Hunting, deeply ingrained in human history, demands a meticulous approach to gear selection, with the rifle setup playing a pivotal role. A well-matched rifle enhances the hunting experience, guaranteeing precision, reliability, and suitability for the game. This guide covers the critical elements of rifle setup, covering diverse aspects such as understanding game requirements, exploring rifle types, actions, and cartridges, then analyzing factors like weight, barrel length, optics, and the nuances of varied hunting environments.
View full article →Pursuing long-range shooting is a challenging and deeply rewarding discipline in the expansive world of firearms and precision marksmanship. Defined by engaging targets well beyond conventional distances, long-range shooting demands a nuanced understanding of ballistics, equipment intricacies, and environmental variables. This comprehensive guide delves into the heart of long-range shooting, exploring what constitutes "long-range," discussing critical factors that influence the choice of caliber, and dissecting the essential equipment required for optimal performance.
View full article →This article provides a detailed guide on constructing a modern hunting rifle. It begins by emphasizing the importance of cartridge selection based on the game hunted and the shooter's comfort. The piece then dives into component selection, discussing the significance of the action, barrel, and the vital role of a skilled gunsmith. It highlights the chassis/stock's foundational role, the critical nature of the trigger, and the pros and cons of suppressor and muzzle brake options. With a myriad of choices available, the article aids hunters in crafting a firearm tailored to their needs, ensuring an optimal blend of performance, comfort, and aesthetics.
View full article →In the firearms industry, Rifle mistakes are a pretty common occurrence. Human errors like sighting in a rifle, proper cleaning, or your choice of ammunition all have a major effect on how a rifle is going to perform. Mechanical mistakes like rifle malfunctions can really put you into a bind while you are at the range or in the backcountry. And the most important is safety mistakes can cause life-changing accidents that nobody wants to happen. No matter how big or small the mistake could be, we want to guide you through what to look for and how to avoid the 11 most common mistakes in our eyes.
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Choosing the right scope ring can be critical for all rifle shooters. Selecting reliable and correctly manufactured riflescope rings to pair with your rifle scope is paramount for achieving optimal performance and saving you money and time! Continue reading for two industry secrets on money savings. This guide covers explicitly everything you need to know about scope mounts and scope rings, ensuring quality and confidence in your choice.
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In this guide, we'll walk you through the importance of rifle fitment and how it affects your overall rifle shooting experience. Specifically, we'll discuss why is firearm fitment important for precision shooting and how to achieve a properly fitted gun.
View full article →If you have been around precision rifle shooting in the last few years, you are most likely aware of the 147 ELDM. This bullet has helped the 6.5 Creedmoor and PRC explode in popularity. With an extraordinary .697 G1 BC, the bullet is a powerhouse for the 6.5 caliber cartridges.
How good is the 147 though? Recently Bryan Litz released claims that the 147 ELDM ballistic coefficients were varying. He claimed they saw a 2.3% standard deviation in the BC values through the Applied ballistics lab. Since I am currently running the 147 ELDM in my competition rifle, I had to put the numbers on paper to see if this would affect my shooting!
The supplied G7 BC for the 147 is .351. A 2.3% change in BC means the value would float between .351 and .342. When we put those numbers into the Hornady 4DOF calculator, the output gives us 15 inches of vertical deviation at 1000 yards due to BC. That is a significant variation when you do not consider shooter error, rifle error, and muzzle velocity variation!
Shooting at just 1000 yards would prove some data, but it would not take into account how well the rifle is shooting. To cut out as many variables as possible, I decided to shoot 15 shot groups at 100 yards, 500 yards, and 1000 yards.
At 100 yards, we can see how well the bullets are shooting with my particular load. At 500 yards, we could see some variation on a smaller scale. At 1000 yards, though, it should highlight any vertical dispersion from shot to shot. If the BCs vary by 2.3%, we should see an increase in the vertical spread MOA at each distance.
Vertical
100 YDS - .697 MOA Vertical
500 YDS - .401 MOA Vertical
1000 YDA - .811 MOA Vertical
Group Size
100 YDS - .73”
500 YDS - 2.1”
1000 YDS - 8.5”
30 shot SD - 5
30 shot ES - 12
With these results, the BC variation of these bullets is not a concern for me. Bryan Litz has tested far more bullets and far more lot numbers than I have, and his results are most likely derived from numerous years of data, so his sample size is far more extensive than mine. But so far this year, I have shot just shy of 3000 147 ELDMs in my PRS, NRL Hunter, and Hunting Rifle, and I will shoot around 6-7000 of them by the end of the year.
With confidence, I can say for all of the shooting I do, the BC variation is acceptable, and I am not missing targets due to any variation.
Every week, our sales team is asked, "What is the best chassis for me?" That is a very complex question when looking at our different chassis systems. Whether you are a hunter, competitor, recreational shooter, or anything in between, all of those applications will require a different overall rifle weight and rifle features to make sure you can perform at your best.
Every rifle chassis build starts with an action. This will dictate which chassis systems you have to choose from. If you don't want limitations and haven't purchased one yet, the Remington 700 inlets are offered for every XLR chassis. You can view the entire list here.
Depending on your action, you have 2 to 4 options. Building a hunting chassis with a Remington 700 or Clone action gives you the choice of either Element 4.0 or ATOM chassis systems, where Tikka, Savage, Howa, Lonepeak and BAT Machine owners currently have the two Element 4.0 models to choose from.
Now that we have the most important piece of the puzzle out of the way, let's talk about weight differences.
Price and weight are the only differences between the aluminum and magnesium models.
Is the $200 difference for the magnesium chassis worth it? It's been said in the ultralight-backpacking world that you can pay up to $100 to shave a single ounce. So, at 6 ounces of savings, we'd say it's a bargain.
If you want to build an ultralight chassis system, the magnesium models will be the best choice in either the Element (16 ounces) or ATOM (14.5 ounces). Want to save a few bucks and don't mind 6 extra ounces? Go for the aluminum chassis model! Although it does not include the cerakote and weight savings, you still maintain the same features as the Element 4.0 MG for a fraction of the price.
The Element and Atom chassis supply you with a very modular system! When choosing between the two, you must look at the main differences; 5.5 inches of forend length and 1.5 oz. Bipod location on your hunting chassis is a major focus between these amazing chassis models. You gain stability and recoil control by attaching your bipod to the forend. If you plan on only shooting off a tripod at all times, then the Atom chassis might work out great for you.
With feedback from thousands of customers, we have found that the Element 4.0 MG is the gold standard for hunting rifle chassis systems. When this chassis block is paired with the carbon buttstock and grip, the entire chassis weighs only 28 oz. Add the folding adapter and carbon bag rider to give you the best package on the mountain that still only weighs 34 oz! We recommend this chassis to anyone looking to build an ultra-light hunting rifle.
With only 6 ounces of additional weight, the aluminum Element 4.0 chassis block will still not put any strain on the scale. Plus, this chassis block allows you to save a few more dollars to put toward ammo or MLOK chassis accessories. Whether a shooter wants a lightweight hunting rifle, recreational rifle, or even just a lighter PRS rig, you will be able to achieve the desired weight with the element 4.0 aluminum.
With the carbon buttstock and carbon fiber grip, the entire chassis only weighs 34 oz. But you can add theTR-2 buttstock,mercury rod,TR-2 weights, internal forend weights, and the MLOK side weights and still get this chassis up over 8 lbs. The Element 4.0 is a truly diverse chassis that will keep you on target anywhere you go!
For certain customers, the ATOM chassis is the cream of the crop for an ultralight backcountry rifle. Hunters that plan on mainly shooting off a tripod will reap the benefits of the weight savings and shorter forend. This might be great for some shooters, but most customers prefer the Element for the additional forend length. Whichever chassis you choose, you will be very pleased on your next hunt.
The big dog! XLR's Envy Pro chassis was designed for PRS shooting. With feedback from the nation's top PRS shooters the Envy Pro has morphed into a powerhouse at the range.
Although you won't be getting this chassis down to the sub 3 lb range, when paired with the TR-2 buttstock and Ergo Grip the Envy pro only weighs 4 lbs 3 oz. With this chassis, you can enjoy the benefits of an enlarged mag well, stiffer forend, and the ability to add even more weight than the Element chassis.
Once all the weights from our competition kit are added to the Envy Pro chassis, the weight exceeds 10 pounds. If weight is not a concern and you want the utmost stability, the Envy Pro is the chassis for you!
As mentioned above, Remington 700 and most Clone actions fit this chassis system, and others, like Tikka T3 and T1, select Savage and Kelby Black Bear Short Actions. You can view the entire inlet list here or search your action to find what chassis systems fit.
Small but mighty, the ATOM is our latest chassis! This little guy still packs all the features you need for a precision pistol, short-barreled rifle, or even a lighter hunting rifle.
A clone of the Element chassis system, the ATOM's 5.5-inch shorter forend makes for a more compact rifle while cutting an additional 1.5 ounces of overall weight compared to its predecessor. Add a folding stock adapter to this little chassis, and you've got a compact rifle that will fit just about anywhere.
Don't hesitate to call the shop and speak with a customer service specialist or email us at info@xlrindustries.com.
From the range to the backcountry and everything in between, we've got a precision chassis system to suit your needs and shooting discipline.