Nrl hunter cal and config?

[smokinbobf4]

A couple of buddies and I are thinking about trying out a few nrl hunter matches this year and weighing options on caliber. The easy button looks to be 24-26” 6.5 creed, which is what I’m leaning towards, but open to other suggestions. Also I am thinking of being in open heavy but not opposed to open light division if I could get there. Couldn’t really find a thread on it so wondering if we could start one where people post their caliber, bullet, velocity, rifle build, barrel material, length, overall weight, scope, etc? I apologize if this has been started but could only find bits and pieces around.

 

[Char'ed Cuterie]

I think going to a few NRL Hunter matches with your buddies is a fantastic idea, you should hit up the website, take a look at the calendar, and add the "Registration Opens" dates to your calendar - some of these things sell out fast.

That said,

I'd take whatever system you have now that you shoot best from field conditions and shoot in Skills Division:

5. Skills Division is for anyone that wishes to compete at a NRL HUNTER match purely for the experience. There will be a discounted match entrance fee. Skills Division hunters may use any rifle weight or caliber that they choose that does not exceed .30 caliber or 3275fps. Skills Division hunters do not need to meet the minimum Power Factor (PF) requirements. Skills Division hunters may be coached on the clock after they have had the opportunity to try the stage on their own. Skills Division hunters will not be competing for points or the opportunity for awards, or prizes.

You'll have a great time, get to see what other folks are using in your part of the country, and let your experience guide your decision on how much money you want to spend and where you want to end up after that expenditure. You can also pretty easily keep track of your own scores if the ROs/MDs won't do that for Skills folks to compare against your buddies, it's not calculus, you'll be able to compare notes after the match and see how you did.

Having somebody else set up those stages so that you can run them blind is a fantastic experience on it's own, nevermind the need to fit in a division to start, just go and learn a ton.

 

[smokinbobf4]

Thanks! I am pretty familiar with all the rules and do really like building rifles as I have a few already and wouldn’t hate the idea of another! lol. I am kind of in a dead zone with what I have which is a 20” 6.5 creed which may just barely make power factor if I spice it up a bit, and a 7 saum, which I could tame down a bit. I have a few hnt26 and acc elites as of now. Thought about ripping an acc elite down to see what the weight was or adding some weight to the hnt.

 

[Char'ed Cuterie]

You might be surprised on making power factor with your 20" 6.5 Creedmoor - if your twist rate/altitude/etc can stabalize the 150+ grain options, it's not hard to drive them fast enough to make power factor... and get a pretty great performing result, too. As an example, factory Berger ammo loaded with 153.5's goes 2,700fps out of my 24" Exodus, even in the cold. Even if you lost 50fps/inch, you'd still make power factor with a 20".

If you already have that and an HNT26, you're not far from a totally viable option.

 

[usafa77]

Why would you add weight to the HNT26? You can use the oz. towards something else

 

[smokinbobf4]

Why would you add weight to the HNT26? You can use the oz. towards something else

if I had weight to spare I would add weights to get as close to the limit as possible

 

[K80/6.5]

Thanks! I am pretty familiar with all the rules and do really like building rifles as I have a few already and wouldn’t hate the idea of another! lol. I am kind of in a dead zone with what I have which is a 20” 6.5 creed which may just barely make power factor if I spice it up a bit, and a 7 saum, which I could tame down a bit. I have a few hnt26 and acc elites as of now. Thought about ripping an acc elite down to see what the weight was or adding some weight to the hnt.

All you would have to do is shoot factory ammo out the 6.5cm then you don’t have to worry about having the velocity needed to make pf the way I understand the rules.

 

[smokinbobf4]

All you would have to do is shoot factory ammo out the 6.5cm then you don’t have to worry about having the velocity needed to make pf the way I understand the rules.

i debated that also. then i wondered if that was only in the factory division. im not sure

 

[wpeach1912]

If you don’t already shoot matches, I’d just run what you have and use factory ammo (can be used in the open divisions).

I have an origin with a 24” proof carbon 6.5 creed barrel, APA little bastard, XLR MG Element folder, razor LHT 4.5-22, and double pull ckye. 11.5ish pounds all in and balances perfect.

 

[smokinbobf4]

I am getting a bit more into prs the last few years and hope to start doing some of these as I think they would be fun. There is one about 3 hours from me I am planing to attend this spring

 

[ECK]

I put together a NRLH rifle last fall and in 2024 shot several 2-day NRLH matches interspersed with a few 1-day Hunter Games matches. I had a great time and hope to do the same in 2025.

I went Open Heavy in 6.5CM since it’s the easy-button for NRLH. My rifle is a blend of prize table winnings, parts bin stuff, and 2023 black Friday sales to round it all out.

Barreled action is an Origin w/ Proof CF 24” bbl. I raided the parts bin for a TT trigger, A419 brake, and added a Burris XTR Pro scope.

I then played around with different chassis I had on other rifles to see what my weight and balance looked like. IIRC, I was under 16 lbs even with MDT double pull bipod with a stripped down MDT ACC Premier but barely (like 15.8 lbs). With a XLR Envy Pro even with the C6 buttstock I weighed in @ 14.5 lbs w/ bipod, and it balances decently with the bipod attached.

 

[smokinbobf4]

Awesome! Thanks! That is almost identical to one of my options! I forgot to mention I also have an acc premier that I thought about stripping down and weighing. Almost picked up a premier 2 on the sale but wasn’t sure at that point.

 

[1911Shootist]

Factory ammo eliminates the power factor floor in all divisions, not just Factory [rifle] division.

A few lessons learned from the builds I’ve done:

1. Don’t trust factory listed weights
2. Make a list of weights and deduct any already owned or must have items. Usually a barrel or stock/chassis will dictate what you can use on the rest of the build.
3. Leave a few ounces of room - you can’t count on the match scale matching yours.

 

[EXSOCAL]

I've built several NRL Hunter rifles for guys around here, the latest and greatest rigs are running 24-26" sendero profile SS barrels chambered in 25 Creedmoor to shoot the 134 ELD-M, these hit 2850-2900 easily to make power factor. You end up shooting a bullet with the same BC as the 6.5MM 140 ELD-M, but a decent bit faster with less felt recoil to manage. So far we've had nothing but good luck with this combo and its making its way into PRS more and more up here as well.

The guys are all running a hodge podge of chassis from the MDT HNT26 to the XLR Element and one or two with Manners stocks. With the exception of one guy in know, all are running Leupold Mark 5HD's, Ti muzzle brakes, a CKYE pod of some flavor and a few MLOK weights here and there to balance things out. A couple are evening running suppresed a d make weight no prob. We try to keep the full package un the low 15lb range to allow for some error, the highest we've done was a 15.5 lb rifle with a suppressor. Still, a half lb is plenty of room for weigh in.

 

[smokinbobf4]

Thanks for the info! I was also debating a 25 creed just for something different. And I was thinking the same thing as to not push the weight limit too close.

 

[smokinbobf4]

Anyone else?

 

[TDWilson]

I have shot two NRL Hunter matches; both times in the Skills division. The competition is a *great* opportunity to learn about your rifle system and your own capabilities as they apply to actual hunting. I plan to shoot one NRL Hunter every year as an annual skills assessment of sorts.

My hunting rifle is chambered in .308. The barrel is a 24” carbon-wrapped Barlein. I’m currently working up a load using 178 ELD-X, Varget, Fed 210M, and Lapua brass. I don’t worry about being competitive; rather, I try to learn as much as I can.

 

[4O6shootist]

25cm is the darling, Cinderella cartridge ballistically. High bc bullets going that 2850-2900 range. However if you get a slow barrel or go with a 22-24in to run a can, you're loads are relatively high in pressure, and it'll show in poor climates which a lot of field matches get. I think the 65cm with 144-156gr bullets is the ideal setup from a forgiveness view. A 153.5 Berger only needs 2476 fps to make power factor, and it's very easy get them shooting well 2610-2650fps with H4350.

If I was building a dedicated rig, it'd be a impact 75° nbk or defiance 75° antiX, either cut for aw. Aw mags feed very reliably once tuned and height is properly set. They also allow very long coal, and protrude below the bottom metal less than any other 10rd mag(they actually hold 11) available. This allows for more clearance between rifle and props, or ability to run lower bag height. Chassis or stock is all a personal preference.

 

[smokinbobf4]

The 25 creed does look like a fun round. I think I will be going that direction or 6.5 creed if I get a new barrel which I think I may just to go steel and add a bit of weight.