PRS Talk Best PRS Division For Beginner?

[Kwfranklin88]

I’m looking for a rifle to get started in long range shooting. Which division do you think is best suited for a beginner. I don’t have much experience shooting long range. I was leaning towards getting a 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun. Now I’m wondering if tactical 223 or gas gun 223 would be better for learning.
Im trying to decide which division would be the easiest. So I can slowly get started and learn as I go.
Is there a difference in difficulty?

 

[davsco]

the 6.5 bolt gun is a good choice. lots of good factory ammo choices at somewhat reasonable prices. going with .223 if your matches go out to 800-1200 yards will leave you somewhat frustrated due to wind effect. i'd find and spectate a PRS match near you as you can talk with everyone and get some good feedback and ideas. and you can check out guns, scopes and gear and figure out what might work for you.

 

[King_beardsly]

Now are you going to do production or open division with the 6.5? I only ask because if you wanted to stick with tac division you could do a 308 on a nice action since it’s pretty much open division with caliber restrictions and if you want to jump into open division your just a barrel swap away instead of a whole rifle.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

In my opinion, don't worry about divisions unless you're going to try to chase trophies and/or a finale invite your first year. If that's the case, either Tac or Production will work just fine. If you just want to shoot, learn, and not worry about rules on modifications to your rifle or rules on ammo/caliber, just shoot open.

 

[LawnMM]

What Hollywood said, just shoot don't worry about divisions or memberships the first year.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

A 223 bolt gun might not be a bad start. A lot of people use them as trainers. Inexpensive rifle and ammo. Low recoil. The learning and experience you get reading wind and such will scale nicely when you decide to expand your rifle collection.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

A 223 bolt gun might not be a bad start. A lot of people use them as trainers. Inexpensive rifle and ammo. Low recoil. The learning and experience you get reading wind and such will scale nicely when you decide to expand your rifle collection.

223s are great trainers, but not really what I'd suggest for starting off.

 

[cattleman99]

I'd focus on one day club matches or regional stuff before I'd dive into two day matches. Learn the ropes without blowing a grand on a weekend of learning the expensive way.

As far as rifles go, the 6.5 creed will do great. Get it, shoot it, learn it, and know it. Just practice and you'll do fine

 

[Crabcore]

Just shoot open. You can buy whatever you want, run any gear, and you don't need to worry about chasing the rules of the class. If you buy a rifle you really like from the get go, you will save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run.

I will echo the above sentiments to skip the 223, and get the 6.5 bolt gun.

 

[cleric]

So I was planning on just grabbing my ar and shooting light tactical for a few matches. I know my 18in age won’t be perfect. but I have it and plenty of ammo. Figured I would shoot some matches see if I I like it, then maybe move to production

 

[King_beardsly]

So I was planning on just grabbing my ar and shooting light tactical for a few matches. I know my 18in age won’t be perfect. but I have it and plenty of ammo. Figured I would shoot some matches see if I I like it, then maybe move to production

Production/tac division is fun, I started out shooting that at my local monthly match but they did some funky stuff for their finales and scraped it the following season. So I took the plunge, built a budget open gun and when at it. Now I’ve built an other rig that far less budget friendly but pretty much exactly what I wanted.

 

[cleric]

Production/tac division is fun, I started out shooting that at my local monthly match but they did some funky stuff for their finales and scraped it the following season. So I took the plunge, built a budget open gun and when at it. Now I’ve built an other rig that far less budget friendly but pretty much exactly what I wanted.

I guess mu question is what is the difference between like the ga precision production rifle and a open rig.

i am going to shoot 4-6 matches a year locally...don’t wanna have to buy a insane rig to stand a chance

 

[b2lee]

Junior Women would be the best place to start...but alas you've waited too long and may not self identify

However, in all seriousness...most of those young ladies will out shoot me any day of the week.

 

[King_beardsly]

The GA production rifle is pretty much a open rig for a smoking deal, the only thing that’s making it production class is the price along with it’s a “production” rifle that anyone can buy instead of having to custom build. Chances are that rifle will out shoot a lot of open rig and hurt peoples feelings.
To be honest, if I knew about that rifle a few months ago I would of ordered one instead of building up an action I had.

 

[308pirate]

I’m looking for a rifle to get started in long range shooting. Which division do you think is best suited for a beginner. I don’t have much experience shooting long range. I was leaning towards getting a 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun. Now I’m wondering if tactical 223 or gas gun 223 would be better for learning.
Im trying to decide which division would be the easiest. So I can slowly get started and learn as I go.
Is there a difference in difficulty?

Divisions only relate to equipment. The course of fire is the same for all.

Since you're new, no amount of equipment or equipment choice is going to make this "easier" for you.

What you know and how you employ that knowledge is what makes shooting easier, not what you shoot.

 

[308pirate]

i am going to shoot 4-6 matches a year locally...don’t wanna have to buy a insane rig to stand a chance

You won't stand a chance at all until you put a couple of seasons under your belt, no matter what you shoot.

You will get a fucking eye opener if you think gear is what will hold you back.

I've done a couple of PRS club matches and I am/have been a serious competitor in other rifle sports (NRA/CMP highpower rifle) and handgun (IDPA, USPSA).

 

[cleric]

You won't stand a chance at all until you put a couple of seasons under your belt, no matter what you shoot.

You will get a fucking eye opener if you think gear is what will hold you back.

I've done a couple of PRS club matches and I am/have been a serious competitor in other rifle sports (NRA/CMP highpower rifle) and handgun (IDPA, USPSA).

that’s why I wanna run in the ar division where I don’t have to buy a guy. I know none of my guns would be remotely capable in the bolt divisions. So ergo will run ar as I don’t want to go buy another rig to remotely be able to compete.

 

[b2lee]

The only person you should really be competing with...is yourself. Relax...have fun...and meet cool people.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

that’s why I wanna run in the ar division where I don’t have to buy a guy. I know none of my guns would be remotely capable in the bolt divisions. So ergo will run ar as I don’t want to go buy another rig to remotely be able to compete.

Any reasonable quality factory bolt gun in 308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6 Creedmoor, 260, etc. will work just fine for starting off. Assuming you have something like that, you'll be much better off running that than you will an AR. You're still competing against the same guys in open with full custom rigs either way, and gas gun division only makes a difference if you're chasing trophies or a finale invite.

 

[lts1ow]

The only person you should really be competing with...is yourself. Relax...have fun...and meet cool people.

This x 1000

Watch folks, ask questions and don't ND/AD. All you need to worry about.

 

[b2lee]

And ND/AD isn't 'Nag Director/Annoy Director'.....safety safety safety!

 

[King_beardsly]

Any reasonable quality factory bolt gun in 308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6 Creedmoor, 260, etc. will work just fine for starting off. Assuming you have something like that, you'll be much better off running that than you will an AR. You're still competing against the same guys in open with full custom rigs either way, and gas gun division only makes a difference if you're chasing trophies or a finale invite.

Truth, everyone shoots the same COF and you’ll get squads with mixed divisions

 

[Sheldon N]

So I was planning on just grabbing my ar and shooting light tactical for a few matches. I know my 18in age won’t be perfect. but I have it and plenty of ammo. Figured I would shoot some matches see if I I like it, then maybe move to production

I've seen a lot of guys show up with an AR for their first match, even a 600 yard match and really have a hard time hitting targets... to the point where they didn't have a fun day. Just lack of their weapon system being able to hit the target reliably.

If you've got your AR dialed in to where you can predictably hit 2 MOA size targets on a calm day from prone out to 600-700 yards then I'd say thumbs up and go shoot the AR. Otherwise I'd steer you towards a bolt gun instead. This is not so much about being competitive, but rather about feeling like you had some control over the outcome. You put together incorrect dope, a 6x optic, and a questonably accurate long range gun and I've seen guys shoot multiple stages with no hits, each time walking off the stage with no info on what to fix for the next stage. That's not really fun, just frustrating.

I'd echo the comments above about shooting 1 day club matches first, and to not worry about divisions. Lots and lots of new shooters are in "open" class so you wouldn't be out of place.

 

[ToddKS]

The local matches that I attend do not even have recognized divisions. A 6.5 or 6 Creedmoor will serve you well. For barrel life the 6.5 would be a good choice.

 

[Dthomas3523]

(This is going to echo a lot of what has already been said)

Unless your only options are 2 day matches, a division typically won’t matter. Most local matches (there are exceptions) don’t really have divisions.

Until you have developed enough skill level to warrant it, or you just want to have a “destination” shoot, 2 day matches shouldn’t be on your radar if local one day matches are available.

Typically the only tangible differences in single day local matches and two day national matches are:

Higher price for 2 days
Prize table at 2 days
Shooting for 2 days instead of 1

The typical stages will mostly be similar and target sizes won’t be all that much different.

So, as a beginner and for quite a while after, there are not many tangible benefits to shooting 2 day matches.

Even at a higher skill level, the upsides aren’t that much. There’s a ton of very, very good shooters across the country who don’t shoot much more than local matches as it doesn’t offer much of a benefit for them to pay more and travel.

The easiest answer is to pick a rifle that feels comfortable to you in 6.5 or 6mm creedmoor and shoot as many local single day matches as possible and not worry about any division.

 

[b2lee]

Another thing...generally local matches aren't sold out within 24hrs of listing either. So, if you need time to contemplate whether or not you can get the time to travel....maybe have to get some vacation approved....look at lodging availability.....bam!...it's sold out before you can do the research. I know that's just a handful of the matches...but it is frustrating when life takes your attention away for a few days.

 

[cleric]

so the local range where they do a monthly match goes out to 700 yards. They are one day matches. My plan is to just go shoot them with my ar. Do a few matches then figure out a) do I like it b) what level of training do I want and c) what’s my division plan going forward. i won’t do any major travel for matches until I get a lot of locals under me

 

[JLFinch]

The local matches that I attend do not even have recognized divisions. A 6.5 or 6 Creedmoor will serve you well. For barrel life the 6.5 would be a good choice.

I have a question? I’m new to the forum and I also am interested in PRS, but when it comes down to the 6.5 or the 6 creedmoor where do you begin to building your own PRS rifle? I get lost with what brand action, barrel, and so forth or does it matter?

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

I have a question? I’m new to the forum and I also am interested in PRS, but when it comes down to the 6.5 or the 6 creedmoor where do you begin to building your own PRS rifle? I get lost with what brand action, barrel, and so forth or does it matter?

Imho, For a beginner it doesn't really matter. Pick up a decent production rifle slap a good scope on it and get shooting. Tikka, howa, ruger, bergara, hell even a savage will serve you well. 6.5 Creedmoor for ammo availability and life of barrel.

Option B, if you have the money, Shop the PX for an already built custom rifle. If you don't want to shoot anytime soon and have time and money to burn find a custom builder.

 

[JLFinch]

Imho, For a beginner it doesn't really matter. Pick up a decent production rifle slap a good scope on it and get shooting. Tikka, howa, ruger, bergara, hell even a savage will serve you well. 6.5 Creedmoor for ammo availability and life of barrel.

Option B, if you have the money, Shop the PX for an already built custom rifle. If you don't want to shoot anytime soon and have time and money to burn find a custom builder.

I was looking to build my own beginner rifle and then go from there...I’ve looked at rem. and howa actions. Guess I need to research more I’m have about a 3000 budget.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

I was looking to build my own beginner rifle and then go from there...I’ve looked at rem. and howa actions. Guess I need to research more I’m have about a 3000 budget.

Does that include a scope? Out the door ready to shoot for $3000?

 

[JLFinch]

Does that include a scope? Out the door ready to shoot for $3000?

Yes, it does....I was looking at an oryx chassis with a 6.5 howa 24 in. heavy barreled action and I was looking at the lower end nightforce or a vortex gen II

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Yes, it does....I was looking at an oryx chassis with a 6.5 howa 24 in. heavy barreled action and I was looking at the lower end nightforce or a vortex gen II

tikka tac A1 and genII razor

 

[JLFinch]

tikka tac A1 and genII razor

Thanks...i’ll check it out