I am in the same boat. I had a GAP hospitaller and the weight just fatigued me after a few hours. I loved shooting that gun if I was staying in one spot. Definitely going light as possible this time.
"GoLite" PRS Build by MileHigh - its a shooter!
- Thread starter 300ATT
- Start date
This is clearly a hunting rifle but I'm planning to shoot it in a comp at some stage - just to see what the performance envelope is with an setup that weighs half of some comp rigs.
What i have found with the GoLite comp/hunting rifle so far is that you have to "drive" it. The heavier rigs are more forgiving in lapses of fundamentals and concentration.
I went through a phase where I became convinced that the gun had a first round pop issue with the suppressor. Occasionally the first shot would be about 1-1.5" off and then the next shots would go through the same holes. Shot it recently to develop a hunting load and had no issues with the suppressor. Now I am thinking that the occasional first shot flyer is due to me not hard concentrating and being on top of on my fundamentals until after I let one fly.
I went through a phase where I became convinced that the gun had a first round pop issue with the suppressor. Occasionally the first shot would be about 1-1.5" off and then the next shots would go through the same holes. Shot it recently to develop a hunting load and had no issues with the suppressor. Now I am thinking that the occasional first shot flyer is due to me not hard concentrating and being on top of on my fundamentals until after I let one fly.
I had promised a deer hunting (more like deer sniping or deer overwatch) report with the GoLite rifle:
We were on an eradication hunt in the UT mountains and I noted how nice it was to have a gun that only weighs 12 pounds in this steep (fall to the bottom) type of terrain that can reliably bang steel past 1,200 yards. I made a first round hit at 621 yards with the gun on the opposite hill to the right in the picture.
When I divide the cost of the equipment with the meat we recovered it comes out to
about $243.00/pound. I wonder if my wife has any idea how hard I work to provide good meat for the family ...
We were on an eradication hunt in the UT mountains and I noted how nice it was to have a gun that only weighs 12 pounds in this steep (fall to the bottom) type of terrain that can reliably bang steel past 1,200 yards. I made a first round hit at 621 yards with the gun on the opposite hill to the right in the picture.
When I divide the cost of the equipment with the meat we recovered it comes out to
about $243.00/pound. I wonder if my wife has any idea how hard I work to provide good meat for the family ...
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I had promised a deer hunting (more like deer sniping or deer overwatch) report with the GoLite rifle:
We were on an eradication hunt in the UT mountains and I noted how nice it was to have a gun that only weighs 12 pounds in this steep (fall to the bottom) type of terrain that can reliably bang steel past 1,200 yards. I made a first round hit at 621 yards with the gun on the opposite hill to the right in the picture.
When I divide the cost of the equipment with the meat we recovered it comes out to
about $243.00/pound. I wonder if my wife has any idea how hard I work to provide good meat for the family ...
I see you ditched the AMG, any particular reason why?
Sorry not sure what you mean by AMG Covertnoob, if you are referring to the Leupold scope, I had a MOA based scope on my .22 trainer/comp gun and it was driving me crazy. I put the S&B on the GoLite gun as it didn't fit on the .22 without new base/rings and since I mainly shoot comps with the GoLite gun I figured that would be OK for now. It added a pound to the set up so when I get a decent mil/mil scope for the .22 that can focus down to 25 yds the Leupold will go back on the GoLite and the S&B will go on the AI AT, and the the 3-15 Premier that is on the AI AT will go on ... and so it goes...
I like the S&B better but the 3-18x MK 6 is a good scope and gets the job done and saves a little weight in the process.
I like the S&B better but the 3-18x MK 6 is a good scope and gets the job done and saves a little weight in the process.
I should have added that adding the rail to the bottom of the forend in order to directly engage the RRS tripod is a game changer - it works phenomenally well in the field.
I need to conduct some tests of GoLite vs. GoHeavy off of the RRS tripod in field conditions. I would not be surprised if the GoLite enjoys a slight advantage off the tripod over the heavier guns. But I have to test ...
I need to conduct some tests of GoLite vs. GoHeavy off of the RRS tripod in field conditions. I would not be surprised if the GoLite enjoys a slight advantage off the tripod over the heavier guns. But I have to test ...
I could see the GoLite being supported better by the tripod, but if the conditions aren't calm, I'd say you're going to get pushed around by the wind a lot more. Inertia and all that...
Well the heavier guns are more forgiving of lapses in concentration on the fundamentals off of a bipod and barricade. You really have to "drive" the GoLite gun. I guess I should not be surprised if the same is true off a tripod. I will test and report back.
This is a beautiful thread. Thanks, 300ATT, for keeping us all in the loop. I'm inspired to further lighten my handy rig. I need to put it on a scale and see how far I have to go....
It is hard to build a "Do-It-All" rifle. I have been trying for many years - trying to build the perfect "head for the hills" gun. This build from MileHigh is as close as I have come but I would want a barrel swap to 6.5CM or heaven help me a .308 ...
The gun has great "Karma" and just hammers but you have to concentrate and not let up on the fundamentals ... not unlike a .22
The gun has great "Karma" and just hammers but you have to concentrate and not let up on the fundamentals ... not unlike a .22
I took the gun out to 1,000 yards the other day. Little wind (2-4 mph) and made a cold-bore 1st round hit on steel at 1,000 yards standing up behind the gun on the RRS tripod. So fun - this stuff actually works!
Recycled pic (haven't taken any more) but here's the light rifle I had built to counter my heavier build. Easy to carry all day and seemed to be fine even when stalking and moving through thick scrub thanks to it being well balanced. 11.6lb 7mm SAW using the 160TMKs at 2828fps
@300ATT Thanks for keeping this thread full of user experience and lessons learned. . I was wondering if you have still been shooting the rifle in matches? Have you learned anything else from this GOlite PRS build looking back is there anything you would change. I am looking at building a very similar set up in 6.5CM with a Bighorn action and a proof pre-fit. It seems you and some others on this thread found a sweet sport for a "do all rifle".
I have been "distracted" with COVID and other "life-drag" issues lately and have not run the gun in matches for over a year. I do find that the gun requires more attention to detail w/respect to recoil management and spotting your hits than some of the 15-17 lb PRS guns shooting 6 BRA and running breaks. You HAVE to be on your game if you want to spot your hits. That being said the gun typically hits what you point it at! 
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I also found that the action loves to be run hard and fast. The harder and faster the better or you can mess things up by short stroking the bolt.
.I also found that the action loves to be run hard and fast. The harder and faster the better or you can mess things up by short stroking the bolt.
Yup. Just like F-Class, which is really Benchrest on your belly, PRS is becoming “benchrest on a barricade” or “benchrest on a tank trap” .... they need to add standing offhand to those matches ...
I want to shoot matches but I’m not interested in a 25 lb gun. It would be cool to a class that was capped by weight.
Old post....but I built your rifles chubby brother.
I need to upgrade glass. But with the Vortex HST its coming in around 12lbs.
Kelbly Atlas Tactical
Bartlein #13 5r 26" chambered by Kelblys in 6.5x47 Lapua
Manners PRS-2
Seekins M5 Precision DBM bottom metal
Showing promise. Still breaking it in. 5 shots at 100yds measure under .09"...I will take it!
I agree. I'd be much more interested in PRS matches if there were weight classes. A sub 15lb rifle class is more interesting than a $2500 production class to ME.
I built the rifle with long(er) range shooting in mind. Not necessarily PRS matches. I know a 12lb 6.5 will probably make it tough to keep up with 17-25lb BR variant 6mms.
It is what it is. Different shooters like different things and shoot for different reasons.
I really like the practical, situational type shooting in PRS matches. Personally just not interested in rifles that are too heavy to be practical for real world uses.
I need to upgrade glass. But with the Vortex HST its coming in around 12lbs.
Kelbly Atlas Tactical
Bartlein #13 5r 26" chambered by Kelblys in 6.5x47 Lapua
Manners PRS-2
Seekins M5 Precision DBM bottom metal
Showing promise. Still breaking it in. 5 shots at 100yds measure under .09"...I will take it!
I agree. I'd be much more interested in PRS matches if there were weight classes. A sub 15lb rifle class is more interesting than a $2500 production class to ME.
I built the rifle with long(er) range shooting in mind. Not necessarily PRS matches. I know a 12lb 6.5 will probably make it tough to keep up with 17-25lb BR variant 6mms.
It is what it is. Different shooters like different things and shoot for different reasons.
I really like the practical, situational type shooting in PRS matches. Personally just not interested in rifles that are too heavy to be practical for real world uses.
