2025 NRL Hunter

[id_jon]

This is good advice. Plus when you’re done, you’ll have 200 once fired Lapua brass to start load dev for the rifle.

This factory ammo makes me question my choice to continue reloading every time I shoot it.

 

[686]

If I were in your shoes, I'd swap to the 6.5 and buy 2-300 rounds of this ammo: https://www.milehighshooting.com/berger-ammunition-6-5-mm-creedmoor-156gr-eol-elite-hunter-20-box/
Get solid chrono data and a 10+ round zero, and you're ready to rock. Seeing your impacts is going to help you learn way more.

I’ll think it through - thanks!

 

[philcox]

Me and a buddy from work registered for Skills division at the Cactus Classic on the March 28th weekend. Never been to a match before; really looking forward to it. I’m a pretty decent shot when I’m in my element (my range, my setup, no timer running), but having to glass up the targets and build up a position under, then squeeze shots off under the time pressure is going kick my butt. I’ll probably be shooting my 7PRC, which, as stated before, I’m good with in my element; but I won’t be able to see impacts as I would with a lower recoiling rifle. I have a 6.5 Creed, but I’d need to swap a scope on it and work up a load; don’t know if I’ll have time for that. Will be great practice either way.

I was in this situation last year. I shot my 65CM day 1, and my 7PRC day 2. For this year I was going to (shooting buddy getting hip surgery, so had to back out) shoot the 65 both days. I’d strongly recommend going the 65 route. I shoot my 7 well, but 1/2 the fun is the whole shot process during each stage, and being able to spot shots add to the enjoyment of the event.


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[IDVortex]

So I'm new to any kind of shooting competition. So total dweeb when it comes to this stuff. I'm working on shooting more, and will be trying to find somewhere to reach out to 1k, I am interested in doing a NRL hunter this spring, is this something you can do without a buddy? I know I'm going to sucl, and probably won't hit shit, but I'm wanting to learn my limits, and faults to get better. But do I need a partner?

 

[Travis Bertrand]

You don’t. Find the closest match and sign up for skills division. It will be super fun and will open your eyes to your limits and get ya hooked to do another.


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[ChrisAU]

So I'm new to any kind of shooting competition. So total dweeb when it comes to this stuff. I'm working on shooting more, and will be trying to find somewhere to reach out to 1k, I am interested in doing a NRL hunter this spring, is this something you can do without a buddy? I know I'm going to sucl, and probably won't hit shit, but I'm wanting to learn my limits, and faults to get better. But do I need a partner?

Don’t worry about going alone. End of day 1 you’ll have 7-10 new buddies that will be helping you, your squad.

 

[philcox]

So I'm new to any kind of shooting competition. So total dweeb when it comes to this stuff. I'm working on shooting more, and will be trying to find somewhere to reach out to 1k, I am interested in doing a NRL hunter this spring, is this something you can do without a buddy? I know I'm going to sucl, and probably won't hit shit, but I'm wanting to learn my limits, and faults to get better. But do I need a partner?

Nope, I just do a lot of shooting with my buddy. Shared the drive from Auburn. Def doable alone. Like folks said, lots of great folks!


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[686]

Well, you guys talked me into shooting my 6.5, so I moved my bigger scope over to that rifle (Tikka T3), found a 10 round mag for it (so I don’t have to reload / single feed during a stage), got an Arca mount bedded in the fore end, and have MDT bottom metal on order to secure things more to my liking. This has been fun kitting out this rifle. I need to take it to the range and zero and check groups and velo. I was tempted to order the Berger ammo, but I have 400 143ELDX projectiles in inventory, so I felt compelled to shoot some of those. I loaded about 70 rounds this weekend, looking forward to loading the rest soon.

 

[686]

Meant to say “Mountain Tactical” bottom metal on order, whoops.

This rifle was grouping ok before I started changing things up. The low flier was my fault. Hopefully things stay nice and tight after the changes and with my new batch of reloads.

 

[ID_Matt]

Testing out the 153.5’s in the creed tonight in preparation for the upcoming Oregon match. Who else is going??

 

[StopMakingSense]

Doing Cranbrook Team Lightweight division with our 7SAUMs

NXS 2.5-10x42 gonna rip ok? First time doing an NRL Hunter, just happy we have a couple in Canada now!

If anyone is going alone to this match let me know, we’ve got a few going including one from the MDT team. Happy to help break the ice.

 

[wpeach1912]

Testing out the 153.5’s in the creed tonight in preparation for the upcoming Oregon match. Who else is going??

View attachment 845024

I’ll be there

 

[Justin Crossley]

Testing out the 153.5’s in the creed tonight in preparation for the upcoming Oregon match. Who else is going??

View attachment 845024

I’ll be there

I'll be there. Be sure to say hi if you see me.

 

[DoveBlaster]

So I'm new to any kind of shooting competition. So total dweeb when it comes to this stuff. I'm working on shooting more, and will be trying to find somewhere to reach out to 1k, I am interested in doing a NRL hunter this spring, is this something you can do without a buddy? I know I'm going to sucl, and probably won't hit shit, but I'm wanting to learn my limits, and faults to get better. But do I need a partner?

As long as you know gun safety (mag out/ bolt back/ gun pointed in a safe direction), have a good/ decent understanding of you dope and gear then a NRL match is a great place to find weaknesses in you and your system. Like others have said you'll meet some good folks in your squad/ at the match. I would strongly suggest shooting skills for your first match and let everyone in your squad/ ROs know. On day 1 I would watch 2 or 3 people (preferably good shooters) in front of you shoot so you can see how they manage their gear/ time/ process of finding & ranging targets/ position building and by day 2 you should have a good flow down to test your abilities shooting stages blind. All the matches I have been to are really fun and welcoming to new shooters.

 

[mj23polaris]

As long as you know gun safety (mag out/ bolt back/ gun pointed in a safe direction), have a good/ decent understanding of you dope and gear then a NRL match is a great place to find weaknesses in you and your system. Like others have said you'll meet some good folks in your squad/ at the match. I would strongly suggest shooting skills for your first match and let everyone in your squad/ ROs know. On day 1 I would watch 2 or 3 people (preferably good shooters) in front of you shoot so you can see how they manage their gear/ time/ process of finding & ranging targets/ position building and by day 2 you should have a good flow down to test your abilities shooting stages blind. All the matches I have been to are really fun and welcoming to new shooters.

Gun safety, I RO’d a match last year and man, I can’t say this enough maybe it’s be being a stickler but please teach yourself to not skyload. I saw it both days and called out multiple people on it.

Do mental exercises or practice it on a range doing build and break drills. Running the bolt should be in your pre shot process. Once you have the target acquired in your scope then close the bolt. If for some reason you need to get off the gun simply lift the bolt to render it safe and don’t close it to your ready to shoot.


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[parshal]

"Sky Loading" is the single most difficult thing for new folks to remember. That, and opening the bolt when moving their rifle. Hunters simply do not do those things.

Sky loading is closing your bolt and then putting your head on the rifle. That's the simplest way to define it. If you're not looking through the scope don't close the bolt.

Just remember (if you can on the clock), don't take your head off the rifle if the bolt is closed. If you have to move your position lift the bolt. You don't have to open the bolt and eject the round, just lift it.

 

[id_jon]

And when you finish your stage, bolt back first, then mag out. Had a guy drop his mag with the bolt still closed, and it was a rifle with the mag release built into the trigger guard, not good. This probably seems obvious, but I almost always hear ROs say "mag out, bolt back" instead of the reverse.

 

[Megalodon]

Doing Cranbrook Team Lightweight division with our 7SAUMs

NXS 2.5-10x42 gonna rip ok? First time doing an NRL Hunter, just happy we have a couple in Canada now!

If anyone is going alone to this match let me know, we’ve got a few going including one from the MDT team. Happy to help break the ice.

There's no light class in teams. only the 16 lb limit. Just FYI you could glass up if you wanted.

 

[parshal]

NXS 2.5-10x42 gonna rip ok?

You'll probably wish for more than 10. You can shoot an entire match using 14 and not be limited. More helps on some stages but is not necessary.

 

[Megalodon]

You "skyloading" losers can eff off also. Not trying to be a complete dick with that comment, I'm all for safety first. But there is only one match I've been to that a MD has been a prick about it. I like the guy enough, but he's irrational about "skyloading". Oh! except when it comes to bolt action pistols... he's completely fine "skyloading" those apparently.

FYI it's not in the official NRL Hunter rules, and nobody will ever convince me that picking your head up to look at your turret or adjust a bag is unsafe in any way. This is where you have to have some common sense and use nuance...