I just got a custom .260 built. Family is heavily involved in shooting so they are buying me gear to start PRS. I am out of Macon, Georgia. Question is how do I get started? The range my family and I are apart of only goes to 200. Farthest I’ve ever shot was 750 yards. Any advice would be greatly appreciated given my limitations.
How to get started in PRS?
- Thread starter 300_whisper
- Start date
https://www.precisionrifleseries.com/profiles/clubs/SE
I'd start by reviewing the upcoming matches in your area and seeing if there are any you can make. If there are, then you need to read the rules, watch some videos, and make decisions about equipment and strategies.
You may want to gain some experience shooting at longer ranges first. There are F-Class matches at Ft. Benning, Talladega, Central Alabama Gun Club, Polk County Gun Club, and River Bend Gun Club that may be of interest. The Talladega range is open to the public and has electronic targets at 200, 300, and 600 yards and is a great place for practice. There is also a regular F-Class match on the SC coast.
I'd start by reviewing the upcoming matches in your area and seeing if there are any you can make. If there are, then you need to read the rules, watch some videos, and make decisions about equipment and strategies.
You may want to gain some experience shooting at longer ranges first. There are F-Class matches at Ft. Benning, Talladega, Central Alabama Gun Club, Polk County Gun Club, and River Bend Gun Club that may be of interest. The Talladega range is open to the public and has electronic targets at 200, 300, and 600 yards and is a great place for practice. There is also a regular F-Class match on the SC coast.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
You pay $6,000 for a rifle and $3,500 for an FFP optic with mil radian turrets, buy 14 different shaped bags to use on all the different props, pay $250 match fees, learn to twist your body like a pretzel, get an "I'm a sniper" attitude, argue about everything, cheat whenever you can and buy a backpack big enough to carry a house inside. Oh, most importantly, you beg for sponsorship from anyone/every company even remotely connected or interested in the game. Did I mention that you have to buy those "PRS Pants" that are $300 per pair?
But, seriously, I've helped some friends put on PRS matches but never shot one. Would I? Hell yes! But only if I were 43 instead of 63. I spent about 25 years blasting away at USPSA targets in both pistol and three-gun matches and there is no doubt I love the sport but I decided I was just done with all the "running & gunning". You, as stated already, need not only classes to build your skill but a true mentor to help you buy the right equipment the first time and help you get through the demands of the PRS shooting world. Also, you must be aware that PRS is a "profit" sport for the trainers and match directors. They will, unfortunately, try to sell you on gear just because they are getting their cut.
If it seems I am being critical (and maybe so) of the game it doesn't diminish the fact that PRS has done rifle shooting in general a great deed by getting thousands more shooters behind the rifle than any other of the rifle sports. That is indeed a good thing.
But, seriously, I've helped some friends put on PRS matches but never shot one. Would I? Hell yes! But only if I were 43 instead of 63. I spent about 25 years blasting away at USPSA targets in both pistol and three-gun matches and there is no doubt I love the sport but I decided I was just done with all the "running & gunning". You, as stated already, need not only classes to build your skill but a true mentor to help you buy the right equipment the first time and help you get through the demands of the PRS shooting world. Also, you must be aware that PRS is a "profit" sport for the trainers and match directors. They will, unfortunately, try to sell you on gear just because they are getting their cut.
If it seems I am being critical (and maybe so) of the game it doesn't diminish the fact that PRS has done rifle shooting in general a great deed by getting thousands more shooters behind the rifle than any other of the rifle sports. That is indeed a good thing.
Best I can tell, you nailed it!
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
I think it's safe to say most shooting sports share the same level of BS to some degree. The local PRS matches I have seen are not, and are very competitive. Friends of mine win and place high even at the major matches using a stock Savage topped with a Vortex, and no fancy clothes. I would jump into the PRS matches if I weren't too old, stiff, aching, and fat. So I will stick to the more comfortable F-class. scene.
I want to do local matches for fun. Not trying to compete at any kind of high level. I’ll see where it takes me. I’ve been watching the videos and it’s seems overwhelming with all the crap they have. The gear costs as much as the damn rifle. I just want to shoot long distances and challenge myself which is my end state.
I’m military (soon to be out, ETS), 29, and I would say above average for fitness. I’m not worried about the physical part. Just more the shooting and making sure I’m not wasting my time with silly mistakes.
Shoot4fun, tell me how you really feel?
From the sound of things I’m already behind the power curve. My complete rifle was only 2,000 and my scope is another 1,000. Also, PRS sounds like the CrossFit of the shooting world if you guys catch that reference. I’m not a fan of CrossFit...hopefully PRS isn’t abunch of assholes. I talked to my smith about it who’s a retired sniper and does F class, and he looked like he wanted to punch me in the face lol. So I think he shares your sentiment!!
So my rifle is set up, need a couple pieces of equipment, and go shoot long ranges for practice before I start my first match. I think I can do that! Thanks for the advice!!
I’m military (soon to be out, ETS), 29, and I would say above average for fitness. I’m not worried about the physical part. Just more the shooting and making sure I’m not wasting my time with silly mistakes.
Shoot4fun, tell me how you really feel?
From the sound of things I’m already behind the power curve. My complete rifle was only 2,000 and my scope is another 1,000. Also, PRS sounds like the CrossFit of the shooting world if you guys catch that reference. I’m not a fan of CrossFit...hopefully PRS isn’t abunch of assholes. I talked to my smith about it who’s a retired sniper and does F class, and he looked like he wanted to punch me in the face lol. So I think he shares your sentiment!!
So my rifle is set up, need a couple pieces of equipment, and go shoot long ranges for practice before I start my first match. I think I can do that! Thanks for the advice!!
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
The best way is to go to match and watch all the excitement of the organization and shooting for the two day matches. These are positional matches not all prone or bench so there is a lot of movement and odd positions, often referred to as 'stressors'. Movement, time and position are all lumped together as stressors. You do not get the course of fire until the evening before or the day of a match. If you can't attend a match to observe then read everything you can and watch some of the videos on YouTube so you get more familiar with how things work. One of the best matches to shoot as a beginner is the GAP Grind which is a Pro-Am format, pairing a shooting professional with an amateur wanting to be tutored while actually shooting a match. The videos are available on YouTube.
Core is in Baker Florida and K&M is in Tennessee. These are excellent up-to-date facilities designed for both training and Match shooting. I like shooting Rock Castle for the facility and their desire to offer tougher challenges. Don't buy too much before you get a chance to talk to some real competitors about minimum starting equipment. Remember that you shoot no matter what the weather is as long as it doesn't involve nearby lightning. I've shot in everything from snow to downpours and blazing hot sun so be forewarned and prepared. Know your equipment, create the best load you are capable of producing for the courses and practice a lot. Safety is an absolute, there are no excuses.
Enjoy the process!
Do not worry about your equipment. As I often tell new shooters, 'dance with who you brung!' Your set up is more than adequate to get you into the competition. PRS is not Cross Fit by any means, shape or form. It does involve changing locations and positions for every stage and sometimes within a stage. You will not be bored ever, but challenged to overcome the course.
PRS is NOT 'a bunch of assholes'. Almost everyone I've ever met has been cut from the same cloth, willing and able to help any shooter, beginner or experienced. As with most shooting sports, these folks have become some of my best friends ever! Now, as with all competitive sports, there will always be an AH or two but they are well known and easily avoided. This includes those one or two who have chosen to 'game' the course of fire in order to achieve some sort of advantage which exists in their own minds.
It might be time for a new gunsmith...
Regards.
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shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
Many of them are my friends and I would dare not call them assholes. Most are good dudes that are freely willing to answer your questions and help you succeed.
As I said, I shot USPSA for a long time so I've seen not only how the equipment race goes but been IN that race too many times. My closets are full of old USPSA gadgets and goodies that are now long past their usefulness. I am hoping one day a USPSA "Picker" wants to come pick my junk. LOL!!!
PRS is quite active in my area but I know of zero monthly/local matches around. I think it has something to do with their points system and how the organization is set up at national level. Most I know just practice a lot.
Great thanks gents! Also my last post had a lot of humor in it. I didn’t really mean a lot of that. My gunsmith is a great guy. I think he’s just tired and likes to shoot in a relaxed environment.
I am seriously going to check out that KM beginner PRS course. Hopefully they give some kind of mil discount, but $700 sounds reasonable.
I am seriously going to check out that KM beginner PRS course. Hopefully they give some kind of mil discount, but $700 sounds reasonable.
A class from KM would be good. Especially starting out. I shoot the PRS matches and they are a ton of fun.
Like some above have said there can be some jerks at matches, but there is going to be some at any match of any discipline.
Find the local club with the monthly matches, go shoot with them, learn, take notes...
Make some barricades and obstacles to practice dry fire drills at home. You have to be comfortable in the screwed up positions to shoot good, the Rifles Only online videos are great. Know your rifle, know you're dope, the more proficient you are dialing your scope, swapping mags...... The easier making the shot will be. You want to make your mechanics muscle memory where you can focus on the target, the shot, the follow through. Barricades and obstacles can be setup in the yard and practice dry fire and find targets, ranging targets...
The PRS style matches is what really got me back into competing.
Like some above have said there can be some jerks at matches, but there is going to be some at any match of any discipline.
Find the local club with the monthly matches, go shoot with them, learn, take notes...
Make some barricades and obstacles to practice dry fire drills at home. You have to be comfortable in the screwed up positions to shoot good, the Rifles Only online videos are great. Know your rifle, know you're dope, the more proficient you are dialing your scope, swapping mags...... The easier making the shot will be. You want to make your mechanics muscle memory where you can focus on the target, the shot, the follow through. Barricades and obstacles can be setup in the yard and practice dry fire and find targets, ranging targets...
The PRS style matches is what really got me back into competing.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
I've been to several Steel Challenge, USPSA, action pistol, and tactical rifle matches where everyone seemed cool with the "shoot what ya' got" attitude of my friends and family without any pressure at all suggesting the next step to improvement was gear upgrades.
Yes, a small minority of shooters at this event had heavily invested in specialized equipment with little crossover to other uses, but there were a healthy number of folks at these local events just shooting what they grabbed out of the safe that day.
When there was a bit of unsolicited advice, it seemed to be well considered and focus on that one or two things a new shooter could do relating to fundamentals or technique rather than needing equipment upgrades. It was a much lower of BS than what I've seen in benchrest, F-Class, and precision rifle.
Your getting a lot of advise from people that don't shoot the sport (and a lot of sour grapes too). You need to go to a local match (PRS or PRS type). Bring what you have and have a good time. After your first match you will have a much, much greater idea of what you need and what you don't. If you ever get really hooked, you will have 2 $6K match rifles not just one. The key is go and shoot! Don't spectate. You will have fun, you will meet nice people that will be happy to help you, you will probably return again. After a few local matches you might consider a class, you would learn much more with some experience under your belt first.
Oh wait, that sounds like almost every shooting discipline out there... They are not so different
PS: Shoot4Fun's advice on a mentor is very important. If it wasn't for mine, and the group of local guys I now regularly compete with, against, and travel with for matches, I may not even be still doing it. I would surely not be as good as I have become (mediocre), and would have made a ton of terrible equipment decisions. An added bonus was all the discounted hand-me-down gear they hooked me up with!
Oh wait, that sounds like almost every shooting discipline out there... They are not so different
PS: Shoot4Fun's advice on a mentor is very important. If it wasn't for mine, and the group of local guys I now regularly compete with, against, and travel with for matches, I may not even be still doing it. I would surely not be as good as I have become (mediocre), and would have made a ton of terrible equipment decisions. An added bonus was all the discounted hand-me-down gear they hooked me up with!
https://www.facebook.com/Cool-Acres...JU_Ka5y7s8s57O0Z9vB9BQHhAy5RASdNsTGhxhZZB_9cY
They have a match comming up prs style.
They have a match comming up prs style.
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
The same way you get into any sport. SHOW UP! Seriously I love this site and all the info on it, but all the BS stops at the match. People are so friendly and willing to bend over backwards. Just bring what ever gear you have show up and tell the match director its your first time and your off. Do not, sit on the fence, spend a year getting gear, practice until you feel your good enough, ask us our opinions, ext. Just show up. Im match director at deep creek and there is nothing I can do for a guy over the internet, it all happens at the match.
Well that pretty much sums it up!! Probably the best advice I’ve ever received.
Like said above a couple times. Show up. Don't matter what you got for equipment for the most part. Guaranteed your first match will open your eyes. I shoot prs style and my first match I felt like a dipshit but everybody there gave me and my partner good pointers and ideas about equipment that might help us. We have improved every year and spent ass loads of money to boot but damn is it worth it. Go for it. It's all a learning experience every time but join up ready to get your ass kicked and have fun doin it. You will not regret it.
By the way I'm glad you didn't build a creedmore.hate it when a new guy says they are shooting a creedmore.
By the way I'm glad you didn't build a creedmore.hate it when a new guy says they are shooting a creedmore.
Like what 300 just said get out there. I'm in the North Texas group, I haven't shot much late this year as we are building a new house. But..... When I started out with that group the vast majority of the guys were ready to help, show up with the want to learn attitude and you will get help, when I got into it I had my Savage in 22-250 with a fast twist barrel. But I had a drop box mag, (could only run 6 in an AICS reliably) but it got the job done. There were a bunch of times when we shot a stage and screwed up, we often times ran the stage again not for points just to improve or try a different approach. The people in the club know it takes more people to keep it sustained.
I am a long time F class shooter who has taken an interest in the PRS/NRL matches as I am close to Washington state.
I am not jumping in with mega dollar gear nor do I feel it necessary. My focus is a bolt rifle that functions... first and foremost. I worked to ensure it fed, fired and cycled reliably and smoothly.
Decent accuracy... 1/2 MOA or better that is consistent and stable is important.. from cold bore to max number of rds fired. I prefer to run loads that are within printed load ranges. Tune at 200yds if that is as far as you have... further is always nicer but if only 200yds, a chronie can help to confirm what the target tells you.
Scope with solid tracking. You will be dialing a bunch and that scope better track properly. Test it and if it hangs up or gives irratic behaviour, there are many others that will not. FFP with mil/mil seems to be the set up of choice but you don't need the mega dollar options to start.
Whatever load you choose, test and confirm the ballistics chart as far as you can. That will also help confirm that the scope tracks.
From there, I am relearning positional shooting and how to build supported positions as fast as possible with as little gear as possible. I think this will be the area of largest gain. Regardless of the gear, if you are wobbly, odds of hitting anything are not good.
Learn what the wind does and then just get out there and enjoy a match.
Jerry
I am not jumping in with mega dollar gear nor do I feel it necessary. My focus is a bolt rifle that functions... first and foremost. I worked to ensure it fed, fired and cycled reliably and smoothly.
Decent accuracy... 1/2 MOA or better that is consistent and stable is important.. from cold bore to max number of rds fired. I prefer to run loads that are within printed load ranges. Tune at 200yds if that is as far as you have... further is always nicer but if only 200yds, a chronie can help to confirm what the target tells you.
Scope with solid tracking. You will be dialing a bunch and that scope better track properly. Test it and if it hangs up or gives irratic behaviour, there are many others that will not. FFP with mil/mil seems to be the set up of choice but you don't need the mega dollar options to start.
Whatever load you choose, test and confirm the ballistics chart as far as you can. That will also help confirm that the scope tracks.
From there, I am relearning positional shooting and how to build supported positions as fast as possible with as little gear as possible. I think this will be the area of largest gain. Regardless of the gear, if you are wobbly, odds of hitting anything are not good.
Learn what the wind does and then just get out there and enjoy a match.
Jerry
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