First time NRL Hunter. Which division?

[DeepMauka]

Planning on my first NRL Hunter this year. Was looking over the rules and realized none of my current hunting rifles make power factor or qualify for factory (6arc too small overall cartridge length). So here are my questions.

Is it best to shoot skills for my first comp and take what I currently have?

I am in the market for a new rifle, so was thinking maybe shooting factory. Is this a good option? What factory rifle is best to use and what caliber?

I am also looking into a new tripod, so are there any suggestions there as well?

Any other gear that is a must have?

 

[Firestone]

Is it best to shoot skills for my first comp and take what I currently have?

Yes this is 100 % what you should do. I might hurt some feelers but unless you plan on taking top 25 overall or better I think this is what everybody should do.

 

[Lawnboi]

Yes this is 100 % what you should do. I might hurt some feelers but unless you plan on taking top 25 overall or better I think this is what everybody should do.

I’d say unless you plan on winning. There ain’t nothing on that prize table that’s going to touch the price of a NRL build just to make power factor.

I’d shoot skills, if your an accomplished shooter just tell the ROs you want to be run like a normal competitor.

 

[acochran]

Can’t go wrong shooting skills to get a feel for the competition before spending any more money on a rifle. If I were to start over with a build for NRL Hunter, it’d be hard to beat a 22” 6 creed Tikka in factory class.

 

[bojangles808]

Planning on my first NRL Hunter this year. Was looking over the rules and realized none of my current hunting rifles make power factor or qualify for factory (6arc too small overall cartridge length). So here are my questions.

Is it best to shoot skills for my first comp and take what I currently have?

I am in the market for a new rifle, so was thinking maybe shooting factory. Is this a good option? What factory rifle is best to use and what caliber?

I am also looking into a new tripod, so are there any suggestions there as well?

Any other gear that is a must have?

Did you see they are planning one for Molokai in March. Although by the time you factor in the flight lodging etc probably just as much as going to one on the mainland

 

[DeepMauka]

Did you see they are planning one for Molokai in March. Although by the time you factor in the flight lodging etc probably just as much as going to one on the mainland

Yeah, I’d like to shoot in that one. They didn’t really have local guys in mind with a 6am pst sign up time. Hopefully slots don’t fill up too fast. I have friends, flight vouchers, and a vehicle over there so makes that match a no brainer.

 

[wpeach1912]

In case you haven’t decided, shoot skills. Ask for tips from ROs and soak in the knowledge. I’ve seen way too many people waste their money shooting a match in a competitive division for their first time

 

[tysonES]

Skills ftw, you'll be able to see how you stack up scoring wise to the other divisions.

An inverted two vets is hard to beat (recon or kit). RRS if you have the money. If needing a cheaper tripod the large diameter leofotos are super stable. I wouldn't cheap out on the ballhead tho, the Anvil 30 is king for a reason

Matt Alwine is of the opinion that a good benchmark is to be on glass within 15 seconds of stage start. A stable tripod with a tac table is a good place to start for that

 

[acochran]

I am also looking into a new tripod, so are there any suggestions there as well?

Any other gear that is a must have?

My experience with tripods is you get what you pay for with regard to quality. From what I’ve seen, most people are running Leofoto. Figuring out how you plan to use the tripod will help your decision also. Just glassing off tripod and shooting with tripod rear/tall bipod, shooting clipped into Anvil 30, glassing off bag vs binos clipped in, etc all have different demands on the tripod. Once you decide that, you can solve for best value.

Rangefinding binos are a must have (I know people do it without, but it’s painful). You don’t need onboard ballistics to be successful.

 

[DeepMauka]

Thanks for all the input. I think skills is the way to go, especially for my first time.

I’d say unless you plan on winning. There ain’t nothing on that prize table that’s going to touch the price of a NRL build just to make power factor.

I’d shoot skills, if your an accomplished shooter just tell the ROs you want to be run like a normal competitor.

The build wouldn’t be necessarily for NRL only, but shoot factory of a rifle I’d be building my next gun. I don’t shoot or have enough time to fly to more matches to warrant a NRL only build.

My experience with tripods is you get what you pay for with regard to quality. From what I’ve seen, most people are running Leofoto. Figuring out how you plan to use the tripod will help your decision also. Just glassing off tripod and shooting with tripod rear/tall bipod, shooting clipped into Anvil 30, glassing off bag vs binos clipped in, etc all have different demands on the tripod. Once you decide that, you can solve for best value.

Rangefinding binos are a must have (I know people do it without, but it’s painful). You don’t need onboard ballistics to be successful.

I’d most likely be shooting tripod rear/tall bipod and glassing off of it with a bag. Shooting with a bag more than clipping in to it for now because I have zero experience shooting clipped into a tripod. I feel more confident shooting off of odd objects because that’s what my experience is in with hunting situations.

What is the difference between the leofoto, two vets and tricer? One being better than the other for NRL type stuff?

 

[benconfused]

Can’t go wrong shooting skills to get a feel for the competition before spending any more money on a rifle. If I were to start over with a build for NRL Hunter, it’d be hard to beat a 22” 6 creed Tikka in factory class.

I thought 6mm didn't qualify for NRL Hunter because of power factor?

 

[LongWayAround]

I thought 6mm didn't qualify for NRL Hunter because of power factor?

You don't have to make power factor for skills or factory class.

 

[LongWayAround]

What is the difference between the leofoto, two vets and tricer? One being better than the other for NRL type stuff?

Leofoto is the most affordable good option that I know of.

I don't think Tricer makes a tripod with inverted legs.

 

[BooneHunter]

Thanks for all the input. I think skills is the way to go, especially for my first time.



The build wouldn’t be necessarily for NRL only, but shoot factory of a rifle I’d be building my next gun. I don’t shoot or have enough time to fly to more matches to warrant a NRL only build.





I’d most likely be shooting tripod rear/tall bipod and glassing off of it with a bag. Shooting with a bag more than clipping in to it for now because I have zero experience shooting clipped into a tripod. I feel more confident shooting off of odd objects because that’s what my experience is in with hunting situations.

What is the difference between the leofoto, two vets and tricer? One being better than the other for NRL type stuff?

I just built a rifle to shoot PRS sportsman class and also NRL heavy. A lot more PRS matches near me, may be worth checking out where you are.

 

[ChrisAU]

If you shoot skills, do whatever you want for a few stages to start. But atleast on day 2 shoot some as if you were in a competitive division. I see skills guys all the time finding and ranging targets before the stage and looking at other shooters positions and while I see the value in learning some basics early, the challenge of finding and ranging on the clock and building a position is the point of the game and will make you a better hunter.

 

[schmidty3]

Another vote for skills.

I wouldnt even worry about having a tripod or RF binos.

Decent chance you walk away with a 50% off coupon for a leofoto.

I also wouldnt even worry about finding targets. Go full cheat mode. Get them found and ranged/doped. The position buildling and shooting is hard enough until you get the flow of it down.

Seekins ph3 nrl is the default. I qualified with games points, I played with my friends seekins this weekend and it did well...so i'm backdooring my way into factory. I actually may have a decent chance at it. Open light and open heavy has a scary group of guys in it

For factory (competitively), A seekins nrl or a tikka ace 6 creed is the play unless you want to go crazy and get a horizon or tenacity.

 

[hoodoo406]

Another vote for skills, but I'd try and get paired behind a shooter that will actually help you. Shooting skills by yourself is fine for finding targets, but if you can get a solid shooter in front of you, that will coach you through building positions, wind calls etc, that would be the best use of your time. Borrow some of his gear, see what you like, don't like etc.

One good experienced shooter coaching you at 1 match, would be worth more value than 5 matches on your own.

 

[260284]

Can’t go wrong shooting skills to get a feel for the competition before spending any more money on a rifle. If I were to start over with a build for NRL Hunter, it’d be hard to beat a 22” 6 creed Tikka in factory class.

I have watched a guy win factory and overall at a match with a T3x Roughtech 6.5 Creedmoor with a Tikka performance ARCA rail, a lightweight brake, and a Mamba mag shooting either153.5 or 156 Berger handloads. He ran a triple pull and tripod for most of the match.

 

[partsunavailable]

If you shoot skills, do whatever you want for a few stages to start. But atleast on day 2 shoot some as if you were in a competitive division. I see skills guys all the time finding and ranging targets before the stage and looking at other shooters positions and while I see the value in learning some basics early, the challenge of finding and ranging on the clock and building a position is the point of the game and will make you a better hunter.

I agree with this. Id shoot skills because your rifle doesn't fit a class, but I I'm not a huge fan of having the RO point out all the targets for you or tell you how to build a position. Instead, id rather you watch some YouTube videos and go try to play by the rules. You'll probably get your ass kicked, and then you'll know what skills you need to fix. Also, watch the guy that shoots after you, and see what he does differently.