yeah, 175s go about 2750 in my (26") .308. Another option is if you find a match you'd like to go to, reach out to the organizer and it's possible they might have (or be able to organize) a gun for you to use. More and more matches seem to have a "loaner" gun available for guys who's rig goes down (or is less than ideal like the guy who was gonna shoot the Shaprshooter Classic with a .300NM). If it's a smaller club match, maybe someone just has a suitable rifle you could borrow if you provided ammo? I usually offer up my .308 or .223 to guys who are wanting to try a match.
 
Thanks Dave. I'll bear that in mind. I have a couple buddies who do it. I may ask one of them. I've been looking at s few different rifle options. I may go with a Tikka CTR in 6.5cm and run it stock for a while before putting it in a chassis. Would be a good way to be more gentle to the bank account.
 
Yeah, I mean for calibers that aren't barrel burners it's not really a big deal to lend out a rig.

I think that a CTR would be a great way to start out. I think you can get a similar Bergara B14 in 6.5 for a similar price ($1400ish?) to the CTR as well and that would open up using chassis/stocks inlet for a 700 or hell even drop a Rem 700 6.5 barrelled action (I've seen a few available) in a MDT XRS for the same price (or not since I just realized you don't like 700s) You could always buy used as well and just finish off the barrel and swap it out later on, not sure what's on the EE these days.
 
Interesting about the Bergera. I didn't know that. I'm not a huge 700 fan. Nothing big against them, I just love Tikka's. The safety bolt lock out is nice to have, and reminds me of my old c3. I like the MDT chassis' and they make them for Tikka's. I priced out a chassis build on their website yesterday. Some pretty exciting options, something for everyone. Going with a CTR has the advantage of being able to sell the stock and magazine for a few hundred to offset the cost.
 
JDForBrkFst said:
Interesting about the Bergera. I didn't know that. I'm not a huge 700 fan. Nothing big against them, I just love Tikka's. The safety bolt lock out is nice to have, and reminds me of my old c3. I like the MDT chassis' and they make them for Tikka's. I priced out a chassis build on their website yesterday. Some pretty exciting options, something for everyone. Going with a CTR has the advantage of being able to sell the stock and magazine for a few hundred to offset the cost.
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Yeah, that makes sense, Tikka's are nice. The MDT XRS is actually a really nice option for a super reasonable price, I really like mine. Gives you nice egos, a good "feel", AICS mag compatibility as well as the option to add weights to make it a "race gun" for matches.
 
We had a guy on our squad at the Cypress Showdown PRS-type match last weekend running a Bergara in 6.5 PRC. I think the only mod he did to the gun is add a long ARCA rail to the fore-end, and 8 round magazines.
 
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