Recommended rifle for PRS competition

[harry_x1]

Hi there...hope everyone doing great.....I would like to participate in PRS matches/competitions. Looking for advice from experienced shooters on recommended rifle I should buy for same? I have decent budget (upto $6k for rifle, excluding optics). I would like to buy a gun which I dont feel like upgrading at later stage (if possible). I do have an axmc currently (338 lapua) with a nightforce scope. But they dont allow 338 lapua's I am told, in PRS matches. thanks for your time and assistance !

 

[Dthomas3523]

Tons of options.

Simplest would be the .308 conversion for you MC and pick what we cartridge you want. If you like the MC for positional shooting and such that is.

Before anyone can begin to recommend anything, we’ll need info on what kind of ergonomics you like:

Chassis or classic stock feel?

90 or 60deg action

AI or Aw mags?

Close or far grip?

How heavy?

Otherwise, you’re going to get literally hundreds of different answers.

 

[kthomas]

Does the $6K include optics?

Since you are already used to the AI system, then I would suggest to buy another AI (AX, AT, etc) and get a barrel spun up for it in your 6mm or 6.5mm of choice. Hard to go wrong with an AI if you are already accustomed to one and like the ergo's.

To save some money, you could also just get a 6mm or 6.5mm barrel (and whatever else the AXMC needs to change calibers?) and run your current rifle.

If you want to get away from the AI ecosystem, as Dthomas says, there's is a plethora of options out these days for a "custom rifle", and you would have to drill down your preferences before anyone could recommend what components you should be looking at.

 

[harry_x1]

Tons of options.

Simplest would be the .308 conversion for you MC and pick what we cartridge you want. If you like the MC for positional shooting and such that is.

Before anyone can begin to recommend anything, we’ll need info on what kind of ergonomics you like:

Chassis or classic stock feel? - I am agnostic. Would like to go for one, which offers more accuracy

90 or 60deg action - Sorry, I dont understand this question. I would say neutral

AI or Aw mags? - agnostic to mags

Close or far grip? - agnostic to grip.

How heavy? - prefer it to be light, but I also dont want too much recoil.

Otherwise, you’re going to get literally hundreds of different answers.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I’d suggest going to matches and getting your hands on as much gear as you can.

As it sits now, doesn’t sound like you’ve developed preferences.

Take my word for it, that’s expensive. You’ll buy shit you think you’ll like and realize you don’t.

 

[n00g7]

I’d suggest going to matches and getting your hands on as much gear as you can.

As it sits now, doesn’t sound like you’ve developed preferences.

Take my word for it, that’s expensive. You’ll buy shit you think you’ll like and realize you don’t.

But he has a 6k budget not including optics, he can afford to screw up a few times and still come in under budget lol.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

GAP rifle + Gunwerks Revic + accessories = $6K

 

[Dthomas3523]

But he has a 6k budget not including optics, he can afford to screw up a few times and still come in under budget lol.

$6k ain’t that big of a budget when you don’t know what you want.

Hell, my vudoo is about $7-$8k with the optic.

 

[n00g7]

$6k ain’t that big of a budget when you don’t know what you want.

Hell, my vudoo is about $7-$8k with the optic.

Rifle only, my Vudoo was 3k. Maybe I don’t like the MPA chassis, OK, throw it a foundation for 1300. Maybe that’s not good, try an ACC for 1k. Still under 6k.

Barreled action for ~2k, you have a fair amount of trial and error with the remaining 4K.

 

[Belisarius]

I don't have one yet, but my buddies have MPA's or BAT's in MPA chassis, so I've played enough with them .
It would be my pick!

 

[lte82]

I’d buy GAPs production rifle, a Razor 2 w/ Spuhr mount, gen 3 lil bastard, Atlas bipod w/ arca clamp, a couple 10 Rd AICS mags with one +4 round extender, and spend the extra money on a good tripod, binos, range bag, and ammo.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Bro you have an AXMC... you only need:

1. AXMC small firing pin 308 bolt assembly
2. 308 mag adaptor
3. 308 AX or AW mags
4. 6 CM or 6.5 CM AINA or Proof AXMC barrel
5. Sawtooth Arca rail
6. AI competition trigger
7. Ammo or loading components

No need to buy another rifle. If you really insist on a second one then an AXSA in 6mm or 6.5mm flavor, and the company trigger and sawtooth rail.

 

[hlee]

I'll echo the "find a local match and finger everyone else's rifle" sentiment. It's easy to go over budget and not realize it. Lots of guys get by with a Ruger precision rifle. Lots of others get by with $10k+ Full custom rigs. Lots of in between too. If you like AI, go AI and don't look back...

 

[Dthomas3523]

Rifle only, my Vudoo was 3k. Maybe I don’t like the MPA chassis, OK, throw it a foundation for 1300. Maybe that’s not good, try an ACC for 1k. Still under 6k.

Barreled action for ~2k, you have a fair amount of trial and error with the remaining 4K.

The whole point is not to keep changing and spending money for no reason. Every time you buy a piece of gear new and don’t like it, you’re losing $100 or more.

$6k isn’t a huge budget when you go through 5-10 chassis, 5 triggers, barrel contours, calibers, etc etc. You’ll eat up $1-2k just in losses if you’re not lucky an figure it out quick. I’ve had >$100k worth of parts in the last 18mo.

$6k is a big budget when you know almost exactly what you want.

Keep arguing for the sake of being right though.

 

[n00g7]

The whole point is not to keep changing and spending money for no reason. Every time you buy a piece of gear new and don’t like it, you’re losing $100 or more.

$6k isn’t a huge budget when you go through 5-10 chassis, 5 triggers, barrel contours, calibers, etc etc. You’ll eat up $1-2k just in losses if you’re not lucky an figure it out quick. I’ve had >$100k worth of parts in the last 18mo.

$6k is a big budget when you know almost exactly what you want.

Keep arguing for the sake of being right though.

What did you settle on and what’s the delta between your initial setup or at 6k invested in your rifle vs cycling through 100k in parts?

I’m genuinely curious.

 

[Tier1nub]

Rifle only, my Vudoo was 3k. Maybe I don’t like the MPA chassis, OK, throw it a foundation for 1300. Maybe that’s not good, try an ACC for 1k. Still under 6k.

Barreled action for ~2k, you have a fair amount of trial and error with the remaining 4K.

If you have a 6k budget I think you can do better then a 2k barreled action.

 

[DJL2]

The Precision Rifle Blog. Go there. Read things. Pay special attention to the "what the pros use" section. Read the author's comments on his own builds. Then do the reasonable thing:

Buy two of the GAP Production Rifles. I'd wager they've got more than enough accuracy to get you started and you get two rifles geared specifically for the sport for $5k. Or, if you're not fully committed, turn that $5k into one complete system. If you find yourself all in, it's gonna get pricey - that $5k is an amuse bouche.

 

[never_summer]

I’d echo the comment of going to a match and finger banging everything you can get ahold of. Don’t be intimidated to go ask to check people’s setups out and get some feedback on how it’s worked out for them. I went all in on my first build without trying anything out, and found out there was a lot I would have preferred differently and a lot that I liked in my setup. $6,000 sounds like a lot of budget, but can easily be spent up in trial and error

 

[epaultmbt]

Set up you're AXMC for 6CM and you're good to go. The AX is a great platform for the sport. I like the Mike Allen Arca rail for the forend so I can move my bipod around. The rail and I beam from removing the handguard rides the game changer like a champ.

Once you get an idea of what you want then sell your MC short action conversion. Either a SA AX, custom action in an AI chassis, or a custom build on another chassis or stock will be more competitive when you're ready to hunt that last 10% of performance.

My path to my current comp rig,
2010 Larue OBR, .308, Surefire MB
2011 LMT MWS, 6.5CM, Surefire MB
2012 defiance deviant, Manners T4A, Timeny CLE, 6.5CM, Surefire MB
2012 Badger 2013, Manners T4A, Timeny CLE, 6.5CM, Surefire MB
2013 Badger 2013, AI AX AICS +14, Timeny CLE, 6.5CM, Surefire MB
2014 AI AX308, 6.5 CM, APA LB
2014 AI AX308, 6XC, APA LB
2015 Surgeon, RACS, Jewell, 6XC, APA LB
2015 Surgeon, Manners T4A, Jewell, 6XC, APA LB
2016 Surgeon, AI AX AICS, Jewell, 6xc, TBAC U9 6.5
2016 Impact, MPA BA Comp, Bix'n Andy, 6XC, TBAC U9 6.5
2017 Impact, MPA BA Comp, TriggerTech Diamond, 6XC, TBAC U9 6.5
2018 Impact, AI AX AICS, TriggerTech Diamond, 6CM, TBAC U9 6.5
2019 Impact, AI AX AICS, TriggerTech Diamond, 6CM, TBAC U9 6.5
2020 Impact, AI AX AICS, TriggerTech Diamond, 6CM, APA MB?

Looking back, I'd have stuck with the AI's if they had the comp trigger back then. I came from 3gun and conventional stocks never really worked for me. I tend to shoot tube guns the best, but everyone is different.

 

[Eric Ray]

Whatever you decide make sure the action take prefit barrels

 

[Dthomas3523]

Pre-fits are becoming almost the norm.

Either way, it’s not a big deal. Especially if you have a smith you prefer and buy your own reamers.

They will have your action measurements on hand and after the first barrel, they are all pre-fit.

 

[IW21]

$6k ain’t that big of a budget when you don’t know what you want.

Hell, my vudoo is about $7-$8k with the optic.

Uh....HUH? ?‍ I'm not sure what planet you live on, but 6k, is waaaay more than sufficient for just a rifle. Unless of course you're dumb enough to spend 8k on a Gunwerks build.

Any one of us can order up a Top Tier GAP or SAC match rifle, and STILL be well under 6k.

He said 6k, EXCLUDING OPTIC

You sound like you're trying to push a Spartan Rifles "Ultimate Sniper Package" on Instagram for 20k ?‍?

 

[hlee]

Uh....HUH? ?‍ I'm not sure what planet you live on, but 6k, is waaaay more than sufficient for just a rifle. Unless of course you're dumb enough to spend 8k on a Gunwerks build.

Any one of us can order up a Top Tier GAP or SAC match rifle, and STILL be well under 6k.

He said 6k, EXCLUDING OPTIC

You sound like you're trying to push a Spartan Rifles "Ultimate Sniper Package" on Instagram for 20k ?‍?

I think the point was that buying and selling to get what you want is not a zero sum game, and you can waste a lot of money doing this. I'd never recommend for anyone to add up what they actually spend on their hobbies. 5k sounds like a lot. I bet @epaultmbt could tell us how cheap it is to go from zero idea to just right...

 

[LRI]

FWIW, I have a New Mausingfield SA fitted to an M24 chambered up in 6.5mm Creed. A longtime client ordered it but had to bail last minute after his kid tried to kill himself with a snowmobile. (knee surgery...)

As it sits with barrel installed its $2,275.00 No trigger yet. All "in the white" and ready for coating. Barrel has not been crowned yet so its at 26" presently. I can have this ready to bounce pretty quick.

Happy to help.

 

[n00g7]

I think the point was that buying and selling to get what you want is not a zero sum game, and you can waste a lot of money doing this. I'd never recommend for anyone to add up what they actually spend on their hobbies. 5k sounds like a lot. I bet epaultmbt could tell us how cheap it is to go from zero idea to just right...

If you’re the type of person that is prone to trying everything under the sun, you’re going to do it anyways no matter what.

And for most people, even if someone started off with the perfect rifle by accident (or intentionally), it’s not like they’re going to stop buying bullshit for their hobby, including other rifles. But it doesn’t mean perfect has to be the enemy of good enough to an extreme.

 

[kthomas]

FWIW, I have a New Mausingfield SA fitted to an M24 chambered up in 6.5mm Creed. A longtime client ordered it but had to bail last minute after his kid tried to kill himself with a snowmobile. (knee surgery...)

As it sits with barrel installed its $2,275.00 No trigger yet. All "in the white" and ready for coating. Barrel has not been crowned yet so its at 26" presently. I can have this ready to bounce pretty quick.

Happy to help.

This is a great option. I have a Mausingfield for my PRS rifle and it's an incredible action.

 

[Steel head]

Uh....HUH? ?‍ I'm not sure what planet you live on, but 6k, is waaaay more than sufficient for just a rifle.

I think you read his statements wrong.
I read as you’ll spend more on a rifle if your trying to learn what you like than if you know what you like.

 

[CShooter92]

And for most people, even if someone started off with the perfect rifle by accident (or intentionally), it’s not like they’re going to stop buying bullshit for their hobby, including other rifles.

This sentence is too true! I started off with pretty much a perfect rifle by nothing short of a miracle. That was 2 years ago... guess what I'm doing now? Building another match rifle. Why? I don't know... because I want to try something different. Thankfully I'm piecing it together slowly so the sticker shock isn't too crazy. At least the new one will be an Impact so prefits are much easier to source than for my Surgeon.

Custom rifles are addicting because of all the possible options.

 

[hlee]

Thankfully I'm piecing it together slowly so the sticker shock isn't too crazy.

Custom rifles are addicting because of all the possible options.

Don't EVER go back and try to figure out what it costs. Especially with your wife around...

 

[Dthomas3523]

I think you read his statements wrong.
I read as you’ll spend more on a rifle if your trying to learn what you like than if you know what you like.

Meh lead a horse to water.

Let them learn for themselves how quickly you’ll eat $2k of that budget in “damn, I thought I’d like that” losses here and there.

 

[Kbh]

Bro you have an AXMC... you only need:

1. AXMC small firing pin 308 bolt assembly
2. 308 mag adaptor
3. 308 AX or AW mags
4. 6 CM or 6.5 CM AINA or Proof AXMC barrel
5. Sawtooth Arca rail
6. AI competition trigger
7. Ammo or loading components

No need to buy another rifle. If you really insist on a second one then an AXSA in 6mm or 6.5mm flavor, and the company trigger and sawtooth rail.
[/QUOT


this gets my vote