Ever since I met a few Arfcommers that were shooting ground hogs at 800 yds a better part of 10 years ago, I've been interested in long range shooting, but found the cost to get started between a gun, optics, and a reloading setup was seemingly the biggest barrier to entry.








The ADL configuration was the biggest downside, but easily overcome with the planned changes.









All the parts that I planned to install at this stage. I'm sure there will be more in the future.









Magpul's MLOK bipod adapter. This was my first time using MLOK and I honestly found it not to be the most user friendly.









The rifle all together.
















The Bottom metal(polymer) seemed to work pretty well and of course fit nicely in the stock.












 

Why not start with a Ruger RPR?

Nice progress so far and what a smoking deal on that 700. I started with that setup 7-8 years ago in just a plain SPS varmint and that rifle probably has 6-8K rounds through it. I had it cut to 24" and recrowned and threaded and it is a fantastic shooter. I am about to go down the rabbit hole and try a RemAge barrel setup on it because I think the first one is finally about done. I'm excited to try it.

When I had my match rifle built, I went down the 6.5mm route with a .260 Rem and even though its been a source of contention I can't recommend 6.5 enough. I'll never go without .308 and have several but the 6.5 is where its at in competition. I shot .308 for about 6-7 matches before my .260 was done and I was happy with it because I didn't know any different. Fast forward to getting my rifle done and getting a load dialed in, I was blown away at the advantages of it. I just love the recoil mitigation, they're like shooting a BB gun. I always read about the ballistic advantages in the 308 vs 6.5 threads, and there are definitely advantages ballistically, but in my experience, low recoil helps me more than anything actually watch my shot and see impact or a correction way better.

But the most important thing is you are out there competing. Good on you. I'll say in my experience having shot IDPA, NRA High Power and F Class, and 3 Gun, I've never had more fun shooting. The people I've met all across the country have been some of the most salt of the earth people I've ever been around and love seeing how new shooters are handled.

Good progress!

OP,

I did a lot of the same.  Went to my first local PRS match as an RO. Had a great time and the had a really good group of guys. I shot my first match the following month with a rifle I already had and decided to build a gun for the series instead of wearing out my high dollar rifle.

Started with a bone stock 700P in 308. Scoped it with a swfa 3-15, NF base and mark 4 rings. Then came the KRG X-ray chassis, action work, barrel cut to 20" with a surefire installed.  

 

I don't care for Chassis style setups. I'd prefer a regular stock and the possibilities with a 700. I own a machine shop, so this will eventually turn into a tinker project once I get a few thousand down the tube.

 

I think I might go down the 6.5/.260 route when I decide to rebarrel it/do a Remage conversion. I really like the idea of being able to change the barrel out myself. The initial draw to .308 is that it's super common and since I just started reloading, it's pretty easy for me to source components like LC brass on a budget.

I think you've inspired me sir.  I've been looking at getting into PRS type shooting.  I have an RPR but I'd like a 700 based gun too.  This seems like it would be a good, cheap, basic way to go

I had my doubts when I headed to the range this morning. I didn't expect the gun to shoot very well, especially with the 43 degree weather since I'm a wuss in the cold.

Before heading to the range, I did take some time to adjust the weight of the trigger down significantly. I don't have a pull weight gauge, but it was REALLY heavy. After adjusting it, I went through the whole safety check procedure and bounced the butt stock off the concrete basement floor a few times to make sure it wasn't too light. It turned out fairly light and I was happy with it, but it certainly was no Timney.


I shot a few sighters at 25yds just to get the scope on paper. Then moved to 100yds to shoot some groups. I didn't have any factory ammo, but I did have some left-over match ammo for my AR10 from last month so that's what I shot. Since it was tailored to the other gun, I wasn't going to hold my breath for spectacular groups, but by the end of the morning, I was pleasantly surprised.



Ammo:


168gr SMK

LC Brass

42.7gr IMR 4064

CCI 200

2.80" COAL







The first couple groups of the day were kind of meh as I still had to get used to the trigger a bit. I was shooting five shot groups, because I'm not a little girl and not trying to impress anyone.









Forgive the one random shot in the top right, that wasn't part of the five shot group.





Then the last group of the day turned out to be the best.

Nice group. Have you chrono'd yet? My SPS is on the slower side, may be the 12 twist barrel. Shooting 175 SMKs in FGGM cases with 43.4 gr of 4064 I was just around 2600 at 70 degrees. I'm shooting ammo I worked up for a gas 308 with 168 Tipped Match Kings in TAA Nato brass, 42.2 gets me 2625 and its pretty good all the way 1,000.

One thing to note, the traditional 168 Match Kings are not very friendly to distances out past 850 or so in all of my experience. They go really unstable just due to their design when they slow through transsonic speeds. I've seen them impact completely sideways at 1,000 before. I actually had one land on my shoulder and char my shirt pulling targets at a 1,000 yard F class match, it hit the target frame almost sideways and went straight down on me. The new 168 TMK's and even the regular 175 SMKs are good to go.

How do you like your stock? I was squadded with two shooters from Remington's PRS team at the Bushnell GAP Grind a couple weeks ago, one of them had one on a rifle and he said he loved it. I would assume those guys could put anything on them they want and he had one of those.  It makes me want to build something to put in one haha.

 
I haven't chrono'd it yet. I was hoping to borrow a chrono from my buddy one of these weekends.


Thanks for the info on bullets and weights. I have a bunch of 175 SMKs as well, just haven't loaded any up yet. The 168s seem to do fine for now since I don't have much chance to shoot out past 600yds.

No problem at all. And those 168s will do just fine until you get out to 8-900. Theres been a lot of High Power matches won with those over the years.

I've been thinking about finding something a little cheaper than SMKs to practice with to get more trigger time, but don't know if it's worth the effort to try out Hornady, some mil-surp 168s, etc