The sport of Precision Rifle Shooting has grown massively in the last decade, with a 100-fold increase in the number of active competitors participating across the US. What once consisted of a unique community of mostly ex-professionals utilizing boutique equipment at infrequent and informal matches has exploded into a true industry. This includes a growing and diverse group of equipment manufacturers, ranges, shooting clubs and training outfits dedicated to shooters and students of the science of long-range shooting. Today, there is also a significant library of accessible information and equipment that remove the barriers to entry for beginning precision shooters. In other words, we’ve never had it so good, as the renaissance of precision shooting is at hand.

The sport of Precision Rifle Shooting has grown massively in the last decade, with a 100-fold increase in the number of active competitors participating across the US. What once consisted of a unique community of mostly ex-professionals utilizing boutique equipment at infrequent and informal matches has exploded into a true industry. This includes a growing and diverse group of equipment manufacturers, ranges, shooting clubs and training outfits dedicated to shooters and students of the science of long-range shooting. Today, there is also a significant library of accessible information and equipment that remove the barriers to entry for beginning precision shooters. In other words, we’ve never had it so good, as the renaissance of precision shooting is at hand.

Precision Rifle Beginnings

This year, we’re looking at the journey of a PRS beginner, moving from the workbench to the match stage with novice shooter James Thornton. We’ve also linked up with some organizations that make quality precision shooting gear and linked up their products with our Pro 700 rifle chassis in order to build out a great platform for someone who’s serious about long range. While our build represents an “intermediate” level of commitment, the sport is deliberately set up so a beginning shooter can bring almost any bolt gun with an optic on it to the range. Choosing one’s new platform has gotten easier as well, with most of the matches and clubs out there providing a class designed around the “try before you buy” concept so that a shooter can find the fit and features they most want before investing in what can be an expensive and gear-intensive sport. Along with the gear, there’s a distinct positive vibe and lack of attitude, combined with a wealth of knowledge out there in the PRS space. The more experienced shooters are generally supportive and willing to mentor and provide advice to novices. This is truly a community focused on improving all involved, whether it’s teaching long range basics, helping with wind calls and demonstrating holds, or providing feedback after the match.

This year, we’re looking at the journey of a PRS beginner, moving from the workbench to the match stage with novice shooter James Thornton. We’ve also linked up with some organizations that make quality precision shooting gear and linked up their products with our Pro 700 rifle chassis in order to build out a great platform for someone who’s serious about long range. While our build represents an “intermediate” level of commitment, the sport is deliberately set up so a beginning shooter can bring almost any bolt gun with an optic on it to the range. Choosing one’s new platform has gotten easier as well, with most of the matches and clubs out there providing a class designed around the “try before you buy” concept so that a shooter can find the fit and features they most want before investing in what can be an expensive and gear-intensive sport. Along with the gear, there’s a distinct positive vibe and lack of attitude, combined with a wealth of knowledge out there in the PRS space. The more experienced shooters are generally supportive and willing to mentor and provide advice to novices. This is truly a community focused on improving all involved, whether it’s teaching long range basics, helping with wind calls and demonstrating holds, or providing feedback after the match.

Defiance Machine Bolt Action

Pro 700 Breakdown

Pro 700 Chassis

In the introduction to our Stepping Into Precision Rifle series, we build up a competition-ready Pro 700 with James, utilizing a custom Defiance Machine action, TriggerTech trigger, Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 optic, and Proof Research barrel and take it to Reveille Peak Ranch in Texas to test and tune the rifle setup and round load data. This is just the beginning. Throughout this four part series, we’ll be taking an in depth look at the specifics of a long range rifle build and document James’ steps from a club match all the way into national level matches. Look out for Part 2 to see how the man and machine perform out on the stages at their first club match.

In the introduction to our Stepping Into Precision Rifle series, we build up a competition-ready Pro 700 with James, utilizing a custom Defiance Machine action, TriggerTech trigger, Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 optic, and Proof Research barrel and take it to Reveille Peak Ranch in Texas to test and tune the rifle setup and round load data. This is just the beginning. Throughout this four part series, we’ll be taking an in depth look at the specifics of a long range rifle build and document James’ steps from a club match all the way into national level matches. Look out for Part 2 to see how the man and machine perform out on the stages at their first club match.

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