PrecisionRifleBlog.com A DATA-DRIVEN Approach to Precision Rifles, Optics & Gear

What changes when you look beyond American matches to see what the pros use worldwide? My survey of 260+ shooters from 24 countries covers the rifles, optics, ammunition components, and other gear at the 2026 IPRF World Championship. There are some striking differences, along with a few places where shooters largely agree. The interesting part is seeing which choices carry through to the highest finishers.

I recently sat down with Ken Wheeler on the Precision Rifle Series Podcast, and we covered a lot of ground! We talked about how Precision Rifle Blog got started, what I’ve learned from testing equipment and surveying the top shooters, and a couple of experiments in my underground range that I still haven’t published. The episode was published this week, and they named it “What the Data Says Actually Matters in Precision Rifle Shooting.” If you follow PRB for research, you haven’t seen a few things from this conversation in an article yet. Here are two that might get your ...

The model gave just 7 Mil/LEO shooters more than a 1% chance of winning the IPRF World Championship. At halftime, those exact 7 occupied the top 7 spots. But elsewhere, a shooter predicted 64th in his division is now sitting 10th! See where the predictions held up, where they missed, and who now has the best chance to win.

Who has the best chance of winning the 2026 IPRF World Championship? I built statistical models, tested them against past results, and used them to predict the top 50 shooters and the favorites in each division. But the highest-ranked shooter has just an 11% chance of posting the highest score. So who else is in the hunt?

Do you need to bed your rifle? 7 of the top 10 PRS shooters bed their rifles, but most pros don’t. The interesting part isn’t just who beds their rifle, it’s why they do it, and it’s probably not what you think. I dug into what the top 200 PRS shooters actually do, and talked to the top gunsmiths. If you’ve ever wondered whether bedding is worth it, or if your setup actually needs it, this article might save you time and second-guessing.

What’s the best rifle scope for PRS competition right now? I asked the top 200-ranked shooters in the country, and the answers reveal some major shifts happening in the precision rifle world. A couple of newer scope designs are rapidly taking over, while others that once ruled the sport are fading fast. This will change how you think about your next scope upgrade.

This is the official announcement of Team USA for the 2026 IPRF World Championship. After 18 months of elite-level competition, the final roster is set. These shooters proved they can perform anywhere, against anyone. A few names may surprise you. I also break down match details and how you can follow the event live. See who made the team.

What rifle stock or chassis do the best long-range shooters actually trust in competition? I surveyed the top 200 Precision Rifle Series shooters to find out. The results reveal one brand pulling far ahead of the field, a long-time favorite faded from the field, and a few newcomers gaining traction fast. The full data breakdown reveals which designs the pros trust, and a few surprises you probably wouldn’t expect.

Morgun King just became the PRS Season Champ, and he shared every detail of the rifle, ammo, and gear that took him there. His balance-point breakdown alone is worth the read, and so is the fact that he won the whole season using factory 6.5 Creedmoor ammo! This one has some eye-opening insights.

The 2025 PRS Season wrapped with unbelievable shooting, and a new Golden Bullet winner. Morgun King, Austin Buschman, and Clay Blackketter traded blows all weekend, but the real story goes far deeper than who won. New divisions, surprise performances, international contenders, and one junior who walked away with a truckload of awards. You have to see how this one unfolded.