Returning to PRS: The Lead Farm Match

After many years, I recently had the opportunity to get back into PRS style competitions. I know there is a lot of rust to knock off, but the camaraderie and fun is well worth it.

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Getting Back Into PRS

I was nervous for what I knew was going to be a challenge and reveal my weak points. Though I expected to fail in some areas, this gives me the opportunity to improve.

People in this sport are very welcoming. Competitive but yet welcoming.

Lead Farm PRS Match Photo Courtesy Munn Family

Matches held at The Lead Farm are a great place to get started. Match Director Spencer Munn hosts several PRS matches a year on his family farm. A special thanks is in order for Rick Munn, who provided us pictures to use. Everyone involved in the PRS shooting community should give a huge thank you to the Munn family for what they contribute to the sport. The Lead Farm is a great location with a MASSIVE amount of targets.

As a side note, it was a special treat to get to see and meet a few of our viewers. Thanks for watching the Ultimate Reloader channel and taking the time to say hello.

I shot a Bat Action with a Benchmark barrel chambered by Gavin in 6 Dasher. As is tradition, I ran Berger 109 Hybrid bullets with Varget in the 6 Dasher. My velocity was just a bit over 2900 fps.

I ran Berger 109 Hybrid bullets with Varget in the 6 Dasher. My velocity was just a bit over 2900 fps.

Here’s some links to product pages for the rifle gear!

About the Foundation Genesis 2 Stock

We talked about the Foundation Genesis 2 in the video, so I thought I’d add more detail here in the article as well:

Foundation stocks are truly like no other. From the Foundation Genesis 2 Product Page: The Foundation Genesis 2 is a hybrid combing the grip to trigger spacing of an Exodus with the fore end of our original Genesis stock. A wide fore end, great balance and flexible attachment mounting options make prone and positional shooting strong points for the Genesis 2.

Here’s what I like about the Genesis 2:

Weight: it has enough mass to tame recoil and feel extremely “solid”
Custom Inlets: these stocks are inletted for specific actions
Unique Micarta material and construction, recoil damping
Ergonomics and features (love the integrated cheek riser, QD cups, and more)
Quality and finish (second to none)

6 Dasher Load Components

Above: From the 6 Dasher Load Development Article, the same components were used here

Based on the “What the Pros Use” article, and input from Alpha Munitions + Friends, I decided to focus on the following for this first round of load development:

Alpha Munitions 6 Dasher Brass – the best off-the-shelf option for 6 Dasher
Hodgdon Varget powder (why mess with success, that so many have had with Dasher and Varget!)
CCI BR4 primers (bench rest)
Berger 109 grain Long Range Hybrid Target bullets

The Results

It was great to see Sheldon Nalos, who was also shooting a Foundation stock, take the win. His 15-year-old daughter Ashlyn, who competes with a Foundation as well, took 7th overall. She has only been competing in this manner for just over a year! Great job for the Nalos family. Their success also shows I’ve picked the right stock!

Overall, the match went well. I had low expectations for myself as it has been many years since I competed in a centerfire match. I have participated more recently in rimfire PRS matches, but it has been about two years since my last one.

Travis shooting at the Lead Farm match. Photo Courtesy Munn Family

Takeaways:

Be clear on the shot count for each target. Two stages I missed points due to taking 2 instead of 3 shots per target.
Re-zero turrets at the end of each stage. I returned my elevation turret to my zero after a stage, but did not do so for my windage dial. I had set windage for a stage but failed to zero it for the next one. As I was at a different angle to the wind, I missed everything on the next stage. Lesson learned: zero turrets at the end of every stage.
I must practice more! Getting into a stable firing position was my battle. The prone shooting was not hard (as long as my DOPE was correct).
I struggled with building and changing positions, especially under time constraints and match pressure.
Practicing building stable positions is a must! Just shooting from them isn’t enough. Practice building the position efficiently.

Plans for Improvement

The top items on my list are taking the Kraft test and working on improving stability in various positions. Dry-firing in odd and uncomfortable positions should help with this. Chris Way has developed the Kraft test as a baseline measurement for your ability to build and shoot a supported position: standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone.

PRS and field shooting is a challenge I haven’t been able to duplicate in my life. I have competed a little in Biathlon, which is ridiculously difficult but also a different style of shooting. PRS gives me much greater confidence when hunting, I have never had any issue taking a shot on an animal after shooting competitive PRS.

The community itself is great to be a part of. People are generally down to earth but push themselves to improve. It seems that we all have fun but push each other to be better, faster, and smarter throughout the entire process.

Get Out and Try It!

Are you interested in shooting a match of this style? Do it! Don’t sit around and dream about it — go and participate. As soon as you do, you will quickly realize where you need improvements and where your gear needs to be. You don’t need the latest and greatest cartridge or gear. Use a .223 bolt gun. It’s not as expensive, easy to find, and has less recoil so various ages and bodies can handle it. A .223 bolt gun is also good for wind reading at “shorter” ranges, so it is great for learning. Take it from me, with the right attitude you will learn a ton and have fun.

A group of spotters at the Lead Farm match. Photo Courtesy Munn Family

Take a class from a reputable instructor, watch lots of videos, then watch more videos. Soon you will start learning about the small things that can make a huge difference. Dry fire and use a timer to push yourself. Take videos of yourself to see where you can improve. Don’t wait until everything seems “perfect.” Shooting matches is part of the learning experience and a great way to meet amazing people. Besides, most of all this is for fun. We are doing this to challenge ourselves, each other, and our equipment.

Special Announcement: GRT

Many of you know of GRT, Gordon’s Reloading Tool. I use this great reloading resource on a weekly basis. Sadly, Gordon of Gordon’s Reloading Tools passed away this past January. GRT is an open source volunteer program. If you have a background in internal ballistics and/or computer programming and are interested in helping, please contact the GRT staff.

Join the GRT Discord using this Invitation URL, or send an email to charlie@grtools.de. It’s important to make sure this software remains up to date and free for everyone to use, as well as carry on Gordon’s legacy.

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Thanks,
Travis