Dedicated NRL Hunter Forum?

[8404]

Anyone else think with the growing popularity of NRL Hunter matches we should have a dedicated place here on Rokslide to compare notes and share tips and tricks?

 

[wind gypsy]

I feel like there has in the ballpark of 10 NRL threads total on this forum ever but the ones that exist seem to get good engagement.

There are some forums out there with endless sub-forums that see single digit threads per year and IMO that just results in low traffic in the sub-forums and less engagement in the threads. If it aint broke?

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I like it
Let's kick this off right here right now, how about starting with our setups.

Here's my current configuration:
Mac Bros Element action
22" varmint contour McGowen chambered in 25 SAS (prc based wildcat), shooting it out fast so it'll be a 26" 6.5 GT soon..
Xlr magnesium element 4.0 with C6 folder
Fat bastard gen 4 brake
March fx 4.5-28x52
MDT Tripple pull
Weighs 14 lbs with everything

 

[8404]

I’ll get in on that.

Action: Impact NBK short action
Barrel: 25 Creedmoor Patriot Valley Arms 26” M24
Muzzle device: Area 419 Hellfire Match
Chassis: XLR Element Magnesium with folding stock
Trigger: Bix n’ Andy Tacsport Pro X
Optic: Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44 MRAD
Mount: Area 419 Match rings
Bipod: Gunwerks Elevate 2.0
Tripod: Fatboy Elevate 3 section
Tripod Head: Fatboy Levitate
Other accessories: MDT Crush It timer
Rangefinder: Sig Kilo 10k Gen 2 binos

Rifle weight: 13 pounds 15oz

 

[wind gypsy]

22" varmint contour McGowen chambered in 25 SAS (prc based wildcat), shooting it out fast so it'll be a 26" 6.5 GT soon..

6.5 GT is a new one. Are you trying to get to minimum recoil possible to meet power factor? Seems like you're probably going to need to do 144s or heavier to get there if it is to be an NRL gun?

I guess 153.5s at 2500 would be pretty easy to spot impacts..

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

6.5 GT is a new one. Are you trying to get to minimum recoil possible to meet power factor? Seems like you're probably going to need to do 144s or heavier to get there if it is to be an NRL gun?

I guess 153.5s at 2500 would be pretty easy to spot impacts..

Yes sir
I'm chasing long barrel life and minimum recoil. I also find it much easier to get back on target for spotting impacts with a bigger slower bullet.

Manson made my reamer throated for 144 Bergers, just waiting on my Rock Creek barrel to ship to my smith.
2650 should be easily obtainable with 144s, or I could run a 147 at 2600.
Should leave a vapor trail that Ray Charles could see

I had a 6 GT that died a quick death so I'm already set with bushing dies and a bunch of Alpha brass.

 

[180ls1]

I feel like there has in the ballpark of 10 NRL threads total on this forum ever but the ones that exist seem to get good engagement.

There are some forums out there with endless sub-forums that see single digit threads per year and IMO that just results in low traffic in the sub-forums and less engagement in the threads. If it aint broke?

Agreed.

Most of the guys here are hardcore hunters and not so much into target side. Same reason why there isn't a bunch of 3D archery stuff floating around.

 

[wind gypsy]

Yes sir
I'm chasing long barrel life and minimum recoil. I also find it much easier to get back on target for spotting impacts with a bigger slower bullet.

Manson made my reamer throated for 144 Bergers, just waiting on my Rock Creek barrel to ship to my smith.
2650 should be easily obtainable with 144s, or I could run a 147 at 2600.
Should leave a vapor trail that Ray Charles could see

I had a 6 GT that died a quick death so I'm already set with bushing dies and a bunch of Alpha brass.

Should be great barrel life! Could only seen it compromised a bit if you have to use a hot load with a hot powder to meet velocity goals.

Heck a modest x47 load running those velocities would last a long time.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Should be great barrel life! Could only seen it compromised a bit if you have to use a hot load with a hot powder to meet velocity goals.

Heck a modest x47 load running those velocities would last a long time.

Agreed
I'll be using N150/Varget with an estimated load of 32-35 grains

 

[WoolyBugger]

If you’re on Facebook, There is also an NRL hunter community group with 9k members.

 

[SlimCreaper25]

Agreed
I'll be using N150/Varget with an estimated load of 32-35 grains

I’ll be interested to hear how that pans out. I think my next one will be a 6.5x47 w/144 over my current 25 creed I’ve been running.

What speed are you expecting with 144 and 6.5 GT

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Right on you can't go wrong with a 6.5x47
I'm just looking to run it around 2650 to make power factor.

I did a usable capacity test last night and was able to get 39 grains of H4350 in the case with a slight crunch seating the bullet to reamer freebore spec with .030 jump.
Should be an absolutely perfect combination with Varget.

I'll post my results when I get the barrel chambered next month

 

[8404]

If you’re on Facebook, There is also an NRL hunter community group with 9k members.

I’m on that group too. I think groups tend to turn into echo chambers so I think having the same or similar conversation in different company, sometimes yields a different but valuable perspective.

 

[dirtytough]

I need another scope whether it’s for my NRL rifle or just a practice/hunting rifle. I’ve settled on mainly using NX8 4-32 with MIL-C reticles for everything just to keep it consistent.

I have the room weight wise to use a 4-32, 4-16 ATACR, or even a 4-20 ATACR.

Think there would be any benefit NRL wise to use one of the ATACR’s? It seems like the 4-20 would be the better option for NRL over the 4-16. I’ve never used a 4-20 though so I’m hesitant to spend the money if there wasn’t much benefit over the 4-32 or 4-16.

 

[flyfisher117]

Too many sub forums gets confusing. Example being Archery talk.. there's so many damn subs and subs of subs that you can get into some dark un used places of that forum. You also end up with people just posting willy nilly in the first sub they think their post belongs in.

I may be in favor of a general shooting sub here though. Take the competition talk and general target shooting talk and stick it in there. There will always be odd overlap between long range hunting and long range shooting though so maybe the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

 

[kharb22]

I need another scope whether it’s for my NRL rifle or just a practice/hunting rifle. I’ve settled on mainly using NX8 4-32 with MIL-C reticles for everything just to keep it consistent.

I have the room weight wise to use a 4-32, 4-16 ATACR, or even a 4-20 ATACR.

Think there would be any benefit NRL wise to use one of the ATACR’s? It seems like the 4-20 would be the better option for NRL over the 4-16. I’ve never used a 4-20 though so I’m hesitant to spend the money if there wasn’t much benefit over the 4-32 or 4-16.

I shot my whole first year with a ATACR 4X16. I think it's a very good choice. I like the MIL XT reticle for this type of shooting. I don't often go above 16, and I think the ATACR is still usable.even at max magnification.

 

[Lawnboi]

I need another scope whether it’s for my NRL rifle or just a practice/hunting rifle. I’ve settled on mainly using NX8 4-32 with MIL-C reticles for everything just to keep it consistent.

I have the room weight wise to use a 4-32, 4-16 ATACR, or even a 4-20 ATACR.

Think there would be any benefit NRL wise to use one of the ATACR’s? It seems like the 4-20 would be the better option for NRL over the 4-16. I’ve never used a 4-20 though so I’m hesitant to spend the money if there wasn’t much benefit over the 4-32 or 4-16.

If you’re willing to deal with the weight of the 50mm atacr have you considered just using a 7-35?

I used an nx8, and still do for years on a match gun. Good scope. Swapped to the big atacr last year and have been very happy. More forgiving eye box, handles mirage better, and gives a little more depth to the image, which is nice when you’re looking at gray targets in shadows. All around better in a match environment.

Personally I’d want more than 16x for a match gun scope. I’d rather have the top end and not need it than want it and not have it.

As for it carrying over for hunting I’ll take the extra mag as well. Nice to confirm I’m nor shooting a spike when doing antlerless hunts.

 

[dirtytough]

I shot my whole first year with a ATACR 4X16. I think it's a very good choice. I like the MIL XT reticle for this type of shooting. I don't often go above 16, and I think the ATACR is still usable.even at max magnification.

I don’t think I ever even hit 16x on the matches I shot. The 4-16 is barely heavier than the NX8 so I have plenty of room for it.

If you’re willing to deal with the weight of the 50mm atacr have you considered just using a 7-35?

I used an nx8, and still do for years on a match gun. Good scope. Swapped to the big atacr last year and have been very happy. More forgiving eye box, handles mirage better, and gives a little more depth to the image, which is nice when you’re looking at gray targets in shadows. All around better in a match environment.

Personally I’d want more than 16x for a match gun scope. I’d rather have the top end and not need it than want it and not have it.

As for it carrying over for hunting I’ll take the extra mag as well. Nice to confirm I’m nor shooting a spike when doing antlerless hunts.

I have thought about the 7-35. I would be pushing it though and might have to reconfigure something weight wise.

I have 10ish ounces right now. It’s a factory setup so I would like to stay under that 12# limit.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I don’t think I ever even hit 16x on the matches I shot. The 4-16 is barely heavier than the NX8 so I have plenty of room for it.

I have thought about the 7-35. I would be pushing it though and might have to reconfigure something weight wise.

I have 10ish ounces right now. It’s a factory setup so I would like to stay under that 12# limit.

If you're shooting a lot of matches the 7-35 ATACR is the way to go.
It's super forgiving with parallax and eye box, and the glass is way better than the NX8 4-32.
I pretty much set it on 20x and don't touch the mag or parallax at all ranges during a match.

Some of the best PRS shooters in the country still run the 7-35 ATACR for good reason.

 

[dster3]

I've shot a few of these over the past few years and here's what I run. Some failed gear in the early matches forced some changes, but overall I think I have what I'll need and actually use.

Here's my NRL Open Light setup:

Rifle
Action: Zermatt Arms Ti3 SA
Barrel: 6.5 Creedmoor Carbon Proof 24" Sendero
Muzzle device: Patriot Valley Arms Ultra Light Jetblast
Stock: Manners Long Range Hunter - Micro Chassis, Sawtooth Full Arca Rail, Hawkins M5 Hunter
Trigger: Triggertech Special 2 Stage Straight Shoe
Optic: Leupold Mk5 HD 7-35 PR2 Mil with Tennebrex Caps
Mount: ARC M10 35mm Rings 28mm High (Pictured Badger C1 Max, I've since changed)
Other accessories: MDT Send it Level
Bipod: MDT Triple Pull w/ LRT Mfg Fat Trimmer & Area 419 head
Magazine - Accurate Mag 5 Round with 3 round extension (not pictured)
Ammunition - Federal GMM 140 Berger

Weight 11 lbs 14 oz

Support Gear
Tripod: Two Vets QDT V2
Tripod Head: RRS Anvil 30
Bino & Harness: Vortex Furry 5000 AB, Kestrel 5700 in an FHF Harness with Kestrel Pouch & E3 pouch
Rear/Front Support: Armageddon Gear Smedium - heavy fill in pack, lightfill with OBI link to pack belt
Data: Sun & Shadow data board, painters tape & sharpie

Pack
Pack: Exo K4 3600 with Lid
Extras: Rain Gear, Gaiters, Snacks, Nalgene, Puffy or Mid Layer
I also shove an at home made pump pillow to fill up void pack space.

Extras
Action Cover & Full Rifle Cover
Small clipboard/playbook for scorecard & post stage notes
Ammo Wallet
Minimal tool kit
Barrel Cooler
Battery Pack & Phone Charge Cables
Garmin Chrono
Garmin instinct (Time management)
Wind Checker
Backup Bipod

Some thoughts -

I might be picking up a Kifaru frame to run their new scabbard & manimal for field style matches. I'd keep the rifle in hand for going up to a stage, I just enjoy walking hands free for the longer stages.

Tripod is a bit heavy, I'd like to switch things up - either a RRS T22i or T22iC.

First match this year for me is Arbuckle.