Selecting a new FPR\PRS factory rifle combination

[miningshawn]

You make a difference! I have to build a new rig in one week for the upcoming season. Here are the parameters:
- Field Practical Rifle and Precision Rifle with some possible 1000yd (Deep Creek).
- I am not shooting for money, I am shooting for fun and experience - in that order.
- Factory Rifle - changes are allowed to the grip, bipod, muzzle device, and basic changes to the existing stock.
- Must use the factory barrel, trigger, and action.
- Scope must cost less than $1500.

I have two candidates. A Ruger Precision Rifle in .308 (Gen 2) and a Remington 700 PCR in .260. Both rifles are completely stock and unaltered. The .308 has been my test mule for years now and has a round count of 3112. The 700 has never been fired. The scope will be a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 in MOA. A Harris bipod will be attached.

The tough decisions come to components. Which rifle can I keep shooting one batch at a time? I have plenty of CCI-BR2's for a season. I have 250 new Starline cases for the .260, and a million of everything for .308. I will be using AICS mags (max OAL 2.880).

For the .308 I have 500 200.20X Bergers to start, and the following powders in good quantity: Varget, CFE223, RL15, RL16, RL17, HV100, Win StaBall6.5, N550.

For the .260 I have 300 140 Hybrid Target Bergers (26414). I have all of the above powders plus a rapidly dwindling supply of H4350 (which I'd rather not use) and H4831 (same).

I really really don't want to have to do a complete, new workup mid-season. These bullets are not unobtanium, but they are close! Which way would you lean? I am really wanting to try the .260 for the 26" barrel and I have never had a .260 before. But getting more 140's may be a problem. The .308 is an old friend, tried and true, and I have loads for 185 Juggs, 168 Sierras, and 175 all kinds of stuff but I have never shot this heavy.

I have the whole week off and pretty decent weather. FPS on Saturday the 20th and (maybe) Deep creek on the 27th.

Which way would you lean? I am really curious about your thoughts. Keep in mind though, I am NOT in this for the money, I just want to have fun and try the factory class. I will start the build on Tuesday and keep this thread up to speed - promise.

 

[David101]

I would probably go with the rifle that has the best trigger and overall balance. If you choose to go the 308 I would not go the very heavy route with the bullets and probably go with the 168 grn or less. The powder you have suits the 308 more than the 260 so that may be a decision helper

 

[miningshawn]

The RPR has the better trigger, hands down. Our typical ranges are 650-1200. I have struggled with 185's past 1000 before, I was moving up to the 200's to get a little more reach with the .308. Recoil management will definitely be an issue.
Thanks for your input!

 

[Bill Norris]

If going with the 260 u will need some H-4350 & H-4831 to milk the best performance out of it in my opinion.

 

[miningshawn]

I have 13lbs of H4350, but a lot of my other rifles use it also. My larger concern is the ability to obtain more 140 hybrids. One FPR/PRS uses 120 rounds. Only having 300 makes me a little nervous. I would need to be spot-on with workup to have enough remaining for both events.
Thanks for the input!

 

[eric32]

i would call Deep South Tactical or GAP for one of the production rifles.

and midwayusa Bushnell XRS2 H59 or T3 for 1200$


but i would go with the 260rem and call it a day, also ditch the 140grs and move to a 123smk or 107smk. its all about spotting impacts.

 

[eric32]

varget or RL15 should be good for the 107smks push them fast

 

[miningshawn]

Already have these on the shelf! I do have a new XTR3, but it's too expensive for factory class. The Strike Eagle seemed a pretty good compromise all-around so it got the nod.
Thanks for the input!

 

[eric32]

i think your good for production class for the XTR3 check the PRS 2021 rules the optic is 2,500$ cap.

unless your shooting the NRL hunter series

 

[miningshawn]

FPR has a $1500 cap. I will be shooting multi-discipline with the same rifle. Thanks!

 

[Delfuego]

Don't waste you money on either if these. Get the rifle you really want and shoot whatever class it puts you into. PMS Production/Factory class has always been a joke. Get out there and have fun.

 

[eric32]

i am curious what is FPR?

 

[miningshawn]

FPR is Field Practical Rifle. It's a relatively new series that closely follows PRS rules. I have been shooting PRS for a couple of years, but took a step back this winter and realized that I am falling into an all too predictable path - I'm turning into a gear pimp. 4000 dollar rifle, 4000 dollar scope, 400 dollar bipod, 200 dollar bag, 1000 dollar tripod, 600 dollar Kestrel, and on and on.
I want to get back to roots. A lot of new people I have met are frankly intimidated by the "gotta haves" and the cost. I want to put together a factory combo and see if I can still be competitive and have a good time.
I also want to shoot Deep Creek (1000 yd benchrest) just to see if I can stay out of last place with the same setup.
No FTR within 500 miles, shame. I really want to see if I can be competitive in multiple disciplines with one rifle, one optic, under 2500 all-in cost.
There has to be some fun left in all of this.

 

[eric32]

That's awesome. Well good luck on your journey.

 

[SweaterDood]

If the rifle has to remain factory then I’d go .308. Mainly because the remaining barrel life will still outlast the .260. As stated earlier I would also not shoot anything heavier than 175gr. The extra BC doesn’t overcome the speed differential, and the added recoil is too detrimental. I would just put the most efficient brake possible on as the principle mod.

 

[miningshawn]

Thanks! I was aiming heavy to be able to stretch out to 1000 reliably. The guys at Deep Creek are really stringent about muzzle brakes, side-exhaust only. To stay multi-disciplinary I will probably add as much weight as allowed and soak up the recoil.
The FPS comp this weekend has 6 targets beyond 950 yds. I have had success with 185 Juggernauts at range, but at 1050 they can be a little unpredictable. I'm hoping a 200.20x solves that.
The 260 with a 140 hybrid doesn't have the same issues, but Berger hybrids are rare as hen's teeth and the trigger on the 700 is pretty bad.
Thanks for your input!

 

[miningshawn]

Ok. I just got off the phone with Berger Tech (Thanks barefooter!) and Barnes Tech, and I am going to try both rifles. I am going to set up both of these rifles and have a good old-fashioned shootoff. Winner goes the season.

For the RPR .308- I have cleaned the wee out of it with BoreTech Cu and C4. It's as clean as factory. Throat erosion is minimal and no evidence of fire-cracking.
With the 200.20x the CBTO to lands is 2.278 (read with a Hornady OAL checker, 8-30, and caliper set to 0.00). That gives me an OAL of 3.056... The AICS magazines I will be using have an internal length of 2.900. Looks like I'm starting with an .060 jump.
I managed to find an 8lb jug of N550 - it gets the nod. 56,000 grains should get me through a season and I will have to keep my eyes open for the next opportunity.
I have almost ten gallons (haven't counted) of once-fired Federal GMM brass. I'm not expecting them to last more than 5 or 6 firings and I anneal. In a perfect world I would buy new Lapua, Peterson, or Starline - but, 'rona. It's a different world. I will FL resize these.
I have enough CCI BR-2's to last a season.
I will leave the the NF 5.5-22x50 MOA on it for testing. If chosen it will get the Strike Eagle switched on.

For the 700 .260 - It has never been fired. This is an all new-to-me rifle and cartridge. It has the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 MOA mounted. It also got a thorough BoreTech cleaning.
A couple of developments - As I was sleeplessly surfing last night I found Barnes 145gr Match Burners on Midway, so I picked up a 1000. I have a box of 100 to get started in the hoard. I also grabbed a CrossTac MK109 muzzle brake, a new Jester front bag, and a .260 Lock-n-Load case. I really wanted to use Berger 140 Hybrids - but, 'rona. It'll all get here on Thursday.
I have 250 new .260 Starline cases. To get a CBTO and OAL I will have to wait for the Lock-n-Load or use a fired case. I have never had a Remington that didn't have a long throat. I will check, but I am sure loading to 2.900" will be no problem. Remingtons for me have always been a hotdog-down-a-hallway affair. For now it is what it is. We'll let the rifle do the talking.
Also using N550 and BR-2's.

So today is load day.
For the .308 I have settled on 43.5gr N550 (95% of max load from VV - only data found and confirmed by Berger). I will set up 50 at CBTO 2.275" and start a seating depth test moving in at 0.005". I will start by FL sizing the Federal cases with expander and get the fired neck diameter later.
For the .260 there isn't a lot of information on the 145gr Barnes. I called Barnes and we settled on an initial load of 37.5gr N550. (this seems really conservative, but okay).

Tomorrow I will shoot seating depth tests for both. I will load everything to maximum magazine length today (2.900) and bring the hand press and seating dies to the range with me. I will bring the Magnetospeed and check the velocity, ES, and SD of the best group if there are enough left over.

Yay! Load day!

 

[Evlshnngns]

Looks like 37.5 is a good start. Vv has the 260 listed. n555 or n560 would be better, but beggers can't be choosers. Keep us updated, sounds fun.

 

[eric32]

you got any updates?

 

[miningshawn]

you got any updates?

Wow, I should have kept up with this post. I shot the seating depth test at 38.5gr of N550. The best groups came in at.... 0.155" jump. Due to the OAL restriction of the magazine I started at 0.090". I knew that factory Remingtons are long-throated but damn.
So of course, no pressure signs at all. The best group at 0.155" (4 shots) was .27MOA, the worst of the 3 was .88MOA. Velocities were 2555 with an SD of 21 and ES of 61. Pretty crappy for a 6.5.
Time to speed it up. First, cleaning with Boretech CU+2 and C4. Today's test is velocity nodes and OCW. Two strings of fire from 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40, 40.5, 41, 41.5, 41.8, 42, and 42.2 across the Magnetospeed for velocity charts. Followed by 3 shot groups for confirmation.
The .308 just has too hairy of a recoil for PRS with the 200.20x. I am going to focus on the 260.
Thanks for keeping me honest!