PRS Rifles and the Benefits of a PRS Chassis

Precision Rifle Series (PRS) rifles are specialized, long-range tactical platforms designed for competitive shooting events. These rifles are equipped with features like heavy barrels, added weights, and barricade stops to ensure balance on various shooting surfaces. A key aspect of PRS rifles is their ability to shoot with high precision while maintaining minimal recoil, enabling shooters to spot their shots even from awkward positions. PRS rifles bridge the gap between precision and practical shooting, making them indispensable in realistic shooting scenarios.

The Competitive Landscape

In the realm of precision rifle shooting, the PRS series is a standout. Competitors meticulously select rifles that deliver exceptional accuracy while being resilient against harsh conditions like rain and dust. Success in PRS competitions demands a combination of skill, strategy, and mental focus. Match directors challenge shooters with stages that require shooting at small targets from prone positions and larger targets from unstable barricades. These diverse shooting positions necessitate a rifle that performs reliably in both uncomfortable and unconventional settings.

What Is a PRS Chassis?

A high-quality PRS chassis is characterized by its adjustability, tunability, and stability, providing a solid foundation for the shooter. The chassis and buttstock must be adjustable to ensure the shooter can find a comfortable position, whether prone, kneeling, sitting, or standing. Additionally, the chassis should allow for fine-tuning with weights to achieve optimal balance. Stability is crucial; a well-balanced chassis ensures the shooter can take a shot and accurately track the bullet's trajectory. The XLR Envy Pro checks all of these boxes. 

Common Materials in Chassis Construction

PRS chassis are crafted from various materials, each chosen for its unique combination of strength, weight, and durability:

• Aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, offering durability and maneuverability.
• Magnesium: Ultra-light with excellent corrosion resistance, providing stability without extra weight.
• Carbon Fiber: Known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, offering rigidity with minimal weight.
• Polymer/Composite: A cost-effective option that combines strength with affordability.
• Steel: Offers robustness and durability but adds more weight.
• Brass: Often used for external weights due to its high density, allowing for precise weight distribution.

Key Design Features of PRS Chassis Systems

A PRS chassis typically includes an integrated Arca rail, slots for weights, a night vision hood, and a barricade stop, all of which are essential for a PRS shooter’s success.

• Integrated Arca Rail: Allows for quick adjustment or removal of the bipod during a stage. This flexibility is vital in situations where a shorter footprint between the bipod and buttstock is needed for stability. Shooters can easily slide the bipod towards the barricade stop when required or remove it entirely.
• Weight Slots: These slots enable shooters to fine-tune their rifle's balance point, improving their ability to spot shots. For example, the XLR Envy Pro offers weight placement options under the barrel channel, on the nose extension, and via M-Lok slots. These weights serve dual purposes, such as extending the Arca rail or providing a more stable bag contact surface.
• Night Vision Hood: While it can be used to mount night vision equipment, it is often employed as a hand rest, allowing the shooter to stabilize the rifle while maintaining a free-floated barrel. This feature also aids in controlling recoil from challenging positions.

• Integrated Barricade Stop: Prevents the shooting bag from interfering with the magazine and provides a stable point to load body weight. This ensures reliable feeding, particularly with precision 22LRs, and allows shooters to utilize body weight for recoil control.

Traditional Stocks vs. PRS Chassis

While traditional rifle stocks are adequate for beginners, a PRS chassis offers significant advantages in competitive shooting. The key features Arca rails, weight slots, night vision hoods, and barricade stops make a PRS chassis indispensable for serious competitors. Shooters also need to focus on the below aspects of a chassis to understand their value for PRS shooting. 

One of the most critical aspects of a PRS chassis is the stiffness of the forend. Unlike some traditional stocks, an aluminum chassis maintains a free-floated barrel even under pressure, resulting in better shot accuracy and improved recoil management. A stiff forend reduces vibrations after a shot, allowing the shooter to quickly recover and spot their shot.

The overall weight of the rifle, typically between 18-25 pounds for PRS competitions, is another important factor. A purpose-built chassis allows shooters to fine-tune their rifle's balance and weight to achieve optimal performance.

Accessories play a significant role in PRS shooting. From timers and dope cards to thumb rests and levels, the right chassis must have adequate mounting options for these tools. Models like the XLR Envy Pro are designed to accommodate various accessories, enhancing stability and precision.

Choosing the Right Chassis Buttstock

Selecting the right buttstock for PRS shooting is crucial for optimizing performance and comfort. A quality PRS buttstock should offer adjustability in length of pull, cheek rest height, and sometimes even height and cant in the recoil pad. This ensures a perfect fit, enhancing stability and comfort during extended shooting sessions. Consistent alignment with the scope is essential for precision shooting and can only be achieved if the shooter has a properly adjusted buttstock. 

Material and construction quality are vital considerations. Buttstocks made from durable materials like high-strength polymers, aluminum, or carbon fiber offer a balance between weight and durability. The right combination of adjustability, durability, and stability in a buttstock can significantly enhance a shooter's accuracy and overall performance.

For the perfect PRS Chassis, XLR recommends looking at the TR-2 and C6 buttstock to enhance your shooting needs. 

Popular XLR PRS Chassis Systems

XLR Industries offers standout PRS chassis models like the Envy Pro, known for its robust construction, adjustability, and purpose-built accessories that maximize stability. The XLR Element 4.0 is another versatile option, suitable for both PRS and hunting. It allows for weight adjustments and the addition of accessories like the M-Lok side weights, C6 buttstock, and internal forend weights for enhanced stability during PRS competitions.

Ready to Upgrade Your PRS Rifle?

Upgrading to a Precision Rifle Series (PRS) chassis offers numerous benefits for precision shooters. These chassis enhance accuracy through rigid construction, minimizing vibrations for consistent shot placement. XLR buttstocks provide customizable options, such as adjustable length-of-pull and comb height, ensuring personalized comfort and optimal ergonomics. The modular design of PRS chassis accommodates various purpose-built accessories, offering versatility for different shooting scenarios. 

Materials like aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber strike a balance between durability and maneuverability. With improved stability and ergonomic adaptability, a PRS chassis not only elevates the shooting experience but also empowers shooters to achieve peak performance in dynamic, challenging long-range shooting environments. Customize your rifle with XLR's wide range of compatible accessories and chassis systems to take your precision shooting to the next level.

Check out the XLR Sponsored shooter team to see what equipment our professional shooters use.