New to PRS, MPA Barreled Action, Custom, or something else?

Reck16

Reck16

Private
Minuteman
Supporter
Jul 31, 2023
5
0
North Carolina
#1
Figuring out a build for intent to do PRS matches and learn the skill of long range shooting. Budget is pretty flexible, around 4-6k but would like a good ratio to reduce diminishing return and increase bang for buck.

6.5CM, 26 in MTU, preferably a 60-75 degree bolt, not particularly married to anything else.

With some Mil pro deals I could snag an Impact, TT diamond, and Proof pre-fit for 2150ish.

But an MPA Barreled Action w/ TT Diamond could be had for 1650ish, post discount
masterpiecearms.com

MPA Elite Barreled Action - MasterPiece Arms, Inc.

The MPA Elite barreled action includes the MPA Elite Action, built by American Rifle Company (Coup de Grace Action) with an MPA Handlapped Hand Chambered Match Grade Barrel. They are available in a multitude of configurations, including with or without a trigger and in a black cerakote or...
masterpiecearms.com

I have a buy once, cry once mentality on this sort of stuff. I don't want to waste money with a "beginner rifle" I'll eventually lose a bunch of value on. Any thoughts, better options? If you could do it over again, what would you do?

I appreciate any feedback.
 
#3
Reck16 said:
Figuring out a build for intent to do PRS matches and learn the skill of long range shooting. Budget is pretty flexible, around 4-6k but would like a good ratio to reduce diminishing return and increase bang for buck.

6.5CM, 26 in MTU, preferably a 60-75 degree bolt, not particularly married to anything else.

With some Mil pro deals I could snag an Impact, TT diamond, and Proof pre-fit for 2150ish.

But an MPA Barreled Action w/ TT Diamond could be had for 1650ish, post discount
masterpiecearms.com

MPA Elite Barreled Action - MasterPiece Arms, Inc.

The MPA Elite barreled action includes the MPA Elite Action, built by American Rifle Company (Coup de Grace Action) with an MPA Handlapped Hand Chambered Match Grade Barrel. They are available in a multitude of configurations, including with or without a trigger and in a black cerakote or...
masterpiecearms.com

I have a buy once, cry once mentality on this sort of stuff. I don't want to waste money with a "beginner rifle" I'll eventually lose a bunch of value on. Any thoughts, better options? If you could do it over again, what would you do?

I appreciate any feedback.
Click to expand...
I am an ARC Kool ade drinker (had three of their actions) so keep that in mind.

If you can.get the mpa elite (arc CdG) at your price, buy it every day and twice on Sunday. That's a slick action. You won't be disappointed. I'd suggest the pivoting bolt handle but there are some people who absolutely hate it and want fixed, so that's a matter of your taste.

There's no flies on the impact at all but most I see are 90deg bolts so that rules it out given your stated reqs. You would have to get a 75deg bolt. Impact has the best choice in prefits, by far, but there are plenty of places that will spin you up a CdG barrel. Not only will MPA gladly sell you more barrels, but our own @bohem produces top quality barrels with very reasonable lead times. Patriot valley arms is his outfit. I have barrels from multiple companies and I have to.say that pva is a great product at a reasonable price.

Both the CdG and Impact are trigger hanger actions and both are very slick. Neither will leave you disappointed. I just happen to be an ARC fan but I may eventually buy an Impact to run as a fair comparison.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206 and Reck16
#5
Really appreciate the responses! I'll take a peak at GA Precision.

@4g64loser seems like I can't go wrong either way then. It seems like a lot of the stuff on the higher end is pretty consistently reliable when it comes to actions and barrels according to a lot of posts I've read. I really wonder how much I'm splitting hairs.
 
#6
Dunno where you are in NC but if you are anywhere near Vance County, head up to Frontline (Paul smith's outfit) for one of their matches. Odds are you will.be able.to.handle many tier one actions live. Ditto for high end glass. Great range that attracts a lot of good.shooters. volunteer to help a squad spot or run scoring. Tell them.you want to check out different actions. You will.have a dozen people handing you rifles to play with.
 
#8
Reck16 said:
Figuring out a build for intent to do PRS matches and learn the skill of long range shooting. Budget is pretty flexible, around 4-6k but would like a good ratio to reduce diminishing return and increase bang for buck.

6.5CM, 26 in MTU, preferably a 60-75 degree bolt, not particularly married to anything else.

With some Mil pro deals I could snag an Impact, TT diamond, and Proof pre-fit for 2150ish.

But an MPA Barreled Action w/ TT Diamond could be had for 1650ish, post discount
masterpiecearms.com

MPA Elite Barreled Action - MasterPiece Arms, Inc.

The MPA Elite barreled action includes the MPA Elite Action, built by American Rifle Company (Coup de Grace Action) with an MPA Handlapped Hand Chambered Match Grade Barrel. They are available in a multitude of configurations, including with or without a trigger and in a black cerakote or...
masterpiecearms.com

I have a buy once, cry once mentality on this sort of stuff. I don't want to waste money with a "beginner rifle" I'll eventually lose a bunch of value on. Any thoughts, better options? If you could do it over again, what would you do?

I appreciate any feedback.
Click to expand...
Please give the shop a call today and I'll be happy to work through it with you. We have excellent relationships with several action companies, barrel blanks in stock and the other parts on our shelves for quick turn times.

484-696-7874

Alternately here's my email: josh (at) patriotvalleyarms.com

I don't keep much in the way of full rifles on the website because the myriad of options makes for creating a website configuration into a massive endeavor keeping them all up to date. Most folks these days are buying components and assembling themselves anyway so it makes more sense to keep the barrels and parts updated and configure rifles a la carte style with the client directly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GrandeJake, WeR0206, 4g64loser and 1 other person
#10
bohem said:
Please give the shop a call today and I'll be happy to work through it with you. We have excellent relationships with several action companies, barrel blanks in stock and the other parts on our shelves for quick turn times.

484-696-7874

Alternately here's my email: josh (at) patriotvalleyarms.com

I don't keep much in the way of full rifles on the website because the myriad of options makes for creating a website configuration into a massive endeavor keeping them all up to date. Most folks these days are buying components and assembling themselves anyway so it makes more sense to keep the barrels and parts updated and configure rifles a la carte style with the client directly.
Click to expand...
Vouch for Josh / PVA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206
#11
Unlike normal "sports", race guns in PRS are easier to shoot not more demanding/difficult. I wouldn't do anything other than pick a proven combo like 6mm bore with a 26in+ MTU or another heavy+ barrel profile.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FremontCo45 and Reck16
#12
6.5CM is a great round, but it's also a harder cartridge to be competitive with. I huge part of the game is having to spot your impacts as well as misses and adjust accordingly. But you can be competitive with it as well. If you go a different route, be sure to find something that ammo is factory available (assuming you're not reloading). Also, look at barrel life as well if you go a different caliber (hint hint 6 CM).

At $2,150 ish, can get almost any custom action with a barrel. Personally I'm a huge fan of Kelbly Atlas and Prometheus actions. Some of the smoothest actions on the market.

With a 60 degree bolt throw, you typically have 3 action lugs instead of 2. This usually results in a slightly stiffer feel over a 90 degree with 2 lugs. I personally don't think the bolt throw degree is that big of a deal, but to each their own.

Plenty of great barrels out there, proof research being one them. Just don't get a carbon fiber wrapped barrel. First off, weight is your friend. Secondly, those barrels trap heat, and don't do well for competition purposes.

MTU is a great profile, but you'll see a lot of guys these days running a straight profile. Again, weight is your friend.

Good luck on your journey!
 
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206, Reck16, bohem and 2 others
#14
I don't have a dog in the fight about actions. I'm using a bergara b14. I did put a batrlein 6 Dasher barrel on it this year from the factory 6.5 creed. I second the remington 700 footprint. I'm trying to save up for an Impact 737, but too much shiny stuff keeps popping up. Unless you don't reload I'd recommend some lighter 6mm. If you don't go 6 creed or 6.5. By the time you shoot out either barrel you'll have a good idea what you want to move onto.
 
#19
If you're shooting factory ammo stick with 6.5 creed or 6 creed. I agree that 6 creed has shorter barrel life, but by the time you shoot it out you'll have learned enough to know what you want next. My Bergara 6.5 creed factory barrel lasted 1600 rounds before I started losing velocity so it wasn't much better than friends 6 creeds. Now I'm finding out how long the 6 Dasher will last.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoltBandit
#20
FremontCo45 said:
If you're shooting factory ammo stick with 6.5 creed or 6 creed. I agree that 6 creed has shorter barrel life, but by the time you shoot it out you'll have learned enough to know what you want next. My Bergara 6.5 creed factory barrel lasted 1600 rounds before I started losing velocity so it wasn't much better than friends 6 creeds. Now I'm finding out how long the 6 Dasher will last.
Click to expand...

That doesn’t speak well for Bergara barrels as 1600 rounds is no where near where a 6.5 Creed should be shot out. The earliest I ever had one go was around 2400 rounds and most closer to 2800-3000.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4g64loser
#21
FremontCo45 said:
If you're shooting factory ammo stick with 6.5 creed or 6 creed. I agree that 6 creed has shorter barrel life, but by the time you shoot it out you'll have learned enough to know what you want next. My Bergara 6.5 creed factory barrel lasted 1600 rounds before I started losing velocity so it wasn't much better than friends 6 creeds. Now I'm finding out how long the 6 Dasher will last.
Click to expand...
I second Rob on this, 1600 rounds is crazy early for a 6.5 Creedmoor. Are you shooting handloads or factory? If handloads, how hot are you loading those rounds?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4g64loser
#22
I was shooting hand loads. 41.8 Gr h4350 Berger 130 hybrids. I haven’t bore scoped it to see how bad the fire cracking was. It was a some what thick barrel, they call it a #6 profile. It would get quite hot on 12 round stages. Maybe it just needed a deep clean but when it lost 60 fps I had the new barrel and decided to change. I learned a lot with it and was not upset to move on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoltBandit
#23
FremontCo45 said:
I was shooting hand loads. 41.8 Gr h4350 Berger 130 hybrids. I haven’t bore scoped it to see how bad the fire cracking was. It was a some what thick barrel, they call it a #6 profile. It would get quite hot on 12 round stages. Maybe it just needed a deep clean but when it lost 60 fps I had the new barrel and decided to change. I learned a lot with it and was not upset to move on.
Click to expand...

They all get hot with 12 round stages. lol That’s not a hot load at all. The one that went at 2400 for me I was running about a grain more powder with 140s. Must have been something with their barrel but it’s gone now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoltBandit
#26
Rob01 said:
They all get hot with 12 round stages. lol That’s not a hot load at all. The one that went at 2400 for me I was running about a grain more powder with 140s. Must have been something with their barrel but it’s gone now.
Click to expand...

Yep, same. I'm running 42.6 with 140's and have a barrel still going strong at 2300 rounds.
FremontCo45 said:
Yes I didn’t think it was hot. But everyone makes a bad barrel once in awhile. It was great for about 1300 rounds then it fell apart.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that is a fact. Shame you couldn't hit them up for a replacement. Might have been hard to prove though. Hope you get much better life out of this next one.
 
#29
There's so many different ways you could go on this, and there aren't really a lot of wrong answers these days.

A lot of it comes down to personal preference, and we can't decide for you what your preferences are.

But if you stick with any of the commonly recommended actions, chassis'/stocks, and other components, you'll have a nice rifle. Whether it's to your preference or not is solely up to you to determine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Wilsmartin
SOLD .308 PRS build : MPA matrix pro, Kelbly tactical atlas action, proof SS .308 barrel, trigger tech diamond
Replies
8
Views
1K
Wilsmartin
Wilsmartin
Chopping Broccoli
SOLD MPA PMR Pro 2 - 6GT Barreled Action or Complete in Manners PRS-TCS + AMMO!
Replies
9
Views
907
Chopping Broccoli
Chopping Broccoli
D
Firearms WTS Custom 300 PRC
Replies
6
Views
1K
DumpPouch
D
M
SOLD Sweet PRS Rifle - Impact Barreled Action is Sold (Moving the Foundation to a new Post)
Replies
4
Views
1K
MuleyTime
M
Glassaholic
Rifle Scopes Alpha Class High Magnification 6-36/7-35 FFP Scope Review
Replies
142
Views
17K
Glassaholic
Glassaholic
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts