North River
FNG
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2024
- Messages
- 51
Looking for input from those with experience in long-range shooting and NRL Hunter competitions.
Although a hunter all my life, I am not a long-range hunter, have never shot in official competitions, and do not objectively consider myself an above average rifleman. I recently signed up for the first NRL Hunter match here in Alaska in the 'skills' division, meaning that I am not in the running for prizes and am shooting the match as a learner, not a competitor. It's not that I don't have a competitive streak, it is that I am being realistic about my current knowledge and skills. It is also unlikely that I will become a regular NRL competitor. This may be the only match in AK for years, and I will not likely be taking the time to compete elsewhere. Matches do not inspire me beyond what they can provide in the way of developing skills as a hunting rifleman. And while good instruction such as a shooting school may be the best training available, my schedule does not currently allow that for it.
The conundrum is what to shoot the course with. I currently own a decent 308 built on Ruger M77 with a Bartlein and a SWFA 10x. I put a few hundred rounds though this rifle each year. It is roughly a 2 MOA rifle for 10 round groups shot prone. The rifle I shoot the most is a Ruger American Ranch 6.5 Grendel - I stumbled into a pile of Grendel ammo and a pile of ammo is the best reason for owning a certain caliber. Neither of these calibers will reliably reach 1000 yards before going transonic in the conditions I shoot (sea level, 40deg).
I also own a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. This is a relatively new rifle to me; I got a deal on an older Gen 1, and it is fun to shoot at the range. Also wearing a 10x SWFA. Only about 100 rounds through this rifle so far, but it is decidedly easier to shoot and more precise than the 308. This would be the obvious choice except it does not meet the NRL weight requirements. The requirements don't matter for skills division, but again, I am shooting this match to learn and grow as a hunting rifleman, not to game the game. The RPR is not a rifle I will be carrying on a hunt, nor own long-term.
My thoughts on rifle choices would be:
1. Shoot the course with the 308 I own. While not ideal for the longer targets, it would provide experience. With some 185 Juggernauts it might be able to reach out for the longer targets. I currently handload for it and shoot whatever 168 grain match bullet I get a pile of on sale over 42grs of IMR 4064.
2. Take the RPR Creed and just focus on fundamentals, ignoring the spirt of NRL competition (geared toward hunting). Advantage is the rifle is more capable than I am and there is no initial investment, I already own it.
3. Purchase something new for the course. I don't want to dump a bunch of $$ into something for one-time use. I don't mind spending money on equipment I will use long term and get good value out of, but don't like throwing cash away on whimsies. I could either get a rifle that holds resale value, or something that would be worthwhile to hold onto and shoot long-term. I was thinking either a Tikka or Ruger American in a KRG Bravo would be good value, and if I ever did get proficient enough to start taking longer shots on game it would be as good as any. As for chambering - seems like 6.5 Creedmoor is the goldilocks between long-range ability and cheap availability; capability and shoot-ability.
I don't see any reason to upgrade scope choice from the SWFA 10x's that I already own or the SWFA 3-9 that I just acquired to see what the fuss is about. After all, the intention is to keep with the training for hunting marksmanship theme, may as well stick with a scope I would actually hunt with. But I am open to any and all suggestions.
Although a hunter all my life, I am not a long-range hunter, have never shot in official competitions, and do not objectively consider myself an above average rifleman. I recently signed up for the first NRL Hunter match here in Alaska in the 'skills' division, meaning that I am not in the running for prizes and am shooting the match as a learner, not a competitor. It's not that I don't have a competitive streak, it is that I am being realistic about my current knowledge and skills. It is also unlikely that I will become a regular NRL competitor. This may be the only match in AK for years, and I will not likely be taking the time to compete elsewhere. Matches do not inspire me beyond what they can provide in the way of developing skills as a hunting rifleman. And while good instruction such as a shooting school may be the best training available, my schedule does not currently allow that for it.
The conundrum is what to shoot the course with. I currently own a decent 308 built on Ruger M77 with a Bartlein and a SWFA 10x. I put a few hundred rounds though this rifle each year. It is roughly a 2 MOA rifle for 10 round groups shot prone. The rifle I shoot the most is a Ruger American Ranch 6.5 Grendel - I stumbled into a pile of Grendel ammo and a pile of ammo is the best reason for owning a certain caliber. Neither of these calibers will reliably reach 1000 yards before going transonic in the conditions I shoot (sea level, 40deg).
I also own a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. This is a relatively new rifle to me; I got a deal on an older Gen 1, and it is fun to shoot at the range. Also wearing a 10x SWFA. Only about 100 rounds through this rifle so far, but it is decidedly easier to shoot and more precise than the 308. This would be the obvious choice except it does not meet the NRL weight requirements. The requirements don't matter for skills division, but again, I am shooting this match to learn and grow as a hunting rifleman, not to game the game. The RPR is not a rifle I will be carrying on a hunt, nor own long-term.
My thoughts on rifle choices would be:
1. Shoot the course with the 308 I own. While not ideal for the longer targets, it would provide experience. With some 185 Juggernauts it might be able to reach out for the longer targets. I currently handload for it and shoot whatever 168 grain match bullet I get a pile of on sale over 42grs of IMR 4064.
2. Take the RPR Creed and just focus on fundamentals, ignoring the spirt of NRL competition (geared toward hunting). Advantage is the rifle is more capable than I am and there is no initial investment, I already own it.
3. Purchase something new for the course. I don't want to dump a bunch of $$ into something for one-time use. I don't mind spending money on equipment I will use long term and get good value out of, but don't like throwing cash away on whimsies. I could either get a rifle that holds resale value, or something that would be worthwhile to hold onto and shoot long-term. I was thinking either a Tikka or Ruger American in a KRG Bravo would be good value, and if I ever did get proficient enough to start taking longer shots on game it would be as good as any. As for chambering - seems like 6.5 Creedmoor is the goldilocks between long-range ability and cheap availability; capability and shoot-ability.
I don't see any reason to upgrade scope choice from the SWFA 10x's that I already own or the SWFA 3-9 that I just acquired to see what the fuss is about. After all, the intention is to keep with the training for hunting marksmanship theme, may as well stick with a scope I would actually hunt with. But I am open to any and all suggestions.
