Terminus Pre-Fit Barrels
Terminus Pre-Fit Barrels
Industry-Leading Design
Designed for Enthusiasts
PROOF Research's Terminus Pre-Fit Barrels offer precision and performance, engineered specifically for the Terminus Apollo, Zeus, and Kratos actions. These barrels are chambered and threaded for straightforward installation. With either carbon fiber or traditional steel construction, these pre-fit barrels excel in delivering shot-after-shot accuracy. For enthusiasts seeking the best for their Terminus actions, these barrels provide a seamless fit.
Compatibility Specifications
Zeus Action Compatibility
Pre-fit versions for the Zeus action accommodate the "quick change" feature, though they are not suited for the "full length" thread design.
Apollo and Apollo Lite, Ti Features
The Apollo variants fit actions with an integral recoil lug and those supplied with a .250" thick recoil lug, ensuring secure marriage between barrel and action.
Kratos and Kratos Lite Adaptability
Pre-fit barrels for the Kratos series support 1 1/16" x 16 receiver threads but are incompatible with 1.100" x 16 threading. This ensures precise alignment and reliable headspacing.
Carbon Fiber Barrels
Advantages of Carbon Fiber
Lightweight Performance
Carbon fiber barrels are significantly lighter, up to 64% less than their steel counterparts, improving maneuverability and reducing fatigue during field use.
Temperature Resilience
These barrels boast enhanced heat dissipation properties, maintaining cooler operational temperatures and extending service life.
Durability and Construction
Crafted with aerospace-grade carbon fiber and a proprietary matrix resin, these barrels offer unmatched durability and resilience in diverse shooting conditions.
Caliber Options
223 Rem
22 ARC
6 ARC
308 Win
6.5 PRC
300 Win Mag
More available on Proof Research's website
Traditional Steel Barrels
Benefits of Steel Construction
Longevity and Wear Resistance
Renowned for their excellent erosion characteristics and corrosion resistance, these steel barrels deliver long-lasting reliability.
Pressure Endurance
With high tensile strength and necessary toughness, these barrels withstand the extreme pressures experienced during firing, ensuring safety and reliability.
Steel Barrel Caliber Selection
223 Rem
6 CM
6.5 CM
7 PRC
308 Win
Additional calibers offered online
FAQs
What makes carbon fiber barrels preferable to traditional steel?
Carbon fiber barrels provide significant weight savings and superior heat management, while still delivering high durability.
Are the pre-fit barrels ready for all Terminus actions?
Pre-fit barrels are specific to certain action types—Zeus, Apollo, and Kratos—with varying compatibility based on specific threading and lug dimensions.
What's the installation process for a shouldered pre-fit barrel?
The installation involves torquing the barrel, verifying the headspace with proper gauges, and ensuring alignment is consistent with action specifications.
Meta Description: Discover PROOF Research's Terminus Pre-Fit Barrels designed for Terminus Apollo, Zeus, and Kratos actions. Choose between carbon fiber for lightweight performance and traditional steel for longevity. Explore caliber options and compatibility details.
Best Shooting Bags – What The Pros Use
It all begins with an idea.
The Evolution of Shooting Bags
Shooting bags have significantly advanced in the past decade, transforming long-range precision shooting. Today, shooters have access to specialized bags tailored for various shooting scenarios. The 200 top-ranked shooters in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) have seen firsthand how innovations such as the Game Changer Bag Design and the transition to sand-filled bags have transformed shooting stability and precision in competitive environments.
The Game Changer Bag Design
The Game Changer bag, introduced in 2016 by Clifton Reasor of Reasor Precision, revolutionized shooting bag design. Its unique V-shape allows for enhanced stability, particularly when shooting from barricades and props. The introduction of this bag forced match directors to reduce target sizes because shooters achieved unprecedented steadiness.
Sand Fill Bags
The past five years have seen a shift towards sand-filled bags, especially in improvised shooting positions. Comparatively, sand-filled bags offer more stability than their lightweight counterparts, significantly reducing rifle wobble. PRS champions consider these bags essential for competitive shooting, emphasizing their superiority over other fills for positional bags.
Waxed Canvas Bags and Maintenance
Waxed canvas has become the preferred material for shooting bags, with its flexible and responsive texture enhancing grip and stability. Regular maintenance, including rewaxing, is crucial for optimal performance. Professionals like Austin Buschman recommend frequent rewaxing to maintain the bag's grip on various surfaces, which contributes to shooting accuracy.
How Many Bags Do You Carry At A Match?
A survey of the top PRS shooters showed that 85% carry either two or three bags to matches. This typically includes a larger rear bag and a smaller positional bag filled with sand. Interestingly, 64% of shooters use the same bag model for both rear and positional purposes, although top shooters like Austin Orgain and Austin Buschman prefer distinct bags for each role to maximize stability and ease of use.
Best Rear Bag
Brand & Model
Over 99% of top PRS competitors use either the Armageddon Gear Game Changer or the Wiebad Fortune Cookie as their rear bag. These models offer versatility and stability, with multiple sizes available to suit different shooting scenarios.
Fill for Rear Bag
The choice of fill is predominantly sand, used by 67% of top shooters, due to its superior stability. However, lighter fills like ultralight beads are also popular for rear bags. The weights of these fills significantly impact the bag's performance, dictating the level of support and steadiness they provide.
Best Positional Bag
Brand & Model
In terms of positional bags, the Armageddon Gear Game Changer remains the top choice for 71% of professional shooters. The Wiebad Fortune Cookie is used by 28%, reflecting its unique advantages for specific shooting positions.
Fill for Positional Bag
A staggering 93% of the professionals choose sand fill for their positional bags. This fill type is integral for achieving the stability needed in precision shooting, aligning with the preferences of the sport's top competitors.
Plate Bags and Waxing Techniques
Plate bags, crucial for efficiency in multi-positional shooting stages, attach directly to the rifle. They are especially advantageous in transitioning between positions quickly, a strategy employed by elites like Austin Orgain. Waxing techniques are an essential part of maintaining bag integrity and performance, with waxed canvas providing superior durability and grip.
FAQs
Q: Why is sand fill popular in shooting bags?
Sand fill offers superior stability, reducing wobble and providing a more solid shooting platform, which is preferred for both rear and positional bags by PRS shooters.
Q: How often should waxed canvas shooting bags be maintained?
Regular rewaxing, ideally before competitive stages, is recommended to ensure optimal grip and performance, as suggested by top shooters like Austin Buschman.
Q: What makes the Armageddon Gear Game Changer a preferred choice?
Its V-shaped design offers enhanced stability on barricades, and it allows for customizable fill, making it a versatile choice across various shooting positions.
Meta Description: Discover the top shooting bags used by PRS shooters. Learn about innovative designs like the Game Changer and preferences for sand-filled, waxed canvas bags in precision rifle shooting.
Best Rifle Bipod – What The Pros Use
It all begins with an idea.
Advanced Bipod Technology
Bipods have undergone significant evolution in recent years, keeping pace with the demand for precision in competitive shooting. Traditionally, shooters relied primarily on a single bag, rarely utilizing a bipod and rear bag combo. The trend has shifted as targets have become smaller and the margin for victory even narrower. Shooters now commonly use a bipod to achieve a modified prone position, enhancing stability and potentially converting near misses into successful shots. Today's bipods offer unprecedented adjustability, allowing for optimal cant and positioning on uneven surfaces, which is a drastic improvement from models a decade ago.
Best Bipod for Rifle Matches
The MDT Ckye-Pod has rapidly gained favor among competitive shooters, with a significant 57% opting for it during most stages. This popularity extends to five competitors within the top 10 rankings. While the Harris bipod, a stalwart since the 1970s, still claims 18% of preferences, it's clear that the precision and versatility of newer models are capturing interest.
Secondary Bipods
Interestingly, 65% of shooters carry more than one bipod to matches, highlighting the strategic advantage of flexibility. Even as a secondary option, the Ckye-Pod remains a top choice. Different stages may require different bipods for optimal performance, making the Ckye-Pod and Harris combination particularly popular, used by 20% of the top shooters.
Most Popular Bipod Combinations
Shooters acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses inherent in different bipod designs. The Ckye-Pod + Harris combination is the most common among the top-ranked competitors, valued for its complementary strengths. Some shooters carry multiple Ckye-Pods for their versatility, with various models catering to specific needs without necessitating frequent adjustments.
If You Only Have 1 Bipod
Among those who carry only one bipod, the choice trends toward the Harris bipod, indicating its reliability in diverse scenarios. The overall static nature of choice, compared to dual-bipod shooters, underscores the flexibility and adaptability of leading models even when limited to a single option.
MDT Ckye-Pod: 71% of Pros
71% of top-tier shooters carry the MDT Ckye-Pod, with 90% of the top 10 ranking competitors including it in their gear. Known for its significant adjustability and ability to cater to various surface types, the Ckye-Pod remains a top performer despite its premium pricing. The adjustability, touted as unmatched, includes heights from 6.6” to 36.9”, with cant adjustments up to 170° that enhance rifle leveling on uneven surfaces.
Harris Bipod: 37% of Pros
Despite the introduction of newer technologies, the Harris bipod still retains favor with 37% of the professional community. Its quick deployment and solid lock-up are advantageous for fast-paced scenarios where precision is necessary. While less adjustable than the Ckye-Pod, its unique attributes, such as minimal recoil hop, keep it in the tactical repertoire of astute competitors like PRS Champion Austin Orgain.
Atlas and Other Bipods
At 19% and 12% respectively, Atlas and Accutac bipods also maintain presence among top competitors. The Atlas model, though its market share has decreased, remains a favorable choice due to its light weight and robust design, appealing to both target shooters and hunters. Conversely, Accutac is gaining traction through its rigid build and zero-play design. The Thunder Beast bipod similarly appeals to elite shooters with its compact form and stabilizing features.
Q&A Section
Q1: What makes the MDT Ckye-Pod so popular among top competitors?
A1: The MDT Ckye-Pod is highly popular due to its extensive adjustability and solid build, allowing for quick adaptation to various shooting scenarios and surfaces, yielding stability and precision.
Q2: Why do some shooters still prefer the Harris bipod?
A2: The Harris bipod is preferred by some for its swift deployment and robust lock-up, offering a simple yet effective solution for stages that demand rapid transitions or minimal adjustments.
Q3: Are there significant differences between the Atlas and Accutac bipods?
A3: Yes, Atlas bipods are lightweight and versatile, ideal for hunting and competitive scenes, while Accutac bipods are known for their rigid, zero-play construction, catering to shooters prioritizing stability over flexibility.
Meta Description: Discover the best rifle bipods used by pros, including MDT Ckye-Pod, Harris, Atlas, and others. Explore features that offer adjustability, stability, and precision in shooting scenarios.
Best Suppressor – What The Pros Use
It all begins with an idea.
Emerging Trends in Suppressor Size and Technology
The precision rifle community has observed a notable shift in suppressor dimensions, with an increasing preference for larger diameters. Traditional suppressor diameters of 1.5 inches are giving way to dimensions closer to 1.75 or 1.8 inches. This seemingly small change can significantly boost volume, by up to 44%, thereby enhancing sound suppression performance. Across competitive shooting, suppressors measuring around 7 inches in length and 1.75 to 1.8 inches in diameter appear to strike the ideal balance between effective sound suppression and handling ease during matches.
Dominant Suppressor Brands Among Top Shooters
Thunder Beast Suppressors Leading the Pack
Thunder Beast Arms Corp (TBAC) consistently tops the list of preferred suppressors, chosen by 40% of top-ranked shooters in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS). Notably, TBAC models such as the Ultra-7, 338 Ultra, and Magnus SR are favored for their high volume and exceptional suppression capabilities. The Magnus line, featuring models equipped with recoil-reducing brakes, enhances shooting precision by effectively managing recoil, albeit with a trade-off in increased noise levels.
KGM Suppressors Gaining Traction
KGM suppressors have rapidly ascended in popularity, securing the choice of 23% of top shooters. Noteworthy among them is the R-Series, particularly favored for its precision and minimal point of impact shift. The innovative Adjustable Port End Cap (APEC) of KGM suppressors significantly aids in minimizing muzzle rise, allowing shooters to maintain target acquisition more easily.
Area 419 Maverick’s Unique Appeal
The modular design of the Area 419 Maverick suppressor has captivated 17% of elite shooters. Its versatility, allowing configurations between 4 and 9 inches, makes it a preferred option for those who exclusively use suppressors. Integrated recoil-reducing brakes offer additional stability, emphasizing the shift towards suppressors that balance both recoil management and sound control.
SilencerCo’s Budget-Friendly Options
With 10% of shooters opting for SilencerCo suppressors, models like the Omega 300 stand out for their affordability without compromising performance. The latest Scythe-Ti model exemplifies a trend towards shorter, wider suppressors that retain substantial volume, enhancing sound suppression despite their compact size.
Future Suppressor Innovations
The industry is witnessing a transformative period, particularly with the integration of 3D-printed titanium in suppressor manufacturing. This technology facilitates complex designs previously unattainable, potentially setting the stage for the next leap in suppressor performance. The trend towards compact, broader suppressors with advanced recoil dampening features appears poised for growth, likely fueled by ongoing advancements in materials and design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do suppressor diameters affect performance?
A1: Larger diameters increase the internal volume of suppressors, improving sound suppression by accommodating more gases.
Q2: Why is Thunder Beast a popular choice among PRS shooters?
A2: Thunder Beast suppressors are widely chosen for their precise engineering tailored to precision shooting, superior sound suppression, and reliable recoil reduction.
Q3: What makes the Area 419 Maverick suppressor stand out?
A3: Its modular design offers shooters flexibility in configuration, allowing them to optimize for either compactness or greater suppression, and its integrated brakes enhance recoil control.
Meta Description:
Explore the top suppressors favored by elite precision rifle shooters, unveiling trends in size and technology. Learn why Thunder Beast, KGM, and Area 419 brands dominate the field and stay updated on future innovations.
The Best Sniper & Precision Rifles
It all begins with an idea.
What is the Best Precision Rifle?
Sniper and precision rifles are popular among target shooters and hunters. While top-tier military rifles aren't available to the public, numerous civilian options are perfect for recreational or competitive use. Let's explore some of the best sniper and precision rifles suited for casual or serious shooting enthusiasts.
Quick List: The Top Sniper Rifles
Best Overall: Ruger American
Remington 700 Magpul Bolt Action Rifle
Savage Arms Axis II
Aero Precision M5E1 Complete Rifle
Ruger Precision .308 Win
Best Overall: Savage Arms Axis II
What We Liked:
Good barrel material and length
Adjustable trigger for personal comfort
Included scope for immediate use
Attractive and ergonomic wood design
Lightweight at just over 8 pounds
Budget-friendly option
What We Didn’t:
Scope quality could be better
The Savage Arms Axis II offers affordability without sacrificing performance. Its features include a bore-sighted and mounted scope with 3-9x magnification, suitable for hunting and target shooting. The design uses blued carbon steel for durability, ensuring long-term use against elements. With a 22-inch barrel and chambered for 308 Winchester rounds, it's ideal for larger game hunting and long-distance precision.
Remington 700 Magpul Bolt Action Rifle
What We Liked:
Protective cerakote coating
Durable construction
Balanced barrel length for precision
Expandable stock
What We Didn’t:
Non-free-floating barrel
The Remington 700 Magpul continues its legacy as a reliable hunting rifle. Its features like a robust cerakote finish guard against environmental damage. The rifle weighs 8.75 pounds with a capacity for six cartridges and a 22-inch barrel, making it suitable for distance shooting. A customizable stock and smooth bolt action enhance its appeal to hunters seeking durability and precision.
Best Semi-Auto: Aero Precision M5E1 Complete Rifle
What We Liked:
Extensive customization options
Free-floating barrel enhances precision
Lightweight for its size
Strong construction
What We Didn’t:
Higher price point
Limited availability
This model defies the notion that bolt actions surpass semi-automatics in accuracy. The Aero Precision M5E1's AR-10 platform offers semi-auto fire and adaptability for various long-range applications. Its custom integrated components and 6.5 Creedmoor chambering make it a versatile option for both fun and competitive settings.
Best Beginner Precision Rifle: Ruger American Predator Rifle
What We Liked:
Lightweight and beginner-friendly
High-quality build materials
Adjustable trigger and familiar layout
Safety features designed for easy use
Recoil-reducing stock design
What We Didn’t:
Slight accuracy limitations at longer ranges
Potential shortened lifespan compared to peers
The Ruger American Predator offers affordability and ease of use for beginners. With chambering for 308 Winchester rounds and an adjustable trigger, it provides novice shooters control and comfort. The rifle maintains a manageable weight of 6.2 pounds with an 18-inch barrel, making it accessible for smaller or younger users.
What Makes for the Best Precision Rifle?
Bolt Action or Semi-Auto?
Choosing between bolt action or semi-automatic rifles depends on user needs. Bolt actions cater to precision at distance, with heavier cartridges and enhanced durability. While semi-autos offer faster follow-up shots and capacity, precision rifles typically favor bolt actions for accuracy.
Cartridge Type
Cartridge choice affects precision and power. The .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor are popular for precision shooting, offering excellent range and stopping power. Choosing the right cartridge is crucial for balancing distance shooting with practical usability.
Scope Mounting Options
Effective precision rifles need versatile scope-mounting capabilities. The use of Weaver or Picatinny rails accommodates diverse optics. Ensuring compatibility with high-quality scopes is vital for maximizing accuracy.
Stock Quality & Adjustability
A well-designed stock reduces recoil and enhances stability. Premium stocks utilize materials like carbon fiber for strength without heft. Adjustable stocks allow personalization, optimizing shooting comfort and alignment.
Durability
Selecting a durable rifle built from high-quality materials ensures longevity and resilience. Opt for features resistant to weather and wear, such as aircraft-grade aluminum or composite materials, to maintain performance over time.
FAQs
Q: Are bolt action rifles more accurate than semi-automatics?
A: Generally, bolt action rifles offer superior accuracy at range due to their design and cartridge compatibility, making them the preferred choice for precision shooting enthusiasts.
Q: What makes the .308 Winchester a popular choice for precision shooting?
A: The .308 Winchester is favored for its reliability, stopping power, and adaptability for big-game hunting and target shooting at considerable distances.
Q: How important are scope mounting options for a precision rifle?
A: Scope mounting options are critical for precision rifles, as they facilitate the use of high-quality optics essential for long-distance accuracy.
Meta Description: Explore the best sniper and precision rifles for target shooting and hunting. Discover top models like the Ruger American, Remington 700, and Aero Precision for tailored shooting experiences.