My new NRL hunter rifle

[Punkur67]

I built my first NRL hunter rifle to shoot the heavy class next month in San Diego. Really excited to try out this match format. I have been shooting PRS for a little while but this will be my first NRL hunter match

-Terminus Zues action with QC system
-Benchmark 6.5cm heavy Palma barrel
-EC tuner brake
-MPA hybrid chassis
-Leupold Mark 5, 5-25 with H59 reticle
-ARC rings
-Triggertech diamond trigger
-MDT CKYE pod single pull bipod

Rifle weighs 15.8#s for the heavy weight class.

I am shooting berger 140 hybrids at 2850fps that will give me a power factor of 399,000.

I plan to send thr chassis out for a camo paint job after the match. I have too many black rifles. Haha

 

[Punkur67]

Had to order a new barrel today before my match. This one would not shoot no matter how hard I tried. I found a Kreiger barrel and it should be here in a few days. Hopefully it either likes factory 140 ELDMs or my reloads because I won't have time to do full load development before the match.

 

[Matt_3479]

that’s too bad about the barrel! Hope this krieger makes it easy for you! You’ll love the Zeus at least, fantastic action!! Let us know how you make out at the match and how the krieger shoots!

 

[Nealm66]

That’s weird how that bipod attaches.

 

[Punkur67]

that’s too bad about the barrel! Hope this krieger makes it easy for you! You’ll love the Zeus at least, fantastic action!! Let us know how you make out at the match and how the krieger shoots!

Thanks. It has been more than frustrating. I have never had a barrel shoot this bad and give me such a hard time. I love the Zeus actions. I have 3 of them now. I have a 6cm for my PRS rifle, this one for my NRL hunter, and I'm building a 300WSM for a hunting rig right now.

This is my prs setup in 6cm

 

[Punkur67]

That’s weird how that bipod attaches.

It's the MPA spigot mount. It has arca on one side and pic on the other. You just put it with your preferred attachment facing down

 

[Matt_3479]

Thanks. It has been more than frustrating. I have never had a barrel shoot this bad and give me such a hard time. I love the Zeus actions. I have 3 of them now. I have a 6cm for my PRS rifle, this one for my NRL hunter, and I'm building a 300WSM for a hunting rig right now.

This is my prs setup in 6cm
View attachment 1319185

ive never heard of benchsource barrels. One of the most critical parts of the build failing like that can really add frustration!! Good looking build! My Zeus is running a 25 creed tube on it! Love the build, love the action!

you going long or short Zeus for your wsm?

 

[Punkur67]

ive never heard of benchsource barrels. One of the most critical parts of the build failing like that can really add frustration!! Good looking build! My Zeus is running a 25 creed tube on it! Love the build, love the action!

you going long or short Zeus for your wsm?

I could not find any barrels when I got my first action. I ordered a 6cm from bugholes and found this barrel in stock at another reputable shop online so I snagged it so I could shoot while my 6cm was being made. I ended up getting the 6cm faster than expected so the 6.5cm did not get shot with more than a few factory rounds till i did load development for my match about a monthago. It is actually a Benchmark but my stupid auto correct on my phone kept changing it to benchsource for some reason

I have a SA for the WSM

 

[Matt_3479]

I could not find any barrels when I got my first action. I ordered a 6cm from bugholes and found this barrel in stock at another reputable shop online so I snagged it so I could shoot while my 6cm was being made. I ended up getting the 6cm faster than expected so the 6.5cm did not get shot with more than a few factory rounds till i did load development for my match about a monthago. It is actually a Benchmark but my stupid auto correct on my phone kept changing it to benchsource for some reason

I have a SA for the WSM

Oh that’s strange. I have 4-6 benchmarks now and all of them have been simply incredible barrels! Wouldn’t hesitate to buy another.

right on! Well let us know. Planning a wsm on a long action for either later this year or next

 

[skotydontno]

Good luck! hunter matches are so much fun, imo more fun than regular prs

 

[Punkur67]

Got the new barrel on today and tested the 140 Hornady ELDM and my reloads for the last barrel. The new barrel liked my reloads so I am good to go now. Disaster avoided!

 

[Djfergus]

Had to order a new barrel today before my match. This one would not shoot no matter how hard I tried. I found a Kreiger barrel and it should be here in a few days. Hopefully it either likes factory 140 ELDMs or my reloads because I won't have time to do full load development before the match.

I hate to hear that about the benchmark barrel. Do you think they would take care of it if you contacted them and sent it back? Just curious. You would have a spare or could sell it if they sent you another.

 

[Punkur67]

I hate to hear that about the benchmark barrel. Do you think they would take care of it if you contacted them and sent it back? Just curious. You would have a spare or could sell it if they sent you another.

I am going to call the company that cut the barrel first since I bought it from them

 

[Punkur67]

I hate to hear that about the benchmark barrel. Do you think they would take care of it if you contacted them and sent it back? Just curious. You would have a spare or could sell it if they sent you another.

The company that cut the benchmark is going to cut me a replacement next week after explaining everything. I am having them chamber it in 6.5 SAUM since i already have a 6.5cm that works now.