Anger? Jealously? Happiness? Fact be advised I don’t know precisely the place my feelings lie with the present state of precision. Right here’s what I do know—if you wish to get into precision rifle taking pictures, it’s by no means been simpler to seek out precision taking pictures success. What components of precision have turn out to be simpler? All of them. Entry to good tools in any respect value ranges. Entry to schooling and coaching and the sharing of data. Lastly, entry to ranges and alternatives to check your capabilities. It’s all there. Proper now. You may get loads for not extreme quantities of money until you wish to spend extreme quantities of money. Whether or not it’s the rifle, optic, ammo, or the instruction and the whole lot in between. It’s out there in droves. It wasn’t like that after I first tried to get into precision. It’s nonetheless an funding, however you now get a lot extra with that funding.
Precision Taking pictures Success
I’ve identified this about precision for some time now, however the level was pushed even additional dwelling in my newest journey the the Leupold Academy—considered one of my all-time favourite locations to go and ship bullets in any respect kinds of distances, in various circumstances and terrain. Each time I am going, I be taught. And each time I am going, precision taking pictures success will get higher.
Noobs Apply Right here
To start with, the Leupold Academy isn’t open to the general public. I’m sorry for this. I do know they provide just a few searching particular programs every now and then. Don’t let that deter you from the remainder of what I’m about to convey. The rifle, optic, and ammo combo actually blew me away. Why? It wasn’t the primary time I’d interacted with any of the tools except for Hornady’s V-Match ammunition. Nevertheless it was the show of the capabilities of the tools readily available. A number of of us from various ranges of expertise laid down behind factory-built rifles, topped with inexpensive optics, taking pictures inexpensive manufacturing unit ammo and completely smashing metal all they approach out to 1,300 yards. It was actually present up, lay, down, shoot, and depart being wonderful. I would like that for you. And guess what? You may get it.
This package that we used is nothing however a straightforward button. Should you’re desirous about diving into precision taking pictures, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with this mix to get you on the trail.
Rifle
Aero Precision dropped the Solus Competitors Rifle in 2023. I reviewed the rifle in late 2023 and it received our Ballistic’s Finest competitors within the goal bolt-action class. The Solus represents what’s attainable when an organization units their thoughts to doing it as proper as they will, and observing and listening to what shooters need and wish.
I seek advice from the Solus because the American Tikka, which is a excessive complement as I’ve by no means heard anybody badmouth a Tikka. Ever. The center of the Solus rifle is the Solus motion that options three lugs and a 60-degree throw. It’s clean. Actually clean and whenever you insert a loaded magazine; the motion feeds so effortlessly into the chamber it’s possible you’ll assume that you just didn’t feed a spherical. That was my preliminary impression again in 2023 and it stands to at the present time. Add to that the flexibility for the consumer to alter out barrels on their very own by way of an out there barrel altering package and pre-fit barrels, and you’ve got a rifle that may develop with the shooter. You don’t need to over commit.
The barrel and motion are dropped inside a properly optioned aluminum chassis. It’s adjustable and comfy and you’ll add weights as properly. It’s a correct chassis for the trendy goal shooter. And the rifle in it’s inventory type is definitely gentle sufficient to take it on a hunt if you need, at round 11 kilos sans optic. Take note, being a Rem 700 footprint, you’ll be able to place the barreled motion in to numerous different chassis and shares.
The value can also be a powerful level of the Solus. Simply over $2,200 will get you into an entire rifle. Then you definately’ll solely want a few different issues that you could examine right here.
Optic
Leupold has an extended standing title and repute as an American-made optic with stable efficiency. Personally, I’ve watched over the previous 5 years or in order Leupold has modified their recreation considerably, and this modification has benefited the shooter in some ways. The Mark 5HD is an optic that put Leupold again on the map of precision taking pictures. And the brand new Mark 4HD, which we ran with the Solus, provides affordability to high-level efficiency.
I personally like to think about the Mark 4HD as a downsized and down featured MK5 HD. The glass is phenomenal with a readability that I’ve come to anticipate from Leupold. The tube is a 34mm as an alternative of the 35mm of the MK5—nice by me. It’s simpler to get rings for. Different small variations embrace a windage cap that isn’t coated on the Mark 4, nevertheless it and the elevation dial function their ZeroLock system with .5 MIL under-travel on the elevation.
This optic is available in a trove of magnifications and reticles, however the candy spot for me is the 6-24×52. It first the precision position completely, being light-weight, and parallaxing right down to 25 yards. The PR2 reticle is a should on this optic, though the PR3 will work as properly. I’m nonetheless a fan of the tree reticle. I’ve extra choices for aiming that approach.
The MK4HD 6-24×52 could be had at $1,499 MSRP, which is an impressive value for the efficiency and options this optic consists of. The most effective shooters within the sport could be laborious pressed to seek out quick comings on this optic.
Ammo
I assumed these rifles could be chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. I imply, why not? It’s the brand new customary. I used to be pleasantly shocked to seek out they have been as an alternative chambered in 6mm Creedmoor—nonetheless my favourite cartridge at this level. It’s quick, correct, has low recoil, and does properly within the wind. Additionally, it’s fashionable sufficient to seek out off the shelf at a neighborhood field retailer and even smaller shops.
I’m an enormous fan of Hornady’s ELDM 108-grain and I used to be not anticipating the 80-grain V Match to be the ammo of alternative. Boy am I glad they did this. Can we speak in regards to the lack of recoil? Or the nice velocity from the 22-inch barrels? I by no means imagined an 80-grain bullet might carry out at this degree all whereas being a varmint projectile on the similar time.
You may consider the ELD-VT bullet as a hybrid line. The ELD-VT makes use of aerodynamic options from low-drag match bullets, coupled with light-weight of varmint projectiles. That is completed by way of its decreased core to bullet ratio. It flies quick and secure. 1,300 yards with 80-grainers isn’t any joke and Hornady’s manufacturing unit loaded 80-grain ELD-VT did the work. That is off-the-shelf kind of ammo and it makes hitting the goal straightforward, particularly when paired up with a premiere ballistics solver like Hornady’s 4DOF.
4DOF is a free app out there from Hornady and it makes use of advanced computations to spit out correct ballistics options. I take advantage of this app virtually completely now for its precision and the dearth of getting to true my rifle at distance for it to work. The 4DOF solver is on the market in a Kestrel as properly, which we used at the side of the sensible gadget app.
Different Niceties for Precision Taking pictures Success
I ought to observe that the general expertise was made higher with the addition of Aero Precision Lahar-30 suppressor. These rifles have been loopy quiet with the suppressor on board and completely spoiled all of the shooters.
Add one thing just like the Atlas bipod and properly you’re actually set for precision success on the quick monitor, so long as you get some instruction as properly. The instruction will take away many errors that could possibly be made, costing you treasured enchancment time.
Anger and jealousy apart, if I needed to begin new, and wished to maximise my precision taking pictures expertise and reduce my monetary funding whereas acquiring product with longevity, I’d go for this setup that features the Solus, Leupold Mark 4HD, and Hornady ammo. It’s actually a tough setup to beat.
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