I am an older guy who can’t move as well as I used to. I shoot IDPA and fo pretty well and I want to compete locally. With COVID 19 the ranges here have opened up with limitations on numbers that can attend. I would like to visit first during a match but that can’t happen now. I have an AR but I want to shoot 1200 meters plus. So many calibers are out there and it is confusing. I al thinking of 300 PRC VS 6.5 Creedmoor or 6mm Creedmoor. I am on a budget and need a budget scope also. Something 5 x 25 power. Please help me with this. Thanks
Need Advice on First Competition Rifle
- Thread starter RandyD56
- Start date
The 6.5cm is always something to consider. The Athlon Midas tac 5-25x56 is worth a look or if that’s too much money the vortex strike eagle 5-25x wouldn’t be a bad choice. I’ve got old eyes and after talking with a few people I’ve come to the conclusion that each person really needs to look for themselves before they buy. Just because someone else can see good with a particular scope doesn’t mean you’ll feel the same way. Good luck
Definitely do *NOT* get 300PRC - recoil, cost, and barrel life are going to suck, and it's the wrong cartridge entirely for anything competition related other than a light ELR rifle.
What's your budget?
What's your budget?
6.5 Creedmoor is the vanilla easy button. Lots of ammo and component availability (when it's not election covid year), 2500-3000 rounds of match-grade barrel life, moderate recoil, usually supersonic to beyond 1200yd.
For a 'budget' scope you won't regret down the road, I've enjoyed Vortex PST Gen II's. Either 3-15 or 5-25x.
For a 'budget' scope you won't regret down the road, I've enjoyed Vortex PST Gen II's. Either 3-15 or 5-25x.
When we talk about the different classes then I am not up on what us what. I take it Production is just as it comes from the mfg. That would be the top class that I would want to go.
Let’s say around $1800.00. May could go a little more. Wish I had bought the Ruger Precision Rifle back about 18 months ago. I had a steal of a deal and could have saved about $600.00. If I wanted to go .308, would a Springfield AR in .308 be an option?.
If you're looking at PRS/NRL style matches, you don't want a gas gun, and I'd strongly suggest 6.5 Creedmoor over 308 unless you're already heavily invested in ammo and/or reloading components.
$1800 opens a pretty good number of options from Ruger, Bergara, and Tikka.
That is good. I have a chance to get a 308 Springfield for about $900.00. That is the only reason I mentioned that. I know semi as a rule is not as accurate as a bolt gun. Too many moving parts. I know there are always exceptions but fir the most part I know that is true. I really don’t know enough of the classes to know where I want to go.
It's not just about accuracy, it's about being able to stay on target in your optic, as you don't get any help telling you corrections during a match. A semi auto makes this noticeably more difficult, especially in awkward positions, and provides zero benefits in thys style of competition.
I don't shoot NRL matches (Closest one is something like 16 hours driving time away), but PRS basically has 4 divisions:
Production - Must shoot a (mostly) unmodified commercially produced rifle costing less than $2500 and an optic less than $2k.
Tactical - 308 Winchester (Max 178gr bullet and 2800FPS velocity) and .223REM (Max 77gr bullet and 3000FPS) only. Can use whatever rifle you want.
Open - .30 bore and smaller, 3200 FPS or slower only. Everything else is fair game.
Gas gun: Open, but for gas guns.
Here's the PRS rule book.
This is my first year shooting PRS. I started with a Vortex Diamondback Tactical. It’s a decent scope for the price. Also if you go to 2 day Pro match you might be able to snag a 50% off cert from vortex or leupold and get your self a good scope for half the price.
I started shooting PRS 2 years ago and went through the same thing. I would recommend attending a match, chat with the guys and their setup. U will typically see rifles ranging from low to high end and the guys will even let u shoot it if u ask nicely. I ended up going with a MPA PMR at the time.
