Can you compete/have precision and not reload?

[Rockrivr1]

I've been going back and forth about getting a new competition rifle in 6.5CM to participate in PRS and similar rifle games. After a bunch of research I decided to go with a MPS BA PMR Pro Rifle II. As I was mentioning this in a group of shooters I know one of them commented that unless I reload I'll never get to the full potential of this rifle. To him it was a waste of money and I'd be better served with a lower cost option like a Bergara or something similar.

I've tried to reload before and owned a Dillon 550B, but it just wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy it and in the end I sold the entire setup during Covid for a profit. So for me I'll be shooting Hornady 140gr or 147gr ELD Match ammo out of this Rifle.

So my question is whether people agree with my friend or would you feel confident using factory ammo in the MPS and be competitive?

Thanks

 

[troy fairweather]

If the ammo shoots to your standards yes, will cost you more tho.

 

[DazedandConfuzed]

I believe to wring the most potential from your rifle, reloading is necessary. While there is good match ammo available, it's not tuned to your rifle specifically.

Since you've tried the reloading avenue and don't care to do it, I'd suggest sending your rifle to a custom ammo manufacturer that can develop a load and then provide you with the precision ammo for competition. Here's a link to one I know of (https://www.unknownmunitions.com/). I worked for a short time in a custom rifle shop and a few of our customers went this route.

 

[Barbaroja]

What is the rifle chambered in?

 

[lightman]

Not being familiar with that rifle I had to look it up. It looks like a nice rifle!

Your group of shooters may be right, up to a point. But you may be able to be competitive and not reach the full potential of the rifle. Very few shooters can out shoot their equipment. And if you choose good quality factory ammo and save the brass you can get back into reloading if you ever want to.

On another note, there has only ever been one time in my reloading career that my handloads couldn't beat factory ammo. This includes LC Match, Black Hills Match and Federal Gold Metal Match.

 

[LiveLife]

getting a new competition rifle to participate in PRS and similar rifle games. After a bunch of research I decided to go with a MPS BA PMR Pro Rifle II ... Hornady 140gr or 147gr ELD Match ammo out of this Rifle.

So my question is whether people agree with my friend or would you feel confident using factory ammo in the MPS and be competitive?

During your "bunch of research" you should have come across the shooting variable of barrel harmonics/whip which can vary based on barrel/length/ammunition.

When you fire a round, barrel will vibrate/oscilate and bullet will exit the muzzle at different points of vibration/oscilation which translates to scatter/dispersion on target known as "line of departure" - https://www.nrafamily.org/content/4-more-things-you-didn-t-know-affect-your-bullet/

During load development and powder work up, low/high accuracy nodes we often see are points of vibration/oscilation where bullets exit the barrel when muzzle moves closer in line with the bore.

If you reload, determining these accuracy nodes is part of powder work up (Ladder or OCW) verified by subsequent range trips where certain powder charges produce smaller groups. If you do not reload, you shoot different factory ammunition and choose the one that produces smallest groups but the group size may not be smallest due to barrel harmonics of your rifle which could be different from test barrel factory used to develop the round.

Before I developed .223/.308 loads, I tested various factory/match grade ammunition to see what the reference accuracy was but my reloads were always able to produce smaller groups than factory/match ammunition and I attribute this to customizing my loads to barrel harmonics where bullets exit the barrel when muzzle is in line with the bore.

BTW, here are some great resources for long-range precision shooting of 1000 yard Palma match - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...s-and-discussions.778221/page-2#post-12095881

And more resouces on precision rifle shooting - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...s-and-discussions.778221/page-2#post-10938613

 

[Jim Watson]

You might ask the builder what ammunition "a 1/2″ MOA Guaranteed Rifle" covers.

 

[Rockrivr1]

What is the rifle chambered in?

Should have added that in the original post, but it will be 6.5CM.

 

[Barbaroja]

I still vote to reload
I think in 6.5 creed you should be able to find good ammo for it. Try some different loads and find one it loves, then buy a bunch of it

 

[wbm]

No.

 

[citizenconn]

Yes that Masterpiece Arms rifle will definitely get you into PRS competition. It looked like the MSRP was $2499 which I believe is under the threshold for PRS requirements. Someone who has more knowledge with PRA rules can correct me if I'm wrong.

As far as factory vs handloads, the 6.5 CR has some excellent factory loads for out of the box precision shooting, definitely more options that any other chambering I would speculate. The sticking point, as others have indicated, will be cost.

As far as being competitive, there are a lot of factors besides which ammo you are using that would go into that. How much time have you had behind the wheel long range shooting? Simply buying a capable gun isn't going to get you in the winner's circle, as I'm sure you know. Beside knowing the in and outs of your rifle and your optic (you didn't mention which optic you will be using) you have to be very knowledgeable about the ballistics of the round you will be firing, build up a good DOPE card, so that when it comes time to shoot you aren't guessing on holds or dial ups.

PRS guys seem to be a pretty good lot of guys and once you get out there they can be very helpful on the nitty gritty to help make you competitive. I've been engaged in long range shooting for a while, and the most helpful thing I can offer is that zeroing the rifle is only part of the process. The most important thing is to zero (yourself) the shooter, meaning you have to develop the skill and muscle memory to repeat the same process successfully time and time again. I wish you the best.

 

[herrwalther]

In some calibers, competing with factory ammo makes more sense. 22LR being one of them. But in 6.5Creedmoor, you are better off handloading. That is one caliber that really shines from a custom recipe when competing or long range hunting. A single stage press would be sufficient and worth it if you are just sticking with 6.5.

 

[citizenconn]

But in 6.5Creedmoor, you are better off handloading. That is one caliber that really shines from a custom recipe when competing or long range hunting. A single stage press would be sufficient and worth it if you are just sticking with 6.5.

That is true to the extreme degree. But for someone just wanting to test the waters of PRS shooting, there are a number of very good 6,5 CR factory loads that will get the job done. Are they the optimal answer? No. But not wanting to handload should not hold someone back from giving it a go. Respectfully.

 

[herrwalther]

That is true to the extreme degree. But for someone just wanting to test the waters of PRS shooting, there are a number of very good 6,5 CR factory loads that will get the job done. Are they the optimal answer? No. But not wanting to handload should not hold someone back from giving it a go. Respectfully.

Yes. Handloading is an investment above the rifle, scope, doodads etc. Factory ammo can be very good. But if someone gets serious about competing and doing very well, handloading is better.

 

[citizenconn]

Yes. Handloading is an investment above the rifle, scope, doodads etc. Factory ammo can be very good. But if someone gets serious about competing and doing very well, handloading is better.

I agree with what you are saying. If he gets serious about competing then likely he will change his mind on handloading or partner up with someone who enjoys handloading. He will figure that our pretty quickly.

I can handload if forced to, but my Dad is much better at it and has a lot more time to tinker with each load than I do. Our agreement is I supply the rifles and other doodads and he focuses on loading for the two dozen or so chamberings we shoot.

And I don't think it will take the OP long to realize that he will be competing more with himself that worrying about being competitive with others, at least I hope he does.

 

[Golfanaticshooter]

I haven't used these guys and it is not an inexpensive process, but it looks interesting.
https://coppercreekcartridgeco.com/

 

[CoalTrain49]

I reload but I'm not a competitive shooter and most of my shooting is pistol. I do however own a precision rifle and I like to custom build ammo for it. When buying components one can buy the best brass and best bullets to suit your needs. Then carefully measure every powder charge right down to 0.10 grain with a beam scale. You don't need a progressive or even a turret press to load rifle ammo. The cost to gear up for that will be minimal.

I disagree with your friend. Some match ammo is 0.5 MOA in a precision rifle. That won't be a 1K Ruger. I would be willing to say that you could find something that worked that was consistent. My theory is you can spend a lot of time building a good load or spend a lot of time learning to shoot a good load. Military snipers shoot 1000 yds and they don't load their own ammo. They get good results because they shoot one load a lot.

 

[JmacD]

Check out Clay Blackketters company. Clays cartridges I think it’s called. He’ll do it for you if you don’t wanna. I love reloading and shooting and anything else but I get there are those that don’t.