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Most guys going to a bolt action like a RPR are really expecting more than sub-MOA in my opinion...more like 1/2 MOA. I think they would be truly disappointed in the RPR if they cannot shoot smaller than 3/4 MOA consistently. They will chase and chase and chase and every once in a while, they'll shoot a good group every now and then. They will try different powders, primers, brass, bullets, into the lands, off the lands, anneal every firing, chasing the ammo combination that gives them the consistent 1/2 MOA group (or better). They will spend hundreds of dollars in range fees, and ammo components.
What I am getting at, is they are already spending a good amount of money chasing smaller groups; it is just that they spend the money over a lot of smaller things. In reality, what might be needed is a $400-550 dollar barrel to replace the factory barrel...and if that does not help, they might need to look into whether or not it is the nut behind the gun.
I would disagree that you need more than a barrel to make a RPR into a tack driver. I probably had the 3rd RPR in CA a couple years back when they first came out. Right out the box, it would shoot 1/2-3/4 MOA...not bad for factory. The gun was a 6.5 creedmoor. The gun would not do much better than that consistently. I removed the barrel and had a 6 Dasher Hawk Hill barrel made for it. The gun was a tack driver as you call it and there was no trigger upgrade back then for the RPR. It would consistently shoot 5 shot groups in a 3/8" group or better.
The reason RPRs are not more widely shot in matches like the PRS is partly a gun equipment macho thing, IMO. The RPR is this entry level bolt action rifle and no one wants to be seen with an entry level gun at the competition level where you are traveling up and down the state or across state lines for matches and shooting for prize money. So, they buy Defiance actions, Surgeon rifles, GAP rifles, etc. They spin on Bartlein, brux and other custom barrels and buy NF, S&B and Vortex Razor GenII scopes.
The RPR is a great starter rifle to see if you like that kind of shooting or not. Why dump $5-6K in a gun that you then decide is not for you, or you shoot once in a blue moon? If it is something for you, the next step is a good trigger, barrel and scope on the RPR. Then, if you think you are exceeding the limitations of your RPR at that point, then go custom. By then, you're at the point of no return and you are going to become a gear whore
What I am getting at, is they are already spending a good amount of money chasing smaller groups; it is just that they spend the money over a lot of smaller things. In reality, what might be needed is a $400-550 dollar barrel to replace the factory barrel...and if that does not help, they might need to look into whether or not it is the nut behind the gun.
I would disagree that you need more than a barrel to make a RPR into a tack driver. I probably had the 3rd RPR in CA a couple years back when they first came out. Right out the box, it would shoot 1/2-3/4 MOA...not bad for factory. The gun was a 6.5 creedmoor. The gun would not do much better than that consistently. I removed the barrel and had a 6 Dasher Hawk Hill barrel made for it. The gun was a tack driver as you call it and there was no trigger upgrade back then for the RPR. It would consistently shoot 5 shot groups in a 3/8" group or better.
The reason RPRs are not more widely shot in matches like the PRS is partly a gun equipment macho thing, IMO. The RPR is this entry level bolt action rifle and no one wants to be seen with an entry level gun at the competition level where you are traveling up and down the state or across state lines for matches and shooting for prize money. So, they buy Defiance actions, Surgeon rifles, GAP rifles, etc. They spin on Bartlein, brux and other custom barrels and buy NF, S&B and Vortex Razor GenII scopes.
The RPR is a great starter rifle to see if you like that kind of shooting or not. Why dump $5-6K in a gun that you then decide is not for you, or you shoot once in a blue moon? If it is something for you, the next step is a good trigger, barrel and scope on the RPR. Then, if you think you are exceeding the limitations of your RPR at that point, then go custom. By then, you're at the point of no return and you are going to become a gear whore
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