What exactly is a precison rifle??

rig_pig69

rig_pig69

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So it seems as of late, there's been more skwabaling over here then normal. It seems on one side are the competition shooters....F class, open class, whatever class. They 'seem' to turn up there nose at others who don't shoot F class, open class or whatever. It also seems that unless the rifle/shooter compete in these said 'professional' competitions, they have no credibility, and can not be considered as precision rifles.

So, with everything being posted on here from 700 Nitro's to SOCOM 30-30's....w:h: what EXACTLY is a precision rifle :confused:... are there brand name/cost requirements?? Or is it based more on caliber, MOA, or distance requirements??
 
I became a little disappointed a few days ago regarding certain posts and intimated as much in one of my replies. However I really do not find this forum snobby. The people here are extremely helpful. The problem is that some of us reading/particpitating really are not involved in precision shooting. I think those that care about their sport are concerned that others reading the forum will pick up on the wrong information. They are just trying to clarify their position. This is one of the most informative forums on CGN in my opinion.

As to what is a precision rifle, in the words of my loving Mother, I could'nt tell my arse from my elbow. :D
 
For the most part they would be custom match rifles of the various disciplines. Some factory rifles probably count, but Ian is right. No definition.

F-Class squabbling? I thought that was normal for F-Class ever since it started. :)
 
You are definately right about the sqwuabbling in this forum. MOST guys here are very helpful to others when it comes to setting up a rifle/barrel, scope and elevation info, reloading/load data and shooting technique, after all this is a precision shooting forum.
But.... there are a few chosen a$$hole know-it-alls that enjoy making others feel stupid for asking questions that every shooter "should" know and make themselves feel better by belittling people for miswording a question or giving a response that is confusing or hard to understand. That is just something most of us have gotten used to.

I tend to agree with the notion that a precision rifle would be one that is ready for some type of organized competition that would require a rifle more accurate than your average hunting rifle, could be BR, f-class, tactical... or possible something job related ie. military or LE.

Ivo

Ivo
 
Anything that consistently shoots MOA or better (preferably better) would qualify as precise in my books. There are a lot of varmint rifles out there that can shoot very well.:stirthepot2:
 
ivo said:
I tend to agree with the notion that a precision rifle would be one that is ready for some type of organized competition that would require a rifle more accurate than your average hunting rifle, could be BR, f-class, tactical... or possible something job related ie. military or LE.

Ivo

Ivo
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So what a bout a long range/varmint rig with after market barrel, stock, trigger, and quality long range optics chambered in some wildcat like varminters are famous for? If this type of rifle is never meant for a competition is it now considered not to be precision?

Edit: KDX beat me to the varmint rig.
 
I think the term precision is a subjective term....
What is a fast car..... fast means something different to everyone.
What is a fat person.....fat.. depends on your personal prefferences
I find I describe rifles as accurate or precise the difference being the results not the rifle itself.
If you have a rifle that shoots 1 -1.5" groups all day that that's great that's a nice accurate rifle.
If you have a rifle that shoots 1/4 -1/2 " groups all day then your very precise.
Now this idea is based on a scoped rifle. Personally with my eyes if I shoot iron sites at 100 and get a 4.5"-5" group i'm quite happy ,laff.

True there are alot of helpfull people in here there are also a few trouble makers but in the end Precision becomes what you percieve it to be.

M.
 
A precision rifle has to do the job you intended for. If you are looking for something out of the box to go out and win an F Class Open competition, good luck. However that same rifle can win in the F(M)anufactured or factory class. If you want something that will vapourize ground hogs all day long a factory rifle is just the thing.

I have seen guys spend huge dollars on rifles in the latest superduper caliber and end up having there ass handed to then on the range by a guy shooting a .223. Then there are the guys that have read on the internet that you need a .338LM to shoot 1000 yards, then get pissed off when you tell them no muzzle brakes allowed.

I would never tell someone that they need to spend "X" amount of dollars to be able to compete. The rifle action itself isn't nearly as important as a good quality barrel. However I would suggest there is a better alternative than sinking $1500 into a P17 if their goal is to win a club, provincial or national championship.

Guys come here to ask questions about precision rifles and most will point them in the right direction.
 
Ice-Pick said:
I think the term precision is a subjective term....
What is a fast car..... fast means something different to everyone.
What is a fat person.....fat.. depends on your personal prefferences
I find I describe rifles as accurate or precise the difference being the results not the rifle itself.
If you have a rifle that shoots 1 -1.5" groups all day that that's great that's a nice accurate rifle.
If you have a rifle that shoots 1/4 -1/2 " groups all day then your very precise.
Now this idea is based on a scoped rifle. Personally with my eyes if I shoot iron sites at 100 and get a 4.5"-5" group i'm quite happy ,laff.

True there are alot of helpfull people in here there are also a few trouble makers but in the end Precision becomes what you percieve it to be.

M.
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Very well said.
 
This forum has little to do with precision and more to do validating consumer choices. The overwhelming majority of serious precision shooters have nothing to do with this forum (and criticize those of us who do).

Look at precision shooting sports and roles for your answer:

Benchrest, TR, F-Class, Match Rifle and the role of the sniper involve a firearm that is capable of putting a round exactly where you want it to go, as many times as you need it to go there.

A Precision rifle is only part of the equation - like a race car.

Benchrest is about achieving the smallest possible groups. If everyone used hunting rifles, then the requirements would be quite different. They shoot some zero-sized groups - that is 5 shots through the same hole. No factory gun shooting factory ammo is going to achieve that.

F-Class needs to put strings of up to 20 shots into a .5MOA v-bull at distances of up to 1000M. That does NOT mean it takes a .5MOA rifle, it takes a shooter who is capable of reading conditions, match ammo AND an accurate gun.

TR is shot off the elbows and needs a rifle to be accurate, for it is the shooter that is the weak link.

These require the right action, the right barrel, the right stock for the ergonomics of the sport, the right optics and the right load. On top of that it takes skill and practice. Skill does not come from practicing with a rifle that is incapable of precision.

A competitive shooter would learn nothing by "practicing" with a hunting rifle in between shooting seasons. You will never develop your full potential as a shooter, or your load developing skills if you have a gun that is incapable of producing optimal results.

One lesson so many ignore here is that you get what you pay for.
 
You can shoot a muzzle loader and for that type of gun consider it "precision" shooting. It really depends what the game is and how big the target is. I have seen many TR shooters win F matches. I think you can define it by the game you shoot or maybe by the size of your target. If it is not defined by the forum it is wide open and really not for anyone to define, unless they own the forum!
 
maynard said:
I have seen guys spend huge dollars on rifles in the latest superduper caliber and end up having there ass handed to then on the range by a guy shooting a .223.
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Tom, you and I must have been at the same match.

Obtunded said:
One lesson so many ignore here is that you get what you pay for.
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Thankyou.
Precision starts with the best bullets and barrels. Everything else comes after that and I have no shares in any company.
 
Obtunded said:
One lesson so many ignore here is that you get what you pay for.
Click to expand...

Some don't ignore it, they just can't afford it! It's still nice to receive the same quality of response whether one owns a 500 dollar rig or a 5,000 dollar rig. Hopefully that spirit is not lost here.
 
cdnredneck_t3 said:
So what a bout a long range/varmint rig with after market barrel, stock, trigger, and quality long range optics chambered in some wildcat like varminters are famous for? If this type of rifle is never meant for a competition is it now considered not to be precision?

Edit: KDX beat me to the varmint rig.
Click to expand...

Redneck,
To answer your question: absolutely!

I gave what I thought to be a general type rule of thumb, however as you mentioned, I did not cover all the bases of what a precision rifle could be.

Maynard,
I plan to be the guy showing up to shoots this year with the "flavor of the week" getting my ass handed to be by a guy with a .223.:D Should be fun!

Ivo
 
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