4 years since last match

Jwoo

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Minuteman
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Feb 18, 2025
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Oregon
It’s been 4 years since I’ve competed in a PRS match. Just getting back in the swing of things and have signed up for a match this weekend.

What’s changed? I’ve read the rules but I’m more interested in the gear that’s now available that may give shooters a competing edge.

Current setup: v22 with 20” in a matrix chassis, Steiner T5Xi 5x25x56, trigger tech diamond, ckye pod

Ammo: Lapua center x, consistently low SD’s recorded with an average 1080fps

Bags: Armageddon shmedium


I’ve been eyeing new glass and electronic levels but I honestly don’t know where to start and I don’t want to chase gear. Am I missing anything that will help?

~ Jay
 
Would a pair of LRF binos or a decent spotting scope be something to add? Ive always glassed through buddies but I have since moved locations and would rather have all my own gear.
 
People have gotten a lot better in 4 years. Targets are smaller. Wind reading is better.

If you weren't spotting all the time before, then you should start getting in the habit of spotting. You'll learn a lot from spotting, where people are trending on the plate, where they're missing, what is the environment telling you.

So get a pair of nice binos you want to be behind all the time. Something with a laser is nice too.

Your rifle being a 20" in an original matrix chassis is no where near going to be balanced. Smaller targets = need more stability, and an unbalanced rifle is going to be harder to shoot at tiny targets.
 
People have gotten a lot better in 4 years. Targets are smaller. Wind reading is better.

If you weren't spotting all the time before, then you should start getting in the habit of spotting. You'll learn a lot from spotting, where people are trending on the plate, where they're missing, what is the environment telling you.

So get a pair of nice binos you want to be behind all the time. Something with a laser is nice too.

Your rifle being a 20" in an original matrix chassis is no where near going to be balanced. Smaller targets = need more stability, and an unbalanced rifle is going to be harder to shoot at tiny targets.
Thanks! Just ordered up a pair of Burris 10X42 LRF for a steal. I have been eyeing a few bino manufactures but I just couldn't pass up the discount on the Burris.

There is so much information out there on glass that it takes forever to draw a reasonable conclusion. I often find myself in cost / benefit paralysis.

I should have prefaced this with a photo as I have added brass weights and the rifle balances quite well.

Its been so long since I have looked through any Gucci glass and I have heard that manufacturing process has gotten a ton better on lower teir optics... I had the chance to pick up an Athlon Ares 4.5 X 30 and have yet to mount it. I did take it out of the box to do a comparison next to my Stenier and found that the optical clarity favored the Athon but the turrets favored the Steiner. I know these are not teir 1 optics by any stretch but its what I have for comparion. 4 years ago Zco and TT were rare to see at my range and NF atacr reigned supreim.

This sport is humbling and I feel like I will need every advantage I can get!
 
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Binoculars with a reticle in them for target measuring has become the tool I use the most.

The Send It or Shooters Global Pulse are a MUST for my rifles. I prefer the SG Pulse as it is big , bright and easy to see.

AG Shmedium is still the number 1 bag to use. A close second to some is the Plus Plus Shmedium from JC Steele. It 1" wider and 1" taller. I like it as well. It depends on the match as to which one comes out of the truck.

Targets have generally gotten smaller as the shooters have gotten that much better and we have some of the best barrels in the industry being spun as well.

Also Ammo has gotten easier to test on the Eley front. Ordering test bricks from different companies and test on your home range.
( I just did this last night with 11 lots. )

Lots go great new glass in the industry as well. I went ZCO and have been able to see things I have never seen before while shooting. My eyes also do NOT hurt after an all day or 2 day match.
 
I run a send-it, but probably am in the smaller population that I can live perfectly fine with a bubble level. In fact I sometimes forget to turn my send-it on and just use the level in my spuhr in a pinch.

Regarding balance, the balance point should be at the center of your support bag. So if you're using something like a shmedium, then you want that balance point at 4".

It'll take you strapping a brick to the end of a Matrix to get that :). This isn't to discourage you from shooting, just saying...
 
@littlepod

Yeah things have changed. Im tracking on paper I haven't had the opportunity to do positional shooting since 2021. I dont remember seeing any one running an electronic level back then. 22 prs was a kinda a new thing for my part of the woods and was mostly driven by the cost of reloading supplies during covid. This was a "cheap" way to keep training and still have fun.... I see you are in WA. Do you come to matches down in OR?
 
@littlepod

Yeah things have changed. Im tracking on paper I haven't had the opportunity to do positional shooting since 2021. I dont remember seeing any one running an electronic level back then. 22 prs was a kinda a new thing for my part of the woods and was mostly driven by the cost of reloading supplies during covid. This was a "cheap" way to keep training and still have fun.... I see you are in WA. Do you come to matches down in OR?

I've been considering going to the ones in OR. About a 4hr drive, I know there's a monthly prs22 one. https://www.precisionrifleseries.com/c/284/drrc-precision-rifle-rimfire/
 
Update:

Conditions were not ideal. Rain and wind with gust up to 13mph temps were around 42F.

A few times it cleared up and shooting was more pleasurable. Waiting on scores to post but I got my ass handed to me.

targets have definitely changed and COF was more difficult than I had anticipated.

Overall I had a ton of fun and I can’t wait to do it again! Introduced a friend to the sport and he had a blast as well.

Now it’s off to buy a few more “necessities” for the next go round.

~Jay