IMO... keep in mind your initial objective which I think you said was to try out the sport and see if you like it.
Even if you bought all the 'right' gear, you would probably still not place in the top 10 of your class. It may take years of shooting to catch up with the local members who have already developed their competition edge. Sure you can have fun and move up in rank over time... so score really isn't going to matter for a while.
Every sport has it's specialized gear designed to help one participate and then every sport also has their gear snobs that say only Ford/Chevy/Ram is the best.
Your deer rifle would go bang but probably isn't very suitable for playing that particular game, so you need to figure how best to get what you want. There are a lot of choices where to spend your money. Whatever choice you make is what your stuck with until you throw more $$ at the issue in some way.
If you just want to shoot long range and nothing else then sell your gun and get the best one above what you can now afford and cry a little until the pain is gone. Once you get into a game the gear upgrades seem endless no matter what you start with.
As mentioned you could upgrade what you have but in the long run you will have an expensive deer rifle you cant sell for near what you have in it.
If you think you want to use one gun for multiple purposes then get one that allows you options and one that doesn't require a lot of them to start. That is why i recommended the Savage link. I don't have one so I can't say good or bad about it but it does look to be set up for a variety of uses and would be more suitable for LRPS.
It ain't blueprinted and won't compare to a lot of the specialty gear you'll see but that can come later as you get into the game.
One nice thing about Savage is you can buy better brand target barrels (and stocks) for it down the road and switch them yourself a lot cheaper than having a gunsmith fit one to another brand (unless it is already setup as a switch barrel type)
Check into how much it would cost you to change caliber/barrels on a Howa or Ruger, as that is the most likely change if you already have a good stock and optic already.
Just my opinion, only you can decide what is best for you...
Even if you bought all the 'right' gear, you would probably still not place in the top 10 of your class. It may take years of shooting to catch up with the local members who have already developed their competition edge. Sure you can have fun and move up in rank over time... so score really isn't going to matter for a while.
Every sport has it's specialized gear designed to help one participate and then every sport also has their gear snobs that say only Ford/Chevy/Ram is the best.
Your deer rifle would go bang but probably isn't very suitable for playing that particular game, so you need to figure how best to get what you want. There are a lot of choices where to spend your money. Whatever choice you make is what your stuck with until you throw more $$ at the issue in some way.
If you just want to shoot long range and nothing else then sell your gun and get the best one above what you can now afford and cry a little until the pain is gone. Once you get into a game the gear upgrades seem endless no matter what you start with.
As mentioned you could upgrade what you have but in the long run you will have an expensive deer rifle you cant sell for near what you have in it.
If you think you want to use one gun for multiple purposes then get one that allows you options and one that doesn't require a lot of them to start. That is why i recommended the Savage link. I don't have one so I can't say good or bad about it but it does look to be set up for a variety of uses and would be more suitable for LRPS.
It ain't blueprinted and won't compare to a lot of the specialty gear you'll see but that can come later as you get into the game.
One nice thing about Savage is you can buy better brand target barrels (and stocks) for it down the road and switch them yourself a lot cheaper than having a gunsmith fit one to another brand (unless it is already setup as a switch barrel type)
Check into how much it would cost you to change caliber/barrels on a Howa or Ruger, as that is the most likely change if you already have a good stock and optic already.
Just my opinion, only you can decide what is best for you...
I did just get back from a PRS match in NM last weekend. I know there are at least 2 matches in the valley every month. Rio Salado and Dogtown. I think Big Sandy will be having some matches soon when the weather cools down. The long range rifle community is very welcoming of new shooters. I have never witnessed someone not helping a new shooter with eother gear or advice. I am hoping to make it out some of the local matches and for sure will be hitting the big ones like the TPRC PRS match in November.
